EPL Picks: How to Bet the Chelsea vs. Arsenal Showdown?

This weekend could be the biggest of the Premier League season, as Arsenal faces its toughest test at the top of the league table, while Unai Emery returns to England ahead of his first game in charge of Aston Villa. Tottenham Hotspur will play host to Liverpool.

Following are our Premier League picks for Week 14.

Game of the Week

Arsenal 2.70 at Chelsea 2.55

It’s another London derby and the biggest game between Chelsea and Arsenal in years. Arsenal is atop the Premier League standings, three points ahead of the No. 2 team, and this might be its toughest test of the season. It has played Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at home and only Manchester United away.

If Arsenal wins, it could be a contender for the Premier League title. If one had suggested that five months ago, they'd have been laughed out of the room.

Chelsea also is looking to bounce back from a battering by Graham Potter’s old team, Brighton & Hove Albion. It lost 4-1 that day and narrowly defeated Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday, making this game look even less challenging for Arsenal.

Arsenal has not got a great record against Chelsea in the past decade, and we feel the game could go either way, so we’re picking a tie.

A tie is 3.35 with DraftKings.

Best Bet of the Week

Man United 2.05 at Aston Villa 3.50

Despite rising up the league table, Manchester United has not convinced the sportsbooks. It is the favorite to beat Aston Villa, but at +105, we think it’s a great bet given what is in store at Villa Park.

Unai Emery will manage his first game for Villa, which is 16th in the league with 11 goals scored and seven losses. United has only lost to rival Manchester City since its stunning 4-0 loss to Brentford in August.

United narrowly defeated West Ham United in its last game, as the defense and David De Gea in goal stood out. Still, they got all three points in what would have been a tougher match for them in the past, and they should do the same here against struggling Villa.

It won’t be easy, given that Emery has beaten United with both Arsenal and Villarreal in his career. United should, however, have enough to win.

Antony to score or assist is 3.20 with FanDuel.

Team of Last Week

Brighton & Hove Albion

We could have chosen Arsenal for its 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest or Newcastle for its 4-0 hammering of Aston Villa. We've chosen Brighton, following its 4-1 defeat of Chelsea, for a few reasons. 

Its win that day marked Chelsea's first loss in the Graham Potter era. That must have been sweet for Brighton fans, as Potter left that team to join Chelsea two months ago. Brighton was relentless, scoring three times in the first half.

It was a Potter-esque display from Brighton. Given that it had not won in its past six games under new manager Roberto De Zerbi, its Chelsea win was even more impressive.

Leandro Trossard to score first for Brighton against the Wolves is 6.00 with DraftKings.

Player of Last Week

Moisés Caicedo, Brighton & Hove Albion

Moisés Caicedo dominated the midfield in the match against Chelsea, and no opponent was able to get the better of him. 

He almost scored on a long shot, forcing a challenging save by Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Brighton to beat the Wolves 1-0 is 6.00 with DraftKings.

Hardest Game to Call

Liverpool 2.15 at Tottenham 3.20

This match will have major implications on the race for the European spots in England. Despite Tottenham leading Liverpool by 10 points in the standings, this match is tough to call because Liverpool enters as a road favorite.

It doesn’t make sense to us, but on the other hand, Tottenham has been performing poorly in recent weeks. It lost to Newcastle United and Manchester United in October, before a 1-1 tie with Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League. 

Tottenham has clawed out some victories or ties in recent weeks, but it is at home. Liverpool became the first team this season to beat Napoli, defeating the Serie A giants 2-0 at Anfield. However, it has lost twice in a row in the Premier League, to Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, and both those teams are fighting relegation.

This one is tough to call. Antonio Conte’s defensive excellence could be the difference, so we’re picking a Tottenham win.

Tottenham to win 2-1 is 9.00 with DraftKings.

Throw-Ins
 

This Week’s Schedule with Moneylines (All Times Eastern)

Saturday

• Bournemouth (2.60) at Leeds (1.74), 11 a.m.
• Brentford (2.55) at Nottingham Forest (2.80), 11 a.m.
• Brighton (2.15) at Wolves (3.40), 11 a.m.
• Fulham (18.00) at Man City (1.13), 11 a.m.
• Leicester City (3.00) at Everton (2.35), 1:30 p.m.

Sunday

• Arsenal (2.70) at Chelsea (2.55), 7 a.m.
• Newcastle (1.87) at Southampton (4.00), 9 a.m.
• Man United (2.05) at Aston Villa (3.50), 9 a.m.
• Crystal Palace (4.20) at West Ham (1.91), 9 a.m.
• Liverpool (2.15) at Tottenham (3.20), 11:30 a.m.