3 minute read
Love EPL tips? Betfair's English Premier League Analyst provides his EPL tips and analysis for this week's football action. Betting strategies and previews available now.
EPL: MATCHDAY 17 - BEST BETS
ARSENAL VS BRIGHTON
An intriguing clash at The Emirates awaits on Monday morning, with title challengers Arsenal facing a consistent if not spectacular Brighton side.
Arsenal's recent record against Brighton is an eyebrow-raiser with just one win in their last five. If you date back further, since the Seagulls promotion to the Premier League in 2017 they hold a winning record over the Gunners! From 12 EPL fixtures, Brighton hold a 6-4 record with 2 draws in the mix too. Brighton's recent run of form has been solid particularly in the Europa League, where they topped a strong group featuring the likes of Ajax and Marseille. In the league they sit 8th on the table. Interestingly Brighton and Arsenal have both scored 33 goals in the Premier League this season (fourth overall), so Brighton will feel they can trouble the home sides defence. Arsenal undoubtedly have a talent edge over their opponents and are buoyed by a largely healthy squad to pick from, but this is a tricky game for them amidst a packed Christmas schedule. Either way, I'm sure Mikel Arteta will not have a hard time finding an excuse in his press conference should they lose.
Betting Strategy
BACK: The Draw for 1 unit at $4.90 
Arsenal have played their last three fixtures away from home including a midweek trip to the Netherlands, while in the same span Brighton have played all theirs at The Amex- could the Gunners be a bit sluggish on Monday? I think the draw represents value, with a small saver on Brighton to win.
BACK: Brighton WIN for 0.5 units at $7.20
LIVERPOOL VS MANCHESTER UNITED
The final clash of Matchday 17 sees the airborne Liverpool face off against a Red Devils outfit lacking in confidence. The away side have a terrible recent record in this fixture, winning just two of their last ten overall with their last win at Anfield coming in 2016. In my view, Manchester United fans need to adjust their expectations when it comes to competing at the pointy end of the Premier League table. With the exception of a dismal 3-0 loss to Bournemouth, United have actually beaten all the teams below them in the league this season (Chelsea, Luton, Everton, Fulham, Sheffield United, Brentford, Burnley, Forest and Wolves) so they aren't really 'underachieving' as the media would have you believe. They just struggle against the best and Liverpool certainly fit into that category. The men from Merseyside haven't lost in the league since the start of October, have scored the second most goals and conceded the least in the league too - a recipe for success. With United failing to qualify past the Champions League group stage midweek and speculation rife about the future of manager Erik ten Hag, United are fragile and Liverpool seem best placed to capitalise here.
Betting Strategy
BACK: Both Teams To Score for 2 units at $1.62
Anfield is the last place you want to travel to as a team out of form. There will be goals in this one and I like both teams to score, with a small bet on the correct score too.
BACK: Correct Score (Liverpool WIN 3-1) for 0.75 units at $12.00
BURNLEY VS EVERTON
When Everton were deducted ten points in mid-November for breaches of 'profit and sustainability' rules they fell to 19th in the Premier League table. Fans of the Toffees would've been forgiven for thinking they were a lost cause, but the response since has been nothing short of outstanding. Everton have won four of their past five, keeping clean sheets in their last three games. There's a unity about Sean Dyche's men at the moment and a matchup against his former club Burnley, where he managed 425 games, comes at a great time. The sides met in the EFL Cup on November 2, with Everton comfortably handling Burnley 3-0. Since then, the home side have only managed to collect 4 points from a possible 18, conceding goals for fun in the process. The Everton surge can continue here.
Betting Strategy
BACK: Everton WIN for 1 unit at $2.18
Can see this game being a dour affair. Happy to back Everton win and under 2.5 goals for level units.
BACK: Under 2.5 Goals for 1 unit at $1.86
Check out more of Betfair's sport content including soccer predictions on the Betfair Hub
