EPL Matchweek 12 preview, predictions & best bets

Just days after Matchweek 11, the English Premier League will return for a big midweek slate. There will be nine games played from Tuesday through Thursday and the quick turnaround from the weekend games could create some dramatics. Teams like Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham all will be playing in this midweek matchday and they project to be a part of some fascinating fixtures. We have picks for those games and more.

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Nottingham Forest

A few weeks ago, we would have expected this game to be a resounding win for Brighton. They were flying high and sitting fourth in the table but since their coach Graham Potter left for Chelsea, Brighton have struggled. Brighton have one point through their last three games and they haven’t proven they are the same team they were with Potter. Their once stout defense has let them down in recent battles and it appears like that will be a problem for the rest of the season. Under Potter, Brighton weren’t scoring a ton and were winning on the backs of their defensive prowess. Now, it appears like their attack and defence are unreliable.

Nottingham Forest are in last place. They cannot find any form and it looks like they will be relegated. That being said, they should be able to keep this game close. While Forest only have one point from their last five games, they have only lost one of those games by more than one goal. For this bet to hit, Forest will need to lose by less than one, and they are capable of doing that. Forest have enough defensive talent to keep Brighton from creating too many opportunities, and while Brighton should win, this should be a one-goal game. At this point in the season, Brighton cannot be trusted and the value lies with Forest in this midweek affair.

Brentford vs Chelsea

This is going to be a great game. Both of these teams are in the top half of the table and this battle could go either way. However, we have been all over Chelsea unders in recent games due to their defensive acumen and it is paying off. Since the appointment of Graham Potter, the Blues have kept four clean sheets in five games, and they should be able to slow down a competent Brentford attack. Brentford aren’t great defensively but they should do well enough at home. Chelsea win games because of their defence, not their attack. In this game, we expect a defensive battle where goals are hard to come by.

Liverpool vs West Ham United

After a slow start to the season, it appears like Mohamed Salah is back. He scored the fastest Champions League hat-trick in UCL history a week ago and followed that performance up by scoring the only goal in a huge Liverpool win against Manchester City. In that game, Salah was the clear focal point of the Liverpool attack, and they are at their best when the Egyptian is controlling the game. While West Ham are solid defensively, Salah is now playing too well to be doubted. At -110 with Marantelli Bet, Salah to score is a great bet.

Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur

This is set up to be the game of the midweek slate. Both of these teams are competing for a top four finish and this game is massively important for each team. Manchester United currently have 16 points through nine games and sit in fifth place. Tottenham sit in third with 23 points through 10 games.

While Tottenham have been the stronger team to this point in the season, we are taking United at home. They have been really strong at Old Trafford all season and have yet to lose a game in their home stadium. While they drew Newcastle last weekend at home, they were the better team and deserved to get the win. For this game, we will not let that result dissuade us from backing the Red Devils.