Premier League Predictions > Oct 14th - 16th

[StevieDay1983]

[StevieDay1983]

The Premier League fixtures throw up a full schedule this coming weekend but bear in mind there is also a packed fixture list for midweek next week. Here are the odds and ratings with the big game being Liverpool versus Manchester City. Tell us your predictions for these games here! 

[malabgd]

Brentford FC vs Brighton

2022-10-14T21:00+02:00

 

Brentford FC

Doubtful: -

Out (injuries/other): Pontus Jansson (6/0 d, captain), Christian Norgaard (4/1 m)

Suspended: -

 

Brighton

Doubtful: -

Out (injuries/other): Enock Mwepu (6/0 m), Jakub Moder (0/0 m)

Suspended: -

 

Daily updated injuries and suspensions information from more than 100 football leagues and competitions worldwide at: www.injuriesandsuspensions.com

 

Interesting facts based only on statistics

Brighton scored at least one goal in 100% of away games.

Brighton scored at least two goals in 75% of away games.

63% chance that Brighton will win first half.

63% chance that both Brentford FC and Brighton will score in this game.

99% chance that there will be more than 1 goal in this game.

75% chance that there will be more than 2 goals in this game.

25% chance that there will be more than 5 goals in this game.

88% chance that there will be at least 1 goal in the first-half.

63% chance that there will be at least 2 goals in the first-half.

38% chance that there will be at least 3 goals in the first-half.

25% chance that Brighton will lead at half-time and it will be a draw at full-time.

[StevieDay1983]

Brentford vs Brighton

The Premier League enjoys an early Friday night start this week with this 8pm BST kick-off between Brentford and Brighton from the Brentford Community Stadium. Both of these two sides have experienced encouraging starts to their league season but it's a battle of consistency and transition here. Will the home team end a 3-game winless run against a visiting side who are starting life under their new gaffer?

Brentford were looking very impressive with just 1 loss from their opening 6 league games but their form has dipped slightly and this recent winless run has left them with just 1 win from their previous 6 league matches leaving the team in 11th position. Thomas Frank's men have seen their poor form coincide with Ivan Toney's goals drying up. The striker has only bagged 1 goal in his last 3 outings having scored 5 goals in their opening 6 league matches. The Bees are undefeated in their last 9 matches played on a Friday night. However, the 5-1 loss the club suffered against Newcastle last weekend was their worst result in the top flight since 1946. They will be hoping Toney can re-discover his scoring touch because only Harry Kane and Erling Haaland have scored more goals in 2022 than the front man.

Brighton had been looking like a team that could finally qualify for European competition this season after their positive start but Graham Potter's departure to Chelsea has thrown things into the air a bit. Roberto De Zerbi hasn't exactly had the easiest of introductions to his new role as Seagulls head coach having earned a 3-3 draw away to Liverpool and then suffering a narrow 1-0 loss at home to Tottenham. Interestingly, the only two losses suffered by Brighton in their last 13 league games have both come against London-based opposition in the form of Fulham and Tottenham. Brighton also boast a decent record playing on Friday evenings having gone unbeaten in their last 5 league games played on this day. I just wonder how much the squad will have been mentally flawed by the news that Enock Mwepu was forced to retire due to a heart issue at the tender age of 24 years old.

While this might not be a stand-out fixture at face value, it's a game between two teams currently at very finely balanced points in their season. Brentford are at risk of seeing their winless spell becoming a problem and Brighton will want to get that first win for their new manager before that becomes a psychological hindrance. If I had to back one team to win this game then I'd say Brentford but I still just think a draw seems like the best value given their respective situations and form.

Draw @ 3.50 with Betfred

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.95 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Leicester vs Crystal Palace

The early 12:30pm BST kick-off on Saturday in the Premier League will pit a troubled Leicester against a dogged Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium. Even though both of these teams will feel they want to be sitting higher in the league table, there is a stark difference between their general performance levels this season. Will the home team's woes continue or will they see off an away side that haven't been an easy opponent for anyone?

Leicester are truly having a season to end all seasons and not in a good way. Brendan Rodgers saw his men hammer Nottingham Forest 4-0 at home in their last but one game with many thinking it might've been the resurgent display they needed to turn their results around. However, that result was followed up by a disappointing 2-1 loss away to Bournemouth in their next outing. The Foxes are now back down at the bottom of the league table with just 4 points from their 9 league games so far. There is a risk that Leicester could lose 8 of their first 10 league games of a season for just the third team in their history having previously done so back in 1957/58 and 1983/84. The club possess the worst defensive record in the top flight after conceding 24 goals already. The most frustrating statistic will be that the team have dropped 14 points from winning positions this season. Oh, how different this season could have been already!

Crystal Palace might only be in 15th place and 3 points above the relegation zone but there's no doubt that their performances have left many suspecting they won't be in trouble this season. Patrick Vieira's side have endured a tricky fixture list and have done well to grind out the results that they have. The Eagles come into this game having lost just 1 of their last 4 league matches. It could've been so much better as well with the team giving up leads during games on four occasions. Wilfried Zaha might not be enjoying his most prolific campaign in front of goal but he has scored 7 goals in 9 league appearances against Leicester down the years. It says a lot that the only 3 defeats suffered by Palace this season have come against Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea all of whom are currently sat in the top four.

This could potentially be a huge moment in the season for Leicester. A loss here would be an 8th loss from their last 9 league games. Crystal Palace have also failed to win away in the league since April this year but having notched up 8 wins in their last 20 top flight league meetings with Leicester they'll be confident here. That loss last weekend for Leicester seemed to be a real gut punch after that result against Forest. How do they recover mentally? The optimism for Leicester comes in the form of Rodgers picking up 14 points in his 6 games versus Palace as Leicester manager and winning the last three home fixtures. The stats are flirting with me but I just have no faith in Leicester to win right now so I'll go for a draw.

Draw @ 3.60 with QuinnBet

BTTS @ 1.70 with Betway

[StevieDay1983]

Fulham vs Bournemouth

The Premier League has a severely reduced schedule at 3pm on Saturday afternoon due to European commitments of clubs in midweek but one game that will be kicking off at this time will see two newly promoted teams go toe-to-toe as Fulham face Bournemouth at Craven Cottage. Both teams are adapting to life in the top division well but have taken two very different routes to get to this stage. Who will prevail victorious here?

Fulham were looking like a side that had started the season inconsistently but were just about doing enough to stay mid-table looking up rather than glancing over their shoulder. The Cottagers are in 9th position after 9 league games but it is now 3 losses from their last 4 league matches so doubts are starting to creep in about whether the team can keep their head above the water line. Marco Silva's men have only lost 1 of their 4 home league games so far this season but that single defeat did come in their most recent home league game which was a 4-1 loss at the hands of an in-form Newcastle. It's now 7 league games without keeping a clean sheet. The team could be without top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic who remains a doubt through injury.

Bournemouth had been struggling to handle life in the Premier League under Scott Parker but the caretaker guidance of Gary O'Neil has seen the team storm up the table with 2 wins and 3 draws from his 5 league games in charge. The Cherries are now in 8th place and 6 points clear of the drop zone. Not a bad turnaround. The stark difference has been that Bournemouth conceded 16 goals in the 4 league games Parker was in charge for but have only conceded 4 goals in the 5 league games under O'Neil. Question marks still remain over the players' fitness levels with the team not scoring a second half goal since the opening league game of the campaign. They also possess the unwanted statistic of the least number of shots on goal and the fewest number of shots on target in the top division.

A statistic that immediately jumps off the page relating to this fixture is that Bournemouth have lost 7 of their last 8 away Premier League games played in London. However, Bournemouth are undefeated in their last 7 away games against Fulham in a run that stretches back to 1992. Fulham have only won 1 of the previous 10 league meetings. I think that head-to-head record has to outweigh the yips that Bournemouth get in the capital city. That argument will be further strengthened if Mitrovic is missing.

Bournemouth Double Chance @ 2.00 with SportNation

BTTS @ 1.83 with SBK

[JKos]

Very nice writeups!

Brighton

What stands out is their level of competition.They faced Liverpool surprisingly well although they blew their lead ,defeated West Ham,Leicester and Leeds

the only bad spot could be considered the road loss to Fulham a similar opponent in strength as Brentford.

I do not anticipate that they make the same mistakes and coming off a tight scoreless home loss against Tottenham on almost even money,I'm buying them

I have Brighton winning this evening 2.03-0.95  therefore expecting a 2-0 or 2-1 win

 

[StevieDay1983]

Wolves vs Nottingham Forest

The second 3pm BST kick-off in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon is the clash between strugglers Wolves and Nottingham Forest at Molineux. These two clubs are currently sat in the relegation zone and in desperate need of a win to avoid potentially beginning to become cut adrift from safety already. Can either team get the 3 points here to give their squad morale a much-needed boost?

Wolves appear to be turning to a familiar face to save them with the rumour mill suggesting that former head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is on the verge of agreeing to return to the club to fill the managerial role left vacant after the sacking of Bruno Lage. It's news that's split the fans and with the club down in 18th place with just 1 win from their first 9 league matches this season, it feels like it's a big gamble. Wanderers will be managed by interim head coach Steve Davis for this game and he'll be hoping for a better result than last time out when they were hammered 3-0 away against Chelsea. It's now 3 defeats in a row for Wolves and they've failed to score in each one of those games. There is a risk they could lose four top flight league games in a row without scoring a goal for the first time since 1970. It is deeply concerning that the team have only scored 3 league goals all season.

Nottingham Forest need to start picking up points sooner rather than later. Steve Cooper may have just signed a new contract keeping him at the club until 2025 but the team are down in 19th position and are now without a win in their last 7 league games including 5 losses during that spell. The Tricky Trees looked better in their 1-1 draw at home versus Aston Villa last week but they are still without a win in 4 away league matches including losing 3 of those games. The team have dropped 10 points from winning positions this season with only bottom-placed Leicester losing more points from leading positions. The good news is that Nottingham Forest's record after 9 league games this season is exactly the same as their record in the Championship after 9 league games last season... and that ended in promotion!

This will be the first time ever that these two teams have played each other in the Premier League and the first in the top flight since 1984. Wolves have only lost 1 of their last 7 league meetings with Nottingham Forest. However, Forest have won 3 of their last 5 visits to this venue. I'm not sure Wolves have the attacking quality to score more than one goal in this one but I feel Forest do have the capabilities to score at least one against Wolves. I'll back the draw but could this be the game where Forest get their first away league win of the season?

Draw @ 3.80 with SpreadEx

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.76 with Unibet

[StevieDay1983]

Tottenham vs Everton

Two of the longest-serving clubs in the top flight of English football go head-to-head in the 5:30pm BST kick-off in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon when Tottenham host Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The home team are well and truly meeting the high expectations set by pundits so far albeit with their results and not their performances but they face a team that have surpassed expectations and currently boast the joint best defensive record in the division.

Tottenham sit in 3rd position in the league table and only 4 points off the pace of league leaders and local rivals Arsenal. Antonio Conte is already receiving some harsh criticism for not delivering performance levels of a higher standard but with the team still picking up points along the way it's hard to see how fans can moan. Spurs have lost just 1 of their 9 league games this season and have won 3 of their last 4 league matches and have won all 4 of their home league games. In addition, Tottenham pulled off a dramatic 3-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt at home in the Champions League in midweek to move top of Group D with two group games to play. If Tottenham win this game then it will give them their highest ever points tally after 10 league games in the Premier League. Conte has never conceded a Premier League goal as a manager against Chelsea. Harry Kane has also scored 13 goals in 14 appearances against Everton and in 6 of those games he's scored two or more goals.

Everton might be surprising a number of people this season with the club in 12th place but the biggest shock has been how head coach Frank Lampard has appeared to address the leaky defensive problems that have plagued the team for a number of seasons now. The Toffees have only conceded 9 goals in 9 league games with only Manchester City and Newcastle matching that. The 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United last weekend ended an unbeaten run of 6 league matches so it'll be interesting to see how the team responds to that confidence blow. Everton are without a win in a Premier League game played in London for their last 7 attempts. Only Newcastle possess a worst Premier League win ratio in the capital city. The team have only lost 1 of their 5 away matches across all competitions this season so Lampard deserves the praise for turning them into a tough team to beat on their travels.

It's worrying for Everton to know that Tottenham have only lost 1 of the last 19 league meetings between the two clubs. To make matters worse, Everton have only managed to pick up 1 win away to Tottenham since 2008. As well as Lampard is doing to make Everton a more resolute team, I feel Tottenham are just a far superior team and if they don't win this one by a solid margin then they'll feel disappointed.

Tottenham HT/FT @ 2.32 with SBK

Anytime Scorer: Harry Kane @ 2.00 with Bet365

[StefanBB]

Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton

Tottenham Hotspur is hoping to win again after their last result, the 1-0 Premier League triumph against Brighton & Hove Albion. That win got them back on the winning track, and the Spurs are four points behind the top-placed Arsenal. In their past six fixtures, Antonio Conte's Tottenham Hotspur has seen rewards for their attempts on goal 10 times - an average number of goals scored per match equal to 1.67. The home side looks forward to continuing a successful campaign in the domestic championship after beating Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League. Dejan Kulusevski (Thigh Problems) and Lucas Moura (Calf Injury) are unavailable for Tottenham Hotspur coach Antonio Conte.

Following on from a losing effort in their last game against Manchester United in Premier League action, Everton will be aiming to make amends here. It was their first defeat after seven matches in all competitions, and the Toffees want to bounce back. Throughout their six latest matches, Frank Lampard's Everton has converted six times, thus earning them the goals scored per game average of 1. They have not been beaten in the league by Everton in their previous three games. Everton boss Frank Lampard has a number of players out of action. Mason Holgate (Knee Injury), Abdoulaye Doucouré (Hamstring Injury), Andy Lonergan (Knee Problems), Andros Townsend (Cruciate Ligament Injury), and Nathan Patterson (Ankle Injury) won't be making appearances.

Full-Time Winner Odds & Prediction                                                                            

Tottenham has been excellent in front of its fans this season, and the hosts seek another success. Although Everton is a tricky opponent, we believe the Spurs can book their seventh straight win in their backyard.

Goals Market Prediction

Four of Tottenham's previous six home games went over a 2.5 margin, while they scored five times at this venue last time. We expect an entertaining match with at least three goals in total.

Tottenham Hotspur to Win @ 1.50

Over 2.5 FT @ 1.80

Correct score 3:1 @ 13.00

[StefanBB]

Liverpool vs Manchester City

Liverpool won’t want a repeat of their last result here after the 3-2 Premier League defeat last time out to Arsenal. The Reds failed to win three times in a row in the English top flight, and they are far from the top spot. With only two Premier League wins, Liverpool sits in the middle of the table. Matches involving Liverpool have often been entertaining ones lately, with high scoring being the norm. Over their past half dozen games, the sum total of 21 goals has flown in for both teams combined (at an average of 3.5 goals per game), with 10 of those coming from Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s side doesn’t have the right for more mistakes if they want to finish the campaign among the top four teams.

In their previous fixture, Manchester City drew 0-0 in the Champions League match with FC Copenhagen. Nevertheless, the Citizens enjoy a good Premier League campaign, with only two draws in nine matches so far. They are the only undefeated team in the league, but Arsenal is still one point ahead. The attacking players from Manchester City have managed to bag a surfeit of goals in their past six clashes (20 to be exact). That means they have an ominous average of 3.33 goals scored per match for this period. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has not got a full squad to pick from. Kyle Walker (Groin Injury) and Kalvin Phillips (Shoulder Injury) are not able to play.

Full-Time Winner Odds & Prediction                                                                            

Liverpool has been very inconsistent recently, while Manchester City enjoys a winning run in the domestic championship. Although this game can go either way, we think Manchester City will celebrate a vital victory in the title race.

Goals Market Prediction

Their head-to-head clashes have been very entertaining lately, and the previous five went over a 3.5 margin. We think the crowd at Anfield will enjoy at least three goals in total.

Manchester City to Win @ 1.90

Over 2.5 FT @ 1.50

Correct score 1:2 @ 9.50

[neilovan]

Bumper day of action in the EPL.

Man U v Newcastle

Been a lifelong United fan (since 1974). Just something about them that I liked, maybe George Best... Struggled through the barren years before Fergie (when Liverpool dominated), and went through the 90's and early turn of the century with United the force. Now Man City are the dominant side.

United are not playing great. Defense has got better, but they are still giving up soft goals. While happy with Ten Hag, he needs to get more out of the rest of the squad. Is Wan-Bissaka so bad that he can't even catch a game against minnows from Cyprus? Similar for van de Beek. Really, what a disaster (for him) his Man United experience has been.  The problem with almost playing the same players every game, is that they get fatigued. 

For me no way Man United can keep a clean sheet today. Do I trust them for the win? Absolutely not. Are Newcastle good enough to beat them? Maybe but again not really convinced. Best bet for me here is the over 2.5 goals at about 1.67 

Villa v Chelsea

Just as you can see the performance of Brighton receding you can see Chelsea improving game by game. Potter is that good, and great to see him get his shot. Absolutely deserved. Chelsea look solid, if unspectacular. They have a great squad. Villa will huff and puff all day here, but there is only one result possible and it is a Chelsea win. 1.95 for the away win is a great price. I see bet365 is offering Chelsea to win 2-0 at 11-1.  

Leeds v Arsenal

Arsenal are playing great. Team spirit looks excellent and Arteta is getting a tune out of them. Leeds have no chance to win this, in what I expect will be a high scoring game. Arsenal always struggled away from home, but they have overcome this.  They have been over 2.5 & home win in all 5 home games, and in 2 of 4 away games. I think Leeds get on the score sheet and Arsenal win it 1-3 or 1-4

Liverpool v Man City

Liverpool just look rubbish to me. Forget the win over Rangers midweek. Rangers are useless ... essentially so out of their league in the CL it is embarrassing. Again Liverpool will probably concede first and then have to chase the game. I don't think that is going to work too well against such a slick outfit. City are just too good. Haaland gives them an extra aerial dimension they never had, and I expect him to fill his boots today. Trent AA is probably gonna have a nightmare, and will be targeted relentlessly. I like the Man CIty and over 2.5 goals bet which is around 2.4

[ALEXXXXXXXX]

Leeds United vs Arsenal

The impression is that the time of sadness is over at the Emirates, as The Gunners are ready to give their last atom of strength for the title, and the results are clear proof, achieving 8 triumphs from the opening 9 games.

Arsenal's main weapon is a murderous attack, which has scored at least 2 goals in four of their last five games in all competitions, so we expect The Gunners to continue their ultra-offensive style of play.

Although Leeds left a strong impression in front of the home fans, we believe that Arsenal is the better team at the moment, and we expect The Gunners to prove their quality on the field and achieve a sure victory.

Arsenal   @ 1.55
Over 2.75  @ 1.93

[alexcaruso808]

I have a free £5 bet from Bet365, so I did a bet builder.  It seems reasonable enough.

[StevieDay1983]

Aston Villa vs Chelsea

The Premier League has a big Sunday schedule due to European commitments in midweek. One of the cluster of 2pm BST kick-offs is Aston Villa versus Chelsea at Villa Park. The home team are still at the wrong end of the table but showing signs of recovery as they play a visiting side with a new approach that appears to be delivering rewards sooner than expected. Could that all change in this game?

Aston Villa were a team I felt had the potential to start evolving and pushing on towards the European qualification places this season but it's just not happened for Steve Gerrard's men. The Lions are down in 16th position and even though they are now unbeaten in their last 4 league games they have still only won 1 of their previous 7 league matches. The encouraging sign is that their home form seems stable enough to form the foundation of an improvement in results. Gerrard's side have lost just 1 of their 4 home league fixtures picking up a win percentage of 50%. If they can start making ground on their away form then it all becomes a bit more positive. The team have only picked up 1 win in their last 15 league matches against London-based opponents. Scoring goals continues to be a problem with only Wolves scoring fewer in the league this season.

Chelsea are looking very sound under Graham Potter and I'm surprised the squad have adapted to the change in philosophy so quickly. There's no doubt that Potter is one of the most modern and innovative coaches around so this is a massive opportunity for him to become a big name on the biggest stage. The Blues are in 4th place and just 8 points behind the title pace with games in hand on the teams above them. Nobody is saying about a title challenge yet but you know they're all thinking it. It's 3 league wins in a row for Chelsea now and the team continue with their unbeaten run under Potter across all competitions. There is a risk that Chelsea could lose 3 of their opening 5 away league games to a season for the first time since 2015/16. I can't see it happening though. Potter has also only won 2 of his 10 games played against Aston Villa as a manager but both of those wins did come at this venue.

It's not great reading for Aston Villa fans to see that their team have only won 1 of their last 10 league meetings with Chelsea. The London club have also won 6 of their last 8 away trips to Villa Park. I think it's clear that Chelsea are in a far healthier position than Villa. Gerrard spoke of wanting his players to become "headline writers". Chelsea already have those in abundance and that'll be the difference here in what I expect to be another composed and efficient Chelsea performance under Potter.

Chelsea to Win @ 2.00 with SportNation

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.79 with VBet

[StevieDay1983]

Leeds vs Arsenal

It's a Premier League classic fixture this weekend in a 2pm BST kick-off on Sunday when two of the great names of English football meet as Leeds play Arsenal at Elland Road. The home team are starting to look to be in a spot of trouble as results are failing and it doesn't get easier as they welcome a visiting side who actually look like they are becoming genuine challengers to Manchester City's title defence this season.

Leeds may well have started their season off on a positive footing but things have quickly deteriorated for the Yorkshire club. Jesse Marsch's men are down in 15th place and just 2 points above the relegation zone after a run of 5 league games without a win. The Whites are undefeated in their 4 home league matches played so far with their away form being the thing that is letting them down. Leeds have made a habit of starting games with a high intensity lately but being unable to keep that level of high octane play going. It feels as if the weaknesses that undid Marcelo Bielsa are still causing problems for Marsch.

Arsenal still lead the way in the Premier League having picked up 8 wins from their 9 league games played. Mikel Arteta's side saw off their latest challenge last week in a 3-2 win against Liverpool at home. It's an impressive display scoring 6 goals in their past two games against Tottenham and Liverpool. It's no wonder pundits are tipping them to push Manchester City all the way for the title. There is an opportunity for Arsenal to win 9 of their first 10 league games for the first time since 1903/04 here. The Gunners are also looking to score 3 goals or more in four successive league games for the first time since 2004 as well. It's also intriguing to read that their last four clean sheets all came on their travels.

It's a daunting prospect for Leeds that Arsenal could win 5 encounters in a row here. That would be the first time in the history of this fixture that this has happened. In fact, Leeds haven't enjoyed a win against Arsenal in all competitions since 2003. The Yorkshire club are also without a win in their last 7 home matches against the Londoners across all competitions and I'm not sure that'll change here. Arsenal are growing in confidence and momentum. Leeds are going in the opposite direction.

Arsenal to Win & BTTS @ 3.00 with Bet365

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.62 with SBK

 

[StevieDay1983]

Manchester United vs Newcastle

The third of the 2pm BST kick-offs taking place on Sunday afternoon is a fixture that has provided countless classic memories down the years in the Premier League. Manchester United play Newcastle at Old Trafford and you have to say that this fixture has once again reached a time where the winner isn't quite as pre-determined as it has been in previous years. Can either team take all 3 points?

Manchester United managed to hit back after the disappointing 6-3 derby defeat to Manchester City by beating Everton 2-1 away from home last weekend. Erik ten Hag will be pleased to get back to winning ways and see his team move to 5th in the table with a potential opportunity to break back into the top four again on Sunday if results go their way. The Red Devils have now won 5 of their last 6 league matches. The team also all but secured their place in the knockout phase of the Europa League as well with a 1-0 win at home to Omonia in midweek. It's been back-to-back league wins at home for United so they'll be hoping to make it three in a row. Unfortunately, October is not a great month for United in recent years with the team not winning a home league game in this month since 2018. Cristiano Ronaldo could be the key here having scored 7 goals in his last 5 Premier League appearances against Newcastle.

Newcastle come into this game in 6th place in the table having only suffered 1 loss in their 9 league games this season including going undefeated for the previous 4 league games with back-to-back wins. The team have been free-scoring recently and the club have a chance to score 4 or more goals in three straight league games in a row for the first time since 1961. It's a huge turn around considering the team have scored 9 goals in their last 2 league games having scored just 8 goals in the 7 league games before then. The influence of Eddie Howe is clear to see with the team on the brink of earning a 16th league win of 2022 which would be their highest tally of wins in a single calendar year since 2013... and there's still two and a half months of the year left!

Any optimism that Newcastle fans might hold for this game could well be ruined when they read the head-to-head statistics. The Magpies have only picked up 1 win in their last 39 away league encounters with Manchester United and the 113 goals they have conceded against United is the most they have conceded against any Premier League opponent. That being said, I think Newcastle are good value for getting a point here because Howe has made them very hard to beat. United are looking a lot better under ten Hag but they're not quite at the level where I have confidence in them turning over in-form teams placed high in the table yet.

Draw @ 3.80 with Sporting Index

Anytime Scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo @ 2.3 with QuinnBet

[StevieDay1983]

Southampton vs West Ham

It might not be the biggest game this weekend but the 2pm BST kick-off between Southampton and West Ham on Sunday afternoon from St Mary's Stadium could prove to be one of the most exciting ones this round in the Premier League. The home team are in danger of dropping deeper into the relegation quagmire as they take on an away side who are slowly clawing their way back up the table.

Southampton are having one of their awful spells of form that they tend to suffer under Ralph Hasenhuttl every season. It's now four league defeats in a row with just 1 goal scored in that time leaving the team down in 18th position in the table and 2 points adrift of safety. The fans are still not calling for the Austrian gaffer to be sacked yet but how long will those calls remain absent from games? The Saints have only been able to grab 1 win from their 4 home league games so far this season. However, it's the team's games at home that have continued to at least provide entertainment with 5 of their last 6 home league matches producing over 2.5 goals scored. You have to wonder if that is likely here though with the team failing to even score in 3 of their last 4 league games.

West Ham were looking like a team in trouble recently but back-to-back league wins have helped to pull the team up to 13th place in the table. It shows how congested the top flight of English football is right now with the team just 4 points off the European qualification spots but also only 3 points clear of the drop zone. The Hammers also come into this game knowing that away form is still an issue for them with 3 losses from their 4 away league games this season including losing their last two away league matches. David Moyes will want to see his team take the momentum built from those two home wins and their Europa Conference League form and use it to remedy that torrid away form. It is 6 wins from their last 7 matches across all competitions so they are getting back to their best. 

The stand out statistic in the head-to-head meetings is that West Ham are undefeated in 4 of their last 5 visits to this stadium. You have to feel that with Southampton in a period of such dire form and West Ham appearing to be moving in the right direction that backing the away team to get the win here makes the most sense. Defeat for Southampton here will surely leave people wondering if this is finally one run of bad form too far for Hasenhuttl.

West Ham to Win @ 2.52 with VBet

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 2.00 with William Hill

[StevieDay1983]

Liverpool vs Manchester City

The big game of the weekend in the Premier League is the clash between Liverpool and Manchester City in the 4:30pm BST kick-off on Sunday afternoon from Anfield. These two teams have been the big arch rivals for the league title over the past few seasons and hitting levels of performance never before seen in this division. Unfortunately, the standard isn't quite as even this season but does that mean the outcome here is done and dusted before a ball has been kicked?

Liverpool are now without a win in 3 league matches with the team now down in 11th position. There is no denying that the league title has realistically gone with the club 14 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal and that deficit could be even bigger by the time kick-off arrives in this game. The 7-1 win away to Rangers in the Champions League in midweek was a nice little pick up from the 3-2 loss away to Arsenal last weekend but did it just paper over some cracks? The Reds have still conceded 6 goals in their last 2 league games and Jurgen Klopp is plagued by injury concerns to players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, and Joel Matip. The 10 points Liverpool have earned so far is their lowest tally after 8 league games since 2012/13. Defensive frailties are still a problem for Klopp with the team conceding 16 goals in their last 12 league games having kept 10 clean sheets in the 12 league matches prior to that. There is a worry that the club could concede at least 3 goals in three straight league games for the first time since 1953. It isn't all bad news though. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 27 home league games and are also without a loss in their last 13 home league games played against the reigning champions. Roberto Firmino is certainly one to back for anytime scorer having bagged 6 goals in his last 5 league appearances.

Manchester City know that come kick-off they could well be 4 points adrift of top spot or they could have a chance to leapfrog Arsenal and take top spot. Whatever is needed, Pep Guardiola will want to win this one. The Citizens are currently 2nd in the table but remain the only team with an undefeated record in the top flight of English football right now. Their unbeaten run now stretches to 21 league games going back into last season and it's also just 1 loss from their last 37 league matches. It's been 3 league wins in a row with the team scoring 13 goals during that period. The team are enjoying a club record run of 22 away league matches without defeat. The team have also achieved the feat of scoring 4 or more goals in 5 consecutive league matches for the first time since 1963. Erling Haaland continues to be the man to back to get the goals with the Norwegian scoring 15 league goals already this season and with Kevin De Bruyne bagging 9 assists it's clear that this partnership is absolutely destroying the top flight. However, the one man who might go under the radar for anytime scorer is Phil Foden. The England international has scored in his last 3 league appearances so it could well be worth picking him to get a goal in this game.

It's surprising to read that Manchester City have only managed to win in 2 of their last 25 away league games against Liverpool. Klopp also has 10 wins to Guardiola's 8 in this fixture so the German does have the psychological upper hand. Liverpool have already beaten City this season with the 3-1 win in the FA Community Shield so I get why people are backing Liverpool to pull off a shock win or a draw. I just feel Manchester City are such a threat this season and look the real deal. Liverpool continue to have their defensive worries and City could really exploit that. I was tempted by the draw due to the history of this fixture but I'm going to stick my neck out and back City to win. I still feel the Klopp era could slowly being dying a death.

Manchester City to Win @ 1.95 with VBet

Anytime Scorer: Phil Foden @ 4.00 with Bet365

[allthethings]

Value POD is Liverpool X, 4.25 @ Bovada. And I'm on it.