EPL Week 23 Preview: Stats, Insights & Everything You Need To Know

Headlined by a huge clash between Arsenal and Chelsea, Week 23 of the Premier League is back again this weekend and we’ve got everything you need to know about your team’s chances.

WOLVERHAMPTON VS LEICESTER CITY – SATURDAY 19 JANUARY, 12:30PM, MOLINEUX STADIUM

Wolves

• Last 5 Matches: LDWLL
• Ladder Position: 11^th 
• Goal Difference: -5 (GF 23, GA 28)

Leicester

• Last 5 Matches: WWLWL
• Ladder Position: 8^th 
• Goal Difference: +1 (GF 26, GA 25)

Leicester is currently the higher of the two clubs, ranked eighth on the table despite falling 2-1 at home to a 10-man Southampton side last time out. Despite that ranking there remains a growing contingent of supporters calling for the sacking of Claude Puel as manager, indicating the pressure may be on during this fixture.

The Foxes have responded well to that pressure in recent times, winning each of their last three EPL matches as underdogs, including triumphs over both Chelsea and Manchester City. When considering Wolverhampton has struggled with inconsistency over recent months, losing three of four as a home favourite, and will enter this contest without first-choice centre-half Willy Boly due to suspension, Leicester could yet provide another upset on Saturday.

Did you know?

Wolves came from 3-0 down at half-time to win 4-3 in their only previous PL home match against Leicester, back in October 2003.

Ten of the last 16 PL goals conceded by Wolves have come from set-pieces: four corners, four free-kicks and two penalties.

Betting Insights:

• The ‘Under 2.5 Goals’ market has hit in each of Wolverhampton’s six EPL day matches at Molineux Stadium this season.
• Jamie Vardy has been the first goal-scorer in each of Leicester’s last two EPL matches as an away underdog.

• The ‘Under 2.5 Goals’ market has hit in each of Leicester’s last six EPL away matches.
• The ‘Both Teams to Score’ market has failed to hit in each of Wolverhampton’s last six EPL matches as a home favourite.

Our Tip: Leicester City

BOURNEMOUTH VS WEST HAM – SUNDAY 20 JANUARY, 3:00PM, VITALITY STADIUM

Bournemouth 

• Last 5 Matches: WLLDL
• Ladder Position: 12^th 
• Goal Difference: -11 (GF 31, GA 42)

West Ham

• Last 5 Matches: LWLDW
• Ladder Position: 9^th 
• Goal Difference: -2 (GF 30, GA 32)

The Cherries have had the edge in the last four meetings, winning two and drawing the other two, West Ham’s last win against Bournemouth came in August 2016.

This has been a meeting that has traditionally featured goals, with three or more goals in five of the seven meetings and both teams to score hitting in six of the seven.

Bournemouth have built their campaign on a solid home record, and they are at a good price to pick up a home win so this is going to be another value play.

Did You Know?

Callum Wilson has scored five goals in five PL matches against West Ham, more against any other side in the competition.

Betting Insights:

• Bournemouth has lost nine of its last 10 EPL day matches.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ market has hit in 16 of Bournemouth’s last 20 EPL matches as a favourite.
• Ryan Fraser has scored a goal in two of Bournemouth’s last three EPL matches as a home favourite.

Our Tip: Bournemouth

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LIVERPOOL VS CRYSTAL PALACE – SUNDAY 20 JANUARY, 3:00PM, ANFIELD

Liverpool

• Last 5 Matches: WWWLW
• Ladder Position: 1^st 
• Goal Difference: +40 (GF 50, GA 10)

Palace

• Last 5 Matches: WDLWL
• Ladder Position: 14^th 
• Goal Difference: -8 (GF 20, GA 28)

Palace have recorded a number of pleasing results recently but obviously, they will need to muster a season-best performance to take anything away from league-leaders Liverpool at Anfield. After a loss to second-placed City, the Reds bounced back with a win against Brighton. 

Did You Know?

Sadio Mane has scored more PL goals against Crystal Palace than any other side, with six, and could now strike in a fourth consecutive PL match against the same opponent for the first time.

Betting Insights:

• The ‘Over 3.5 Goals’ market has hit in each of Liverpool’s last three EPL matches at Anfield.
• Liverpool has kept a clean sheet in 12 of its last 15 EPL home matches.
• The ‘Both Teams to Score’ market has failed to hit in four of Crystal Palace’s last five EPL Week 23 matches.
• Mohamed Salah has scored seven goals in Liverpool’s last six EPL matches as a favourite.

Our Tip: Liverpool -1.0

MANCHESTER UNITED VS BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION – SUNDAY 20 JANUARY, 3:00PM, OLD TRAFFORD

United

• Last 5 Matches: WWWWW
• Ladder Position: 6^th 
• Goal Difference: +12 (GF 44, GA 32)

Brighton

• Last 5 Matches: LDWDL
• Ladder Position: 13^th 
• Goal Difference: -6 (GF 24, GA 30)

Continuing to excel under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Manchester United will go in search of its seventh consecutive win across all competitions when Brighton & Hove Albion travels to Old Trafford.

If they are to once again get over the line on Saturday afternoon, it will demonstrate the leaps and bounds the Red Devils have already made under Solskjær given they had lost each of their last two fixtures against the Seagulls under Jose Mourinho.

David de Gea will undoubtedly have a role to play if United is to keep just its second clean sheet from 11 EPL matches at Old Trafford this season and recent form would indicate the Spaniard is ready for the challenge, having made 11 saves during his team’s most recent 1-0 win at Tottenham.

Did You Know?

Paul Pogba can become only the second United player to score at least twice in three consecutive PL home matches, after Cristiano Ronaldo.

Betting Insights:

• The ‘Over 3.5 Goals’ market has hit in each of Manchester United’s last four EPL matches at Old Trafford.
• The ‘Both Teams to Score’ market has hit in seven of Manchester United’s last eight EPL home matches.
• Marcus Rashford has scored a goal in four of Manchester United’s last five EPL matches.

Our Tip: Manchester United

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NEWCASTLE VS CARDIFF – SUNDAY 20 JANUARY, 3:00PM, ST JAMES’ PARK

Newcastle

• Last 5 Matches: DLDLL
• Ladder Position: 18^th 
• Goal Difference: -15 (GF 16, GA 31)

Cardiff

• Last 5 Matches: LDWLD
• Ladder Position: 17^th 
• Goal Difference: -22 (GF 19, GA 41)

Newcastle United are aiming to leapfrog Cardiff City and move out of the bottom three as they host the Welsh side, who lie one place and one point above them.

Cardiff are targeting a second victory in four Premier League matches and their second in a row on the road.

Did You Know?

Newcastle have won 17 of their last 18 home league matches against Cardiff City and all of the last seven in the top flight by an aggregate score of 23-0.

Betting Insights:

• The ‘Under 1.5 Goals’ market has hit in five of Cardiff’s last six EPL day matches.
• The ‘Both Teams to Score’ market has failed to hit in each of Newcastle United’s last six EPL matches as a home favourite.
• In seven of Cardiff’s last eight EPL day matches, the first half has resulted in a draw.

Our Tip: Newcastle

SOUTHAMPTON VS EVERTON – SUNDAY 20 JANUARY, 3:00PM, ST MARY’S STADIUM

Southampton

• Last 5 Matches: WLLDW
• Ladder Position: 16^th 
• Goal Difference: -13 (GF 23, GA 39)

Everton

• Last 5 Matches: LWLLW
• Ladder Position:  10^th 
• Goal Difference: +2 (GF 33, GA 31)

Southampton recorded a good win over Leicester City last weekend and will be confident of continuing that run past a pretty inconsistent Everton side. The Toffees responded to a couple of disappointing losses with an easy win over Bournemouth last week and a repeat of that effort would see them winning this.

Did You Know?

If Shane Long scores he will become the fourth player from the Republic of Ireland to hit 50 in the Premier League, after Robbie Keane, Niall Quinn and Damien Duff.

Betting Insights

• Southampton has won four of its last five EPL home matches against Everton.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ market has hit in each of Southampton’s last four EPL home matches.
• Across all competitions, Theo Walcott has scored a goal in each of Everton’s last two matches against Southampton.

Our Tip: Southampton

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WATFORD VS BURNLEY – SUNDAY 20 JANUARY, 3:00PM, VICARAGE ROAD

Watford

• Last 5 Matches: WLDDW
• Ladder Position: 7^th 
• Goal Difference: 0 (GF 32, GA 32)

Burnley

• Last 5 Matches: LLWWW
• Ladder Position: 15^th 
• Goal Difference: -20 (GF 23, GA 43)

Burnley has the head to head advantage in the Premier League, winning three of the five top flight meetings but Watford won the first meeting this season 3-1.

Burnley have bounced back phenomenally from their slow start winning their last three games over West Ham, Huddersfield and Fulham. This will be a huge test against the side currently sitting seventh in the Premier League.

Did You Know?

Burnley are looking to win their first three top-flight matches in a calendar year for the first time since 1958.

Betting Insights:

• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ market has hit in nine of Watford’s last 10 EPL home matches.
• The ‘Both Teams to Score’ market has hit in seven of Watford’s last eight EPL matches.
• Troy Deeney has been the first goal-scorer in two of Watford’s last three league home matches against Burnley.

Our Tip: Draw

ARSENAL VS CHELSEA – SUNDAY 20 JANUARY, 5:30PM, EMIRATES STADIUM

Arsenal

• Last 5 Matches: WDLWL
• Ladder Position: 5^th 
• Goal Difference: +14 (GF 46, GA 32)

Chelsea

• Last 5 Matches: LWWDW
• Ladder Position: 4^th 
• Goal Difference: +23 (GF 40, GA 17)

In need of a response after falling to a disappointing loss at West Ham, Arsenal will welcome Chelsea to the Emirates for what should be a hotly contested London Derby.

That 1-0 defeat has left the Gunners six points adrift of the fourth-placed Blues, indicating a failure to pick up maximum points on Saturday evening would severely dent their top-four hopes. Comparatively, Chelsea was victorious last weekend, defeating Newcastle 2-1 at home. Chelsea won the reverse fixture between these clubs 3-2 at Stamford Bridge during Week 2 in a result which could have quite easily gone the other way.

The Gunners will likely be confident of reversing that outcome given they haven’t lost a home fixture in the league since falling to Manchester City 2-0 during the opening weekend. Furthermore, Chelsea hasn’t triumphed at the Emirates since January 2016, indicating there is a decent chance of an upset result on Saturday.

Did You Know?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Eden Hazard are the two players whose goals have been worth the most PL points for their sides this season, with 12 and 10 respectively.

Betting Insights:

• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ market has hit in eight of Arsenal’s last nine EPL night matches as an underdog.
• The ‘Both Teams to Score’ market has hit in each of Arsenal’s last seven EPL night matches.
• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored five goals in Arsenal’s last four EPL home matches.

Our Tip: Draw

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HUDDERSFIELD TOWN VS MANCHESTER CITY – MONDAY 21 JANUARY, 1:30PM, JOHN SMITH’S STADIUM

Huddersfield

• Last 5 Matches: LLLLD
• Ladder Position: 20^th 
• Goal Difference: -24 (GF 13, GA 37)

City

• Last 5 Matches: LLWWW
• Ladder Position: 2^nd 
• Goal Difference: +42 (GF 59, GA 17)

Huddersfield look the most likely to be demoted at the end of the season and they surely face too great a task in the form of City this weekend. City’s dip in form is well and truly history and they are well positioned for a fourth-consecutive win in Week 23.

Did You Know?

Man City have scored 19 goals in their last three matches in all competitions, one more than Huddersfield have managed in their last 36 outings.

Betting Insights:

• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ market has hit in each of Manchester City’s last nine EPL day matches.
• The ‘Both Teams to Score’ market has failed to hit in 12 of Huddersfield’s last 16 EPL home matches.
• Across all competitions, Sergio Aguero has scored six goals in his last three appearances against Huddersfield.

Our Tip: Manchester City -1.0

FULHAM VS TOTTENHAM – MONDAY 21 JANUARY, 4:00PM, CRAVEN COTTAGE

Fulham

• Last 5 Matches: DDWLL
• Ladder Position: 19^th 
• Goal Difference: -29 (GF 20, GA 49)

Spurs

• Last 5 Matches: WWLWL 
• Ladder Position: 3^rd 
• Goal Difference: +24 (GF 46, GA 22)

Son is at the Asian Cup and Harry Kane is under an injury cloud which will have Tottenham at a strong disadvantage.

While losing two of their best attacking weapons doesn’t help their cause, taking on the Premier League’s worst defence in Fulham will.

Spurs should be more than good enough to come away with a win here, even if they are slightly undermanned.

Did You Know?

Spurs are unbeaten in their last 20 PL away matches against promoted sides (W17 D3), since a 1-0 loss at Queens Park Rangers in April 2012.

Betting Insights:

• The ‘Under 2.5 Goals’ market has hit in each of Fulham’s last four EPL home matches.
• The ‘Both Teams to Score’ market has failed to hit in five of Tottenham’s last seven EPL matches as a favourite.
• Christian Eriksen has scored a goal in each of Tottenham’s last two EPL away matches.

Our Tip: Tottenham