Our soccer expert shares betting tips and previews some of the key games in matchday 21 as the winter break in the Premier League draws to a close with the completion of these games.

 

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Arsenal vs Crystal Palace (Saturday 12:30 UTC)

The Gunners host The Eagles at the Emirates in the first Premier League match of the weekend. Both sides will be hoping for better fortunes in England's topflight division after being knocked out of the FA Cup recently. Arsenal fell afoul of a rampant Liverpool side 2-0, while Palace were hamstrung by Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park in a Fourth-round replay match after a goalless initial bout.

Arsenal fans will be used to the side being top of the league at Christmas and then being shunted down the ladder thereafter. The side is currently in 4th position following a dread run in form with only a point garnered from the last three games. The latest to scalp them were London rivals Fulham and West Ham, where lacklustre performances only allowed for a solitary goal upfront from Bukayo Saka all the while conceding a total of four. Oleksandr Zinchenko could be amiss for this match, though Jurrien Timber could make a return after succumbing to injury at the season's beginning. Winning Margin - Arsenal by 1 at 3.87.

The club appears to be in dire need of a new hitman up front to breach the goal line consistently, with many citing that the cash may have to be splashed this January transfer window if there is any chance of challenging City, Liverpool or indeed Villa for the title. The situation becomes all the graver when considering the side has only managed just one win from the last seven matches in all tournaments. However, there is an opportunity ahead of them to ascend once more with matches against Palace and Forest, before bouncing off for another rematch against Jurgen Klopp's men on the 4th of February in front of the Gooner faithful.

Crystal Palace are currently experiencing a meekness up front, which came to the fore when outmatched by the Toffees for Cup progression. Leading man Odsonne Edouard has only mustered six goals from a total of 15 Premier appearances, while co-pilot and fellow Frenchman Jean-Philippe Mateta has only two from 17. However, there is cause for hope in this coming away fixture across the capitol with their future opponents embroiled in a critical lack of form with little teeth in their bite up front. The visitors' final top-flight fixture of 2023 did end on a positive with a derby success, emerging triumphant with a 3-1 win over Brentford, which also laid to rest a shocking eight-game winless run in the league, however, they'll have to tighten up the defence as they have not enjoyed a clean sheet since November 4th. Crystal Palace Goals - 0 at 1.763.

A tough away bout beckons for 14th-place Palace here, though with their future opposition experiencing a lack of potency up front there may be points on the table after all, though it can be expected that Gunners will still be a hard nut to crack.

1x2 1.294 5.77 10.19

 

Brentford vs Nottingham Forest (Saturday 17:30 UTC)

The Bees welcome the tricky trees to the Brentford Community Stadium after FA Cup third round replays where the score was 3-2 although with different outcomes. The hosts themselves have waivered this season compared to previous campaigns and will be seeking to leapfrog above the away side to move away from the relegation zone. They are currently 16th with 19 points after a five-game losing streak, while Forest fans hope for a better tomorrow after garnering seven points from their last five outings which places them in 15th position.

Brentford found themselves at the opposing end of a five-goal rush against Gary O'Neil's Wolves, who came away from the Gtech Community Stadium with a 1-1 FA Cup result at the start of the year. The omens were good early into the match as Irish international defender Nathan Collins opened the affair with a goal against the club he left last summer. They were held 2-2 into extra time until tragedy struck when Matheus Cunha struck from the penalty spot. It's been a dismal season for Brentford who have a long way to go to emulate last year's respectable 9th place finishing position. The club have not won a single game in seven consecutive matches, and they now sit precariously only three points above the abyssal zone with a game in hand over Luton Town, whom they crucially triumphed over at the start of December 3-1. Correct Score 2-2 at 14.69.

It's do or die now it seems and the beleaguered team will have to rally to find stability in the division. Fans will have some cause for celebration however as striker Ivan Toney returns following an end to his eight-month suspension for breaking Football Association gambling rules. The forward has been clinical for the club since joining in 2020, scoring 32 goals in 64 Premier League appearances and will be keen to add to that tally when he makes his season debut.

Forest emerged victorious over Blackpool in the Cup replay, thanks to an extra-time goal from Chris Wood. The New Zealand international has enjoyed a fruitful start with his new outfit since joining from Newcastle over the Summer and has seven league goals to show for the Midlands club. Much the same as their future opposition, Forest has struggled to procure a consistent run of form in the competitive league, and many will now see anything other than relegation as a success.

This fixture is especially poignant as before the Winter ends, they will have to face off against Arsenal, Villa and Newcastle, so any points will be sorely welcome to stave off disaster. Concerningly the away side have failed to keep a single clean sheet since the start of November and have failed to win any of their three Premier League clashes with the Bees to date. Total - Match Over 5 Bookings at 1.97.

A crucial match here between these sides as they hope to move away from the bottom three. With both teams struggling defensively, this will be a rough and tumble battle, and we can well expect goals galore in this struggle for survival.

1x2 1.924 3.63 4.00

 

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Bournemouth vs Liverpool (Sunday 16:30 UTC)

The Cherries will host Liverpool here at the Vitality Stadium in a tough encounter with the division's current leaders. Bournemouth were beaten 3-1 by Tottenham on the 31st of December, ending a four-game win streak and are currently 12th with 25 points. The Reds flow into this match on emphatic form after decisively beating Newcastle 4-1 on New Year's Day, sitting atop the table now with 45 points, with City nipping at their heels just two points behind.

The South Coast side has had an excellent time of it since being promoted from the Championship by finishing 2nd in the 2021/22 season, holding their own against the nation's best clubs. Finishing the current season mid-table can be expected and applauded, though, with 18 games left to play, there is work yet to be done. Though inconsistent in form, with only seven wins and four draws, they have scalped a few big players, with Newcastle letting the game slip between their fingers 2-0 in November and trouncing Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford last month.

Scoring three goals total across both the aforementioned matches and critical to the side's success has been forward Dominic Solanke who has no less than 12 Premier League goals to his name, the accolade alone has many calling for England manager Gareth Southgate to give him a chance to earn his international first cap ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany. This tally means he is now in joint 3rd place for league goals alongside Tottenham's Son Heung-min. Continuing his astounding form will be crucial in this bout, more so as fellow attackers Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo are omitted from Andoni Iraola's squad selection due to participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. Bournemouth to Score? 1st Half - Yes at 2.20.

Going into this fixture, Liverpool is unbeaten in any domestic competition since September, when Tottenham overcame them 2-1 and were touted as potential league winners. Those days have long since passed and The Reds have dominated proceedings in English football, taking the ruthless opportunity of seizing the top spot from any lack of form from Man City, Arsenal or otherwise. They are now in an excellent position to finish the season with silverware, being 1st in the Premier League with only a solitary loss, 2-1 up on aggregate against Fulham in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, a fourth round clash of the FA Cup beckons soon against Norwich and they have the last 16 of the Europa League draw on February 23rd to look forward to.

As ever the most virulent competitor for any of these is Pep Guardiola's Citizens who have found their footing after a wobble and are going into 5th gear once again. Mohamed Salah will be amiss from this fixture and the following ones due to an international call-up for Egypt, he netted a late injury-time goal from the penalty spot to allow his nation to narrowly escape being defeated by Mozambique to end the game 2-2. Liverpool Goals - 3 at 4.79.

A tough occasion this Sunday for the Black and Reds, though the chance to snag points is on the table with home advantage and an unlikely hero in their midst. Though, we can expect no mercy from Klopp's men, who will be set on maintaining the lead over their top-four rivals.

1x2 4.35 4.37 1.714

 

Full list of Premier League fixtures - Matchday 21

Saturday 21st January 

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace 12:30

Brentford vs Nottingham Forest (17:30)

 

Sunday 22nd January 

Sheffield United vs West Ham (14:00)

Bournemouth vs Liverpool (16:30)

 

Monday 23rd January 

Brighton vs Wolves (19:45)

 

**Odds are subject to change. Odds accurate as of 10:00 UTC Friday 19th January**

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