EPL Soccer Picks, Predictions and Best Bets: Arsenal looks to widen lead atop Premier League table

Get ready for Matchday 27 of the English Premier League this weekend, which holds several riveting matchups that could shake up the table.

Arsenal played their Matchday 31 game Wednesday in sight of their participation in the upcoming Carabao Cup Final, and are five points ahead of second-place City as it stands. The Gunners now take on Tottenham this Sunday at Hotspur Stadium, while Manchester United aims to continue its luscious form on the road against Everton. Erling Haaland will surely play a role in City’s victory over Newcastle with at least one goal, with his eyes still set on another golden boot trophy.

Aston Villa vs. Leeds United initiates the action, along with Brentford vs. Brighton and Chelsea vs. Burnley, all at 10 a.m. ET this Saturday.

Arsenal -1.5 (+150) vs. Tottenham

The North London derby offers some of the best English football around, as the Spurs now take home turf against the first-place Young Gunners after Arsenal dished out a 4-1 thrashing earlier this season in November. Tottenham has not beaten the Gunners since May 2022.

Spurs are in the worst form of their long-lasting top-flight career at 16th place, and a loss here could potentially put them just one spot above relegation. They haven’t won a game since January, and they haven’t won an EPL fixture since December 28. While February 1 saw a brilliant 2-2 comeback draw to City, they followed that up with two consecutive losses to Man United and Newcastle. As always, their home stadium doesn’t do them any justice, with the side coming in as +500 underdogs.

Arsenal will be merciless, and the team is looking to win every competition this year, including the EPL, FA Cup, EFL Cup, and Champions League. The Gunners are clear-cut -190 favourites for the occasion, even after a woeful 2-2 draw to the Wolves on Wednesday. They last beat the Spurs 4-1, and Viktor Gyokeres (+160), Gabriel Martinelli (+285), and Gabriel Jesus (+165) lead the way with four combined goals in their last four matches. Considering Tottenham gains no obvious advantage at home and faces arguably the strongest team in Europe on Sunday, Arsenal should adequately cover a -1.5 spread for this one.

Man United ML (-105) vs. Everton

Everton came out victorious against United against all odds the last time the two teams met in November, after holding on to a 1-0 lead following a 13′ red card. Now 15 games later, Everton has drawn four matchups, with the team’s last win on February 7 against Fulham, as they hold a respectable eighth place in the league. The Blackwatch are +245 home underdogs against United, with their sole focus now on the EPL, although they’ll have to make do without starting fullback Jake O’Brien, who is serving a suspension from the last game. Thierno Barry (+260 to score), lliman Ndiaye (+370), and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (+340) will need to be difference makers in this matchup, each with five EPL goals apiece already, as an early lead for Everton would be essential, although not likely.

United were the most recent English club to defeat both City and Arsenal, and are currently nine games undefeated in the Premier League as they rose to fourth place over the past few weeks. This Monday, they are -105 favourites with their hearts clearly set on a top four finish to qualify for the Champions League next season. They may have drawn their most recent match 1-1 against West Ham on Feb. 10, but they’re still on a roll after their exit from the FA Cup third round with four wins in five games. Bryan Mbeumo (+180), Benjamin Sesko (+210), and Mattheus Cunha (+245) are the most likely goalscorers after netting two each in their last four. With Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro commanding the Red Devils’ midfield, chances will come, and they will certainly take the lead at some point in this game, so the United moneyline is a sensible choice for this fixture.

Erling Haaland Anytime Goalscorer (-160) vs. Newcastle

City’s towering forward, Erling Haaland, has yet to fail us in hitting the back of the net when it matters. City needs three points to have any hopes of catching Arsenal in first place, and since Haaland is averaging about a goal per game in the EPL, there’s no reason why he won’t score for the Sky Blues at -160 odds this Saturday at home against the Magpies.