Premier League betting is as confusing as ever in 2020 with goal-crazy Premier League matches. What have been the best Premier League games in 2020?
It has been a challenging year for The Premier League and clubs south of the pyramid’s peak. Lost revenues and games played behind closed doors have made it obvious that football in England loses its ‘something special’ without fans on the terraces.
But without the cheers, chants and groans, we have witnessed peculiarities within the games themselves. Away teams appear to be performing better and the goals have been flying in. You could argue that Premier League football is a better footballing spectacle, as you watch on from your sofa. Although no fan is going to trade in some extra goals for the chance to steam their face on the terraces with a Bovril.
The Effects of Games Behind Closed Doors
The German league was weeks ahead of the Premier League and onlookers noticed that home advantage was not as strong when games were played without crowds. This is no big surprise considering the intimidating and pressuring atmosphere that home fans can create on away players. Moreover, players from away teams have been receiving fewer yellow cards across European leagues, which may go to show that referees do in fact get influenced by home supporters.
The new normal of Premier League football matches has not only made it a little more interesting, but it has created headaches in the bookmaker world. Premier League betting and odds have both been tougher to predict. Bookmakers are frantically assessing the data to learn how to offer appealing Premier League betting odds during this new normal, whereas punters are trying to cash in on the goal frenzies. Not only has 2020 Premier League games been entertaining – but you could have made some money!
The Best Premier League Games of 2020 (So far!)
Brighton 2 – 3 Manchester United
Brighton played host to an empty stadium and one of the most controversial games of the season so far. The full-time whistle blew with the teams level at 2-2, only for VAR to bring back the play and award Manchester United a penalty kick for a handball in the box. Bruno tucked away the penalty making it the first time VAR has awarded a penalty after the full-time whistle.
Manchester City 2 – 5 Leicester
City versus Leicester has become somewhat of an iconic fixture in recent years. The latter beat City on their way to shocking the footballing world as unexpected lead leaders and have a good record at the Etihad Stadium. That record continued in a goal feast that is typical of behind-closed-door games in 2020.
Liverpool 4 – 3 Leeds
Leeds’ introduction to the Premier League could not have been made tougher with an opening fixture away at the league champions. But Leeds refused to follow the script and caused problems for Liverpool with early goals that put them in front. It was refreshing to see a newly promoted side play expansive and progressive football against tough opposition, and they nearly got a reward for it.
Manchester United 1 – 6 Tottenham Hotspur
When Bruno Fernandes dispatched another penalty just minutes into their home game against Spurs you could be forgiven for thinking that it could be Ole’s day. But Kane and Son had other ideas, combining for goals that put the tie to bed in the first half. A red card for Martial made things go from bad to worse for the reds who ended up shipping six.
Aston Villa 7 – 2 Liverpool
As Manchester United were getting beat 6-1, fans of their nearest rivals Liverpool were poking fun at them on social media. But it became one of the strangest days in modern football history as the other reds then also lost by five goals in the later kick-off. To be fair, many of Villa’s goals had an element of fortune, but there was no denying they deserved to get beat. Villa didn’t look like a relegation outfit anymore and left the pitch in seventh heaven.
And these games are why Premier League betting has been even more entertaining than ever this year. The bookmakers are struggling to predict what will happen next.
