Following the international break, the Premier League returns this weekend, and the Sports Gambling Podcast Network has you covered with our EPL Best Bets for Matchday 9.
Saturday’s slate is loaded with eight matches, which is headlined by Arsenal’s trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. Manchester City hosts Brighton & Hove Albion, and the Merseyside Derby between Liverpool and Everton is also on the same day.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa welcomes West Ham United on Sunday before Tottenham Hotspur faces Fulham for a London Derby on Monday Night Football.
We usually stick to two plays for this article, but we have three this weekend in the EPL. Let’s dive into the schedule for what should be a great slate of matches in England’s top flight.
EPL Best Bets for Matchday 9
Liverpool vs. Everton – This is one of the best rivalries in the Premier League. I’ll gladly watch as a fan with no money on the line.
Brentford vs. Burnley – The under 2.5 goals for this match just missed this EPL Best Bets article. The Bees have trouble breaking down teams who just pack it in defensively.
Newcastle vs. Crystal Palace – Both Teams to Score – No (-112) FanDuel
What do you do when you have two stout defenses against injured attackers? We oppose the offenses by betting that both will not find the back of the net.
If you start with Newcastle, this is a squad that has held three of four opponents at home in the EPL under one expected goal, according to fbref.com. The Magpies have also only allowed an average of 1.25 big chances per game at St. James’ Park.
This is not good for a Palace side that is likely missing Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, who are the main playmakers in the team. The Eagles’ main focus will be to avoid giving up goals, which should limit them against the stout Newcastle defense.
The Magpies’ attack is also banged up at the moment. This could be a boring watch with the visitors also holding strong defensive numbers.
Manchester City vs. Brighton – This should have plenty of entertainment. It screams goals, but the total is already too high for me.
Nottingham Forest vs. Luton Town – Luton +0.75 – No (-105) DraftKings
Yes, we are officially doing it. There is no way you can justify listing Forest at these odds against anyone in the Premier League.
This is the same team that finished at much lower odds at home to Burnley three games ago. The Trees have only scored one goal and failed to win since that fixture.
Luton has gone on the road to play Fulham close and won at Everton. Both of those sides are equal to that of Forest.
Another big key to this play is the fact that Taiwo Awoniyi is out injured for Steve Cooper’s team. He has played a direct role in five of eight league goals for Forest.
Bournemouth vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers – The fastest pass on the board for me. I really don’t know what to expect from either team.
Sheffield United vs. Manchester United – This pass was just about as quick as the fixture above. Good luck predicting this match.
Chelsea vs. Arsenal – Chelsea Draw No Bet (+128) FanDuel
I’m officially backing Chelsea and Luton in the same article. I will either be very smart or laughed out of the room.
On a serious note, we have to start grading the Gunners on how they have played this year instead of their metrics from a season ago.
They have stepped up in class to play Spurs and City, posting just a +0.3 xGDiff at home in those fixtures. Arsenal now has to go on the road as favorites, with William Saliba and Bakayo Saka both questionable.
I think the Blues can do enough defensively to at least avoid defeat at home.
Aston Villa vs. West Ham – I think the odds are just about right for this match. Villa is typically good at home under Emery, though.
Spurs vs. Fulham – You would expect there to be goals here. Spurs’ team total over 1.5 could be a good parlay piece.
