Premier League betting tips: Matchweek 15 preview

This matchweek is usually an interesting one as it comes so soon after the midweek fixtures. Some clubs inevitably cope better with the swift turnaround than others. 

The corresponding weekend last season included Bournemouth winning 3-0 at Manchester United, Everton beating Chelsea, Sheffield United getting a very rare win and Fulham thumping West Ham 5-0. Expect the unexpected in matchweek 15.

Everton vs Liverpool betting tips

The final league derby at Goodison Park will see Everton hoping to repeat their 2-0 win over Liverpool in April. The odds of 45/1 for that scoreline show the task facing Sean Dyche’s men.

The Toffees got a confidence-boosting 4-0 win over Wolves in midweek. Nonetheless, beating the team with the best defence will be tough. Before their victory last season, Everton hadn’t scored in their previous four games with Liverpool.

The Reds’ attack should breach the Blues’ backline a couple of times, to start the weekend with a win which will increase the pressure on the chasing pack. 

Scoreline prediction

Everton 0-2 Liverpool (39/5 with Matchbook)

FIRST’s top tip:

Handicap: Liverpool -1 (6/5 with 888 Sport)

Aston Villa vs Southampton betting tips

While the bottom-of-the-table side is unlikely to be too optimistic about any away game, Southampton will at least be heartened by Aston Villa’s recent struggles. 

Unai Emery’s men eased the pressure with a 3-1 victory over Brentford on Wednesday. The Villa boss must balance this game with an away match to RB Leipzig on Tuesday though. 

Although with the frequency with which the Saints shoot themselves in the feet, even a rotated Villa team should have far too much. Every win they’ve had this season has featured at least three goals, so expect an entertaining game. 

Scoreline prediction

Aston Villa 3-1 Southampton (163/20 with Mr.Play)

FIRST’s top tip:

Aston Villa win and over 2.5 goals (4/5 with Boyle Sports)

Brentford vs Newcastle betting tips

How long can Brentford’s position as the best home team in the Premier League last? They have been helped by only playing weak sides, in fairness. 

While Newcastle may be a tougher nut to crack than their most recent opponents, the Magpies are still vulnerable on the road. In their previous away game, at Crystal Palace, they had just one shot. 

On the final day of last season, Newcastle won this fixture 4-2. There probably won’t be a repeat of that result but a goal-heavy game looks inevitable, with the Bees’ home games averaging 2.7 in first halves alone.

Scoreline prediction

Brentford 3-2 Newcastle (25/1 with William Hill)

FIRST’s top tip:

Over 1.5 first half goals (11/8 with bet365)

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City betting tips

Selhurst Park carries the reputation of being a tough place to go but the reality is the bigger teams in the league usually find a way to win there. For instance, Manchester City have five victories and a draw from their last six trips to Crystal Palace. 

The current edition is far from a classic City side, though. The Eagles are ahead of them in the six-game form table despite only winning two of those matches, which says everything. 

Pep Guardiola’s side have conceded at least two goals in their last five away matches, with the underlying numbers suggesting that was deserved in their last four games. Palace are not a high-scoring team but the likelihood of them scoring twice is far better than the odds suggest.

Scoreline prediction

Crystal Palace 2-2 Manchester City (17/1 with Matchbook)

FIRST’s top tip:

Crystal Palace to score 2+ goals (5/2 with Betfred)

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest betting tips

Nottingham Forest complete their Manchester double-header with a trip to Old Trafford, having been beaten 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night. 

Forest have also lost on all three of their trips to Old Trafford in the last two years. The 3-2 defeat last season stung as they went 2-0 up. 

Ruben Amorim suffered his first defeat with United in midweek, losing 2-0 at Arsenal. They should be able to bounce back here.

With both teams in the bottom three of the total goals standings, the Saturday evening game looks likely to be light on entertainment. 

Scoreline prediction

Manchester United 1-0 Nottingham Forest (15/2 with bet365)

FIRST’s top tip:

Under 2.5 goals (169/100 with Mr.Play)

Fulham vs Arsenal betting tips

Which Arsenal will turn up at Craven Cottage? The one which beat Tottenham and Aston Villa on the road or the version which lost at Bournemouth and Newcastle? Those sides are all close to Fulham in the league table. 

Marco Silva’s side took four points from the Gunners last season and their strong underlying numbers suggest they have a good chance of avoiding defeat again.

Fulham will also be confident after a good win over Brighton on Thursday. With former Arsenal players Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe in form, they have the attack to avoid defeat against the Gunners for a third meeting in a row. 

Scoreline prediction

Fulham 1-1 Arsenal (8/1 with bet365)

FIRST’s top tip:

Double Chance: Fulham-Draw (131/100 with Mr.Play)

Ipswich vs Bournemouth betting tips

Ipswich were unable to pick up their first home win of the season against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night. They will try again against Bournemouth, a much better team than the Eagles. 

But while that is true, Andoni Iraola’s men do allow good opportunities. Their opponents average 2.4  Opta-defined big chances per game. Ipswich’s top man creatively is Leif Davis and he is very much due an assist. 

In his last four appearances, Davis has set up chances worth slightly over one expected goal but none have been converted. The underlying numbers suggest he is owed 2.4 assists for the season. A home game against Bournemouth will present a chance to begin correcting those statistics. 

Scoreline prediction

Ipswich 1-2 Bournemouth (44/5 with Matchbook)

FIRST’s top tip:

Leif Davis to score or assist (5/2 with Paddy Power)

Leicester vs Brighton betting tips

Leicester fans will be buzzing after beating West Ham 3-1 in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first match in charge. However, the Hammers did amass 31 shots in that game and the Foxes will be in trouble if Brighton carve out the same level of opportunities. 

Whether that happens or not, a similar tally of goals looks likely, as these clubs usually produce entertaining matches. Both have scored in the last six clashes, with at least three goals in five of them.

Leicester and Brighton are also both riding high in the standings for games which paid out on over 2.5 goals this season. 

Scoreline prediction

Leicester 1-2 Brighton (33/5 with Mr.Play)

FIRST’s top tip:

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals (7/8 with Betway)

Tottenham vs Chelsea betting tips

Some derbies are close. Historically, this one isn’t, with Chelsea winning nine of the 13 meetings in the last five years.

While the Blues are favourites in the win market, the underlying data favours Tottenham. Their erratic form makes them hard to trust though, with an impressive win at Manchester City their only victory from their last six games in all competitions. 

Spurs’ open, expansive style will suit Chelsea, who have the best record in the Premier League over the past six matches. Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer will probably feast on some lacklustre Tottenham defending. 

Scoreline prediction

Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea (10/1 with William Hill)

FIRST’s top tip:

Chelsea to win (23/20 with Coral)

West Ham vs Wolves betting tips

Matchweek 15 concludes in east London on Monday night. Whatever else happens this weekend, Wolves will be in the bottom three at kick off, while West Ham will be somewhere between three and six points clear of the relegation zone. 

Is it going too far to suggest the losing manager gets sacked? There is a distinct air of gloom over both clubs at present. 

Jarrod Bowen should help lift it for the Hammers. He has scored four goals across the last four home meetings and is on a run of 15 shots without scoring in the league. Bowen is due to find the net. 

Scoreline prediction

West Ham 2-1 Wolves (27/4 with Mr.Play)

FIRST’s top tip:

Jarrod Bowen to score (41/20 with Unibet)

Odds correct at the time of writing.