Premier League Matchweek 22 Picks & Predictions

We have a reduced slate of Premier League games for the second week in a row with five clashes from Saturday through to Monday. However, what we lack in quantity we make up for in quality with matches featuring Arsenal, Liverpool, and Brighton. Let’s dive into the best bets for each game!

Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace (Saturday, January 20)

The first Premier League game this weekend sees North London team Arsenal hosting Crystal Palace, who are from the south of the capital. It’s hard finding great value on the Gunners as prohibitive -350 favorites, but I’ve found something I like. I’m backing Arsenal to have their best score in the second half, which means they will score the most goals in the second 45 minutes.

In the first half of matches this season, Arsenal have scored 14 goals, compared to 23 in the second half. Crystal Palace have also allowed 19 goals in the second half of games, nearly double the 10 they have conceded in the first half. Palace are a team that keep things tight off the top but generally get broken down later in the game.

Pick: Arsenal best score in the second half (+115)

Brentford vs. Nottingham Forest (Saturday, January 20)

Odds of -133 aren’t huge, but we simply have to back both teams to score in Saturday’s game between Brentford and Nottingham Forest. Brentford have found the back of the net in their past five games in all competitions, and now they finally welcome back Ivan Toney from his ban. Getting the England striker back will give them a huge boost and I believe will greatly improves their chances of scoring.

Then you have the away team Nottingham Forest. Despite Nuno Espirito Santos having a reputation as a defensive coach at former clubs Wolves and Spurs, his Nottingham Forest team has been scoring for fun. They’ve scored 10 goals in four games under Santos, with at least two goals in every game. Admittedly, two of those games were against League One Blackpool in the FA Cup, but this is a team who are looking very dangerous in front of goal right now.

Pick: Both teams to score (-133)

Sheffield United vs. West Ham (Sunday, January 20)

I could probably explain this pick with one line: “Sheffield United aren’t very good,” but let’s dig a bit deeper. Getting plus money on a West Ham win feels like an incredible result for us as bettors. Yes, West Ham are missing Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, and Mohammed Kudus through a mixture of injuries and international callups, but it shouldn’t matter.

West Ham come into this weekend sixth in the Premier League table and haven’t lost in any of their past four league games. Their 34 points is over three times as many as the nine that bottom-placed Sheffield United have picked up. The gulf in class, even with West Ham missing key players, is simply too big, and David Moyes’ team will easily pick up three points here.

Pick: West Ham (+110)

Bournemouth vs. Liverpool (Sunday, January 21)

Bournemouth have been really impressive this year and against most opponents I’d expect them to do well, but this is Liverpool and they’re playing brilliantly this season. They’ve lost just one game in the Premier League this year and have allowed just 18 goals. That’s the best record in the Premier League and they’re also the third highest scoring team in the league.

Liverpool are missing both Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo who are on international duty, as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold, but the quality on their squad is just too good. They can pick any three of Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, and Luis Diaz to start in the forward line and they’ll cause Bournemouth serious issues. I’m backing Liverpool to win by two or more goals here.

Pick: Liverpool -1.5 (+180)

Brighton vs. Wolverhampton (Monday, January 22)

We are going to see goals at the Amex on Monday when Brighton and Wolves meet under the floodlights. Over 2.5 goals has landed in 70% of Brighton’s home games this season, but the key stat to remember is that both Brighton and their opposition have scored in 18 of their 20 Premier League games.

Wolves also love a goal this season with 70% of all their Premier League games this season seeing Over 2.5 goals, including their past six games on the road. We should easily see three or more goals here, so back Overs.

Pick: Over 2.5 goals (-161)