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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.

FULHAM VS EVERTON

We are well and truly over the half-way mark of the 2023/24 EPL season and with that, each side has now established themselves into one of four categories. They are: Title contenders, European contenders, middle of the road, and relegation candidates. For my first preview of the week I'll be looking at Fulham vs Everton- both teams who fit very much under the relegation contenders umbrella.

Fulham sit 13th on the table and have won just one of their past five Premier League matches (their win was against Arsenal), though their record at home is quite respectable. The Cottagers have kept three clean sheets at home this season and concede 1.2 goals per game at Craven Cottage on average which is ranked eighth in the league. It's also worth remembering that in three consecutive home matches pre Christmas they scored a combined 13 goals, included two five-nil romps over Nottingham Forest and West Ham which highlights that they can be a genuine force in the final third.

After winning four league matches in a row in December, Everton are winless in their last four albeit they've met some quality opposition in Aston Villa, Manchester City and Spurs during this run. The Tofees were eliminated from the FA Cup on the weekend and are in desperate need of a confidence boosting performance. Everton have a few personnel concerns at the moment with key players Seamus Coleman, Ashley Young, Abdoulaye Doucore and Andre Gomes all missing through injury, while gun midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye is away on duty with Senegal at the AFCON.

Betting Strategy

Recent history suggests Fulham have an edge in this matchup having won four of their past five games against Everton, including one draw. At home Fulham are a different unit and I expect them to win in a tight game.

BACK: Fulham WIN for 1.5 units at $2.52 

BACK: Correct Score 1-0 (Fulham) for 0.5 units at $9.80 

ASTON VILLA VS NEWCASTLE

An intriguing clash awaits at Villa Park on Wednesday morning as fourth placed Aston Villa host an underachieving Newcastle outfit.

In their last ten EPL clashes the Villains hold a 4-3 hth record vs the Magpies, with three draws in the mix too. Both these teams are attack minded with Aston Villa fourth in the league for goals scored (43) at an average of 2.05 a game, while Newcastle rank sixth with 41 goals scored at an average of 1.95 goals a game.

Perhaps the most telling stat is Villa's potency at home this season. They are first in the league for goals scored at home at an impressive average of 2.9 per game! Their defensive capabilities also go overlooked under Unai Emery but statistically they measure up with the best. The Villains have conceded just eight goals at home this season which again ranks #1 in the league. The only slight query with the men from the Midlands is their recent form. They have won one of their last four in the Premier League which is a concern for a team hoping to challenge for the title.

From a Newcastle standpoint this match comes at a good time for them. After what can only be described as a disappointing first half of the campaign, the Magpies have given fans a glimmer of hope in recent times. They defeated arch rivals Sunderland in the FA Cup third round, before netting twice against juggernaut Man City in the league and conceding in the 90th minute for an unlucky defeat. On the weekend they beat Fulham away in the FA Cup to advance through the round of 16, so there's some evidence to suggest they are back on track. Newcastle have shipped in 22 goals away from home this season at an average of 2.2 per game which ranks a lowly 16th in the EPL. They have managed to keep just one clean sheet on the road too which highlights the club's struggles.

Betting Strategy

Simply put Aston Villa are just a better side than Newcastle this season on most statistical measures. The Magpies also have more than a few injury concerns to deal with, so their poor record away from home looks set to continue here.

BACK: Aston Villa WIN for 1.5 units at $1.98 

BACK: Leon Bailey To Score for 0.5 units at $3.95 

LIVERPOOL VS CHELSEA

'Demba Ba is through here for Chelsea… he's scored. Catastrophe for the Liverpool skipper.' Who can forget Peter Drury's famous call of poor old Steven Gerrard's slip in this fixture in 2014 which ultimately cost Liverpool the title. While Liverpool fans hate being reminded of that moment, it's not like they haven't had their fair share of success since- winning the Premier League, Champions League, League Cup and FA Cup. The significance? All these major trophies were won under the leadership of manager Jurgen Klopp who last week shocked the football world with his announcement that this will be ninth and final season in charge of the Reds. Liverpool currently sit five points clear at the top of the EPL table and will want nothing more than to send their legendary manager off in style come May.

A matchup with rebuilding Chelsea (9th) awaits on Thursday morning at Anfield with the crowd sure to be in fine voice. Interestingly, Liverpool have failed to beat Chelsea in the Premier League since 2020 with their five most recent clashes all resulting in draws. Chelsea have scored the sixth most goals in the league away from home this season at an average of 1.7 per game, while star youngster Cole Palmer sits eighth in the Golden Boot race with nine goals. In most other areas they are 'middle of the road' statistically speaking, but there are two key factors at play which I think could prove decisive in this game. One is that Chelsea have scored first in games this season just 36% of the time which sees them ranked 16th in the league. They have also shipped in 21 goals in second halves this season which is amongst the worst in the league. That spells trouble as opponents Liverpool are elite in second halves, scoring a whopping 30 goals this season (league best), while also securing 20 points from losing positions (league best). So, not only are Chelsea unlikely to get off to a fast start at Anfield but in the event they do it will be a case of when not if Liverpool click into gear. Liverpool are missing star man Mohammed Salah through injury, though they have a raft of other goal scoring threats.

Betting Strategy

Not expecting a high scoring clash here, with under 3.5 goals looking a safe play.

BACK: UNDER 3.5 goals for 2.5 units at $1.80 

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