Premier League preview: Saturday’s action including Man City vs Chelsea
Brentford vs Liverpool
Brentford won 3-1 last time Liverpool visited the Gtech; the season before that, the Bees earned a 3-3 draw against Jurgen Klopp’s side. Could the Reds come unstuck against Tommy Frank’s gutsy upstarts this week?
Brentford have been less competitive for much of this season, for fairly obvious reasons. But there’s been an upturn in quality since Ivan Toney resumed duties. Brentford went to Molineux and beat Wolves last time – so can they leave Liverpool reeling in the early kick-off?
The Bees have scored in their last nine matches in all comps, so BTTS looks likely, albeit not especially tempting at the odds-on price. Maybe it’s better to rely on that man Toney once again; he is 31/20 to find the net.
Burnley vs Arsenal
Burnley’s search for a win in 2024 continues; surely these Clarets can’t find their fizz as they welcome Arsenal to Turf Moor?
Fresh from bursting West Ham’s bubble last week, the Gunners look to add to a four-game winning run that also includes a 3-1 win over Liverpool. Mikel Arteta’s side are hot right now – meanwhile, Burnley have won just a single home game to date in this Prem campaign.
In recent weeks though, at least Vincent Kompany’s side has shown faint improvement, drawing their last two home fixtures. Those results came against Luton and Fulham, though; it’s fair to say Arsenal should pose a greater threat.
With supporters’ confidence in Arsenal soaring to stratospheric new levels, it’s surely only a matter of time before City, or Liverpool, or perhaps even Sheffield United bring the fans crashing back down to earth. For now though, Arsenal look unbeatable – but the odds reflect that. Gah.
Instead, back Leandro Trossard to score for the visitors; he’s found the net in three of Arsenal’s last four games. Trossard is 9/5 to do so once again on Saturday.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Villa have suffered a few defeats in recent weeks. It’s hard to say whether Fulham offers an opportunity for Unai Emery’s side to get back on track – or stumble into further strife.
The Cottagers have looked pretty mediocre recently, yet they handily beat Bournemouth 3-1 at the weekend, and do seem capable of nabbing solid wins when the mood takes them.
Little is certain with either of these sides, even if Villa did win the reverse fixture 3-1. But Ollie Watkins could be crucial for the visitors; he remains Villa’s greatest goal threat, and four of his last five goals have come on the road. Watkins is 7/5 to score.
Newcastle vs Bournemouth
The Magpies seem to have put a recent dodgy patch behind them – though they’re hardly bullet-proof, even at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe saw his team draw 4-4 with Luton in their last home game, and each of Newcastle’s last six outings in the Prem have featured four or more goals.
With Eddie’s former club Bournemouth also capable of a flurry of goalmouth activity too, backing over 3.5 goals at 6/5 looks a reasonable approach – even if two obvious sources of goals for Newcastle are missing, with Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak both injured.
If that puts you off the overs bet, backing Dominic Solanke to score is a good alternative; he has 13 goals in 23 appearances for the Cherries this season, and is 31/20 to find the net.
Nottingham Forest vs West Ham
With each of these teams in need of a positive result, can either side rouse themselves from their current torpor?
Forest have lost three of their last four league games; West Ham are winless in five, have lost their last two without scoring, and were turned over 6-0 at home by Arsenal last time out.
The Irons have just three goals from their last five league matches; Forest have been livelier, but last time they hosted the Irons it ended 1-0 (to the Tricky Trees). This could be another low scoring affair; under 2.5 goals is a 23/25 shot.
Spurs vs Wolves
Tottenham might have slipped up on a few occasions this season, but their home form is pretty persuasive. Ange Postecoglou’s side have won six of their last seven matches at the Tottenham Stadium, and are big favourites to win this encounter.
Then again, Wolves have won three of their last four league games against Spurs. Gary O’Neil’s side are also unbeaten in their last three away games, winning against Chelsea and Brentford and drawing with Brighton.
Less happily for the Old Gold, Wolves did lose at home to the Bees last time out. And the visitors are without the injured Matheus Cunha, who has scored nine times for Wolves this season; his absence will be a big miss.
Son Heung-Min to score for Spurs looks a pretty good bet, with the South Korean presumably playing from the start here. Son is 3/1 to bag the opener.
Man City vs Chelsea
Man City games often feel like foregone conclusions; in Spinal Tap terms, this one goes up to 11. It’s like, how much more foregone could this be?
EXCEPT – the current Chelsea might be fairly mediocre compared to their glory days, but they did hold Man City to a 4-4 draw back in November. Never mind the Blues then went on to lose three of their next four games.
Chelsea may be discovering just a touch of their own swagger too, having won their last two matches – even if they left it late to secure the win against Crystal Palace last time out.
Still, Pochettino’s side looked good against Aston Villa in the FA Cup; if the West London side can reproduce that will to win at the Etihad, is there any chance Pep Guardiola’s current six-match winning streak in the Prem can be halted?
Eh, probably not. City are basically full strength now, with Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland each adding their considerable skills into the mix, while the rest of the team are hardly slacking off.
With Chelsea conceding four against both Liverpool and Wolves a few weeks ago, this could be another chaotic encounter with plenty of opportunity for goals; you can back over 3.5 at 57/50.
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