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| The Manchester clubs are level at the top of the log with Jose Mourinho’s side above on goal difference |
Gameweek 6 of the English Premier League serves up some mouth-watering fixtures to watch and to bet on.
*This article is written prior to the Carabao Cup fixtures taking place on 19 & 20 September.
Saturday 23 September
17/4 West Ham | Draw 3/1 | Tottenham 6/10 (13:30)
The opening match of the round sees Tottenham travel to London rivals West Ham on Saturday. Spurs’ last two trips to the Hammers have ended in defeat, both by 1-0 scorelines. Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be desperate to come away with all three points, especially after dropping two points in their goalless draw against Swansea last weekend. Spurs have been superb away from Wembley, comfortably beating Newcastle and Everton. Slaven Bilic’s men have only played once at home so far, recording a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town. I’m expecting a tight affair, but the visitors are tipped to edge out their opponents.
11/10 Burnley | 43/20 | Huddersfield 26/10 (16:00)
Burnley produced another impressive performance away from home to claim a 1-1 draw with Liverpool last weekend. Despite the Reds racking up 35 shots at goal and enjoying 71 percent of possession, Sean Dyche’s men held on for an unexpected point to add to the four they secured at Chelsea and Tottenham. Huddersfield had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Leicester City, but David Wagner’s side were unlucky not to take three points after a goal from Elias Kachunga was disallowed by a wrongful offside ruling. Prior to that result, the Terriers suffered a 2-0 loss against a West Ham side that were on a three-match losing streak. Back the Clarets to win at 11/10.
13/20 Everton | 29/10 | Bournemouth 4/1 (16:00)
Everton went into the bottom three after suffering a 4-0 thumping at Manchester United last weekend. It was their third loss from five games and their fourth straight defeat in all competitions, conceding 12 goals without reply. The pressure is mounting on Ronald Koeman and the Dutchman will be desperate to see his side claim a win over Bournemouth. Eddie Howe’s men finally recorded their first win of the campaign, earning a 2-1 victory at home to Brighton. Prior to that game, the Cherries were on a four-match losing streak. I really do expect the Toffees to bounce back with a win here, but Both Teams to Score is a safer bet and offers more value at 15/20.
2/13 Manchester City | 13/2 | Crystal Palace 15/1 (16:00)
Roy Hodgson’s bottom-of-the-table Crystal Palace side face a daunting trip to Pep Guardiola’s rampant Manchester City on Saturday. City come into this matchup off a 6-0 mauling away at Watford, which included a hat-trick for Sergio Aguero. That was their fourth win from five games in the league and fourth straight victory in all competitions, scoring 17 goals while conceding once. Palace have made a poor start to their 2017/18 campaign, having lost all their opening five games so far. In fact, they have become the first team in the Premier League history to have done so. I’m expecting another emphatic win for City here – take them to Win By Three Or More Goals at even money.
7/2 Southampton | 26/10 | Manchester United 8/10 (16:00)
Manchester United face a tough test away to Southampton on Saturday. These sides played to a goalless draw in their last encounter at St Mary’s, while the Red Devils have won just three times in eight league meetings against the Saints. Mauricio Pellegrino’s side recorded a 1-0 win away to bottom side Crystal Palace last weekend – their second win of the league campaign. Jose Mourinho’s men bounced back from their 2-2 draw at Stoke with a crushing 4-0 win at home to Everton. Southampton have lost back-to-back matches at home, including a 2-0 loss to Championship side Wolves in the Carabao Cup. United are tipped to come away with maximum points.
9/2 Stoke City | 28/10 | Chelsea 13/20 (16:00)
Chelsea will be looking to return to winning ways against Stoke on Saturday, but the Premier League champions face a daunting assignment against Mark Hughes’ men. Stoke suffered a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle last weekend, their second (away) loss of the league campaign. The Potters will welcome the return to the bet365 Stadium where they’ve beaten Arsenal and held Manchester United. Chelsea were held to a goalless draw at home to London rivals Arsenal, with David Luiz shown a straight red card after a reckless challenge on Sead Kolasinac. Antonio Conte might be forced to rotate his squad as he keeps one eye on their trip to Atletico Madrid in midweek. Avoid picking a winner here and take Both Teams to Score at 9/10.
13/10 Swansea | 9/4 | Watford 43/20 (16:00)
Swansea earned a commendable goalless draw against Tottenham at Wembley Stadium last weekend. The defence was superbly marshalled by captain Federico Fernandez, while Renato Sanches showed promising signs and Tammy Abraham caused the Spurs back line trouble. It was a resolute, focused and disciplined performance that Paul Clement was very proud of. The Swans will be looking to build on that result and will fancy their chances of victory against Watford. The Hornets come into this matchup off a 6-0 hammering at home by Manchester City. Marco Silva will be hoping for a positive response from his players. Swansea have lost both of their home matches played, while Watford have won both of their away games. I wouldn’t advise having a bet on this game but I’m backing the Swans to record their first home win of the season.
28/10 Leicester City | 51/20 | Liverpool 19/20 (18:30)
Leicester City and Liverpool meet twice this week at the King Power Stadium. First, they’ll battle it out in the third round of the Carabao Cup where both teams are likely to rotate their squads for this league encounter. Craig Shakespeare’s men were lucky to earn a 1-1 draw away to Huddersfield Town last weekend, while Liverpool were held by a spirited Burnley side on a frustrating afternoon for Jurgen Klopp’s side. The Foxes have won their last two home meetings against the Reds, but Both Teams to Score is the way to go at 13/20.
Sunday 24 September
17/10 Brighton | 2/1 | Newcastle 18/10 (17:00)
Sunday’s only Premier League fixture sees newly-promoted sides Brighton and Newcastle squaring off at the Amex Stadium. Chris Hughton’s men succumbed to a 2-1 defeat away to Bournemouth last weekend, while Newcastle edged out Stoke 2-1 at St. James’ Park to record a third straight victory. Rafa Benitez’s men completed the double over the Seagulls in the Championship last season and they look a top bet at 18/10.
Monday 25 September
3/10 Arsenal | 17/4 | West Brom 15/2 (21:00)
Arsenal welcome West Brom to the Emirates Stadium on Monday night. Arsene Wenger’s side held their own against Chelsea to earn a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge after five years of failure there. They deserved it, working the champions over with a resilient, gritty display. The Gunners will be confident of returning to winning ways on Monday, having won their last six home meetings against the Baggies, scoring 13 goals while conceding once. Following their goalless draw at home to West Ham, Tony Pulis’ men are winless in three matches while their last away game ended in a 3-1 defeat to newly-promoted Brighton. The Gunners are tipped to claim maximum points.
TREBLE @ 3/1
Everton vs Bournemouth BTTS 15/20
Man United Win 8/10
Arsenal Win 3/10
Written by Chad Nagel
Injuries and Suspensions
Arsenal
Santi Cazorla – OUT (Ankle injury)
Francis Coquelin – DOUBT (Hamstring injury)
Mesut Ozil – DOUBT (Knee injury)
Danny Welbeck – OUT (Groin injury)
Chelsea
David Luiz – OUT (Suspended)
Danny Drinkwater – DOUBT (Calf injury)
Pedro – DOUBT (Ankle injury)
Everton
Seamus Coleman – OUT (Broken Leg)
Ramiro Funes Mori – OUT (Knee injury)
Ross Barkley – OUT (Hamstring injury)
Yannick Bolasie – OUT (Knee injury)
James McCarthy – OUT (Knee injury)
Liverpool
Dejan Lovren – DOUBT (Back injury)
Nathaniel Clyne – OUT (Muscle injury)
Adam Lallana – OUT (Thigh injury)
Sadio Mane – OUT (Suspended)
Danny Ings – DOUBT (Knock)
Manchester City
Vincent Kompany – DOUBT (Calf injury)
Manchester United
Marcos Rojo – DOUBT (Knee injury)
Paul Pogba – OUT (Hamstring injury)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – OUT (Knee injury)
Tottenham
Danny Rose – DOUBT (Knee injury)
Victor Wanyama – DOUBT (Knee injury)
Erik Lamela – OUT (Hip injury)
Georges-Kevin Nkoudou – DOUBT (Foot injury)
