The English Premier League returns to action on Tuesday, January 3, and Wednesday, January 4, for its Matchday 19 installment of elite-level domestic soccer.
Spurs will make the short trip to face London rivals Crystal Palace on Wednesday, and Harry Kane looks primed to cause an upset in the capital.
Continue reading for our EPL Matchday 19 betting advice, analysis, and soccer picks for midweek fixtures involving Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa vs. Wolverhampton.
Crystal Palace FC vs. Tottenham Hotspur FC
Wednesday, January 4, 2023 – 03:00 PM EST at Selhurst Park
A Rough Patch for Conte?
When Spurs boss Antonio Conte joined the West London club following the dismissal of Nuno Espirito Santo, it seemed like the perfect signing for Tottenham. And at first, it was. However, a year into the job, the pressure seems to be mounting on the Italian-born manager, and Conte’s lack of confidence is beginning to seep through the cracks.
Conte suggested Spurs will ‘finish in the top four’ at best when discussing his team’s potential but added a ‘sixth or seventh-placed finish’ this season is a likely outcome.
These aren’t the words a squad or board members want to hear from the head of the table, and with a recent 2-0 shutout from Aston Villa this past weekend, Spurs could be heading in the wrong direction of Champions League placement this term because of their managers lack optimism.
Harry Kane has kept Tottenham in the picture with his prolific goal-scoring efforts, particularly away from home. He’ll enter Wednesday’s game, having netted 6 goals from his last 8 EPL away appearances.
Palace Stay Unpredictable
Patrick Viera and his Palace squad could thrive off the current state of Spurs, as they’ll face Conte’s men, who’ve conceded the opening goal in 10 consecutive fixtures while failing to keep a clean sheet in 7 consecutive EPL meetings.
While Palace can undoubtedly cause problems for the Spurs’ back line, keeping their own defensive line in check could be the issue. Both teams have played worryingly in defense, making this fixture a betting coin flip for anybody backing the money line market.
Pick and Prediction
The Premier League odds favor Spurs on the moneyline, but as previously mentioned, this is a betting market we’d suggest you avoid.
Expecting both teams to score feels like a given. Tottenham has wilted in 10 consecutive London derbies away from home (Drawn 4, Lost 6), and Palace has allowed 21 goals in their 16 EPL games this term.
Spurs haven’t produced a clean sheet in their previous seven games, and these factors point towards a London derby that can provide goals at both ends.
Score Prediction: Palace 2 – Spurs 2
Soccer Pick: Both Teams to Score (-132) [125$ stake returns $100 profit] at Caesars Sportsbook
Aston Villa FC vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
Wednesday, January 4, 2023 – 03:00 PM EST at Villa Park
A Relegation Battle to Begin 2023
Ending 2022 with a 1-0 loss to Manchester United has put Wolves in a difficult position to begin the new year, as the West Midlands club will clash in a Midlands derby against an in-form Villa squad while sitting in the relegation zone just one point from rock bottom of the EPL table.
Having lost 10 of their 17 domestic meetings this season so far, Wednesday’s visitors are desperate to turn their season around. Only two other EPL teams have collected fewer points on the road than the Wolves.
Although the appointment of head coach Julen Lopetegui gave the club hope, even the former La Liga boss hasn’t been able to assist a team severely lacking squad depth.
Revitalization at Villa Park
Villa was once in a similar position to their Wednesday opponents. Still, unlike Lopetegui, Unai Emery has been able to work his magic. After defeating Tottenham 2-0 on New Year’s Day, the new boss has won 3 of his 4 league games since arriving in Birmingham.
There’s no reason to doubt Villa at this point, specifically for this upcoming fixture against a Wolves outfit averaging a measly 0.6 goals per game in the 2022/23 EPL season thus far. Considering the contrasting forms of each team, it isn’t easy to side with anything but an Aston Villa victory this Wednesday.
Pick and Prediction
The available odds at the best sportsbooks are almost even on the moneyline, but when shopping for the best value, you can find an excellent -105 price tag on a home team victory.
A continued lack of goals coming from this Wolves team and home advantage should be enough for Emery and co. to continue their mid-season resurgence away from the drop zone.
Score Prediction: Aston Villa 3 – Wolves 0
Soccer Pick: Aston Villa ML -105 [100$ stake returns $100 profit] at BetMGM
