The English Premier League continued to live up to the hype of being the best league in world football as there was, once again, no shortage of goals. Not one goalless draw to speak of with 34 goals scored this past weekend. Of course, the bulk of those goals came at the home of the champions, Manchester City, who put six past a struggling Southampton side in what finished a seven-goal thriller. Chelsea moved above Liverpool into second place after the Reds could only manage a point at the Emirates Stadium, a game in which Arsenal matched them pound for pound. That draw against Liverpool wasn’t enough to keep Unai Emery’s side in the top four after Tottenham pounced on their rivals’ slip-up, edging Wolves out 3-2 away from home to get back into the UEFA Champions League spots. Manchester United, who travel to their crosstown rivals, City, in this weekend’s headline fixture, showed real strength in their character to stay within four points off the top four, while also inflicting Bournemouth’s first home defeat.
Saturday 10 November
Cardiff 16/10
Draw 21/10
Brighton 19/10
(14:30)
Cardiff and Brighton kick-off proceedings on Saturday afternoon when the two top-flight strugglers do battle in Wales. The Bluebirds were beaten on home soil last weekend as Leicester City claimed a 1-0 victory over Neil Warnock’s side. After 11 weeks, Cardiff remain in the bottom three and show no signs of moving up the table. Brighton suffered their first defeat in four games after losing 3-1 to Everton last Saturday. They’ve still only won once away from their turf, but the Seagulls will surely fancy their chances against arguably the division’s weakest side. Brighton on the Double Chance is tipped here at 9/20.
Leicester City 5/10
Draw 32/10
Burnley 6/1
(17:00)
It’s tough to predict which Leicester City we will see this Saturday when the Foxes host Burnley this weekend at the King Power Stadium. The club just lost their owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, in a helicopter crash, but, fought hard in their first match since his passing, beating Cardiff 1-0 in Wales. Another big challenge heads their way as they only arrive back in England in midweek after attending the funeral in Thailand. For Leicester, this could be the perfect time to face Burnley who have been dreadful in recent weeks, losing three games on the bounce, conceding 13 goals in that run. With this being the first game at the King Power since Srivaddhanaprabha’s passing on, I’m expecting the fans to be fully behind the team and help them push to make it two wins on the bounce.
Newcastle 7/4
Draw 23/10
Bournemouth 16/10
(17:00)
Newcastle come into this clash with their heads held high after claiming their first victory of the season, ousting Watford to a 1-0 defeat at home. Bournemouth will be hoping to dust off that 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United and continue where they left off prior to that match, enduring a four-match unbeaten run. In fact, their last two away games finished 3-0 and 4-0 in wins over Fulham and Watford. The Cherries showed that they are not at the level of the top six just yet, but surely, they will continue to push all the way. Back the away win here.
Southampton 14/10
Draw 22/10
Watford 43/20
(17:00)
Southampton will be looking to end their wretched run of form this weekend when they play host to Watford at St. Mary’s Stadium. The Saints are winless in seven league matches and come off the back of a humiliating 6-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City. Watford’s two-game winning run ended at St. James’ Park last weekend when they were handed a shock 1-0 defeat by Newcastle. The Hornets haven’t looked the same since Troy Deeney’s injury, resulting in Andre Gray’s dip in form, which has seen him drop down to the bench as well. Under 2.5 Goals is the tip here at 13/20.
Huddersfield 49/20
Draw 43/20
West Ham 5/4
(17:00)
Huddersfield moved off the foot of the table with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Fulham on Monday night, claiming their first victory of the season. That was also the Terriers’ first goal at the John Smith’s Stadium. West Ham continued their surge up the table with a commanding 4-2 win over Burnley. Marko Arnautovic was the star of the show, alongside Felipe Anderson, who bagged a brace. Manuel Pellegrini’s side seem to be on the rise again and will feel that they have a chance against one of the division’s lesser teams. Take the visitors here at 5/4.
Crystal Palace 32/10
Draw 28/10
Tottenham 8/10
(19:30)
Crystal Palace do battle in their third consecutive London derby in the league when they lock horns with Tottenham in Saturday’s late kick-off. Palace were given some light of hope when Andros Townsend equalized against Chelsea, but Roy Hodgson’s side failed to compete until the end as the Eagles succumbed to a 3-1 defeat. Spurs moved into the top four with an impressive 3-2 win over Wolves last weekend, although, their backline looked flat and Hugo Lloris is no longer the goalkeeper that he used to be. I fancy Tottenham here, but Palace will be no pushovers. Back Spurs to Win & Both Teams to Score at 22/10.
Sunday 11 November
Liverpool 1/10
Draw 9/1
Fulham 20/1
(14:00)
Liverpool are hoping to return to winning ways and take advantage of Manchester City’s crucial derby against Manchester United when they host Fulham on Sunday afternoon. The Reds have been superb this season and maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a credible 1-1 draw at Arsenal. Fulham moved to the bottom of the table with a 1-0 loss at Huddersfield on Monday night. The Cottagers looked dreadful and didn’t offer their relegation-rivals much of a threat. Against an in-form Liverpool team, they will be lucky to get a shot on target. Back the Home Win to Nil market here at 7/10.
Chelsea 4/10
Draw 4/1
Everton 13/2
(16:15)
Chelsea have been a joy to watch this season and will be raring to have a go at Everton, in hope of maintaining their unbeaten start to the campaign. The Blues do travel to Belarus in the UEFA Europa League prior to this encounter, although the club have shown that their squad is big enough to compete on all fronts. Everton have won four of their last five matches and come off the back of a commanding 3-1 win over Brighton. Richarlison bagged a brace in that encounter and has proven to be a threat for Chelsea in the past from his days at Watford. Maurizio Sarri’s men have kept just one clean sheet at home this season, conceding seven goals in their six matches played at Stamford Bridge – no side has conceded more at home in the current top six. My money is on Chelsea to Win & Both Teams to Score at 31/20.
Arsenal 6/10
Draw 32/10
Wolves 9/2
(18:30)
Arsenal were impressive in their 1-1 draw with Liverpool last weekend, with Unai Emery’s charges proving that they really are the real deal this season. At the time of writing, the Gunners are on a 14-game unbeaten run. Wolves dropped out of the top half last weekend after suffering their third consecutive defeat. Wolves have scored just three times away from home this term, although, their defence has been impressive, conceding only four times away from their turf. I’d have a strike on Arsenal on the (-1) Handicap at 14/10 – although the standard home win at 6/10 is tipped for the more cautious punters.
Manchester City 4/10
Draw 4/1
Manchester United 6/1
(18:30)
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TREBLE @ 18/1
Spurs Win & BTTS 22/10
Chelsea Win & BTTS 31/20
Arsenal (-1) Handicap 14/10
Written by Jesse Nagel