We’ve got two Premier League games lined up for Friday night. Not that the days of the week have much meaning in the space between Christmas and New Year.
The first game is one of the most important derbies in English football. Brighton against Brentford is the ‘properly run clubs beloved by stattos’ derby. Who’s going to be the most Moneyball this week?
At halftime in that match, Arsenal versus Ipswich gets underway. Can the Tractor Boys upset the Gunners like they did in the 1978 FA Cup final, before anyone involved in the game was born? Ask your granddad, it definitely happened.
Here are some selections from PP tipster Andrew Beasley for each game which you can combine into a multi-match Bet Builder. Pass the mince pies, Paddy.
Premier League Multi-Match Bet Builder tips
7:30pm Brighton v Brentford
Brighton to win
Both teams to score, yes
8:15pm Arsenal v Ipswich
Arsenal -2
Arsenal half-time result
Gabriel Magalhaes anytime goalscorer
- An Multi-Match Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 22/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Brighton v Brentford – Brighton to win
Premier League match at the AmEx Stadium, Brighton
TV: Amazon Prime (UK), Premier Sports (Ireland)
The first fixture features two teams who are struggling for form. Brighton entered Christmas without a victory in their last five Premier League matches, leaving only Southampton on a longer winless run.
The Seagulls were also beaten 3-1 by Crystal Palace in their previous home game, meaning they’ve got a stadium full of disgruntled natives. While Brentford have the better recent record, with two wins in their last five, there are few teams you’d rather have come calling at Christmas.
Thomas Frank’s men have been pitiful on the road, taking just one point from their eight away games. That run will end eventually, just as their unbeaten record at home went last weekend. But you have to pick Brighton to win in the Match Odds.
Both teams to score, yes
You also have to say yes when asked if both teams will score, as they are the two leading lights in 2024/25 for this outcome.
These clubs have scored and conceded in 14 of their 17 league games this season. Brighton have done this in their previous nine matches, the longest active run in the top flight.
Brentford have seen both teams score in six of their previous seven away games. The exception occurred at Everton when they had a man sent off in the first half and were also playing Everton, who rarely score, even at the office Christmas party.
‘Both teams to score: yes’ for Brighton against the Bees is the firmest lock of the five picks here.
Arsenal v Ipswich – Arsenal -2
Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London
TV: Amazon Prime (UK), Premier Sports (Ireland)
Having been thumped 0-4 by Newcastle last Saturday, Ipswich will not be looking forward to their trip to Arsenal. Then again, as they’ve won more matches in north London than in Ipswich this season, maybe this is just the game they need.
Only kidding, Town fans. Beating a flaky outfit like Tottenham is one thing, but this will obviously be far tougher.
Ipswich conceded four goals in losses at Brentford, Manchester City, and West Ham this season. Arsenal bagged four or five when beating Crystal Palace, Leicester, and, erm, West Ham, teams a short distance above the Tractor Boys in the table.
The visitors don’t have the defensive fortitude to keep the Gunners out, as Everton recently did at the Emirates. Arsenal have enough firepower to overcome the handicap to win by at least three goals.
Arsenal half-time result
Mikel Arteta’s boys should hit the front early too. They have scored seven first-half goals at home this season, conceding just one in return.
Granted, they have been held to 0-0 at the break to a trio of bad teams (Everton, Southampton and Manchester United) but no Premier League side has conceded more goals than Ipswich in the opening 15 minutes of games this term.
This could get very ugly very quickly, but even if it takes a little longer, Arsenal should win the Half-Time Result.
Gabriel Magalhaes anytime goalscorer
You might not have heard, but Arsenal are quite good at set pieces. Having scored nine times from them, they lead the Premier League for this type of goal this season.
While there are only two teams who have conceded more in open play, Ipswich have only let in two goals from dead-ball situations. However, the expected goal stats suggest allowing four to five goals from set plays would be more realistic.
And in Gabriel Magalhaes, Arsenal have the joint-top scorer of set-piece goals in 2024/25. The big Brazilian can help Ipswich’s defence revert to the mean by being an Anytime Goalscorer on Friday night.
Premier League betting tips
7:30pm Brighton v Brentford
Brighton to win
Both teams to score, yes
8:15pm Arsenal v Ipswich
Arsenal -2
Arsenal half-time result
Gabriel Magalhaes anytime goalscorer
- An Multi-Match Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 22/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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