English Premier League Matchday 8 Predictions and Best Bets

The EPL odds are now available as we are back with our favorite English Premier League expert advice and free betting predictions. Read on for this week's Matchday 8 betting tips, football analysis & free betting advice.

Norwich City vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

Saturday, October 16, 2021 - 10:00 AM EDT at Carrow Road

Form, Mentality, Premier League Odds & Trends

? Norwich have lost their previous 3 EPL home fixtures? Norwich have won just 1 of their previous 10 fixtures in all competitions? Norwich have failed to score in their previous 3 games in all competitions? Brighton are undefeated in 8 of their previous 9 games in all competitions? Norwich concedes an average of 2.11 goals in all competitions

Will The Canaries Claim a 3-Point Weekend Before the Season's End?

Following such a successful season returning to the English Championship, Norwich City replicates another painful 2020/21 EPL season with a lackluster string of results. As the Canaries still search for their first Premier League win, they're also finding it difficult to score a single goal.

It's been such a controversial decade for Norwich City fans – promoted to the Premier League in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2021, alongside the agonizing relegation years in 2014, 2016, and 2020. Daniel Farke's squad returned to the top flight of English football again this summer, but it's becoming evident that their pre-season financial worries have begun to take their toll.

https://twitter.com/NorwichCityFC/status/1448196816571289607?s=20

A £30 million Covid cost didn't help situations, as Norwich have begun their 2021/22 Premier League return with very few squad changes. The EPL isn't a playing ground, and without elite talent assisting their step up in competition or without a truly remarkable manager, they were never going to succeed. With that said, I don't think anybody anticipated such a drastic winless streak.

This term, Brighton has kickstarted their season on the opposite end of the scale, losing just one of their seven domestic outings. Two points behind Chelsea, sat in the sixth position, must feel great for a team that's been slowly evolving since their Premier League return in 2017.

Final Thoughts

Backing Brighton to win this weekend becomes the obvious choice after Norwich's abysmal form thus far. In addition, Norwich has failed to score in five of their previous five meetings with Brighton, a trend that I'm not taking lightly with Norwich's lack of goal-scoring prowess.

https://twitter.com/OfficialBHAFC/status/1448601938669490177?s=20

This term, Graham Potter and The Seagulls have been impressive away from home, having won three of their four road trips. To make this wager even more tempting, bookmakers are offering an above evens price on a 6th placed Brighton squad up against a winless Norwich team – it's a no-brainer.

Norwich City vs. Brighton Score Prediction: Norwich City 0 - Brighton 2

EPL Pick: Brighton to win 2.05 (+105) [1u wager returns 1u of profit]

Aston Villa vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

Saturday, October 16, 2021 - 10:00 AM EDT at Villa Park

Form, Mentality, Premier League Odds & Trends

? Wolverhampton have won their previous 3 away fixtures in all competitions? Under 2.5 goals has landed in Wolves' previous 8 EPL away games? Wolverhampton concede an average of 0.25 goals in their most recent away matches? Aston Villa have been conceding an average of 0.33 goals during their home fixtures

One of the Most Heated Rivalries in English Football

A clash of the West Midlands takes place this weekend, when Wolverhampton makes the short 15-minute drive into Birmingham, continuing a long-standing football rivalry that's always produced high tensions since the beginning of the professional competition.

https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1446417977105162243?s=20

The Villains bounced back from a rocky beginning to the 2021/22 EPL season, and they're now sat in 10th position with ten points. A solid home form and victories over Everton and Manchester United have kept hopes alive at Villa Park. Their rivals in Wolverhampton are quite the opposite with a remarkable away form.

It's safe to say, injuries have plagued Wolves to a certain extent, but this hasn't prevented them from winning three of their previous four domestic fixtures – all of which were away from home.

Final Thoughts

Both squads are missing key players, and the home side will be hoping they can cope without their two South American stars absent through international duties.

Given the importance of local derby fixtures and a historic trend of low-scoring encounters involved within these fixtures, I don't expect either manager to produce an open play tactically. For this soccer pick, I anticipate we'll witness a lack of goals in addition to the possibility of a 0-0 or 1-0/0-1 scoreline becoming highly possible.

Aston Villa vs. Wolverhampton Score Prediction: Aston Villa 0 – Wolverhampton 0

EPL Pick: 1st Half Winner - Draw 2.05 (+105) [1u wager returns 1.05u]

EPL Pick: Under 2.5 goals 1.70 (-143) [1.43u wager returns 1u]

*The pick reflects the line at the moment the writer made the play, the odds at the beginning of this article show the live line movement. Since the lines might vary, don’t forget to refer back to our live odds.