Premier League Picks: Matchweek 20

Premier League Picks: Matchweek 20

PREMIER LEAGUE PICKS MATCHWEEK 20- The next round of Premier League action gets under way this weekend. Let’s take a look at some of the key fixtures.

Brighton and Liverpool are back at it and looking for goals after their 3-3 goal frenzy earlier this season. Bottom dwellers Everton and Southampton will fight to get out of the relegation zone.

Brentford look to continue their incredible run against Bournemouth. Newcastle are coming off a 0-0 draw against Arsenal and continue to fight for the top of the table.

Chelsea will look to get their season back on track against their London rival Crystal Palace. Powerhouses Tottenham and Arsenal will face off in the North London Derby.

Let’s go!

Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of 1/12/23. 

Brighton & Hove Albion (8th) vs Liverpool (6th)

Date: Saturday, 01/14/2023 at 10:00 AM EST

Pitch: Brighton & Hove Albion – Amex Stadium, Falmer, England

Current PL Form: | Brighton & Hove Albion (WLWLW) | Liverpool (WWWWL) |

Last PL Match: | Everton 1 – 4 Brighton | | Brentford 3 -1 Liverpool |

Head to Head

Moneyline Odds: | HOME: +220 | TIE: +270 | AWAY: +115 |

Prop Bet: | Cody Gakpo to Score (+210) | 

Both these teams have a knack for both scoring goals and conceding them and with their last meeting being a 3-3 draw, goals are up for grabs here. Cody Gakpo has been in terrific goal scoring form this season, he looked electric in Liverpool’s FA Cup match against Wolves, so he’s a solid bet to find the back of the net in his Premier League debut. 

Tips

• Brighton are winless in their last 10 home games against Liverpool.
• Brighton have only won 3 out of their 8 total home games.
• 4 of Liverpool’s 5 losses have been away games.

The Word

Brighton piled it on Everton in their last Premier League match in a 4-1 win, while Liverpool fell to Brentford in a 3-1 loss. Brighton are currently sitting 8th in the Premier League table and could leapfrog past Liverpool with a win this Saturday. 

In their first meeting this season, goals came at will and the game ended in a 3-3 draw thanks to a hat trick from Leandro Trossard.

However, Trossard is unlikely to play against Liverpool due to a calf injury and also speculation of a move to Tottenham. World Cup winner Alexis MacAllister was on the bench for Brighton’s last Premier League match, but is expected to start against Liverpool after a 2 goal performance in the FA Cup last weekend.

Liverpool’s away performances this season have been abysmal. They have been erratic in front of goal, appear to be lost on the defensive end, and cries for a midfield signing continue to ring out from the Anfield faithful.

To make things worse Virgil Van Dijk is likely ruled out for a few more weeks due to injury. Liverpool’s hopes for a Champions League spot are still on the table, but they will need to get back to their winning ways very soon.

PREDICTION: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 – 2  LIVERPOOL

Everton (18th) vs Southampton (20th) 

Date: Saturday, 01/14/2023 at 10:00 AM EST

Pitch: Everton – Goodison Park, Liverpool, England

Current PL Form: | Everton (LLLDL) | Southampton (LLLLL) |

Last PL Match: | Everton 1 – 4 Brighton | | Southampton 0 -1 Nottingham Forest |

Head to Head

Moneyline Odds: | HOME: +125 | TIE: +230 | AWAY: +230 |

Prop Bet: | Demarai Gray to Score (+330) |

Everton have been struggling all season and manager Frank Lampard is on the hot seat. However, their one silver lining all season has been Demarai Gray. He has 5 goals this season in all competitions and if anyone scores in this low-scoring affair, look for it to be him.

Tips

• Southampton sit at the bottom of the table and have lost their last 5 Premier League matches in a row.
• Southamptom are allowing an average of nearly 2 goals per game in away games.
• 6 of Southampton’s 12 points have come on the road.
• There are unlikely to be many goals in this game so the home crowd at Goodison Park could prove to be pivotal in this crucial match of the bottom dwellers.

The Word

Everton have not been relegated since 1953, but at the current moment that is exactly where they are and manager Frank Lampard is feeling all of that pressure.

They have lost 4 of their last 5 games and their performance this weekend at Goodison Park will have to be better than it was against Brighton if they want to get out of the bottom 3. 

Southampton on the other hand are in no better shape. They have lost 6 Premier League games in a row and have only scored more goals than Wolverhamton and Nottingham Forest.

Southampton also have a poor record at Goodison Park, where they are winless in their previous 17 visits. 

Goals are most likely going to be in low demand this weekend as neither team can afford to drop points. But, Everton’s home crowd miraculously kept them in the top flight last season.

So expect Goodison Park to be bumping and for Everton to hand Southampton its club record breaking 7th Premier League loss in a row. 

PREDICTION: EVERTON 1 – 0 SOUTHAMPTON

Brentford (9th) vs Bournemouth (16th)

Photo By: The Independent

Date: Saturday, 01/14/2023 at 12:30 PM EST

Pitch: Brentford – Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford, England

Current PL Form: | Brentford (DWDWW) | Bournemouth (LWLLL) |

Last PL Match: | Brentford 3 – 1 Liverpool | | Manchester United 3 -0 Bournemouth |

Head to Head

Odds: | HOME: -165 | TIE: +310 | AWAY: +450 |

Prop Bet: | Brentford to score over 1.5 goals (-110) |

Brentford are currently 9th in the table and are in top form this season. They are undefeated against 5 of the Premier League’s “Big 6” and have scored at least 2 goals in each of their last 5 Premier League matches. This weekend they will be facing Bournemouth, with 39 goals conceded in 18 matches, have the worst goal differential and goals allowed per game average in the league.

Tips

• Bournemouth have only managed 1 away win this season and have a 1-2-6 record away.
• Out of their 39 goals allowed this season, Bournemouth have conceded 29 of them in away matches.
• Bournemouth have conceded an average of 3.22 goals per game in away games.
• Brentford have 3 wins, 3 draws, and 0 losses in their previous 6 Premier League matches.

The Word

Brentford lost in their last match in the FA Cup to West Ham U, but their primary goal this season seems to be the Premier League.

They have avoided defeat in their last 6 Premier League games, and have numerous key victories this season including wins against Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City. If they were to beat Bournemouth, Brentford could potentially move up to 6th position in the table. 

Bournemouth on the other hand have continued to struggle since the world cup break. They have lost their previous 3 Premier League matches and haven’t netted a single goal in any of those games.

Another loss this weekend could see them back in the relegation zone. 

I don’t foresee Bournemouth putting an end to Brentford’s incredible run. Should be an easy one for Brentford and I can see them winning by 2 goals or more.

PREDICTION: BRENTFORD 3 – 0 BOURNEMOUTH

Newcastle United (3rd) vs Fulham (7th)

Date: Sunday, 01/15/2023 at 9:00 AM EST

Pitch: Newcastle United – St. James’ Park, Newcastle, England

Current PL Form: | Newcastle United (WWWDD) | Fulham (LLWWW) |

Last PL Match: | Arsenal 0 – 0 Newcastle | | Leicester City 0 -1 Fulham |

Head to Head

Odds: | HOME: -200 | TIE: +340 | AWAY: +550 |

Prop Bet: | Aleksandar Mitrovic to score (+250) |

Newcastle’s defense has been outstanding this season but they will face a test against Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic. Mitrovic is 4th in the Premier League in goals this season and has scored a total of 11 goals in 15 games. He was serving a suspension a few days ago in the match against Chelsea, but expect him to be fully fit and back on the pitch against Newcastle.

Tips

• Newcastle has a league leading 11 goals conceded this season.
• Newcastle is undefeated at St. James’ Park this season with a 5-4-0 record.
• Fulham is coming off a midweek 2-1 win at Chelsea, so expect some players to have tired legs.

The Word

Newcastle have proven themselves to be a contender for the Premier League this season and currently sit in 3rd place in the league. In 18 total matches this season, they have only lost 1 game and in their last match they drew with league leading Arsenal 0-0.

The acquisition of goalkeeper Nick Pope has been huge for Newcastle and has allowed them to not only be a team with an attacking threat, but also a team that is hard to score against. 

Fulham have now won 4 Premier League games in a row and find themselves in 6th position in the table. Be sure to keep an eye on striker Aleksandar Mitrovic as he is likely to return to action against Newcastle.

Mitrovic has scored 94 goals in 163 appearances at St. James’ Park and I expect him to get another one this weekend. 

Both teams have scored 32 goals this season and there will be numerous chances created for both sides. But, Newcastle’s stout defense will help them to a slight victory in this one. 

PREDICTION: NEWCASTLE UNITED 2 – 1 FULHAM

Chelsea (10th) vs Crystal Palace (12th)

Date: Sunday, 01/15/2023 at 9:00 AM EST

Pitch: Chelsea- Stamford Bridge, London, England

Current Form: | Chelsea (LLWDL) | Crystal Palace (WLLWL) |

Last PL Match: | Chelsea 0 – 1 Manchester City | | Crystal Palace 0 – 4 Tottenham |

Head to Head

Odds: | HOME: -150 | TIE: +280 | AWAY: +420 |

Prop Bet: | Under 2.5 goals (-128) |

Three of Chelsea’s forwards (Armado Broja, Christian Pulisic, and Raheem Sterling) are all struggling fitness wise, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has still not proven that he’s in good enough shape to make an impact, and new signing Joaon Felix finds himself on the sidelines due to a red card against Fulham. Don’t expect many goals in this one.

Tips:

• Crystal Palace has not recorded a win against Chelsea since October 2017.
• Joao Felix is sidelined due to a red card suspension.
• Chelsea only has 2 losses this season at Stamford Bridge and those losses came to league leaders Arsenal and Manchester City.

The Word

Chelsea have managed only 1 win in its previous 9 Premier League matches and the millions of dollars that the new owner has invested has still yet to pay off.

There’s still plenty of time in the season for Chelsea to make a turnaround though, and this weekend against Crystal Palace is as good an opportunity as any. 

Chelsea have a terrific record against their London rivals and have won each of their last 11 meetings in all competitions against Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace have lost 4 of their last 5 Premier League games and getting a win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge will prove to be a difficult task. 

PREDICTION: CHELSEA 1 – 0 CRYSTAL PALACE

Tottenham Hotspur (5th) vs Arsenal (1st)

Photo By: Sports Mole

Date: Sunday, 01/15/2023 at 11:30 AM EST

Pitch: Tottenham Hotspur – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England

Current PL Form: | Tottenham Hotspur (WWLDW) | Arsenal (WDWWW) |

Last PL Match: | Crystal Palace 0 – 4 Tottenham | | Arsenal 0 -0 Newcastle |

Head to Head

Moneyline Odds: | HOME: +220 | TIE: +260 | AWAY: +115 |

Prop Bet: | Both Teams to Score (-150) | 

Tottenham have struggled in the first half of their games but always seem to come to life in the second half. They average over 2 goals per game at home. Arsenal on the other hand are on top of the table and have scored a whopping 40 goals in 17 games, so expect some goals in this match.

Tips

• Arsenal are 1st and Tottenham are 3rd in Goals For Average, so expect both teams to score.
• Tottenham are averaging 2.33 goals in home games, while Arsenal are leading the league with an average of 2 goals per game in away games.
• Arsenal have 3 wins and 2 losses in its last 5 matches against Tottenham.

The Word

Tottenham has been erratic all season and despite their 4-0 win against Crystal Palace, there were still worrying signs for Antonio Cante’s side. Crystal Palace created plenty of chances and were unlucky to find the back of the net. I don’t think Arsenal will be so unlucky. 

All season Tottenham have struggled in the first half and have waited until the second half to kick it into gear. If they play poorly in the first half against an opponent of Arsenal’s caliber, they may find themselves in too deep of a hole to get out of.

There is a good chance that their star player Richarlson could make his return against Arsenal though, which will help.

Arsenal dominated possession against Newcastle in their 0-0 draw but could not find the back of the net.

Tottenham concede a lot more goals than Newcastle though and even without Gabriel Jesus, I think Arsenal’s front three of Sakha, Nketiah, and Martinelli will fair rather well.

Expect a feisty match with several cards, but the discipline of Arteta’s side will give them the slight edge over Tottenham.

PREDICTION: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 – 2 ARSENAL

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