I’m not sure in which order you want the good, the bad or the ugly…but here goes nothing! At the time of writing, Erik ten Hag is still employed by Manchester United, Arsenal is still clinging onto the belief of challenging for the title and next week is an international break.
Nevertheless, there is another round of Premier League action to unpack and money to be made.
Saturday 5 October
46/10 Crystal Palace | Draw 32/10 | Liverpool 5/10 (13:30)
Palace are a more than capable side, and the quality they have in their squad would suggest they are more than we have seen thus far…Liverpool are nothing if not consistent and so you know they are going to take the game to the Eagles.
Selhurst Park isn’t an easy place to go and play football, but I can’t see past the away win here.
1/6 Arsenal | Draw 6/1 | Southampton 14/1 (16:00)
Arsenal still receives a lot of criticism for their approach, many are of the opinion they are too negative and lack bravery. I don’t understand that narrative in all honesty, for me they are adaptable and approach each game in a way which most likely gives them every chance at winning it.
They will attack the Saints here, and I don’t think the visitors have the defence resilience to keep them out for 90 minutes. Back the home side and over 2.5 goals.
19/20 Brentford | Draw 23/10 | Wolves 26/10 (16:00)
I really enjoy Brentford, they are supremely organized and committed to their style of play. They are happy to compact spaces and frustrate their opponents, but they carry a real goalscoring threat every time they pick up possession of the football.
Wolves flatter to deceive at times, but I do think they are a better side than their results this season suggest. I like the look of a Brentford win, but I think both teams scoring might be the safer pick.
1/4 Manchester City | Draw 48/10 | Fulham 10/1 (16:00)
Fulham have already earned a few surprise results this season, and whilst I have no doubt they will look to have a crack here, I don’t think they have the depth to keep out this City attack. Pep Guardiola’s men will want to respond to their recent stumbles in the League and you can’t really go against them at home here.
Back City to score in both halves.
8/10 West Ham | Draw 5/2 | Ipswich 31/10 (16:00)
The feeling around West Ham is that they have just struggled to get the results they expected this year. There is no doubt that pressure is growing on Julen Lopetegui and that isn’t going to go anywhere if they can’t put together some impressive performances.
I’ve really enjoyed the way in which Ipswich have played this season. They are still without a win, but their performances suggest they have been knocking on the door. I think they can get something from this game, especially if they manage to keep West Ham from getting off to a flying start.
Back the away win/draw double chance.
21/10 Leicester | Draw 23/10 | Bournemouth 12/10 (16:00)
Steve Cooper is another manager who is seemingly in need of something positive, but I think he deserves more time from Leicester fans. It was always going to be difficult for the Foxes coming back into the League, and it is not without respect when I say they are a work in progress.
Bournemouth have played some really impressive football; they carry a very real goal scoring threat and have the patience to frustrate their opponents. Back the Cherries here at generous odds.
22/10 Everton | Draw 23/10 | Newcastle 12/10 (18:30)
Sean Dyche would have absolutely needed that win against Palace. The atmosphere at Goodison has seemingly become quite irritable, but even without players like Branthwaite at the back – they managed to claim all three points.
Newcastle’s performances have been all over the place this season, but they would surely have enjoyed the confidence boost of earning a point against City. They are definitely the better side – but if they are not at their best they could be undone here.
I think the safest bet is over 2.5 goals.
Sunday 6 October
13/10 Aston Villa | Draw 47/20 | Manchester United 19/10 (15:00)
The pressure on Manchester United and Erik ten Hag just continues to grow – and rightly so! There is a difference between building and progress…for me these recent displays lack identity and character.
Nevertheless, Villa have been painfully inconsistent so far this season. They always look threatening going forward but do have the propensity to concede rather soft goals.
Backing the home win/draw double chance and both teams scoring seems the way to go here.
5/10 Chelsea | Draw 32/10 | Nott’m Forest 5/1 (15:00)
Cole Palmer FC – sorry, that was out of pocket and underserving of a side who have managed to register some positive results…but I’m also not taking it back, so if you see this, know that my editor agrees!
Forest is a fearless side, but Chelsea have been impressive. They are going about their business in a clinical and quiet way – back them.
18/10 Brighton | Draw 26/10 | Tottenham 5/4 (17:30)
Brighton have made a decent start to the season, and they won’t come into this game thinking they have any reason to fear Spurs. I know Spurs absolutely dismantled United last weekend – even without Son – but I have reservations over their performances in the final third.
It’s a bit of an outside call, but I’m going to back the Brighton win/draw double chance here.
Written by Ryan Liberty.