EPL Matchday 22 Odds & Picks: Wolves vs Arsenal, Leeds vs Everton & Aston Villa vs West Ham
- Matchday 22 of the 2020-21 Premier League takes place this week
- Starting on February 2nd, all 20 Premier League teams are in action
- Get the latest odds, betting previews and three picks below
The Premier League matches are coming thick and fast this season. Matchday 22 gets underway with four matches on February 2nd, followed by five more on February 3rd. Chelsea and Tottenham are the final contest of EPL Matchday 22 on Thursday.
Complete odds for this week’s Premier League matches are in the table below, followed by a trio of previews and picks.
Premier League Matchday 22 Odds
| Matchup | Home | Draw | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolves vs Arsenal | +240 | +220 | +125 |
| Sheffield United vs West Brom | -115 | +240 | +350 |
| Newcastle vs Crystal Palace | +180 | +220 | +160 |
| Manchester United vs Southampton | -200 | +330 | +550 |
| Fulham vs Leicester | +310 | +250 | -110 |
| Burnley vs Manchester City | +1300 | +550 | -480 |
| Leeds vs Everton | +140 | +270 | +175 |
| Liverpool vs Brighton | -310 | +440 | +800 |
| Aston Villa vs West Ham | +115 | +240 | +250 |
| Tottenham vs Chelsea | +230 | +230 | +120 |
All odds taken Feb 01 at FanDuel
Wolves vs Arsenal
No team has picked up fewer Premier League points since the start of December than Wolves. Arsenal, in stark contrast, is fifth in the table since December 1st, including an unbeaten run since Christmas Day. The pressure on Mikel Arteta earlier in the season is a distant memory at this point – the Gunners are one of the Premier League’s form teams, and were unlucky to be held to a draw by Manchester United on Saturday.
Arsenal’s performances of late have put them in the mix for European qualification. They rank fifth in expected goals against on the season, and their display against Manchester United will have only built on their confidence. Playing at that level without Bukayo Saka and Kieran Tierney (their two best players this season) shows the progress Arteta has made with this group. It’s also three away wins on the bounce for Arsenal, and they picked up all three points in this fixture last season.
Never a free-scoring team, Wolves are really missing Raul Jimenez’s presence up top. Only the bottom three, Newcastle and Burnley have scored fewer than Nuno Espirito Santo’s team this season.
Arsenal's Premier League results since Boxing Day:
3-1 vs. Chelsea (h)
1-0 vs. Brighton (a)
4-0 vs. West Brom (a)
0-0 vs. Crystal Palace (h)
3-0 vs. Newcastle (h)
3-1 vs. Southampton (a)
0-0 vs. Man United (h)Seven unbeaten… keep working, lads. pic.twitter.com/oB0DSMevYt
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) February 1, 2021
It’s understandable to wait for news of Saka’s availability, but Arsenal showed enough on Saturday to be confident backing them to win this one even without the teenage phenom. Arsenal to win a low-scoring match is the best bet here.
Pick: Arsenal to win and under 2.5 total goals (+339)
Leeds vs Everton
Wins over Newcastle and Leicester in their last two have pulled Leeds to just four points off sixth. Marcelo Bielsa’s side faces an Everton team who have won just once in their last four outings, including a shock home defeat to Newcastle on Saturday. Everton fell to Leeds earlier in the season – it was a wide-open match with 38 total shots and both teams being allowed plenty of space to attack into.
Both teams play relatively direct football, albeit very different brands of it. Everton looks to hit passes to their forwards early and often. They will look to nullify Leeds’ press by hitting long balls up to Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison. Leeds are one of the league leaders in progressive passes (only the Manchester clubs, Liverpool, and Chelsea have made more). Whenever they win possession, they will transition in numbers. It’s no surprise to see Bielsa’s team lead the league in counter-attack goals.
Patrick Bamford: "I've got myself in my Fantasy team. It's always nice to get a goal!"#LEILEE #FPL pic.twitter.com/BT0BwYP9e3
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) January 31, 2021
The first meeting between these two ended with just one goal. That was despite almost 4.5 expected goals, per Understat. Over 2.5 has hit in nine of Leeds’ last 11 matches in all competitions – it’s good value again for the visit of Everton.
Pick: Over 2.5 total goals (-162)
Aston Villa vs West Ham
A run of three defeats in five matches has seen Aston Villa slip off the top-four pace. With a couple of matches in hand, though, Dean Smith’s side is in contention for a European spot. West Ham are just three points ahead of the Villains having played two more matches. As impressive as West Ham have been this season, their current position of fifth is slightly false given how many teams behind them have played fewer matches.
While West Ham lost to Liverpool at the weekend, Aston Villa got a massive win over Southampton. Villa’s results this season are backed up by their underlying numbers – their attack has proven to be one of the most potent in the league.
What a win that is. Tough place to come but great performance from the boys 🔥 #AVFC pic.twitter.com/GRWTrKsPwg
— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish) January 30, 2021
West Ham’s results are perhaps less sustainable. David Moyes’ side enjoyed a four-match winning streak before the loss to Liverpool, but all four wins came by a single goal. They are still short on firepower and have relied heavily on set-piece goals (their tally of 11 leads the league).
Villa are a good price to win this one. They have the creativity and talent to break down this West Ham defense.
Pick: Aston Villa to win (+115)
Sam Cox is a freelance writer and sports junkie, who has spent the past several years immersed in the online gaming industry. He has worked with 888sport, Oddschecker, and Colossus Bets to name a few. Based in the UK, Sam also runs Franchise Sports with his brother.
