Another Premier League week bought about another managerial sacking, as Rafa Benitez was relieved of his duties as Everton manager. While the Toffees continue to struggle, Manchester City by contrast are opening up a hefty gap at the top of the Premier League, as they chase their 4th title in 5 seasons under Pep Guardiola. Liverpool and Chelsea are doing all they can to keep pace, whilst Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United all look to be resigned to battling it out for a top 4 finish, whilst the likes of Newcastle, Norwich and Burnley will be looking to pull away from trouble asap.
Here are our picks for the next round of fixtures in the Premier League:
Premier League Week 23 Picks
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Watford vs Norwich City – Vicarage Road
Watford ($2.1)
Norwich City ($3.7)
Draw ($3.6)
Two sides with a real battle for survival face off in North London as Watford host Norwich City. Both sides are embroiled in a relegation scrap this season and this fixture has the feeling of a real 6-pointer. Watford have improved slightly under Claudio Ranieri and have picked up some decent results, but they simply cannot seem to pull away from trouble. Similarly, Dean Smith has given Norwich a fresh look – epitomised by their win over Everton last week but they are still in the drop zone. There is so much at stake here and these sides could well cancel each other out.
Betting tip: The match to finish as a draw ($3.6)
1-1 Draw
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Everton vs Aston Villa – Goodison Park
Everton ($2.8)
Aston Villa ($2.75)
Draw ($3.35)
Managerless Everton will be looking to get their season back on track as they take on Aston Villa. The Toffees have endured a very tough campaign and are only a few points above the relegation zone – concerning for all connected with the club. Aston Villa meanwhile have bounced up the table since the arrival of Steven Gerrard as manager and they look poised to challenge in the top half as a minimum this term. New eras at clubs can often yield a change in results and with very little to split these sides, a draw looks to be the most plausible prediction.
Betting tip: The match to finish as a draw ($3.35)
1-1 Draw
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Brentford vs Wolves – Brentford Community Stadium
Brentford ($3.15)
Wolves ($2.6)
Draw ($3.1)
Brentford will be looking to maintain their strong showing in the first half of the season as they travel to Wolves. The Bees have looked very adept in the Premier League so far, particularly at home and they will be relishing this test against an organised Wolves side. Bruno Lage has manufactured a superb side at Molineux, who are producing results regularly and they look well equipped to potentially finish in the top 8 this term. Brentford will be up for this one, but Wolves look good value for the win.
Betting tip: Wolves to win the match ($2.6)
Wolves to win 2-1
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Leeds United vs Newcastle United – Elland Road
Leeds United ($2.05)
Newcastle United ($3.8)
Draw ($3.8)
Leeds will be hoping to build on their superb win over West Ham last time out as they take on Newcastle United at Elland Road. The whites have endured a tough spell at the start of the season but look to have come out the other side and are progressing up the table. By contrast, Newcastle have won just one game all season and Eddie Howe looks to have a serious job on his hands. With plenty of money in the transfer kitty, the Toon Army are expectant, but Leeds should pick up a useful home win here.
Betting tip: Leeds United to win the match ($2.05)
Leeds United to win 2-1
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Manchester United vs West Ham United – Old Trafford
Manchester United ($1.97)
West Ham United ($4)
Draw ($3.8)
Two sides engrossed in the battle for a top 4 finish face off as Manchester United host West Ham. The Red Devils are in a real funk under Ralf Rangnick and they look to have the Champions League and FA Cup as their only two competitions of note this term. They will be looking to keep West Ham out of the top 4 reckoning though, with the Hammers enjoying another solid season under David Moyes. This could be a decent game at Old Trafford, with Manchester United most likely to edge it.
Betting tip: Manchester United to win the match ($1.97)
Manchester United to win 2-1
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Southampton vs Manchester City – St Mary’s Stadium
Southampton ($11.5)
Manchester City ($1.3)
Draw ($6.3)
The Manchester City juggernaut continues, with the blues currently on a 12 match winless streak in the Premier League. They have opened up a big gap to the sides behind them and they will be hoping to keep that in tact as they travel to Southampton. The Saints have picked up some decent results this term, including an away point against City earlier in the season. This could be an attritional encounter, with neither side willing to give an inch but City should just about prevail here.
Betting tip: Manchester City to win the match ($1.3)
Manchester City to win 2-1
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Arsenal vs Burnley – Emirates Stadium
Arsenal ($1.44)
Burnley ($9.8)
Draw ($5.1)
Arsenal will be looking to continue their excellent recent form as they welcome relegation threatened Burnley to the capital. The Gunners have been in fine nick since their disastrous opening few games and Mikel Arteta looks to have his side purring. They take on a Burnley side that have been decimated by COVID and injuries and look to be staring down the barrel of a real relegation scrap. This could be a lot tighter game than many anticipate but Arsenal are a good side, and they should prevail here.
Betting tip: Arsenal to win the match ($1.44)
Arsenal to win 3-0
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Crystal Palace vs Liverpool – Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace ($6.5)
Liverpool ($1.62)
Draw ($4.33)
Crystal Palace will be looking to claim another big scalp as they welcome Liverpool. Palace have been one of the surprise packages in the league so far this season and they will be looking to finish in the top half under the stewardship of Patrick Vieira. Liverpool meanwhile are huffing and puffing a little without Mo Salah and Sadio Mane in their line up, but they did win well at home to Brentford last time out. This should be one of the games of the week, with Liverpool most likely to edge out the three points.
Betting tip: Liverpool to win the match ($1.62)
Liverpool to win 2-1
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Leicester City vs Brighton – King Power Stadium
Leicester City ($2.56)
Brighton ($3)
Draw ($3.4)
Leicester City will be looking to put in another improved performance as they host Brighton. The Foxes have endured a rollercoaster of a season so far but look to finally be finding their feet again under Brendan Rodgers and goals are always on the menu. Brighton meanwhile have been superb this season and look to have genuine aspirations of finishing in the top half this term. They will relish this opportunity against a very leaky Leicester defence, but the Foxes are flying high currently and could come out on top here.
Betting tip: Leicester City to win the match ($2.56)
Leicester City to win 2-1
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Chelsea vs Tottenham – Stamford Bridge
Chelsea ($1.7)
Tottenham ($5.7)
Draw ($4.2)
The biggest profile fixture of the weekend sees Antonio Conte return to Chelsea as manager of Tottenham. Both sides have struggled at times this season, with Chelsea in particular seeing their title race fade into a race for a top 4 battle if they are not careful. Thomas Tuchel will be keen to see his side get up for this one though against local rivals Tottenham, who have been inconsistent themselves this term. This should be a very good game at Stamford Bridge and whilst Tottenham will pose problems for Chelsea, the hosts should win this one.
Betting tip: Chelsea to win the match ($1.47)
Chelsea to win 2-1
EPL Week 23 multi bet:
We’re backing four results this week in our multi bet with a stake of $50:
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool – Liverpool to win
Southampton vs Manchester City – Manchester City to win
Arsenal vs Burnley – Arsenal to win
Manchester United vs West Ham United – Manchester United to win
A $50 wager would pay out $375.00 if successful at the current odds.
