Premier League preview: Saturday’s action including Liverpool vs Arsenal

West Ham vs Man Utd

West Ham suffered a dispiriting 5-1 defeat to Liverpool in the League Cup earlier this week. But the Irons have generally been in reasonable form recently, a head-scratching 5-0 defeat to Fulham aside.

So can David Moyes’ side withstand a visit from Man Utd? They might have earned an unexpected point from the trip to Anfield, but it’s not like everything’s hunky-dory with the Red Devils.

Erik ten Hag’s team have failed to find the net in their last three matches across all competitions. Can they score at the London Stadium for this lunchtime kick-off?

Former United boss David Moyes has generally had an unimpressive record against the Prem’s bigger names, though his side did win this fixture towards the tail end of last season.

Perhaps Mohammed Kudus is the man to find the net for the hosts. Kudus has three goals in his last two appearances, and there’s also some satisfying potential narrative to be found here about Ten Hag having brought the wrong Ajax players to Man Utd. Kudus is 23/10 to find the net at any time.

Fulham vs Burnley

Marco Silva’s side have been delighting the fans lately, with back-to-back 5-0 wins and just this week, a penalty shootout victory over Everton that’s taken them to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

A visit from Burnley is unlikely to give the Cottagers much cause for concern, then. Vincent Kompany’s side may have enjoyed a 5-0 win of their own earlier this month, but it hasn’t led to a transformation in the team’s fortunes.

The Clarets have lost two of their last three since then, and you’d think only complacency from the home side can prevent another defeat for Burnley on Saturday.

Fulham probably won’t rack up another 5-0, but with the visitors mired in the drop zone Silva will be decidedly lacking in festive cheer if his side don’t take the win. Combine Fulham to win and BTTS No in a double at 9/5.

Luton vs Newcastle

Luton gave both Arsenal and Man City a tough time of it on their recent trips to Kenilworth Road. But no matter how committed the Hatters were on those occasions, they still ended up losing both of those encounters.

Can Rob Edwards see his side earn more than praise as they take on Newcastle? The Magpies may be feeling a touch melancholy right now, having exited the Champions League and the League Cup in the past fortnight.

Newcastle were dumped out of the Cup in a penalty shootout against Chelsea earlier this week, despite Eddie Howe’s side leading in stoppage time. Will the Mags be able to pick themselves up for this one?

There’s been talk in some quarters that Eddie Howe is under renewed pressure after a difficult few weeks – and there’s even been talk that Jose Mourinho has been linked with a move to St James’ Park.

Who knows if there’s anything in it, but if Newcastle drop a clanger here, it could be a less than merry Christmas for fast Eddie. The Mags haven’t won an away game in their last six attempts in all comps, either.

Luton or Draw Double chance is a 5/4 shot; if you prefer not to muck about, you could get stuck into the hosts winning at 4/1…

Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth

Forest must adjust to life under their new manager with a visit from Bournemouth. So can Nuno get supporters on side quickly, after Steve Cooper was sacked this week?

However highly regarded Cooper is – both by Forest fans and beyond – it’s been a sorry season for the Tricky Trees, with just three wins thus far. Forest have also lost five of their last six matches; can that slump be arrested at the City Ground on Saturday?

The Cherries might seem like the sort of team Forest should be able to go toe-to-toe with. But Bournemouth have won four of their last five games, Andoni Iraola’s side clicking after a start to the season that might have seen the Spaniard going the same way as Cooper.

Bournemouth have also won their last three away games – including most recently, a 3-0 victory over Man Utd. Forest’s new manager may struggle to steer his side to victory in his opening fixture.

Back Bournemouth to win at 6/4.

Spurs vs Everton

Both these sides are in good nick currently; will Tottenham’s irrepressible Ange-ball overcome Sean Dyche’s resolute Evertonian no-how?

The Toffees were knocked out of the League Cup by Fulham on pens midweek, but before that Dyche’s side had won four Premier League games on the bounce – without conceding a single goal. Ten-point penalty? Pah!

Still, as good as Everton have been, can they keep this Tottenham team at bay in north London? That might be beyond even the red-headed Mourinho’s capabilities.

Richarlison has scored three in his last two, and may well be able to find the net against his old side here. Combine Spurs to win and Richarlison to score in a double at 13/5.

Liverpool vs Arsenal

Two of this season’s likelier title contenders tussle in the standout match of the day. And the Reds made up for the disappointment of that 0-0 against Man United with a thrilling 5-1 against West Ham in the League Cup earlier this week.

Not thrilling enough to excite the Liverpool fans, admittedly, who Klopp had a bit of a pop at for the lack of atmosphere. But perhaps that’s an act of genius from the Liverpool manager, ensuring Anfield is properly fired up for this visit from the Gunners.

Arsenal have lost away games to Aston Villa and Newcastle in the last few months, and the Gunners haven’t won at Anfield since 2012. Can they buck that trend for this teatime kick-off?

Buggered if I know. History says it’s unlikely, and Arsenal’s recent away defeats perhaps suggest another home win – but both those losses to Villa and the Mags were pretty tight affairs. Low on goals too – which this one may not be.

With Liverpool generally scoring plenty at home in recent weeks, Man Utd aside, there’s a decent chance there could be a few goals here from both sides. Both last season’s meetings between these teams saw four or more goals scored; so backing over 3.5 at 33/20 this week could be the way to go.

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