Following a weekend of FA Cup action, soccer in England rolls on with a full slate of midweek games for Premier League Matchday 22.
There are five fixtures on Tuesday to kick off the week, which includes Aston Villa hosting Newcastle. Arsenal is also in action on the day at Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, the headliner comes on Wednesday when Liverpool plays Chelsea at Anfield. Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are both at home before the final two games on Thursday.
This is the first full slate of 2024, and SGPN has you covered with a preview and our best bets from Premier League Matchday 22.
Premier League Matchday 22 Preview and Best Bets
Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal – If you read the FA Cup preview, you know how many players Forest is missing. I could only play Arsenal here, but I would want a better number.
Fulham vs. Everton – I am worried about a lull in Fulham’s form following the end of the EFL Cup run. I can’t back Everton either without two of its primary three central midfielders.
Crystal Palace vs. Sheffield United – This is an easy pass for me. I could see zero goals or five.
Luton Town vs. Brighton – Luton +1 (-139) BetRivers
We are back with Luton at home here. This line has been moving towards the Hatters, so I wouldn’t pay for odds beyond -140.
At Kenilworth Road, nobody has defeated manager Rob Edwards’ team by multiple goals. Those opponents include Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle.
Meanwhile, Brighton has only won one of its last seven on the road, just a one-goal victory at Forest. The Seagulls are still without a few key attackers, and they don’t seem as free-flowing as in previous years.
I like the Hatters to get a result at home.
Aston Villa vs. Newcastle – I was hoping for a better price on Villa here, who is dominant at home. You could pair a home win with the total flying over, but I’m ultimately holding off.
Manchester City vs. Burnley – City is finally getting healthy. This one could get ugly, and I don’t see any betting value.
Tottenham vs. Brentford – Spurs could get James Maddison back here, which is big. If I bet on Tottenham games, I could see goals here.
Liverpool vs. Chelsea – How does Liverpool respond to the Jürgen Klopp announcement? It feels like a big price if the Reds are without Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold. However, it’s hard to trust Chelsea.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester United – United could see the return of Casemiro, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Lisandro Martinez. With Wolves missing key players on international duty, this is an easy pass.
West Ham vs. Bournemouth – Bournemouth Draw no Bet (+104) FanDuel
West Ham absentees are not factored in enough into this price here. The Hammers will be without Lucas Paquetá, Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus, Vladimír Coufal and Nayef Aguerd.
If you add up the goals and assists of those missing players, it accounts for 71 percent of West Ham’s EPL goals.
Meanwhile, I like how the Cherries have played on the road recently. They have won four of their last five away from home, posting a +3.3 xGDiff and averaging 1.9 expected goals per match, according to fbref.com.
The list of opponents isn’t too impressive, but I don’t believe West Ham is either with the missing stars.
