Last weekend’s action proved to be an exciting end to September, with Manchester City losing their place at the top of the table to local rivals United. We saw a total of 41 goals around the league, showing just how open this season has been. There will be a couple of sides looking to get back on track after last week, and they’ll be aiming to do that before the international break kicks in.
Ahead of that break, we have a massive line up of big games to look forward to. We’ll certainly have a lot to look back on in the empty days before the internationals get under way, with two huge clashes on Sunday. First off we have the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, before league leaders United head to Arsenal. Ahead of those games, we have previews of every live game coming this weekend, with a betting tip for each.
Saturday October 3rd 2015
Crystal Palace v West Brom (12:45) – Under 1.5 goals (2/1 with Coral)
The opening game of the weekend won’t compete with Sky’s offering, but Monday night’s game showed us that West Brom are capable of playing their part in exciting contests. They probably would have preferred a more boring encounter, after they lost a 2-0 lead to go down 3-2 against Everton. They have yet to concede a goal on the road this term, and they’ll be hoping to keep up that record at Palace. But, will they find a way to keep out the Eagles’ wicked wingers?
Palace haven’t found things that easy in front of goal lately, they’ve scored just once in their last three. Their win at Watford last week was a great return to form, and now they’ll be looking to continue that against the Baggies. West Brom won’t let Palace use the counter attacking style that they love: expect Tony Pulis to have his team sitting deep, closing out space. Given how both of these sides aren’t scoring too many, but look solid at the back, we’re backing against goals here. Under 2.5 is priced pretty short, but we like the look of under 1.5, at 2/1 with Coral.
Chelsea v Southampton (17:30) – Over 2.5 goals (10/11 with Coral)
Chelsea are scarily close to the relegation zone after their awful start, and they’ll be looking to get a few more points on the board against Southampton this weekend. The Saints are actually above the champions after their win over Swansea last week, and they’ll be hoping to get a result like their draw here last term. Given how the hosts have been playing this season, it’s hard to see any side coming here with too much fear.
But, the problem for Southampton is that they haven’t got a great away record. They’ve failed to win any of their last 10 games on the road in the league in fact – can they really turn that around this weekend? They will certainly come here looking to attack, as they have the firepower up front to worry this shaky Chelsea defence. They should really test the Blues’ back line, but it’s hard to see them leaving with anything. But, with both sides more than capable of getting on the scoresheet here, we’re backing over 2.5 goals, with Chelsea’s problems at the back continuing.
Sunday 4th October 2015
Everton v Liverpool (13:30) – Everton to win (17/10 with Coral)
Sunday’s double header is the biggest of the season so far, giving us two bitter rivalries. First up is Everton against Liverpool, with Brendan Rodgers taking his team in under all kinds of pressure. He knows that a defeat in this game could prove to be the result that turns the majority of Anfield against him, and he’d face a difficult road back from there. But, with nothing really going his way, is there any chance that he can come away from Goodison with all three points?
The Toffees’ support will be buoyed by that turnaround against West Brom, to the point that the atmosphere will be deafening inside the stadium on Sunday. We saw Everton blow away Chelsea here earlier in the campaign, and they’re capable of doing the same to the Reds. Liverpool’s problems at the back saw them conceding twice to Aston Villa in their last game, and that’s something the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley can take advantage of. Despite their form and home advantage, Everton are priced at generous odds coming into this game. We think they’re a great price, and we’re backing them to get the win on Sunday.
Arsenal v Manchester United (16:00) – United to win and both teams to score (6/1 with BetVictor)
Manchester City could well have taken back the lead at the top of the Premier League by this stage of the weekend, but this does have all the makings of a title clash. Arsenal will be up for this game against their old rivals, but can they actually produce a performance in one of these massive games? They’ve already lost to Chelsea, and their home displays so far this term haven’t been that great. A defeat to West Ham and a draw with Liverpool both came with poor displays and they can’t afford to do the same here.
United actually have a very good record against the Gunners, having lost here just once in their last nine visits. They pulled off a 2-1 win last season, and given that they’ve conceded six in their last three away games, we see them letting a few in here. Despite that, their record against Arsenal, and Arsene Wenger’s recent record in big games, point to a victory for the Red Devils. BetVictor are currently offering 6/1 on a win for Louis van Gaal’s men and both teams to score, which seems like huge odds. That’s our pick for this one, which could lead to a huge profit and top off a great day of football very nicely indeed.