EPL Match Week 24 Preview
EPL History in the Making - EPL Match Week 24 Preview
Manchester City's win against Arsenal brought them back to the top of the table, and they're poised to keep at their winning streak. Arteta needs to rebuild the Gunners' morale, while Ten Hag silently brings Manchester United back to the title race narrative. Some opponents who face off this week have very little history between them. In other words, there is history in the making. This is EPL Match Week 24 Preview. (All times are in EST and are subject to change by EPL without prior notice.
Aston Villa vs. Arsenal (02/18/2023 7:30 AM):
Arsenal saw their first-place position slip their hands after their midweek loss to Man City midweek. They didn't play bad, but their opponent was too good. That said, the Gunners have won only one of their last five matches across all competitions. This is not good news for Arteta and Arsenal fans. Aston Villa's results have shown fluctuations, too, as they beat Leeds and Southampton (two teams in crisis), shared the points with Wolves, and lost to City and Leicester. Looking to not fall far from first place, Arsenal will play hard for a win and should get the three points.
FiveThirtyEight: AVL: 22%, ARS: 54%, Draw: 23%
Odds Shark: AVL: +330, ARS: -125, Draw: +275
Brentford vs. Crystal Palace (02/18/2023 10:00 AM):
In all of EPL history, these teams have only played against each other three times. All three of their encounters in EPL have ended in draws - two goalless and one 1-1. Nine points separate the eighth-place Brentford from the twelfth-place Palace. To make matters worse for Viera, his team have not won any of their five EPL matches, and Brentford know a thing or two about winning at home.
That does not mean that Brentford will have it easy. Ask Brighton! Palace are known for putting up a good fight. However, they find it hard to earn points on the road. They must find a way to contain Toney, the league's third-best scoring player. The battle is on, but Palace may not get a point from this match. Brentford will probably earn the first win against Palace in all of EPL history.
FiveThirtyEight: BRE: 55%, CRY: 21%, Draw: 24%
Odds Shark: BRE: -110, CRY: +310, Draw: +255
Brighton vs. Fulham (02/18/2023 10:00 AM):
Both teams have 35 points, albeit Fulham have played two more games. Brighton saw their victory slip to a draw against Palace, while Fulham enjoyed three points against Forest last weekend. With eleven goals to his name, Fulham's Mitrovic is also the fifth-highest-scoring player in the league. However, Fulham have scored five fewer and conceded two more goals than their host.
On the other hand, Brighton have not been able to beat Fulham in any of their five head-ons in EPL history. While Fulham have enjoyed victory twice against Brighton, they have shared results with their hosts on the road. This is yet another heated combat between these sides, likely ending in the fourth draw in their history.
FiveThirtyEight: BRI: 63%, FUL: 16%, Draw: 21%
Odds Shark: BRI: -140, FUL: +370, Draw: +300
Chelsea vs. Southampton (02/18/2023 10:00 AM):
Chelsea must start winning games again, and they must do it soon. Potter can't afford another draw, not against the last-place visitors. Southampton were ahead against Wolves last weekend, only to let go of the three points. While Chelsea must have an easy win on paper, the statistics make Chelsea fans nervous.
Chelsea's Havertz and Southampton's Ward-Prowse have both scored five goals as the top scorers for their teams. They're followed by another Southampton player, Che Adams, who has scored four goals. This should worry Potter, as their offensive line doesn't seem to perform.
Southampton fired their manager after last weekend's result. This could be good or bad for Chelsea. It could mean the visitors are in disarray, making it an easy win for the hosts. But it could also mean that Southampton players are fired up to put up a fight that can stun Chelsea - just like Leeds did to Man United and Everton did to Arsenal. It's hard to tell which way this game will go, but Chelsea should have the better chance to win at home.
FiveThirtyEight: CHE: 63%, SOU: 15%, Draw: 23%
Odds Shark: CHE: -275, SOU: +775, Draw: +390
Everton vs. Leeds (02/18/2023 10:00 AM):
Everton and Leeds fired their managers recently. Everton beat Arsenal under new manager, Sean Dyce, and Leeds stunned Man United with a draw in Old Trafford. But both Leeds and Everton lost their games last weekend. It is obvious that both sides are facing difficult challenges and need to win games to escape relegation.
Rodrigo, Leeds' highest-scoring player with ten goals, has scored more than Everton's top three scorers combined. With Gordon gone, Everton's problems have augmented. While playing at Goodison Park isn't easy, Leeds may find a way to earn a draw from this match - capitalizing on Everton's poor offensive line quality.
FiveThirtyEight: EVE: 36%, LEE: 38%, Draw: 26%
Odds Shark: EVE: +140, LEE: +200, Draw: +230
Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City (02/18/2023 10:00 AM):
Six points above the relegation zone, Forest may feel comfortable, but they have a big test against the champions. Back in first place after defeating Arsenal midweek, City are poised to win another match, perhaps securing their path to another championship. With Haaland, De Bruyne, and Foden in top form, it's hard to imagine any result but a win for the champions in this game.
FiveThirtyEight: NFO: 8%, MCI: 77%, Draw: 15%
Odds Shark: NFO: +850, MCI: -333, Draw: +450
Wolves vs. Bournemouth (02/18/2023 10:00 AM):
This is another game with very little EPL history between the two sides. Bournemouth have not won against Wolves in any of the five head-ons with Wolves. Wolves have snatched the three points three times - once away and twice at home. Bournemouth are the latest team to sack their manager, and their prospect doesn't look bright. Besides losing to Man City and sharing points with Villa, Wolves have won the rest of their previous five matches - including the 3-0 home victory against Liverpool.
Bournemouth succeeded in holding Newcastle to a draw at home, but playing on the road may prove challenging as Wolves will likely win this match.
FiveThirtyEight: WOL: 50%, BOU: 24%, Draw: 27%
Odds Shark: WOL: -150, BOU: +420, Draw: +285
Newcastle vs. Liverpool (02/18/2023 12:30 PM)
Klopp's men are in need of more winning games, and so is Howe's squad. Almiron scored for Newcastle again, but the Magpies' flare seems to be diminishing. They have won only once in their previous five EPL matches - a 1-0 victory at home against Fulham. Liverpool won the Merseyside derby against Everton but have lost three of their last five EPL matches. The Reds' away record has not been great, but Newcastle haven't scored many goals recently, either. This will be a challenging game for both sides, at the end of which, Liverpool may find the edge to win. A draw is also possible.
FiveThirtyEight: NEW: 41%, LIV: 35%, Draw: 24%
Odds Shark: NEW: +140, LIV: +180, Draw: +260
Manchester United vs. Leicester (02/19/2023 9:00 AM):
Erik Ten Hag's men should know better than taking Leicester as an easy opponent. Only one week after Spurs defeated Man City, they lost to the Foxes by 4 goals to 1. Leicester may not be in good form, but Rogers' squad is still dangerous. With Casemiro out for suspension and Erikson out with injury, Man United's midfield can struggle.
That said, Leicester have their pile of problems. Their biggest problem is their keeper, Ward, who lacks confidence. The Foxes' defensive line is vulnerable at times. And that should be music to Rashford's ears, whose form has improved lately. Ten Hag has given United the passion for winning and shows time and time again that he can influence the game positively. Playing at home, Man United should be able to win the match. It will not be an easy one, though!
FiveThirtyEight: MUN: 61%, LEI: 18%, Draw: 21%
Odds Shark: MUN: -170, LEI: +420, Draw: +340
Tottenham vs. West Ham (02/19/2023 11:30 AM):
A week after defeating Manchester City, in a game where Harry Kane broke records for the club, Tottenham lost to Leicester. That's the telltale story of Conte's problems with the club. With only two points above the relegation zone, West Ham may not be where they were last season, but they put up a fight in matches against stronger opponents. They held Chelsea and Newcastle to a draw despite losing the away match against Wolves.
Tottenham's goal-scoring machine has slowed, scoring five goals in their last five EPL games while losing ten. While Spurs are struggling, Hammers are motivated to remain in the league. That will give them the incentive to fight Spurs tooth and nail. With a bit of luck, West Ham can take one valuable point from this match. However, Tottenham are eager to make a comeback from their recent poor performance and have a slight chance of winning this game.
FiveThirtyEight: TOT: 53%, WHU: 23%, Draw: 24%
Odds Shark: TOT: -120, WHU: +320, Draw: +280