Premier League Matchday 18 Betting Preview
Arsenal Finish 2022 on Top of Table
EPL Rings in New Year
Boxing Day ended the 44-day Premier League break due to the World Cup. Things picked up where they left off; Arsenal continued their best-ever start to an EPL season by getting a 13th win in 15 matches. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners will start 2023 on top of the table and are absolutely title contenders now. Meanwhile, Miguel Almiron and Newcastle are on a roll, with six consecutive EPL wins. We’ll see if Arsenal and Newcastle can stay in good form as we take a look at the Premier League Matchday 18 odds.
Games of the Week
Liverpool vs. Leicester City
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Mo Salah took just five minutes to open up Liverpool’s account at Aston Villa on Boxing Day. The Reds went on to win 3-1 and have won three straight in the EPL. They’ll take on a Leicester City side on Friday coming off a 3-0 loss to Newcastle United. Only three epl teams have conceded more this season than Leicester and they’ll be up against it at Anfield.
Liverpool enter the match as 1½-goal favorites and sit at -120 Premier League Matchday 18 odds to cover the spread. Leicester come in at +700 moneyline and even ATS odds but have won three of their last five Premier League matches. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are carrying a bunch of injuries into the match but still show -300 odds to win at home. Midfielders James Milner and Curtis Jones and Arthur Melo are out. Forwards Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz should also be on the sidelines for this one.
Over is attracting more attention and it’s currently priced at -135 odds. A draw hasn’t occurred in any of the last seven EPL meetings a tie sits at +485 odds here.
Leicester have won two of their last five EPL matches vs. Liverpool, including one of two last season. However, four of their defenders are out with injuries. Four of the last five meetings have ended in a shutout win for one or more of the sides. For this one, the over/under goal total is listed as three goals. The over is attracting more attention and it’s currently priced at -135 odds. A draw hasn’t occurred in any of the last seven EPL meetings a tie sits at +485 odds here.
Newcastle United vs. Leeds United
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With their 3-0 win at Leicester City on Monday, Newcastle shot up to second place in the EPL standings. Eddie Howe has done an excellent job getting the best out of his players since taking over last year. Miguel Almiron has turned into one of the best wingers in the league and he was on target vs. Leicester. The Paraguayan international has scored eight goals in 15 matches this season. Callum Wilson is recovering from an illness and Alexander Isak is still working his way back from a calf injury. If Wilson can’t suit up vs. Leeds on Saturday, Chris Wood will most likely start up top once again.
Newcastle are one-goal favorites for the match and show a -130 price to cover. They also sit at -210 odds to get a seventh straight Premier League win. They currently hold the longest winning streak in the league. Leeds face off vs. Manchester City on Wednesday and get just two days of rest before making the trip up to Newcastle. Jesse Marsch’s side won two of their last five matches heading into the World Cup break. They’ll also get Tyler Adams back from suspension ahead of this match.
Leeds +1 comes in at +110 odds and they’ve only lost one match by more than one goal since September. They also won at Anfield in October and come into St James’ Park as +525 underdogs. This fixture finished in a draw last season and another one is listed at +375 odds. On their winning streak, Newcastle have conceded just twice. So, it’s no surprise under three goals comes in at -125 odds. Punters can also take Newcastle to keep a sixth shutout in their last eight matches at +130 odds.
Brighton vs. Arsenal
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This figures to be a difficult match for Arsenal, who have had a tough time vs. Brighton in recent years. In fact, Brighton are unbeaten vs. Arsenal in their last three meetings in all competitions. Brighton knocked out Arsenal of the EFL Cup at the Emirates in November but are underdogs at home here. The Seagulls come in at +240 odds to win and -130 odds to cover the ½-goal spread. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners sit at +110 odds to get a 14th win in their first 16 EPL matches.
Both Arsenal and Brighton picked up 3-1 wins on Boxing Day. Roberto de Zerbi’s Brighton cruised at Southampton as Adam Lallana scored vs. his former club. Arsenal trailed 1-0 at halftime to West Ham but scored three unanswered goals in the second half. Eddie Nketiah scored the third goal in his first Premier League start of the season. He’s currently deputizing for the injured Gabriel Jesus. Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo is suspended for the match. Defender Adam Webster and midfielder Alexis Mac Allister are also not expected to play.
These teams played to a scoreless draw at the AMEX last season and a repeat shows +260 odds. Arsenal’s front three looked scary vs. West Ham as all of Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka got on the scoresheet. The Premier League Matchday 18 odds imply a few goals could be scored here. Over 2½ goals for the match shows a -125 price.
Tottenham vs. Aston Villa
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This is the first match on the Premier League soccer schedule in 2023. Tottenham head into the new year in fourth place but have had a leaky defense as of late. They managed to come back from 2-0 down to preserve a draw at Brentford on Monday but have a lot of room for improvement. Antonio Conte’s side has conceded 2+ goals in six straight EPL matches for the first time since 2003. They’ve won just two of their last six in the EPL and it’ll be a difficult top-four battle for them going forward. It could help getting center back Cristian Romero back in the lineup following an extended World Cup break.
“Tottenham sit at both -145 ATS and moneyline odds. Aston Villa, who could get World Cup Golden Glove-winning keeper Emi Martinez back in time for this one, are +125 underdogs to cover. They also show +385 odds to win the match.”
On New Year’s Day, Tottenham face an Aston Villa team looking to bounce back from a loss to Liverpool. The loss was Unai Emery’s first in the Premier League since taking over as Villa boss. The Conte vs. Emery battle should be an interesting one as they’re two of the best managers in the world. Home side Tottenham sit at both -145 ATS and moneyline odds. Aston Villa, who could get World Cup Golden Glove-winning keeper Emi Martinez back in time for this one, are +125 underdogs to cover. They also show +385 odds to win the match.
Tottenham outscored Aston Villa 6-1 last season and over 2½ goals occurred in both fixtures last season. In fact, three or more goals have been scored in five of the last six meetings. Bettors can find the over at -125 odds for this one as well. Following his World Cup disappointment, Harry Kane scored vs. Brentford and is always a threat to get on the scoresheet. He, Heung-Min Son and Dejan Kulusevski are expected to be the starting front three for Tottenham.
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