The Premier League is back in action after a World Cup break.
So which team should you bet on and what are the big stories? Our analysts are here to provide you with all the information you need for the EPL and more.
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
The Premier League returns to action after an unprecedented month off in November for the World Cup. Arsenal currently sit at the top of the table, with Man City still expected to challenge them for the title. Are there any “outlier” teams you would consider backing the rest of the way, such as Newcastle (+2,200 to win the league), Brighton (+1,200 to finish in the top four) or Fulham (+4,000 to finish in the bottom 4). first) six)?
Dalen bracelet: I’ve said it many times here, I’m an Arsenal fan, I like to make that bias known. That said, I think this is a two horse race. I have a future top 4 move for Arsenal but have yet to put any money on a title bid. They look good and will be in it until the end (most books still have them +200 or +300 to win); I can throw money at it, but nowhere else. Top-4 Newcastle have staying power and can be further strengthened in the January transfer window. That’s still a solid play with more money for now.
Paul Carr: All of the prices for the top four look correct to me, so I am not overly interested in that market right now. I agree that the title race is still between Arsenal and Man City, and I think there is some value in Arsenal winning the title, if you can get +225 or more. Arsenal’s underlying numbers are slightly below Man City this season, and the Gunners’ five-point lead makes up for that at the moment. I think they have a better than one in three chance of winning the league.
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Chelsea scored just 17 goals in their first 14 games of the season. They could have started with a 2-0 result against Bournemouth on Tuesday, but both goals came in the first half hour of play and then… nothing. A New Year’s Day meeting with lowly Nottingham Forest (+410) should be a great way to start 2023, but do you think the Blues (-145) are really ready to find the back of the net on a consistent basis?
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Car: Not really. They are 12th in the league with 19 goals this season and 14th with 17.5 expected goals. If anything, Chelsea have outdone themselves a bit so far. That being said, the Blues shouldn’t have much trouble with Forest, one of the worst defensive teams in the league so far. But Forest has scored in all but one home game this season, with at least 1.0 expected goals in all but one game. Since I still don’t trust Chelsea, I’m leaning towards both teams to score in this one (-110).
Bracelet: Totally agree with Paul. I don’t trust Chelsea, but I like that both teams score here.
What do you watch in the other European leagues?
Bracelet: La Liga is back on ESPN+ this week, and with its return we see the Catalan derby between Barcelona and Espanyol. La Liga leaders Barcelona come into the game as favourites, but without Robert Lewandowski, who will score the goals? I like Gavi scorer at any time at +280.
What is your best bet for the weekend?
Car: On Boxing Day, both Liverpool and Leicester City looked the way they did before half-time. Liverpool beat Aston Villa 3-1, and Leicester City conceded many good chances in a 3-0 loss to Newcastle. I think we see more of the same at every club, with Liverpool dominating and Leicester scoring an away goal as they always seem to do. I will take both teams to score at -125.
Bracelet: Fulham posted a solid 3-0 away win against Palace on Boxing Day. They were up 1-0 before Palace were down to 10 men. They host bottom of the table Southampton on Saturday. I like that Fulham win outright +101.
Source: news.google.com