In the final matches of the calendar year, the Premier League rolls into 2024 with a full slate of soccer games for EPL Matchday 20 this weekend.
Saturday kicks off the action with six fixtures, which includes Manchester City and Aston Villa hosting relegation sides. Chelsea and Manchester United are both on the road on the same day.
North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are in action on Sunday before Monday’s headliner between Liverpool and Newcastle. West Ham welcomes Brighton to close out Matchday 20 on Tuesday night.
With the FA Cup starting next week, this wraps up a busy festive period for Premier League squads, and the Sports Gambling Podcast Network has you covered with our full preview and best bets.
EPL Matchday 20 Preview and Best Bets
Luton Town vs. Chelsea – Luton +1 (-121) BetRivers
One thing is for sure with Luton Town. This is a side that you want to back at home, and I think this is another great spot against Chelsea.
For starters, no team has defeated the Hatters by multiple goals at Kenilworth Road. This includes Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal, City and Newcastle.
Meanwhile, this is a Chelsea side that has lost four straight away from home, posting a -4.1 xGDiff in those games, according to fbref.com. The Blues have also given up multiple goals in all of those losses.
I don’t love the situational spot after two straight victories, but I’m still backing Luton to continue to be tough to beat at home in this spot.
Crystal Palace vs. Brentford – Brentford’s injury list is piling up. However, I still can’t back Palace at this price.
Manchester City vs. Sheffield United – I can’t bet City at these sorts of prices. It doesn’t mean I’m rushing to back Sheffield either.
Aston Villa vs. Burnley – Oddsmakers have caught on to Villa’s elite home form. I could see the home side in every parlay on Saturday.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Everton – The injuries to key Everton players keep me away from this one. It is also hard to know which Wolves team is going to show up as well.
Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester United – Can United put in two good performances in a row? I doubt it on the road, but the odds feel right.
Fulham vs. Arsenal – Fulham on the Asian handicap line almost made the card here. I just struggle to see how the Cottagers score here against Arsenal.
Spurs vs. Bournemouth – For the time being, I am staying away from Spurs’ games. This one does feel like a spot that would have goals.
Liverpool vs. Newcastle – Newcastle +1.25 (-117) BetRivers
Yes, I am completely aware of Newcastle’s road form. However, this price has gone too far at this point to not back the Magpies here.
For comparison, Eddie Howe’s team played at City in the second game of the season. The treble winners closed at -115 odds in that match on the moneyline.
We are now saying that the Magpies are currently a full dollar in price worse in this spot compared to that one. Even with the struggles, I am not buying that.
At this rate, we are reaching a point where Newcastle is being priced similarly to Manchester United at Anfield just a couple of weeks ago. We all know my feelings about the Red Devils, so I can’t agree with this here.
West Ham vs. Brighton – I don’t see an edge in this game. West Ham is typically good at home under David Moyes though.
