EPL Matchday 2 Picks, Predictions, Odds
Andrew Beasley is back for best bets, predictions and picks for EPL Matchday 2 fixtures that begin on Saturday, August 13th and conclude on Monday, August 15th.
Aston Villa vs. Everton
- Date: Saturday, August 13th
- Time: 7:30 a.m. ET
- Venue: Villa Park
- Location: Birmingham, England
Best Bet: Aston Villa ML (-115)
The first match of the weekend is a clash between clubs managed by former England midfield teammates, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
The latter is favorite in the ‘next manager to leave’ market. But while Gerrard is much further down the standings, a defeat to newly promoted Bournemouth last week was a poor start to its campaign.
Only five Premier League teams won fewer home matches than Villa last season. However, they took just one point against the top seven and otherwise were pretty solid. They should have enough to increase the pressure on Everton with a win.
Arsenal vs. Leicester City
- Date: Saturday, August 13th
- Time: 10:00 a.m. ET
- Venue: Emirates Stadium
- Location: London, England
Best Bet: Arsenal to win and Leicester City not to score (+155)
Arsenal and Leicester City’s relationship is largely one way in favour of the former. When the Foxes won at the Emirates Stadium in 2020, it was their first away win in the fixture since 1973.
They had contrasting results last weekend too. Mikel Arteta’s side won 2-0 at Crystal Palace, the sort of match which has tripped them up countless times in the past. Leicester also had a 2-0 lead, at home to Brentford, but let it slip and only got one point from the game.
Coincidentally, this match ended 2-0 last season too. A similar clean sheet victory for Arsenal looks likely.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Newcastle United
- Date: Saturday, August 6th
- Time: 10:00 a.m. ET
- Venue: American Express Community Stadium
- Location: Falmer, England
Best Bet: Brighton & Hove Albion ML (+135)
Brighton got its season off to a cracking start with a 2-1 win at Old Trafford. Newcastle also began 2022/23 with a victory, though beating last seasons Championship playoff winners at home is hardly as impressive.
They also took four points from the Seagulls last season, with the corresponding fixture ending 1-1 last November. Like many of Newcastle’s results in 2021/22, the underlying data suggested they had been lucky though.
Brighton are favorites to win here, and deservedly so, but its odds should be shorter, so it looks to be a good value selection.
Brentford vs. Manchester United
- Date: Saturday, August 13th
- Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Brentford Community Stadium
- Location: London, England
Best Bet: Brentford ML (+275)
Considering Manchester United beat Brentford home and away last season, with a 6-1 aggregate score line, it may seem strange to tip the home side here.
However, the Bees had a reasonably good home record against the EPL’s established big six clubs last season. They beat Arsenal, drew with Liverpool and Tottenham, and only lost 1-0 to Chelsea and Manchester City.
This means their 3-1 loss to the Red Devils was their worst in the set, but they outshot the visitors and had nine shots on target, their most in any league game in 2021/22. The expected goal data has a home win as the value pick of the week, and United’s performance against Brighton last week backs that up.
Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur
- Date: Sunday, August 14th
- Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- Venue: Stamford Bridge
- Location: London, England
Best Bet: Both Teams to Score - Yes (-145)
Stamford Bridge saw plenty of end-to-end entertainment last season. In 12 of the 19 league games there saw both teams score, and only West Ham experienced this more times on its own patch.
Chelsea’s home match with Tottenham Hotspur ended 2-0, though, and indeed the latter haven’t scored in any of its last six meetings with the Blues.
But the data suggests this is the most likely match this weekend where both teams will score. With Thomas Tuchel bedding in a new look defence, it’s easy to see Spurs getting on the score sheet.
Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace
- Date: Monday, August 15th
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Anfield
- Location: Liverpool, England
Best Bet: Both Teams to Score - Yes (+120)
Liverpool rescued a point after twice going behind at Fulham last weekend and it continued a very concerning pattern for the Reds. Disregard the Community Shield as it’s a glorified friendly and Jurgen Klopp’s side have conceded the first goal in seven of their last eight competitive matches.
Such is their quality that this run will inevitably end soon, and Crystal Palace don’t score at Anfield too often (with its 4-3 loss in 2019 an absurd exception). However, Liverpool will likely be five points behind Manchester City when this match kicks off and the Eagles have the attacking power to add further pressure with a goal. The Reds should win but it could be harder work than they’d like.
Soccer News
