The first Premier League action of 2023 takes place on New Year’s Day when the last two matches of the latest round of fixtures are played out with four teams looking to get the calendar year off to an ideal start.
Both of the matches are live on the TV in the UK so on what looks like being a filthy afternoon of UK weather there is no excuse not to sit back and enjoy back-to-back matches of Premier League football throughout the day.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa (14.00 – Sky Main Event & Sky Premier League)
The action for 2023 begins in the capital where Tottenham Hotspur look to regain their place in the top four when they play host to an Aston Villa side who will look to close in on the top half of the table with a win.
These two teams both had disappointing results upon their return on Boxing Day. Tottenham might have felt like they won against Brentford given that they recovered from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 but they would have expected much more than that before kick off. Aston Villa were easily dispatched by Liverpool which in itself is no disgrace but the way they performed will have really disappointed them. That leaves both with a point to prove but I think the thing about these two sides is the vulnerability in them. Spurs can’t seem to play a proper first half for love nor money, but having shipped 25 goals already the Aston Villa defence can’t exactly be relied upon. That makes me think that over 2.5 goals is the way forward here. It has landed in the last five Tottenham matches and the last six Villa games. I fancy the trends continue here.
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Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea (16.30 – Sky Main Event & Sky Premier League)
The second match of the afternoon comes from what will most likely be an atmospheric City Ground where Nottingham Forest will look to climb out of the bottom three when they entertain a Chelsea side who know they can’t afford to slip up in these matches if they are going to have any chance of finishing in the top four.
Forest resumed Premier League action with a pretty tame defeat at Old Trafford against an admittedly much better Manchester United side who played well on the night. Forest get stopper Dean Henderson back here but they really need to start firing in attacking areas. Chelsea cruised to a win over Bournemouth in their first game back but the form hasn’t exactly been franked there and I’m still not quite sure what I make of the Blues under Graham Potter. I think Chelsea have got big problems if they are turned over here. I don’t think they will be but they are short enough to avoid. Forest can often perform above themselves as we saw when they beat Liverpool here so there is no value in the visitors in my eyes despite the likelihood that they will win.
Tips
Back Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa – Over 2.5 goals for a 3/10 stake at 1.75 with Betway
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