There’s midweek football on display for English Premier League fans as we head into a jam-packed month of football to round out the year. Liverpool are running away with the league, can anyone from the chasing pack catch them? Jack Tobin provides his best bets for Matchday 14 below!
EPL 2024-25: Matchday 14 Preview & Betting Tips
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest
Etihad Stadium, Thursday 5th December, 6:30am AEDT
Manchester City’s season is in freefall, with four consecutive losses in the league seeing them fall to fifth on the table, eleven points behind league leaders Liverpool. Ciy will be desperate to end their awful run of form when they host Nottingham Forest. Coming into this season nobody would have predicted that in December, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest would face off in a battle of fifth versus sixth, but here we are.
For the first time under Pep Guardiola’s reign, Manchester City have lost four consecutive Premier League games. City have six losses and a draw from their last seven games in all competitions, with the pressure well and truly taking a toll on the four-time defending champions. After a hot streak that saw them move to third on the table, Nottingham Forest have lost two of their last three games. Despite being one of the best defences in the league, Forest’s defence has struggled lately, conceding six goals in those two defeats.
As expected, Manchester City have had a strong recent record against Nottingham Forest. City have won three of their last four Premier League fixtures against Forest, by score lines of 2-0, 2-0 and 6-0. Pep Guardiola’s side has to bounce back at some point, and this matchup presents as one that can favour them. Manchester City will finally put an end to their slide against a Forest side that is showing signs of slowing down.
Manchester City -1
$1.95 (1.5 Units)
Newcastle vs Liverpool
St James’ Park, Thursday 5th December, 6:30am AEDT
Liverpool’s dream season continues to roll on, with a 2-0 win over Manchester City seeing them nine points clear at the top of the table, with the defending champions nowhere near them. Arne Slot’s side have a golden opportunity to tighten their stranglehold on top spot when they take on a struggling Newcastle side. Newcastle have only won two of their last nine games, after their 1-1 draw with seventeenth placed Crystal Palace.
Liverpool were excellent against Manchester City, winning the shot count 18-8 and holding City to just 2 shots on target despite the defending champions having 57% possession. Arne Slot’s side continue to find ways to win and play remarkably consistent in all three phases of the game. The Reds have the best defence in the league, and have only conceded in one of their last three games.
This has been one of the most one-sided matchups in the Premier League over the last decade and it doesn’t make for pretty reading for Newcastle. Liverpool have an 11-4-0 record since Newcastle last beat them in a Premier League fixture back in 2015, with the Reds having won the last six Premier League games between the two sides. Liverpool have been near perfect with an 11-1-1 record this season, and they will be far too good for Newcastle.
Liverpool to Win
$1.75 (2 Units)
Arsenal vs Manchester United
Emirates Stadium, Thursday 5th December, 7:15pm AEDT
Arsenal will be out to continue their recent dominance against Manchester United when they host the Red Devils on Thursday morning. United are coming off a 4-0 thumping of Everton, giving new manager Ruben Amorim his first Premier League win. After going on a four-game winless run heading into the international break, Arsenal have responded with 3-0 and 5-2 wins over the last fortnight. The Gunners scored all five goals in the first half last week against West Ham, reminding the league of the attacking power that made them so dangerous last season.
Arsenal have scored 26 goals, equal second most in the league, while they also have conceded only 14 goals, equal fourth fewest in the Premier League. This balance gives them a major advantage coming into this game against an inconsistent Manchester United side. The Red Devils have been one of the best defensive sides in the league this season ranking as the equal second-best defence (13 goals conceded), however they have struggled badly in the front half of the pitch. United have scored 17 goals, ranked 12th in the league, which has been boosted by scoring eight goals across their last three games.
Mikel Arteta’s side have won three straight Premier League games against Manchester United, and have a 7-2-2 record across their last 11 league fixtures against the Red Devils. The Gunners have consistently exposed the Red Devils defence, in three of their last four wins against United, Arsenal have scored 3 goals. Given what Arsenal have produced over the last fortnight, this looms as a game that could get out of hand quickly for Manchester United.
Arsenal -1
$2.25 (2 Units)
