The English Premier League season rolls on and Matchday 5 provides a top of the table clash between Manchester City and Arsenal. With three crucial points in the title race on the line, fans will be in for a treat. Jack Tobin has you covered with his best bets for the weekend. Check them out below and good luck to everyone following along!
EPL 2024-25: Matchday 5 Preview & Betting Tips
West Ham vs Chelsea
London Stadium, Saturday 21st September, 9:30pm AEST
Matchday 5 kicks off with an all London clash as West Ham host Chelsea at the London Stadium. It’s been an ordinary start to life under Julen Lopetegui for West Ham, with only one win from their opening four games of the season. The Hammers needed a 95 minute equaliser from Danny Ings to avoid a defeat against Fulham, who completely dominated West Ham. The Hammers lost the shot count 21-11, and only recorded 45% possession.
After an opening day defeat to Manchester City, Chelsea have followed up with two wins and a draw from their last three games. Their last game against Bournemouth was an interesting encounter, with Chelsea dominating possession with 67% possession, but recorded 9 less shots than Bournemouth. The Blues pulled out the win late, seeing them in eighth position on the table, and a chance to be on the precipice of the top four with a win this weekend.
The Hammers have struggled against Chelsea in recent seasons, with the last matchup between these two clubs a 5-0 win to Chelsea in May. West Ham have only won two of their last eight Premier League matches against Chelsea, and it’s difficult to see them turning that record around given their current form. West Ham have only scored five goals across the opening four games of the season, and they have only won the possession battle in one game this season. Chelsea will control the tempo of the game through the midfield, and West Ham won’t have the firepower to counter with the limited chances they will have.
Chelsea to Win
$2.10 (1 Unit)
Tottenham vs Brentford
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Sunday 22nd September, 12:00am AEST
Tottenham have had a nightmare start to the 2024/25 campaign, sitting in thirteenth place after picking up just four points from the opening four games of the season. Back to back losses to Newcastle and to an undermanned Arsenal side, has Ange Postecoglou’s club under a mountain under pressure. Brentford have had an up and down start to their season, going win/loss/win/loss so far.
Brentford were on cloud nine after scoring in the first minute away against Manchester City, however it was all the defending champions after that as they ran over the top of the Bees to hand them a 2-1 defeat. Both Tottenham and Brentford have scored 6 goals this season, with Spurs failing to convert on dominating general play in the majority of their fixtures this season. Tottenham are the number one ranked team in the league for possession, averaging a mammoth 67.8%, and had more shots than their opponent in every game they’ve played this season.
Given Spurs inability to capitalise and Brentford’s inconsistency, we’re going to stay away from the head to head markets and look at the total goals market. The last four Premier League meetings between the two sides have produced one win, one loss and two draws for both teams. One thing that has been a common trend in clashes between Tottenham and Brentford are goals, the last four league fixtures have gone over 3.5 total goals, and that is where we’ll be going in this matchup.
Over 3.5 Total Goals
$2.05 (1.5 Units)
Manchester City vs Arsenal
Etihad Stadium, Monday 23rd September, 1:30am AEST
Although it’s only Matchday 5, the final game of the week is a title defining clash as Arsenal travel north to take on Manchester City. Two points was all that separated City and Arsenal last season, so all six points that are up for grabs between these two teams will go a long way towards deciding the title. Manchester City are the only side in the league with a perfect record after Matchday 4, with Erling Haaland continuing one of the hottest streaks seen in the history of the Premier League.
Haaland has scored two hat-tricks and a brace in his last three games, to go with his goal on the opening weekend of the season. Haaland has nine goals through four games, six more than the next highest scorer, which has the Norwegian en route for a third consecutive Golden Boot. Arsenal picked up one of their best wins in the Mikel Arteta era, beating Tottenham 1-0 away from home without Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. The Gunners only had 36% and had 8 less shots than Tottenham, but stellar performances by centre backs Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba led Arsenal to a gritty win.
Pep Guardiola’s side have been red hot in the final third, scoring a league best 11 goals and having scored multiple goals in all four games this season. Arsenal are the equal best defence in the league, having conceded only one goal through four games, meaning the battle in City’s attacking half will go a long way to deciding this match. Although Arsenal did not lose to the champions last season, their record against City is disastrous. Arsenal picked up a win and a draw against City in the league last season, but lost twelve consecutive Premier League fixtures against Manchester City heading into last season. Although they hung on last week, if they give up territory and shots on goal like they did last week, Manchester City will tear them apart. City are firing on all cylinders and the moment, and will be desperate to put a five point gap on Arsenal early in the season
Manchester City to Win
$1.75 (1.5 Units)
