English Premier League betting: Arsenal has a clear route to the Champions League
Arsenal’s path to Champions League soccer next season is clear.
The Gunners got a huge 4-2 win over Chelsea on Wednesday afternoon. The win pushed Arsenal level on points with Tottenham for fourth in the Premier League as the two teams fight for the last Champions League qualifying spot available.
While Arsenal has a worse goal differential than Tottenham, that goal differential could ultimately not matter. The two teams meet on May 12 in a rescheduled game from earlier in the season. If Arsenal wins its final six games of the season it’s back in the Champions League for the first time since 2016-17.
That’s easier said than done, of course. The final stretch begins Saturday with a game against Manchester United. Arsenal is an even money favorite in that game as Man United sits three points back of the Gunners. United is an incredibly unreliable team. Betting the Red Devils at +260 to win would be bold.
But so would betting Arsenal. The Gunners had lost three consecutive Premier League games before beating Chelsea and still were in the race for fourth. Yeah, it’s a mess. Will we get some clarity on Saturday? Probably not.
Here are the odds for this weekend’s EPL games via BetMGM. All games are on Saturday unless noted.
Arsenal vs. Manchester United (over/under 2.5 goals)
Arsenal (+100)
Man United (+260)
Tie (+260)
After Arsenal put in four goals against Chelsea it could easily get shut out. But this is a lifeless Man United team. We refuse to pick an outcome so we’re going with over 2.5 goals.
Norwich City vs. Newcastle (2.5)
Norwich (+260)
Newcastle (+105)
Tie (+240)
Newcastle is tied for 10th on points. It’s been a remarkable turnaround and that will continue on Saturday.
Leicester City vs. Aston Villa (2.5)
Leicester City (+170)
Aston Villa (+155)
Tie (+230)
Villa has tumbled to 15th in the standings and is just three points ahead of Leeds, though it has a game in hand. Leicester’s got a habit of conceding late goals though we think the Foxes will get all three points.
Manchester City vs. Watford (3.5)
Man City (-900)
Watford (+2500)
Tie (+900)
Over 3.5 goals is the play here. There’s just not enough return on a Man City win.
Brentford vs. Tottenham (2.5)
Brentford (+290)
Tottenham (-105)
Tie (+250)
Brentford can leap into the top 10 with a win and the odds are tantalizing. We’ll go with the Bees.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Southampton (2.5) [Sunday]
Brighton & Hove (+120)
Southampton (+240)
Tie (+225)
Siri, what’s the epitome of a mid-table matchup? Both of these teams are capable of beating anyone in the league and also losing to anyone in the league. A tie seems likely.
Burnley vs. Wolves (2.5) [Sunday]
Burnley (+185)
Wolves (+165)
Tie (+200)
Burnley badly needs a win to stay within striking distance of Everton for the final spot in the Premier League as the games dwindle. We’re going with Wolves, however.
Chelsea vs. West Ham (2.5) [Sunday]
Chelsea (-190)
West Ham (+500)
Tie (+320)
Is Chelsea really a safe pick? West Ham is good value at those odds.
Liverpool vs. Everton (3.5) [Sunday]
Liverpool (-550)
Everton (+1300)
Tie (+625)
Liverpool should win this game easily and will have the benefit of knowing that Man City (likely) secured three points on Saturday.
Crystal Palace vs. Leeds (2.5) [Monday]
Palace (+100)
Leeds (+250)
Tie (+260)
We’ll go with Palace here, though Leeds sneaking a result out of this game wouldn’t be a shock in the slightest.
