We’re into the third week of the 2016/17 Premier League season and we’re starting to get an insight into what we can expect from all of the 20 sides. Many tipped Hull to struggle but they take on Manchester United having started their campaign with back to back victories. This is certainly their biggest challenge yet but they have shown us that they shouldn’t be written off despite facing a reinvigorated United side. Another of the promoted sides, Middlesbrough, have also shown signs they have what it takes to beat the drop and they’ll be looking to impress once again when they take on West Brom at The Hawthorns.
Elsewhere, title hopefuls Manchester City will be looking to make it three wins from three when they host West Ham. With the competition at the top of the table looking so strong this year, Guardiola has to ensure his side are winning games like this especially as the Hammers have several key players out injured. The final fixture to mention is the clash between Tottenham and Liverpool, two sides who will certainly have their eyes on a top four finish this season. With so much competition for the Champions League places this year, this is a game both sides really could do with winning so don’t expect them to settle for a draw.
Saturday 27th August 2016
Tottenham v Liverpool (12:30) – Tottenham to win (6/4 with Coral)
Both these sides had differing fortunes last weekend. Tottenham left it late to secure all three points against Crystal Palace whilst Liverpool slumped to a surprise defeat against newly promoted Burnley. Having beaten Arsenal away from home on the opening weekend, Liverpool fans can have been forgiven for expecting another three points against one of the sides tipped for the drop this season. It wasn’t to be though and on this occasion, Liverpool’s attack couldn’t compensate for their suspect defence which looks like it could be an issue for them again when they play a Spurs side bursting with attacking talent.
Despite all of Tottenham’s talent upfront, it took them 82 minutes to find the net against Crystal Palace who haven’t kept a single league clean sheet away from home in the whole of 2016. It was more a case of poor finishing rather than an inability to create chances that was Tottenham’s problem though and you feel that it’s only a matter of time before they regain their clinical touch which served them so well last season. Spurs have had trouble at home in the past against sides who defend deep in number and catch them on the break but with Liverpool likely to play more open, as they did against Arsenal, Mauricio Pochettino’s side are good value to win this match.
Hull City v Manchester United (17:30) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic to score first (14/5 with Betfair)
Before the season started many people probably had this down as a comfortable away victory. Hull, with their bare bones squad, have barely strengthened since securing promotion from the Championship and suffered the loss of their boss Steve Bruce, who had been in charge of the club since 2012. However, this wasn’t enough to prevent The Tigers claiming an against the odds victory away at the champions Leicester, followed up with another win against Swansea. They look like a side able to make life tough for United which is why odds of 8/15 are not all that tempting for an away win.
With a surprise result not looking completely out of the question here, you may be better off focusing on the first goalscorer market instead. United have opened the scoring in all of their three games this season and they look the more likely to do so again this time. Summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic has netted four times already for his new club as the Swede looks to make his mark on the Premier League. With him likely to spearhead the United attack, he looks great value to break the deadlock at the KCOM Stadium this Saturday and offers good returns if able to do so.
Sunday 28th August 2014
West Brom v Middlesbrough (13:30) – Draw (9/4 with Coral)
Home form was a problem for West Brom last season so manager Tony Pulis probably wasn’t too pleased when his side succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Everton at the Hawthorns last weekend. The Baggies won just four league matches at home last season and this record must improve this year otherwise the Welsh manager may find his position under threat. In order to make some progress, Pulis has opted for a more attacking 4-4-2 this season but so far it doesn’t look like having a huge impact and fresh faces are needed if West Brom are to push on this season.
With West Brom far from a dangerous side at the moment, Middlesbrough should be confident of snatching something from this game. From what they have shown us so far, they are able to match the rigours of the Premier League and are now as long as 9/2 (Coral) to be relegated this season. They’ve been busy in the transfer window and their new additions look like serving them well as the season progresses. Away from home, you have to feel that Middlesbrough would be fairly content with a point and given that there doesn’t seem to be a huge difference in quality between the two sides at the moment, a draw looks well on the cards.
Manchester City v West Ham (16:00) – Manchester City to win with a -1 handicap (4/5 with Betfred)
Although the 4-1 scoreline last week at the Britannia Stadium flattered City a little, it is hard to deny that they look quite the attacking force under Pep Guardiola. City saved their best football for the Ethiad Stadium last season and although they unconvincingly beat Sunderland there on the opening day of the season, it would be sensible to expect some significant improvements from them as time goes on. In addition, with Guardiola able to takes things easy in their midweek Champions League playoff second leg match, fatigue shouldn’t be a problem for them this weekend and perhaps we’ll see City near their best.
As for West Ham, injuries look like hurting their league campaign before it’s even got going. Substantial injuries to Andre Ayew, Andy Carroll (again!) and Aaron Cresswell will no doubt make life more difficult for the Hammers over the coming weeks. The only good injury news is that both Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini are expected to be fit enough to make the starting line-up. Their reintroduction will help give Slaven Bilic’s side a greater threat going forwards but without an established striker it’s hard to see them challenging City who should be able to win this game with a -1 handicap.