EPL Betting Picks 2021-22: Matchday 21
The title race has turned once again, with Chelsea and Liverpool dropping points mid week. Manchester City have an eight point buffer at the top of the table, with Chelsea and Liverpool taking on each other in the headline fixture of Matchday 21. As always, we’ve got you covered with our best picks for this weekend’s Premier League action!
Arsenal vs Manchester City
Saturday 7:30am ET, Emirates Stadium
This week couldn’t have gone any better for Manchester City, with the reigning champions going eight points clear at the top of the table, taking full control of the title race. City have created a gap between themselves and 3rd place, and now they have an opportunity to put even more distance on fourth placed Arsenal. The Gunners have won four games on the bounce, however three of those victories came against opposition in the bottom half of table in Southampton, Leeds and Norwich.
Arsenal have not enjoyed coming up against the reigning champions, having not beaten City since 2015. In that time the Gunners have gone 0-2-10 in Premier League fixtures against Manchester City. Not only have they struggled to beat City, they’ve struggled to remain competitive against them. In the ten games City have beaten Arsenal since 2015, the aggregate score has been 26-3. Topped off by a 5-0 smashing back in August.
The league leaders have won ten games in a row, and their star studded attack has hit some serious form in the last month City have scored 18 goals in their last four matches, and remarkably have the number one ranked attack in the Premier League, despite Liverpool have a double digit advantage in that stat for the majority of the season. To go with their attack, City have the number one ranked defence, which has only conceded twelve goals this season. Although Arsenal occupy fourth place, their is a major gap between themselves and the top three sides. The gunners have lost to all three top sides, by comfortable margins, Chelsea (2-0), Man City (5-0) and Liverpool (4-0). Although they’re an improved side, they just aren’t good enough to beat this incredible Man City team.
Crystal Palace vs West Ham
Saturday 12:30pm ET, Selhurst Park
A 4-0 win over Watford during the week could provide West Ham with the springboard they need to get back into the top four. The Hammers sit four points behind Arsenal, and a win would likely see them move to within a point of the Gunners, given they face Man City. Crystal Palace were convincing in their 3-0 win over Norwich, but they will know that this weekend’s clash wil be a much greater task.
Crystal Palace’s defence has become vulnerable in the last six weeks, and West Ham could expose them badly. Palace have conceded 13 goals of the 27 goals they’ve allowed this season, in their last eight games. Coming up against the fourth ranked attack in the Premier League, The Crystal Palace back four is going to be pushed to it’s absolute limits, and it’s hard to see them coping with West Ham’s dynamic ball movement.
Palace have made a jump in the last few weeks and have shown promising signs, however their defence isn’t good enough to stand up against the better sides in the Premier League. This fixture will have goals aplenty, but the Hammers will be too good.
Chelsea vs Liverpool
Sunday 11:30am ET, Stamford Bridge
It’s a season defining clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with both teams in desperate need of a win to remain in the title race. Both Chelsea and Liverpool dropped points during the week, which saw Man City open up an eight and nine point gap on the respective sides.
Both teams have hit form slumps, with Chelsea winning just one of their last four Premier League matches, and Liverpool winning just two of their last four. This last fortnight has been costly for both teams’ title aspirations, which both teams will be looking to send a statement. Both sides have struggled to score in their slump, with Chelsea being held to a goal or less in three of their last four games, while the Reds have been held to a goal or less in three of their past five games.
This game shapes up to be one of the best this season, both from a narrative and statistical standpoint. Chelsea have the third ranked defence and third ranked attack in the Premier League. Liverpool have the second ranked attack and fourth ranked defence in the Premier League. There isn’t much seperatig these two teams, however Liverpool’s recent record over Chelsea is a big factor. The Reds have a 4-1-1 record in their last six Premier League fixtures against Chelsea. Both teams aren’t in their best run of form, however Liverpool’s dominant attack this season gives them the advantage in this clash, if they score first it’s hard to see Chelsea finding a way to pull them back.
Other Tips
Leicester vs Norwich – Leicester -1.0 (+108 with Pointsbet)
Tottenham vs Watford – Tottenham H2H (-176 with Pointsbet)
Everton vs Brighton – Under 2.5 Goals (-145 with Pointsbet)
Leeds vs Burnley – Under 2.5 Goals (-115 with Pointsbet)
Southampton vs Newcastle – Southampton H2H (-150 with Pointsbet)
Brentford vs Aston Villa – Over 2.5 Goals (+105 with Pointsbet)
Manchester United vs Wolves – Under 2.5 Goals (-115 with Pointsbet)
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