EPL Soccer Picks, Predictions, Best Bets: Arsenal closing in on first Premier League title in 20 years
Arsenal are nearly in the clear for their first English Premier League trophy in over 20 years, as only nine games are left to play this season.
Six EPL teams, including Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Newcastle, all return from a hectic week of Round of 16 Champions League football. Now their focus shifts to the Premier League as Arsenal finds itself inching closer to an EPL title as they take on Everton this weekend. United continues to vie for a Champions League spot for the first time in three years, but so does Aston Villa, as both teams clash head-on. Hugo Ekitike will want to break his two-game silence with a goal for the Reds in a huge matchup against Tottenham.
Prepare for the start of EPL matchweek 30 as Burnley vs. Bournemouth and Sunderland vs. Brighton spark the action at 11 a.m. ET this Saturday.
Make sure to check out Sports Interaction’s complete list of EPL match odds and EPL futures.
EPL Man United vs. Aston Villa best bet: Under 2.5 +115
The Red Devils (third) undoubtedly hold a historical advantage over the challengers of Aston Villa, with 104 wins to the Lions’ 50. However, Villa did win the most recent fixture 2-1 last December, with two of their last five matches against each other seeing three goals or fewer. United’s impressive seven-game unbeaten streak (with victories over City and Arsenal) was put to a halt after Newcastle pulled off an inspiring 2-1 comeback in their most recent matchup. The team has allowed just four goals in their last five matches while scoring seven, with four of their last five home games in the EPL finishing with two total goals or fewer. While you can expect this one to have low scoring potential, don’t count out Benjamin Sesko (eight goals) or Bryan Mbeumo (nine goals) to hit the back of the net at +145 and +185 odds, respectively.
Aston Villa (fourth) is the perfect matchup for the Red Devils as both teams sit at 51 points. The Lions’ most recent Premier League game against Chelsea ended in a 4-1 blowout loss, extending their losing streak to two games. Up until that point, the side had seen eight straight games in the league finish with two goals or fewer, and they’ve only scored four goals in their last five games. The lack of goal scoring continues into March for Villa, and while Ollie Watkins (+310) and Tammy Abraham (+310) could bag a crucial goal at any time, take the Under 2.5 for this one, given both teams’ high defensive priority and low scoring results at Old Trafford.
EPL Arsenal vs. Everton best bet: Arsenal -1.5 (+100)
Arsenal’s dream is rapidly becoming a reality after the Gunners won their last three straight games against Tottenham, Chelsea, and Brighton, as they now face Everton at their home Emirates Stadium. After clutching a close 1-1 draw in the dying minutes against Leverkusen in the UCL Round of 16 first leg, the Gunners will be fired up to see out the season with only wins. They’ve won two of their last three home games in all competitions by a three-goal margin or more. Viktor Gyokeres (+155), Eberechi Eze (+215), and Bukayo Saka (+220) are all well-oiled after combining for five goals in their last three straight Premier League showings.
However, Everton will show resilience, as the squad finds itself amid a two-game winning streak that included ousting Newcastle 3-2 on away grounds before returning home to defeat Burnley 2-0 on March 3. They haven’t lost an away game since December 13, but Arsenal will certainly put them to the test. The Blackwatch’s Thierno Barry (six goals) could be a major difference maker at +500 odds after scoring an 83′ game-winner against Newcastle, although Arsenal is sure to take the win given the stakes. Take Arsenal -1.5 (+100) due to the necessity for the Gunners to win, their high-quality defence, set-piece mastery, and motivating home-field advantage.
EPL best player prop bet: Hugo Ekitike anytime goalscorer (-120) in Liverpool vs. Tottenham
Liverpool’s French offensive centrepiece has gone two Premier League games without a goal after scoring 11 this season, and went scoreless against Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Reds find themselves at Anfield this weekend to take on the dreadful Hotspurs, who’ve allowed 16 goals in their last five games in all competitions. Expect Ekitike to capitalize on Tottenham’s unsteady defence and get back on track with his 12th of the season.