Arsenal have increased their lead at the top of the English Premier League table to six points, and they have a huge clash on Matchday 21 against Liverpool. There’s intriguing battles for European positions and the relegation battle, as we head into the second half of the season! Check out our best bets for Week 21 below.
EPL 2025-26: Matchday 21 Preview & Betting Tips
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
Selhurst Park, Thursday 8th January, 6:30am AEDT
Aston Villa bounced back from their 4-1 hiding against Arsenal, with a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday with John McGinn scoring a second half brace. Villa have now moved to equal points with second placed Manchester City, but they are still six points off Arsenal. Crystal Palace’s nightmare slide continues, with a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle extending their winless run to five games, with four losses in that run seeing them drop to fourteenth place on the table.
Unai Emery’s side were comprehensive in their win, with 11 shots to 7 and 74% possession, and have now won thirteen of their last fifteen games in the Premier League. Villa have great balance at both ends of the pitch, ranking fourth in the league for goals (33) and sixth for defence (24 goals against). Although Palace are one of the best defences in the league this season (ranked 5th), they’ve conceded 11 goals across their last five games and they have struggled to contain the best teams in the league this season.
This matchup is pitting a side that has been in great form for an extended period of time, against a team that has gone to water over the last month. Crystal Palace have fallen into the bottom half of the table, and their play since the beginning of December has certainly reflected that. Selhurst Park hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Palace this season, with a 2-5-3 record at home - the 15th ranked home record in the Premier League. On the other hand, Aston Villa have the third best away record in the league this season, at 5-2-3. Aston Villa will continue their winning ways against a struggling Palace outfit.
Aston Villa to Win
$2.30 (1.5 Units)
Manchester City vs Brighton
Etihad Stadium, Thursday 8th January, 6:30am AEDT
Matchday 19 and Matchday 20 might turn out to be season defining games for Manchester City’s title hopes, picking up just two points against Sunderland and Chelsea. Manchester City conceded a 94th minute equaliser against Chelsea, throwing away a win in a game where they won the shot count 14-6 and recorded 58% possession. Pep Guardiola’s side are now six points behind league leaders Arsenal, and face a big battle to win the title.
City host tenth placed Brighton, who ended a six game winless streak with a 2-0 win over Burnley on Sunday. Despite their poor run since the start of December, Brighton are only three points off fifth place, so European football is well and truly still alive. Brighton’s middle table position is exemplified by their statistical profile, ranking as the 9th best attack and 10th best defence - mediocre on both sides of the ball, not excelling in any area.
Manchester City on the other hand are the most prolific attacking side in the league with 44 goals, and have the second best defence in the league, only conceding 18 goals. Manchester City have a 5-2-2 record across their last nine Premier League matches against Brighton and will be desperate to stay in touch with Arsenal in the title race. City have been ruthless at home with an 8-1-1 record, the second best home record in the league this season. Expect a big bounce back from City, with a convincing win over Brighton.
Manchester City -1
$1.95 (1 Unit)
Arsenal vs Liverpool
Emirates Stadium, Friday 9th January, 7:00am AEDT
The headline game of Matchday 21 sees a blockbuster clash between Arsenal and Liverpool in North London. The league leaders have had a great week for their title aspirations, beating third placed Aston Villa 4-1, beating Bournemouth 3-2 and having Manchester City draw two games. They now have a six point gap at the top of the table, and almost have one hand on the league title. Despite back to back draws, Liverpool are still in fourth place thanks to some poor performances from teams below them, however they are in need of a win to keep their place in the top four.
The Gunners have needed to produce their best and they have, with five consecutive wins with their ability to grind out wins even when they aren’t at their best, emblematic of a champion team. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last eight games, however it hasn’t been perfect with four draws in that timespan, including draws in their last two games against Leeds and Fulham. It has been a big improvement on the football they played between late September and late November, and there is a good chance the Reds manage to secure Champions League football next season.
Arsenal are in great form and should win this game, however Liverpool are certainly capable of keeping this game close. These sides have played in a lot of close games in recent seasons, with four draws in their last six Premier League meetings. In their last 21 Premier League games against Liverpool, the Gunners have only beaten the Reds three times and only one of them was by a margin of more than one goal. Arne Slot’s side will keep this game close, against a team they have a great record against.
Liverpool +1
$2.30 (1 Unit)
