This article contains affiliate links to advertisers. The analysis is our own. Gamble Aware 18+
There's all to play for on matchday 23 of an exciting and competitive English Premier League season. Just seven points separate the best three teams in the division, and with none of the top four winning last weekend, things are getting interesting. Which contenders will make a quickfire return to winning ways and boost their title chances with three points?
Further down the pecking order, three points separate fourth-placed Liverpool from Sunderland in ninth. At the opposite end of the table, bottom club Wolves are unbeaten in four as they threaten a fightback. That improvement puts the likes of Nottingham Forest, West Ham, and Burnley on high alert. The race to avoid relegation is warming up nicely.
The Premier League presents five games on Saturday, with four played on Sunday, and the remaining match on Monday evening. The leading online bookmakers featured on Flashscore offer over 100 pre-match betting markets, including match winner, both teams to score, and handicap. Keep reading as Frank Monkhouse provides his EPL 23 predictions.
West Ham v Sunderland, Saturday, 12:30 GMT
We open at the former London 2012 Olympic Stadium in Stratford, where West Ham United host Sunderland. The Premier League pair go toe-to-toe before a huge audience inside the London Stadium, with millions more following the action on TV and live streaming apps. West Ham United enjoy the home advantage, but start third from the bottom of the division.
Sunderland start nine places above their hosts in the EPL charts. The visitors bring stats of eight wins, nine draws, and five defeats, both scoring and conceding 23 goals. The Black Cats are performing better than many expected this season, but know they must improve defensively. A stronger backline would catapult Sunderland to the European places.
Two teams that are very capable on their day, but have suffered from a lack of consistency so far this term. The locals beat Tottenham 2-1 on their travels last Saturday after edging Queens Park by the same scoreline in the FA Cup third round. Each of West Ham's last three games has produced the same scoreline, and that leads us to a bet on over 2.5 goals.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 11/10 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need West Ham v Sunderland to produce three or more goals.
Burnley v Tottenham, Saturday, 15:00 GMT
Moving to the Saturday, 15:00 starts, and we find three matches on the programme. Turf Moor provides the setting as Burnley welcome Tottenham, with both clubs in desperate need of a win and valuable three points. The locals kick off with only Wolves below them in the pecking order after winning just three games all season. Burnley did draw their last two.
Tottenham know all about their opponent's ongoing troubles, but have plenty to worry about themselves. It has quickly turned into another nightmare season for Tottenham and their fans. Swapping Ange Postecoglou for Thomas Frank didn't bring the required improvement, and they are down in 14th. Spurs are winless in four and have lost their last two EPL games.
It's anyone's guess which team will win on Saturday in Lancashire. Both clubs are low on confidence, with fans wondering when the pain will end. The head-to-head stats on Flashscore show that there have been three or more goals in all but one of the previous four league meetings. Stick with that trend and back over 2.5 goals in Saturday's renewal.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 1/1 (bet365)
Bet explanation: This bet allows you to cheer every goal scored. You need Burnley v Spurs to produce more than three goals from both teams combined.
Man City v Wolves, Saturday, 15:00 GMT
Moving to the Etihad Stadium, we see a title challenger play bottom of the league. Man City start the round second in the EPL, with their league stats showing 13 wins, four draws, and five defeats. The locals are within seven points of leaders Arsenal, but are winless in their previous four games. Will the Citizens choke after clawing their way back into the race?
Wolves are bottom of the EPL and have been for many months. The visitors have managed just one win all season, drawing five and losing the other 16. It gets worse. Wolves are the lowest scorers in the competition and have a woeful defence, having already leaked 41 goals in 22 games. That suggests things will get much worse when playing free-scoring City.
There's more going on here than meets the eye. Yes, Man City are the home team and in the running to win the league. Wolves are bottom and 14 points off Nottingham Forest and safety. However, Wolves are unbeaten in four and have collected six points in that time. Man City are winless in four and have banked just three points. Take both teams to score here.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 4/5 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need both Man City and Wolves to score at least one goal each.
Bournemouth v Liverpool, Saturday, 17:30 GMT
Our final match on Saturday is at Dean Court, with Bournemouth taking on Liverpool. The locals visited Brighton on Monday evening, but know their opponents were worked hard by Marseille in France on Wednesday in the Champions League. The Clarets hope to take advantage of the tired legs in the away dressing room before a global TV audience.
Liverpool's recent league form does little to inspire bettors. Arne Slot's team play their second match of the week after jetting to the south of France just three days ago. They're eager to make an overdue return to winning ways after ending level in each of their last four. The Reds drew with Burnley, Arsenal, Fulham, and Leeds United, scoring just three goals.
Neither Bournemouth nor Liverpool have hit the ground running in 2026. Liverpool's recent form gives bettors more questions than answers. How did the champions keep out free-scoring Arsenal in London but concede two goals at mid-table Fulham? We rely on the H2H stats, noticing there have been three or more goals scored in five of the last six meetings.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 4/7 (bet365)
Bet explanation: The winning team doesn't concern you here. You need these clubs to score three or more goals.
Newcastle v Aston Villa, Sunday, 14:00 GMT
Moving to a mouth-watering Sunday double-header, and we open at St James' Park for a match broadcast live on TV. Newcastle United play Aston Villa, with the home team hoping to build on an impressive four-match unbeaten run. The Magpies have lacked consistency for much of this term, but have brought three wins and a level finish in their last four EPL starts.
Aston Villa arrive in the top four and are pushing hard for a spot in next season's Champions League. Unai Emery's side have impressed in this campaign, but appear to be struggling of late after winning only one of their previous four. Villa have lost two and drawn one match during that sticky spell. The visitors are now seven points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Newcastle and Aston Villa served up a goalless draw in Birmingham earlier this season. That was a disappointment for fans who watched these rivals score three or more goals in the six games before that stalemate. I expect these ambitious teams to put on a show this weekend, and we're picking over 2.5 in the total goals market.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 8/13 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Newcastle v Villa ends with more than two goals scored, you'll enjoy a handy profit.
Arsenal v Man Utd, Sunday, 16:30 GMT
Our final big-match preview and prediction from Premier League gameweek 23 is worth waiting for as Arsenal play Manchester United. The Gunners have drawn each of their last two league games, but enjoy a seven-point cushion over Man City and the chasing pack. Failing to win for the third week on the bounce would be disastrous for a title favourite.
Predicting the outcome of games involving Man Utd hasn't been easy this season. The Red Devils started the round in fifth place, but have already lost five matches and conceded 32 goals. It's worth noting that Man Utd have three more losses than their hosts and have leaked 18 more goals. Despite that, United are unbeaten in five after winning two and drawing three.
Opposing Man Utd has been a dangerous tactic so far this year, but going against Arsenal has been foolish all season. Mikel Arteta's men enjoy home advantage, are higher in the league, have scored more goals, and boast a better defence. Stick with the locals and back Arsenal in the match-winner market, either as a single or as part of a Sunday EPL double.
Tip: Arsenal win @ 3/5 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Arsenal beat Man Utd, you beat the bookies.
Discover the Best Betting Bonuses
If you're looking to take advantage of the Premier League matches for your bets, Flashscore is here to help. On our betting bonuses page, you'll find some of the best promotions and bonus codes on the market.
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.