Premier League preview: Saturday’s action including Arsenal vs Brighton
Arsenal vs Brighton
Both these sides have started well; Arsenal saw off Villa 2-0 last week (with a little help from Ollie Watkins’ wayward finishing). And Joao Pedro scored a last-gasp goal against Man Utd to consign the Red Devils to defeat.
Can the Seagulls pull off a more audacious result in north London for this lunchtime kick-off? Brighton have a strong recent record away to the Gunners, winning three times in five league meetings since the 2019-20 season.
Whether Fabian Hurzeler’s side can take a point or more from this game, there’s a strong chance they can find a way to score at the Emirates; and five of the last six meetings in all comps between these sides have produced three or more goals.
Back BTTS Yes and over 2.5 goals in a double at 49/50.
Brentford vs Southampton
This looks a winnable game for the Bees, against competition that have lost their opening two games in this campaign without scoring a goal.
At home to Forest at the weekend, the Saints mustered just two shots all game. Brentford might not favour quite such a suffocating style of play, but Thomas Frank’s side have won their last three encounters with the Saints. Southampton failed to score in any of those games, too.
Back Brentford to win and BTTS No in a double at 43/20.
Everton vs Bournemouth
Everton have had a rough start to the season, two defeats that included a 4-0 defeat away to Tottenham last Saturday. Can Sean Dyche soothe the Toffees’ spiky supporters this weekend?
As for the opponents, it’s two 1-1 draws from the first two matches for Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth. So will the Cherries add to Everton’s woes at Goodison?
With Everton yet to register a goal, this could be a low scoring affair; Bournemouth haven’t scored more than a single goal in a match in their last six games in all comps.
With Everton also currently short on attacking threats, backing under 2.5 goals at 49/50 is one approach; or you could try BTTS No at 11/10.
Ipswich Town vs Fulham
Three games into the season, newly promoted Ipswich Town have their first crack at a winnable game. After opening defeats to Liverpool and Man City, can Kieran McKenna’s side show they have the chops to survive in the Prem, as they host Fulham?
The Cottagers secured victory against another promoted side last week, seeing off Leicester 2-1. Will Marco Silva’s side prove similarly unforgiving at Portman Road?
Emile Smith Rowe has already scored once for his new club, finding the net against Leicester last week. The former Arsenal man may well find opportunities against the Tractor Boys, too; Smith Rowe is 18/5 to find the net on Saturday.
Leicester vs Aston Villa
The Foxes earned a point in their opening game against Tottenham, but Steve Cooper’s side lost 2-1 away to Fulham last time out.
Now Leicester host one of the Premier League’s more dangerous outfits – and after failing to take anything from their meeting with Arsenal, Unai Emery’s crew will be keen to return to winning ways.
Alas, the Villans are a short price for the away win that many punters will fancy. Still, perhaps Ollie Watkins can deliver this week, after failing to find the net against Arsenal.
The striker went painfully close against the Gunners, and will be keen to open his account for the season. Watkins is 17/4 to find the opener on Saturday.
Nottingham Forest vs Wolves
Forest have failed to muster a win from their last four home games. Can they end that run as Nuno Espirito Santo welcomes his old club Wolves to the City Ground for this Saturday afternoon showdown?
Wolves have had a tough start, losing 6-2 at home to Chelsea after giving as good as they got for the first 45 minutes. Nevertheless, Gary O’Neil’s side are on a five-game losing streak in the Prem.
A trip to the City Ground could offer a good opportunity to arrest that run; but a triumphant result for either side might be wishful thinking, with the last four meetings between these sides ending in draws.
Forest’s two home games this season (in the Prem and the Carabao Cup) have each ended 1-1, and another stalemate could be on the cards on Saturday. The draw is a 13/5 shot; if you think this one will be a rerun of Forest’s last two ties, you can back the 1-1 scoreline at 21/4.
West Ham vs Man City
We’ve been told that City start the season slowly. Comfortable wins against Chelsea and Ipswich in the first two weeks suggest that might be wishful thinking.
Can West Ham possibly rock City back on their heels this week? Julen Lopetegui’s side have started reasonably well, a home loss to Villa followed by an away win against Crystal Palace.
Against City, though, the Irons’ record is not confidence-inducing. You have to go back to 2015 for the last time West Ham beat City home or away.
And City have won the last four meetings between the two sides, always by a two-goal margin or greater.
Can Lopetegui find a way to leave City stumped in this tea-time kick-off? It’s doubtful. As is often the case, there’s not a plethora of surefire bets when it comes to City, but perhaps backing the visitors to win, over 2.5 goals and Haaland to score in a treble at 27/20 is worth a look.
Haaland has four goals in two games; five of City’s last six matches with West Ham have produced three or more goals.
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