EPL Soccer Picks, Predictions, Best Bets: Arsenal heavy favourites to extend 12-game home win streak
Following the return of clubs from their UEFA Champions League fixtures, Arsenal continues to be the most successful English and European team this season, as they prepare for an exhilarating Matchday 23 of the EPL.
A recent City loss in the Manchester Derby last week puts Arsenal seven points clear at the top of the EPL standings, as the Gunners take on United this weekend at home, looking to maintain or better that lead. A fierce mid-table battle between Newcastle and Aston Villa ensues, all while City’s new signing, Antoine Semenyo, will look to net his first goal to lift spirits after the club dropped points in two consecutive games.
Prepare for some impactful EPL showdowns this weekend as West Ham vs. Sunderland kicks off at 7:30 a.m. ET on Saturday morning.
EPL Arsenal vs. Manchester United best bet: Arsenal ML (-165)
Manchester United hasn’t defeated Arsenal in regular-season competitions or tournaments since September 2023, with the two English giants’ last meeting concluding 1-0 in favour of Arsenal after a set-piece game-winner from Riccardo Calafiori found the back of the net.
United came out with a huge 2-0 victory over City in the Manchester derby last Saturday, but Arsenal are hands down the most difficult team to play against this season. The energy from Old Trafford played a huge part in stumping City and contributing to United’s win. Despite the Red Devils’ recent big upset, they played to three straight draws from December 30 to January 7 before being knocked out of the FA Cup third round 2-1 to Brighton, putting them as +450 underdogs for this weekend.
Arsenal will surely win this matchup on the moneyline as -165 favourites. They are home at Emirates Stadium, they haven’t been defeated in 12 straight games, and they come back from a triumphant 3-1 win over last year’s Champions League finalists of Inter, while allowing just four goals in their last five games. Gabriel Jesus is on a tear, with two goals against Inter on Tuesday, and even comes in as the Gunners’ fourth-highest probable goalscorer at +210 odds. With Arsenal showing a power-packed roster with Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Marinelli, Bukayo Saka, and the like, Arsenal are sure to outscore the Red Devils, especially with their continued set-piece success.
EPL Newcastle vs. Aston Villa best bet: Aston Villa +0.5 (-120)
Newcastle find themselves at home at St. James Park on Sunday, marking them as -110 moneyline favourites considering their success at home in recent games (7-2-1 last 10 at home). They did, however, draw scoreless against last-place Wolves last Sunday and lost the first leg of the EFL Cup to Man City on January 13.
Aston Villa look to expand on their incredible season as third-place contenders when they head to away grounds as +260 underdogs. The Lions suffered 1–0 defeat to Everton last Sunday, setting them back three points, but outside of that and a 4-1 loss to Arsenal to conclude December, the team has showcased huge results in vital games this season, including defeating City (1-0), Arsenal (2-1), Man United (2-1), Chelsea (2-1), and Tottenham in the FA Cup third round (2-1). Based on their trend of securing wins by a one-goal margin when it matters, with both Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins at seven goals apiece, a Villa +0.5 spread at -120 is a perfect choice for this matchup.
EPL best player prop bet: Antoine Semenyo Anytime Goalscorer in Man City vs. Wolves (+120)
The 6’1″ Ghanaian international secured his first cap for the City Sky Blues in the uneventful Manchester derby, but still created chances with two shots, one on target. He’s completely capable of scoring, as he’s netted 10 goals this season already for Bournemouth, and can easily bag his first goal in sky-blue colours at +120 against a relegation-bound Wolves, a team with a -26 goal differential.
