The second half of the English Premier League, the best domestic football competition in the world, is well underway. The January slate always brings one of the toughest stretches of the entire season and some teams have already had their hands (legs?) full from day one. We are a week into the new year and there is already a lot happening in the island state. So why not take this time and make a preview of what is to come in the following weeks so that you know how to prepare your wagering? After all, EPL betting is the best in football wagering, perhaps sports wagering as a whole. With another weekend full of matches, it is about to get serious so let us dive deeper into it.
Upcoming Games and Odds
Matchday 21 games will be taking place between January 14 and January 16, which means Tuesday through Thursday in what is an extraordinary week with an extra game before the weekend brings one more. There are 6 games on Tuesday, 4 games on Wednesday, and 2 games on Thursday. Here is who is playing against who as well as the implications and odds for each of the games.
Brentford FC is hosting the struggling champion Manchester City and is the heavy underdog in the game. Their odds are only 4.90 compared to City’s 1.64. Look for Haaland to score and increase his second-best tally of 16 goals in the season so far. In another matchup of underdog and favorite, Chelsea is playing at Stamford Bridge against AFC Bournemouth. The home team is at 1.67 odds, the clear favorite and they will be looking to take all three points following a string of disappointing performances that put them in the 4th spot. The visitors are at 4.60 and without much chance.
In a very balanced duel, West Ham United will be playing at home against Fulham. The Hammers have their odds by bookmakers set at 2.86 while the visiting London team is at 2.40. A draw is set at 3.60 and is a possible scenario considering the team’s similar performance so far. The final game of Tuesday is a treat as Nottingham Forest, the biggest surprise of the season and currently the third-best team in the standings, is hosting the best team in Europe, Liverpool. Now, the odds favor the Reds by a lot, 1.72 to 4.90, but Forest is nothing if not unpredictable. The draw is set at 3.90. This game is very interesting and could be the best of the whole matchday. There should be plenty of goals with Mohamed Salah being the most likely name to find the net and add to his league-best 18 goals so far.
On Wednesday, Aston Villa with 2.32 odds is visiting Everton who is currently at 3.25. Despite playing at home, Everton is struggling while Villa has had plenty of good showings, which is why the experts are saying the away team should take it. At the same time, Leicester City is playing at home against Crystal Palace, and the story is quite the same. The London visitors have 1.97 odds to take the game, with Leicester sitting at an unfavorable 3.75. The third and final game on January 15 is between Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Wolves are the absolute underdogs, currently just outside of the dreaded relegation zone in the 17th spot. Therefore, Newcastle, who is playing at home, is at 1.38 while the visitors’ odds are 8.40.
The final two games of this round are set for Thursday, January 16. First, Ipswich Town is hosting Brighton & Hove Albion in what is yet another game where the visitor is favored. Brighton is playing not too badly and is in the 10th place, while Ipswich is in the relegation spot at 18. This makes them the underdogs with 3.80 despite being the home team with Brighton getting 1.92. The final game is an Old Trafford duel between Manchester United with 1.32 odds and Southampton, the worst team in the league with only 6 points so far, with 8.80. If the Red Devils mean to start turning the season around, this is where it all starts.
Outright Bets
The beginning of the year seems like it is still too early for the outright bets but make no mistake. It is when teams kick it into high gear and when the best start playing at the highest level. With half a season to go, Liverpool has the best odds to take the title with 1.25 followed by Arsenal at 5.50. The defending champion Man City is at 23.00 while Nottingham Forest (41.00) and Chelsea (51.00) make up the top 5.
The top goalscorer bet favors Salah the most with 1.75, followed by Erling Haaland, the defending champ, with 2.38. Alexander Isak of Newcastle with 13 goals is third with 9.00 odds while Cole Palmer from Chelsea with the same tally is fourth with 13.00. A lot can change with goalscoring in the second part of the season, but barring any unfortunate injuries it seems like it is Salah’s turn to take this title.
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