It’s another huge weekend of English Premier League action in store as an enthralling title race continues. Only two points separate the top three sides, so there’s massive implications on Matchday 25. Can City or Arsenal jump into top spot? Or will Liverpool maintain their hold at the top of the league? Find our best bets for the weekend below!
EPL 2023-24: Matchday 25 Preview & Betting Tips
Brentford vs Liverpool
Brentford Community Stadium, Saturday 17th February, 11:30pm AEDT
Liverpool will be looking to maintain top spot on the Premier League table when they travel to West London to take on Brentford. The Reds bounced back from their defeat against Arsenal with a 3-1 victory over Burnley, in what was an utterly dominant performance from Jurgen Klopp’s side. Liverpool recorded 25 shots to Burnley’s 9 and held 71% possession, as the Reds scored three goals for the fourth time in their last five games.
Brentford ended a two-game losing run with a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton, in a display of efficiency on the counter. Brentford only had 28% possession and recorded eight less shots than Wolves, yet held firm defensively in a gritty performance. The Bees can’t afford to give up the same gap in possession against a side with the quality that Liverpool possess, it could get ugly if they can’t get any control. Liverpool are the second highest scoring team in the league with 55 goals, and they will punish Brentford if they produce what they did against Wolves.
The Reds could be boosted by the return of Mo Salah who is expected to be available for his first game since New Year’s Day after suffering an injury during AFCON. Liverpool have won three of their last four Premier League fixtures against Liverpool, with two of those three wins coming by margins of three goals. Despite their slip up against Arsenal, Liverpool are in red hot form and will be far too strong for a mediocre Brentford outfit.
Liverpool -1
$2.60 (2 Units)
Tottenham vs Wolverhampton
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Sunday 18th February, 2:00am AEDT
Tottenham will be looking to solidify their place in the top four when they host eleventh placed Wolverhampton on Sunday morning. Spurs regained their spot in the top four thanks to a 96th minute winner from Brennan Johnson to secure a 2-1 victory over Brighton. Ange Postecoglou’s men will be looking to hold fourth spot for longer than the one matchday when they were last in the top four, so expect a ruthless Spurs outfit to be on display.
Wolverhampton are coming off a frustrating loss against Brentford, losing 2-0 despite dominating every statistical factor despite the scoreline. Wolves recorded 17 shots to 9, 72% possession, and had a passing accuracy of 86% to Brentford’s 60%. The defeat leaves Wolves with just one win from their last four games, in what has been a missed opportunity to work their way into the top half of the table. Wolverhampton have caused some troubles for the top four sides this season, picking up wins against Manchester City and Tottenham.
Tottenham have been in solid form going unbeaten in their last five games, and only having one loss from their last nine games in the Premier League games. Spurs are the fourth most prolific side in front of goal this season (51 goals) and the seventh ranked defence (36 goals conceded). Their consistency at both ends of the pitch will hold them in good stead, and they will be desperate to make good of their second chance at the top four after Aston Villa’s defeat last week.
Tottenham -1
$2.35 (1 Unit)
Manchester City vs Chelsea
Etihad Stadium, Sunday 18th February, 4:30am AEDT
The headline fixture of Matchday 25 sees Manchester City take on Chelsea at Etihad Stadium. The defending champions are well positioned sitting two points behind league leaders Liverpool, with a game in hand that they will play next week. Chelsea come into this clash on the back of a dramatic 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, where they scored twice in stoppage time to secure all three points. The win ended a two-game losing slide, however they’re still in tenth position on the table in what has been another disappointing season for Chelsea.
City were wayward in front of goal against Everton last week, registering only three shots on target from their nineteen shots on goal. Fortunately for City, Erling Haaland managed to find the back of the net twice in fourteen minutes to ensure the defending champs remain on track to leapfrog Liverpool once they’ve played their game in hand. After struggling through November and early December, Pep Guardiola’s side have been the hottest team in the league going unbeaten in their last eight games and are currently on a six-game winning streak.
These two sides played out the game of the season when they met back in November, in a 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge. Despite the draw, City have well and truly had the better of Chelsea in recent years, winning four of the last five Premier League fixtures between the two teams. Manchester City are the number one ranked attacking team in the league this season having scored 56 goals, while Chelsea have conceded 40 goals this campaign, which sees them as the thirteenth ranked defence in the league. Chelsea have conceded nine goals across their last three games and are vulnerable against a high-quality Manchester City attack.
Manchester City -1
$1.95 (1.5 Units)
