Premier League preview: a look ahead to Saturday’s action
Newcastle vs West Ham
Newcastle are looking to build on a win against Wolves last time they played at St James’ Park – their first home victory in five attempts.
West Ham are unbeaten in their last three in all comps, but the Irons’ record against Newcastle isn’t great, winning just one of their last nine league meetings. The reverse fixture in October ended in a 2-2 draw.
The hosts will be without the injured defender Sven Botman and goalkeeper Nick Pope, while striker Callum Wilson is also crocked with a muscle injury.
Despite their difficulties, Eddie Howe’s side have still been finding the net, scoring at least twice in each of their last four home matches.
West Ham aren’t necessarily renowned for racking up the goals under David Moyes, but they did put three past Everton in their last away game in the Prem. And Newcastle have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 league games.
West Ham or the Draw in the Double Chance market is available at 23/25.
Bournemouth vs Everton
Before the international break Bournemouth enjoyed a barmy victory over Luton, winning 4-3 despite having trailed 3-0 at half-time to the Hatters.
That’s the Cherries first home win since Boxing Day, though. Are Andoni Iraola’s side rediscovering the swagger they displayed (briefly) towards the end of last year? Or are Luton just a great team to come up against when you want to restore some optimism?
Either way, Everton have woes of their own, going without a league win since mid-December. Does that mean Bournemouth can pick up where they left off on Saturday afternoon?
Back in October, Everton won the reverse fixture 3-0. But goals have been tougher to come by in recent weeks. Across eight league games in 2024 the Merseyside team have only scored five goals; just one of those came on the road.
It could be worth backing the hosts to win then. Bournemouth are 11/10 to take the victory.
Chelsea vs Burnley
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are unbeaten in their last four league games, and have won five of their last six league games at Stamford Bridge too.
As for Burnley, they signed off for the international break with very faint cause for optimism, having earned a 2-1 win against Brentford last time out.
That’s only the Clarets’ fourth league win of the season, however; and Vincent Kompany’s side have lost four of their last five away games in the Prem.
The Blues still often look capable of a blunder. But it’s likely that this match will run to form; unsurprisingly, Chelsea are heavily odds on to take the victory.
Looking elsewhere for a bet, perhaps it could be worth backing BTTS at 4/5; Burnley have scored in six of their last seven away games in the Prem, finding the net against sides like Liverpool and Man City in that run. You could bolster the price by backing Chelsea to win and BTTS in a double at 6/4.
Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace
Forest had to settle for a point against Luton before the international break, despite leading until the 89th minute after Chris Wood scored in the first half. Can Forest earn a much-needed win against Palace to potentially move outside the drop zone?
There’s been a lack of fireworks in recent encounters between these two sides; it ended goalless at Selhurst Park earlier this season, and 1-1 when Palace hosted Forest in the previous campaign. At the City Ground, Forest won that season’s encounter 1-0.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side’s last four games in all comps have seen a total of five goals scored – and only one of those by Forest. Is the coach’s job already under pressure? There’s been stories this week that former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has already been offered the chance to replace Nuno – and has turned down the opportunity.
Is Oliver Glasner having a better time of it since arriving at Palace? The Austrian won his opening match against Burnley 3-0, but like Forest, last time out his side drew 1-1 with Luton.
Aside from the three goals they scored against the Clarets (and Burnley had a man sent off in that match), Palace have scored a goal a game in recent matches against Luton, Spurs, Everton, Chelsea and Brighton.
It all points to this game being low scoring, and under 2.5 is a 10/13 shot. If you want to bet on the result, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Palace edge out the hosts, and the Eagles are 47/20 to win.
Sheffield United vs Fulham
Sure, you know they’re bottom of the Prem – but you may have forgotten just how bad it’s got for Sheffield United.
In their last four home games, Chris Wilder’s side have conceded 21 goals. In their last three at Bramall Lane, they haven’t scored a single goal, either.
Similarly, you may be startled to see just how well Fulham are doing right now. The west London side can be unpredictable, but their current form is very decent – three wins in four games over Spurs, Brighton and Man Utd!
Let’s hope the Cottagers don’t have one of their occasional off-days, because surely we’ve got to take on the hosts here; combine Fulham to win and BTTS score NO in a double at 15/8.
Spurs vs Luton
Luton have made something of a habit of giving their all to games – and not getting much back in return.
The 4-3 defeat to Bournemouth must have been a hammer blow for Rob Edwards; but Luton also fought back against Villa only to lose at the death 3-2, having taken a point from that almighty 4-4 draw against Newcastle back in February.
This looks for all the world like a game that the Hatters can contribute to, taking on a Spurs team that will probably offer plenty of opportunities to score. Yet with the visitors winless in eight, and Spurs generally reliable at home, it’s hard to see any other outcome besides Tottenham emerging with the three points.
Combine Spurs to win and BTTS in a double at Evens – or, you could try backing over 4.5 goals at 29/20. Four of Luton’s last six away games in the Prem have featured at least five goals.
Aston Villa vs Wolves
Unai Emery’s side have lost three of their last four home games, and were turned over 4-0 by Tottenham during their last game at Villa Park.
For all that, the Villans remain fourth in the league table – can they keep ahead of the pursuing Tottenham by seeing off Wolves on Saturday?
Gary O’Neill might be able to pull off an upset; he did just that in recent trips to west and north London, after all.
Since February, Wolves have beaten Chelsea 4-2 and Spurs 2-1 on the road; they also beat Fulham 2-1 at home before the international break, and could well frustrate the hosts on Saturday.
History is on the visitors’ side too; Villa have failed to win any of their last six league meetings with Wolves.
Backing Wolves or the draw in the Double Chance market at 5/4 could be worth a try.
Brentford vs Man Utd
Thomas Frank is being considered as a replacement for Erik ten Hag, according to the rumour mill. Yet while Frank has undoubtedly done a fine job with Brentford over the years, he’s not exactly having a season to savour.
The Bees have mustered one league win in their last nine outings. They did famously beat Man Utd 4-0 in this fixture last season, but United have won the other four Prem meetings between the two sides.
The Red Devils aren’t the most consistent team around, but they’ve won three of their last four away games in the League – the exception came in a 3-1 defeat to Man City.
The collective mood around United should be fairly upbeat too, with the side having knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup just prior to the international break. The away win at 6/5 looks a very decent possibility then.
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