Premier League preview: Saturday’s action including Leicester vs Arsenal
Leicester vs Arsenal
Leicester have lost each of their last four home games in the Prem by at least two goals, and without scoring a single goal in that run. In fact, they’ve lost eight of their last nine league games – the exception was an away win against troubled Tottenham.
The Gunners are unlikely to spurn this opportunity for a relatively stress-free three points, you’d think. That’s even with the unwelcome news that Kai Havertz suffered an injury during the break in Dubai that has likely ruled him out for the season.
And likely ended Arsenal’s chances of winning the title race? Even if Havertz isn’t the most reliable of strikers, it’s bleak news for the north London team.
Despite that setback though, Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten since November in the league, and remain huge favourites to win this lunchtime kick-off. Kai might be kaput, but the visitors can surely still win this match.
With the hosts’ troubles finding the net, the obvious way to give yourself a better price is by backing Arsenal to win to nil – which is a 10/11 shot. In each of their last couple of visits to the King Power, Arsenal have won without conceding. This could well be another match where the Ruud van Nistelrooy’s team struggle to get on the scoresheet.
Aston Villa vs Ipswich Town
Unbeaten at Villa Park in the Prem since August, Unai Emery’s side probably have little to fear from Ipswich.
The Tractor Boys have shown occasional hints that they may be able to compete at this level, but for the most part they’ve failed to convince. Last time out, Kieran McKenna’s side even suffered the ignominy of losing at home to Southampton, who are the only team below Ipswich in the league table.
Back to this match; the reverse fixture ended 2-2 in September, but the visitors are on a four-match losing streak. The Villans will be disappointed if they’re unable to extend that run.
Perhaps Marcus Rashford will seize the opportunity to get off the mark with a goal for his new team here; the on-loan Man Utd striker is 9/5 to find the net for Villa.
Fulham vs Nottingham Forest
Fulham have looked pretty formidable at times this season. Now they host a Forest side they’ve already beaten once in this campaign.
But since that 1-0 away win in September, Forest have defied all expectations to climb to third place in the league table. Can the Cottagers put the kibosh on Nuno’s merry men, or is this revenge time for the visitors?
Forest have gone from the ridiculous to the sublime in the Prem in recent weeks, a 5-0 defeat away to Bournemouth quickly followed by a stunning 7-0 home victory over Brighton.
But even away from the City Ground, the Tricky Trees have generally been decent on the road, enjoying a run of four away game wins immediately before that heavy loss to the Cherries.
Still, if Fulham are good enough to beat Newcastle home and away this season, they may well be able to pose problems for Forest. All of which makes this one a little challenging to call.
Forest’s recent away games suggest backing BTTS No at 9/10 is a decent flutter though; in their last seven league games on the road, that bet has come in six times.
Man City vs Newcastle
From looking like a mystifyingly easy team to beat earlier in the season, City have improved to some extent.
Yet their inability to hang onto a lead was on full display as they lost 3-2 to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday. Will Pep Guardiola’s side offer greater tenacity against the Magpies?
City’s last league outing, lest we forget, was the 5-1 shoeing away to Arsenal. So Guardiola’s side could do with a decent result to move on from that indignity.
Newcastle haven’t had City’s number very often in recent years. But Eddie Howe’s team currently look more than capable of taking advantage of any slip-ups.
The encounter at St James’ Park back in September ended 1-1, but Newcastle are currently on a run where they’ve won seven of their last nine league games. That’s thanks in no small part to Alexander Isak, who has 17 goals in this league campaign.
The Swede may inspire further woe at the Etihad on Saturday. Isak is 31/20 to find the net; otherwise, you could simply back Newcastle to win at 29/10.
Southampton vs Bournemouth
Last time out, Southampton earned just their second league win of the season. Can they build on that away victory against Ipswich with a strong showing against their south coast neighbours?
Home advantage may not be much of an advantage; the Saints have lost their last six league games at St Mary’s.
And Bournemouth are undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. Yes, they lost last time out against Liverpool, but had enjoyed an 11-game unbeaten streak before that. In all likelihood, you’d imagine the visitors will get the job done – but the odds reflect that probable outcome.
Better, possibly, to back Justin Kluivert to continue his impressive form of late. The Dutchman has six goals in his last five league games, including a hat-trick away against Newcastle; Kluivert is 31/20 to find the net on Saturday.
West Ham vs Brentford
It’s not been a phenomenal start to Graham Potter’s reign at West Ham. The Irons have won just one of their four league fixtures since Potter’s arrival last month. That run included a 2-0 loss at home to Crystal Palace; can the hosts make a better fist of it against Brentford on Saturday?
The Bees aren’t known for a fearsome record away from home. That said, Thomas Frank’s side have actually won their last two away games, seeing off both Crystal Palace and Southampton.
In the previous campaign, West Ham romped to a 4-2 victory in this fixture. When the two sides met earlier this season, the game ended in a less pulsating 1-1.
Maybe this encounter will be more reminiscent of the former than the latter. And perhaps Evan Ferguson, on loan from Brighton, will enjoy a few chances under his former coach.
Ferguson emerged in impressive style a couple of years ago. That said, he’s only managed two goals for the Seagulls since November 2023. On that basis it’s probably best to see how he settles in with the Irons before taking a punt on him to find the net.
Jarrod Bowen certainly relishes facing this opposition, though. Bowen has five goals in previous meetings with the Bees. In the here-and-now, the 28-year-old has two goals in his last three matches too. Bowen is 19/10 to score.
Crystal Palace vs Everton
Palace have won five of their last six in all competitions. Winning at Old Trafford isn’t quite the scalp it used to be, but winning 2-0 last time out away to Manchester United is not to be sniffed at either.
The Eagles are enjoying life again under Oliver Glasner. But David Moyes has returned to former club Everton in positive fashion too. James Tarkowski’s last-gasp goal against Liverpool gave the Toffees plenty to crow about midweek.
That draw in the Merseyside derby was preceded by wins against Spurs, Brighton and Leicester. Everton have cause to be confident, then. But perhaps there will be a drop-off here after the draining efforts of Wednesday night.
The hosts should probably should edge this one; Palace are 17/20 to take the win.
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