Claude Puel got off to a winning start as the new man in charge at Leicester and the Frenchman will no doubt be looking to push on from this. For his next test he faces a Stoke side who are in desperate need of some consistency. Unlike Leicester, West Ham are yet to fire their manager this season but Slaven Bilic is a man very much under pressure. The Croatian boss is the bookies’ favourite to get the sack next but a victory over Liverpool on Saturday may change this.
On Sunday there are some several high profile matches to enjoy beginning with a London derby between Tottenham and rock bottom Crystal Palace. Shortly after the focus turns to Manchester City versus Arsenal as the Citizens look to preserve their comfortable gap at the top of the table. It is rivals Man United who are closest to Pep Guardiola’s men and the Red Devils face a difficult test against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Saturday 4th November 2017
Stoke v Leicester (12:30) – Draw (12/5 with Betfair)
A rare Darren Fletcher goal was the difference in Stoke’s last game against Watford and the Potters faithful will be hoping this can mark the start of a good patch of form. Although only Crystal Palace (21) have conceded more than Stoke (20) this season, it’s important to remember that more than a third of goals came in one game against Man City. The Potters’ back five had plenty about them when not allowing Watford a single shot on goal last weekend and it looks like tight performances like this can become more regular feature.
As for Leicester, they too claimed a clean sheet while clinching all the three points in their last league encounter. Beating such an out of form Everton side 2-0 can’t count for too much but there were positives to pick out of the Foxes’ performance. It was a very comfortable debut for Claude Puel who will ensure his side remain solid at the back again. This could well end up being a closely fought battle between two sides who have drawn the last two times they’ve met at the Britannia Stadium and it’s worth backing them to make it three.
West Ham v Liverpool (17:30) – Liverpool to win (11/4 with Bet365)
West Ham came close to mustering the perfect week last week. Having beaten rivals Tottenham 3-2 in the League Cup, fighting back from two goals down, they then found themselves leading away against Crystal Palace. In rather unbelievable fashion however, the Hammers gifted Palace an equaliser deep into injury time. A glum post-match interview from Joe Hart summed up the mood in the West Ham dressing room and it could be that this late goal has rather big consequences.
The stalemate against Palace leaves Slaven Bilic with just two league victories this season and you shouldn’t fancy this number to grow this weekend. Liverpool relished their last trip to the London Stadium, thrashing the Hammers 4-0. Even without Sadio Mane, we know how good Liverpool can be going forwards and they face a defence that could be without four senior defenders. It’s a cruel time for Bilic to suffer so many absences but it’s one that helps make this game an easier one to call.
Sunday 5th November 2017
Tottenham v Crystal Palace (12:00) – Tottenham to win by one goal (3/5 with BetVictor)
Roy Hodgson has faced two London derbies as Palace manager, the surprise 2-1 win over Chelsea and 2-2 draw with West Ham last weekend. The draw with West Ham required a rather large degree of luck but this is something they didn’t get during a rather undeserved 1-0 defeat to Newcastle a week earlier. The Eagles are definitely still strong relegation candidates but there does seem to be more hope for them under Hodgson than under Frank de Boer.
You do feel though that Palace are rather light upfront with both Benteke and Wickham out injured. Up against such a strong Tottenham defence, carving out opportunities will be tricky. Their best bet will be to sit back and try and frustrate Spurs like much like Swansea did during their 0-0 draw. Mauricio Pochettino’s side can struggle to break down a stubborn side who sits deep in their own half and his players may be forced to grind out a less than pretty win here.
Man City v Arsenal (14:15) – Man City to win (6/5 with BetVictor)
Arsenal have been winning their fair share of matches of late but it’s fair to say they are not playing at their best. Their recent 2-1 victory over lowly Swansea is not the type of result that will give City too much cause for concern here. Admittedly, the Gunners did beat Everton in some style 5-2 but away from home they are often quite suspect. The win at Goodison Park was the first on the road this season and this is not a good stat ahead of such a big game.
You might look towards Arsenal’s 0-0 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge though and think they are capable of getting something here. This City attack is operating on a higher level than Chelsea’s however and the likes of Aguero, De Bruyne, Sane, Sterling and Gabriel Jesus should have few problems against the Gunners rearguard.
The Citizens have racked up an incredible 35 league goals this season and they face a defence that has conceded a far from impressive 13. The Gunners have had the better of this fixture the past few years but things have changed so drastically in Manchester that Guardiola’s side must be backed to win.
Chelsea v Man United (16:30) – Under 2.5 goals (6/5 with BetVictor)
Jose Mourinho’s two trips to his former home last season were not pleasant ones. On both occasions his United side lost and once in very humiliating fashion. The Portuguese boss will be determined to get something from this game although his recent tactic in big matches would suggest he will settle for a point. The Red Devils boss lined up defensively against Liverpool and Tottenham, not conceding a goal in either game. Defending is something the Portuguese manager has almost perfected and his side now boast 11 clean sheets across all competitions.
Antonio Conte will know he will be facing somewhat of a wall when United come to visit and his players may need a moment of magic if they are to find the back of the net here. While they have been scoring quite freely this season, goals in the big games haven’t come as easily. The Blues fired blank against Man City and Arsenal so it’s not hard to see their attack being blunted here. Although it’s still likely to be an entertaining affair, don’t expect it to be a high scoring one.