Hey everyone, I’m back again for another round of Premier League previews. The blog went 5/10 again on correct results last week so hopefully this week we can break the cycle of being average and have a big week. Without further ado, here are my predictions and tips for this weekend.
Manchester City vs Arsenal
Odds: Man City – 1/5 Draw – 11/2 Arsenal – 12/1
What I think will happen:
Arsenal were woeful last week but at least built some confidence yesterday with a nice win over a much weakened West Brom side. I doubt it’s going to matter here though. Arsenal have a clear weakness at full back and with Jesus looking in really good form at the moment, I can see him starring in a comfortable City win here. I have doubts over City in the long term but this is a good matchup for them and they should give their goal difference another nice boost.
Man City 3-0 Arsenal (Jesus anytime at 20/21 is a strong bet)
Aston Villa vs Brentford
Odds: Aston Villa – 19/20 Draw – 13/5 Brentford – 14/5
What I think will happen:
I’m really not sold on Villa being as good as people make them out to be and think this price is very short. But at the same time I’m not sure I can trust Brentford to score more than 1 here and I can see this game either being 0-0, 1-0 Villa or 1-1. I’m going to take the 1-1 just because Villa have looked shaky at the back in the first half of both games I’ve seen them play so far but wouldn’t be surprised at all if it was just 1-0. Brentford have looked solid at the back so far but Villa do have a lot of attacking talent and should be able to score here.
Villa 1-1 Brentford (under 2.5 at 10/11 would be my play here)
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Everton
Odds: Brighton – 11/8 Draw – 11/5 Everton – 11/5
What I think will happen:
Both teams impressed me going forward last week and this one feels like a really even matchup. Everton are better going forward with Demarai Gray looking like a shrewd piece of business already while Brighton are more solid than Everton at the back. I can see this being another 2-2 draw for Everton in the end as I can’t separate the sides and I like both of them from an attacking point of view.
Brighton 2-2 Everton (BTTS at 19/20 would be my play here)
Newcastle United vs Southampton
Odds: Newcastle – 6/4 Draw – 12/5 Southampton – 9/5
What I think will happen:
Southampton were much improved last time out but they have a dreadful recent record at St James’ Park and I still don’t trust them at the back. Newcastle could easily have taken the lead against Villa and were very unlucky to not even come away with a goal at the end so though the results have been poor, they don’t feel like a dreadful side yet even if the defence is poor. I can see there being plenty of goals in this one and for Newcastle to just edge it with home advantage, if they lose this one then Bruce may be gone soon.
Newcastle 2-1 Southampton (6/4 is a decent price for Newcastle but this game feels like a no bet)
Norwich City vs Leicester City
Odds: Norwich – 7/2 Draw – 5/2 Leicester – 17/20
What I think will happen:
If Norwich don’t get a result of some sort here then they are in big trouble. Leicester looked awful on Monday and have so many defensive injuries that this will be as vulnerable as they’ll have been in a very long time. Norwich built some confidence with a midweek win after a no show at the Etihad and should finally score here. I feel Vardy will definitely score as well here for some reason and Brendan Rodgers is a better Premier League manager than Farke is so I can see Leicester doing enough to draw or win here even with all of the potential turmoil at the moment.
Norwich 1-1 Leicester (I wouldn’t bet on this game)
West Ham United vs Crystal Palace
Odds: West Ham – 11/20 Draw – 3/1 Palace – 11/2
What I think will happen:
West Ham are probably the team that have surprised me most in a positive way so far this season. The loss of Lingard has barely been felt with Antonio and Benrahma stepping up and this looks an ideal matchup for them to continue their good run of form. Palace have looked lacklustre at best in their first 2 games of the season and I can’t see it turning around here. I do like them to score their first goal of the season here though with West Ham’s defence failing to impress fully so far. A comfortable West Ham victory looks the shout here.
West Ham 3-1 Palace (4/6 on West Ham to score 2 or more goals is one of the better bets of the week)
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Odds: Liverpool – 29/20 Draw – 23/10 Chelsea – 19/10
What I think will happen:
It’s hard to read just how good these teams are right now. Neither of them have had to reach top gear to win so far. But the most obvious weakness between these sides so far has been at the back for Liverpool, they’ve been fortunate to keep a clean sheet in both games so far and while Robertson is back, there’s a concern over whether he’ll be match fit. He needs to be as well based on how dangerous James looked going forward last week for Chelsea. The game being at Anfield though should even things out and I’m going to sit on the fence and say this game is another draw with Chelsea being the more likely side to win.
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (I wouldn’t bet this game)
Burnley vs Leeds United
Odds: Burnley – 21/10 Draw – 5/2 Leeds – 5/4
What I think will happen:
Neither side appears to have changed a lot from last season and with Leeds doing the double over Burnley last season, they look the shout here. Both sides haven’t been great coming out of the gates but Leeds at least scored a couple last week and also have the edge of resting more players in midweek. I can see them coming out with high intensity and scoring a couple of goals early with Burnley only managing 1 in reply.
Burnley 1-2 Leeds (Leeds at 5/4 might be an ok play but I wouldn’t bet this game)
Tottenham vs Watford
Odds: Tottenham – 2/5 Draw – 7/2 Watford – 15/2
What I think will happen:
Tottenham have been another surprise package so far with Nuno leading them to 2 very useful wins and with Kane coming back it’ll be interesting to see how well he fits back into the team. This is the sort of game he thrives on and with most of the Tottenham attackers looking in good form, they should put a few past Watford here. Watford looked naive last week and were comfortably beaten in a game they should’ve made more of a fist of. They’ll likely be a very poor away side this year and will need to rely on home form in order to stay up.
Tottenham 3-0 Watford (I’d try Dele Alli to score at 9/4 if he starts)
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester United
Odds: Wolves – 4/1 Draw – 5/2 Man Utd – 3/4
What I think will happen:
Wolves clearly need another goal scoring forward as Traore’s finishing has cost them results in back to back games now. It’s frustrating as well since they’ve played well enough to warrant a result in both games and they should give United a stiff test. United’s performance against Southampton really exposed how much they miss the extra bit of quality Cavani gives them. It’s clear now that having Martial upfront isn’t going to win you a league and with Cavani, United may be a title threat. In terms of this game it looks like Cavani could start and if he does, United can win 2-1, if he doesn’t then they may be held to another 1-1 given their defence still looks shaky and Wolves are a decent side.
Wolves 1-2 Man United (Bet United over 1.5 goals if Cavani starts, if Martial starts then this game is a no bet)
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