Only four rounds into this Premier League season and we’ve already seen our first managerial casualty, Frank de Boer. The Dutchman lasted just 77 days as Palace boss and his likely replacement, ex-England manager Roy Hodgson, could be set to face Southampton in his first game in charge of the Londoners. Palace aren’t the only side in action in the capital on Saturday, as Tottenham host Swansea at Wembley. Spurs have already dropped more points at Wembley than they did at White Hart Lane last season so improvements are rapidly needed at their temporary home.
Moving onto Sunday and there’s a game many neutrals will be looking forward to, Chelsea versus Arsenal. There has often been no shortage of entertainment when these two sides have met and we could be in for another cracker at Stamford Bridge this time around. Table toppers Man United are the team to finish off the weekend’s action and the visit of Everton awaits them. The Toffees were easily brushed to one side against Spurs last weekend and Ronald Koeman will be expecting a big response from his men at the Theatre of Dreams.
Saturday 16th September 2017
Crystal Palace v Southampton (12:30) – Under 2.5 goals (7/10 with BetVictor)
A good performance from Palace in their 1-0 defeat to Burnley was not enough to save Frank de Boer who survived just four Premier League games. The Dutchman was trying to introduce a new style of football at Selhurst Park but it just didn’t work out. A new manager during the season can often give players a lift so despite their zero point tally so far, Palace could get off the mark with a fresh face at the helm – assuming Hodgson is brought in rapidly.
As for Southampton, they have been collecting points unlike their opponents but goals have been rather hard to come by. In their five matches all in all competitions this season they have blanked on four occasions. A lack of goals was an issue for the Saints last term and they may struggle against a Palace defence that looks so much stronger with summer signing Mamadou Sakho. With neither team looking all too dangerous in front of the net at the moment, this one should be a low scoring affair.
Tottenham v Swansea (17:30) – Tottenham to win with a -1 handicap (4/6 with Betfair)
Tottenham returned from the international break with a vintage performance away at Everton which saw them triumph 3-0. If they are able to transfer the confidence they played with that day to Wembley then Swansea will simply be no match for them. There is usually an air of nervousness around Wembley whenever Tottenham play there but that feeling of uncertainty could well change here. Harry Kane has finally gotten off the mark and this should act as a catalyst for more goals, plus new boy Davidson Sanchez looks to be a composed addition to the back line.
Swansea didn’t fare so well themselves last week, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to newly promoted Newcastle. Although two wins and a draw on the road this season suggests a positive response is possible, Tottenham are likely to be too strong now they seemed to have regained their confidence. Paul Clement’s side have lost 10 of their last 11 games against the north Londoners and with a record like this you’d be wise to back Tottenham to pick up their first Wembley win of the season. Once the hosts get their first goal, more should follow so back them with a -1 handicap for increased odds.
Sunday 17th September 2017
Chelsea v Arsenal (13:30) – Chelsea to win (17/20 with BetVictor)
At Stamford Bridge this has become somewhat of a one-sided London derby in recent years. The Gunners have lost all five of their last trips to Chelsea’s home and it’s unlikely they will be feeling over confident stepping onto the west London turf here. Arsenal faced one of England’s top sides last month and it saw them battered 4-0 by Liverpool, far from ideal preparation ahead of another stiff test. Although they bounced back against Bournemouth last weekend, the Liverpool clash exposed flaws that day which Antonio Conte will be keen to exploit here.
Arsene Wenger will be able to rectify some of the mistakes he made at Anfield however and he also has the services of Alexis Sanchez at his disposal now. It would be wise not to have too much optimism surrounding their chances though given their record here and also their poor record against the top sides. Last season Arsenal won just two games against the top six sides and away from home they are particularly vulnerable against stronger opposition. The Gunners don’t have the form to make you think this record will improve so a home win has to be backed.
Man United v Everton (16:00) – United to win to nil (11/10 with Coral)
Man United lost their 100% record when being held to a 2-2 draw by Stoke last weekend. Defensively the Red Devils weren’t up to their usual high standards and conceding a goal from a set piece will not have pleased Jose Mourinho. With Everton lacking a real talisman upfront though, United should have enough to deal with a Toffees attack which is far from free flowing at the moment. A clean sheet for the home side, which would be their fourth in the league this season, looks a very real possibility.
With goals likely to be hard to come by for Ronald Koeman’s men, they will have to ensure they are strong enough at the back to frustrate the United frontline. This will be far easier said than done as no side has scored more goals than the league leaders coming into this round of fixtures. Everton have shown some good resolve against weaker opponents but both Chelsea and Tottenham have given them far too much to deal with. It’s fair to assume the same will be true here given United’s talents and a home victory looks very much on the cards.