The Premier League title race remains tight with just three points separating the top three teams, and we have a huge clash this week between league leaders Arsenal and third placed Aston Villa. It’s a fixture that will shake up the top of the table, and have massive implications on the season. Catch our best bet for that clus plus more Matchweek 19 action below!
EPL 2025-26: Matchday 19 Preview & Betting Tips
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Emirates Stadium, Wednesday 31st December, 7:15am AEDT
One of the biggest games of season ‘25/’26 takes place on Wednesday morning when Aston Villa travel to London to take on Arsenal. Villa are in third place three points behind the league leaders and have a golden opportunity to be level on points by the end of the matchday. Unai Emery's side is the hottest side in England, having won eight straight Premier League games, and having won twelve of their last thirteen games in the league. Aston Villa beat Chelsea away from home in a top four clash on Sunday, leaving them well prepared for what will be a high pressure game in North London.
Arsenal come into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 win over Brighton, where the scoreboard did not reflect the dominance they had in general play. The Gunners won the shot count 18-8 and recorded 53% possession, as they well and truly played the game on their terms. Arsenal have won four of their last five games in the league, although their only loss in that period was to Aston Villa. Both of these teams have excellent statistical profiles with the Gunners having the league’s best defence and the second best attack, while Villa ranks fourth in defence and sixth in attack.
Aston Villa have certainly given Arsenal plenty of trouble over the last few years, with Villa holding a 3-1-1 record across their last five Premier League fixtures against the league leaders. The fact Villa are such big outsiders in this game is a massive shock, they are well and truly capable of beating Arsenal and could be one of the great bets given they’re paying $7.25 in the head to head market at the time of writing. We’ll be taking the safety of the handicap buffer in this fixture, given the unbelievable form they are in and their record against Arsenal, they are certainly capable of keeping this close.
Aston Villa +1
$2.75 (1.5 Units)
Liverpool vs Leeds United
Anfield, Friday 2nd January, 4:30am AEDT
Remarkably Liverpool have found their way back into the top four after their season looked destined for mid table mediocrity not too long ago. However three straight wins and some other results going their way has seen the Reds jump into fourth place, but they must keep winning to keep their place. Leeds have begun to find some stability in what has been a difficult year, going unbeaten for the month of December with two wins and three draws. The five game unbeaten run has them five points clear of the relegation zone and they’ll be looking to gain further breathing room in the fight for survival.
Leeds haven’t been great at either end of the pitch, conceding 32 goals (5th most in the league) and only scoring 25 goals (ranked 12th in the league). Although Liverpool haven’t been a great defensive side this season (ranked 13th), they have still been a potent attacking side having scored 30 goals, the fifth most in the Premier League. That gap in attacking quality between the two sides is going to make it hard for Leeds to keep this competitive especially if the Reds score first.
Liverpool will still be seething that Leeds held them to a 3-3 draw earlier this season, especially given their recent dominance in head to head Matchups. Liverpool hold a 3-1-1 record across the last five Premier League fixtures between the two clubs, with those three Liverpool wins coming by scorelines of 6-1, 6-0 and 3-0. With a chance to solidify their spot in the top four and potentially gain ground on third if results go their way, expect a ruthless performance by the Reds on Friday morning.
Liverpool -1
$2.25 (1 Unit)
Sunderland vs Manchester City
Stadium of Light, Friday 2nd January, 7:00am AEDT
It’s second versus seventh at the Stadium of Light on Friday morning when Sunderland host Manchester City. Manchester City continue to remain on the heels of league leaders Arsenal, winning their sixth consecutive game on Matchday 18 with a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. It took until the 83rd minute to get back in front, however City were full value for the win having recorded +10 shots and 66% possession away from home. Sunderland come into this clash on the back of a frustrating draw with Leeds, meaning the Black Cats only recorded one win from five games in the month of December.
Manchester City’s work in the front third continues to be the envy of the league, having scored 43 goals - ten more than the next best side. Star striker Erling Haaland is comfortably leading the Golden Boot race with 19 goals, while Rayan Cherki leads the Premier League for assists with 7. Gianluigi Donnarumma has the third most clean sheets (7), further highlighting the all round excellence that Pep Guardiola’s side have produced this season.
Sunderland have been a great defensive side this season, but they don’t have the attacking firepower to match it with City and that was proven when the sides met on December 6th. Man City cruised to a 3-0 win with 14 shots to 6 and 65% possession in a dominant all round display. When they get high volume possession and play the game in the front half, there isn’t a defence in the league that is capable of standing up against the attacking firepower that they have. City will continue their winning ways with another electric attacking performance.
Manchester City -1
$2.20 (1.5 Units)
