Dial back your weekday alarms a couple of hours, we’re about to be treated to the first of many 2022/23 Premier League midweek fixtures.
Arsenal is out to keep their perfect record intact when they host Aston Villa at the Emirates.
Elsewhere West Ham and Tottenham meet in a London Derby, while United looks to make it three wins on the trot when they take on the Foxes.
We’ve previewed all 10 midweek EPL fixtures and provided our best betting plays below!
Brighton put their unbeaten record on the line when they travel to Craven Cottage on Wednesday morning (AEST).
The Seagulls have picked up maximum points from their two away fixtures this season, comfortably seeing off both Man U and West Ham.
The Cottagers suffered their first defeat last time out, and although the newly promoted outfit surprised Liverpool on the opening day, I believe they’ll be thoroughly outplayed by the extremely well-coached Seagulls.
Crystal Palace plays host to Brentford in an intriguing London derby.
Both sides have had success early in the campaign, the Eagles stole a valuable point away to Liverpool, while the Bees destroyed United 4-0 at home!
This pair played out two scoreless draws last season, though early scoring form from both outfits suggests the back of the net will be bulging this time around.
The Eagles have held their own against Arsenal, Liverpool, and City already this season, now with a drop in class, I believe the home side will secure all three points in this one.
Chelsea looks to claim their first back-to-back victories of the season when they travel to Saint Mary’s Stadium.
The Blues have won the last two contests against the Saints with an aggregate scoreline of 9-1!
Raheem Sterling opened his scoring account for his new side last time out, with his brace lifting the Blues to a 2-1 victory over Leicester.
I’m backing the pacy forward to add to his tally again on the way to securing another W for the Blues!
Leeds will be eager to return to their winning ways after suffering their first defeat of the season at the hands of Brighton over the weekend.
Prior to that result, the Whites were playing some exciting footy, scoring seven goals across their first three games, seeing off the likes of Chelsea and Wolverhampton.
Alternatively, the Toffees have scored three goals across the season and are yet to taste victory.
Question marks have arisen surrounding Lapard’s ability to lead Everton to their lofty midtable ambitions!
I’m happy to take the home side here at what looks to be clear overs.
The Gunners can go five wins straight to start their season for the first time since 2004/05 when they went on to finish 2nd in the league.
Standing in their way is an Aston Villa side who are starring down the barrel of four defeats in five games, with Stevie G’s job security looking shaky at best.
The Gunners have won the previous two fixtures against the Villans, and with Arteta’s squad leveling up since last season, I can only see one side capable of taking home the chocolates here.
Bournemouth will be desperate to put their 9-0 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool behind them when they play host to the Wolves.
Though, unlike Liverpool, Wolverhampton does not possess the firepower to score over one goal a game, let alone nine!
I’m expecting an improved performance from the Cherries here, unfortunately, I don’t believe the newly promoted outfit has anywhere near enough quality to compete against PL caliber squads.
The Man City machine rumbles on as Pep’s boys set their sights on Nottingham Forest.
The Citizens are paying $1.08 to win this fixture and rightly so, I’m backing Dean Henderson to be the busiest man on the pitch, with the likes of Haaland, KDB, Mahrez, and co all lining up to get on the scoresheet.
Bernardo Silva has scored in City’s last two fixtures, and at $3.30 he represents the best value of all the potential Sky Blue goal scorers.
West Ham finally got off the mark over the weekend, with a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Villa.
The Hammers have struggled to find the back of the net, scoring just once across their first four fixtures.
The Spurs have won to nil in back-to-back fixtures, with the Conte-coached outfit comfortable to relinquish possession to their opposition and play on the counter.
Harry Kane has uncharacteristically got his season off to a flyer, scoring four goals across his last three games and I believe the English captain will lead the Spurs to another win here.
Straight off the back of their 9-0 thumping of Bournemouth, Liverpool has been dealt a tougher task in the form of Newcastle United.
Though much like the Reds, the Toon has recently been ravaged by injuries, with Bruno, Wilson, and now Saint-Maximum all spending time in the physio room.
Liverpool may have scored a ton of goals last time out, but it will be the clean sheet that pleases Klopp the most, with his side struggling to hold out their opponents of late.
I’m backing the home side to make the most of the Toon’s thinning forward line, and holding out their opponents for the second week running.
Game Week 5 comes to a close on Friday morning (AEST) when Leicester and United meet at King Power Stadium.
The Foxes are yet to win a fixture yet this season (1D,3L), and look an absolute shambles in defense, conceding 10 times already.
Meanwhile, Man U have seemingly turned a corner following their embarrassing defeat to Brentford, winning back-to-back fixtures against Liverpool and Southampton.
I can’t see Leicester’s defense holding up against a United side who are steadily growing in confidence, as such I’ll be backing the visitors to take home all three points.