Premier League preview: Saturday’s action including Man City vs Leicester
Aston Villa vs Newcastle
This is a proper tussle; Villa are unbeaten in seven, winning six of those games, while Newcastle have strung five wins of their own together.
The Magpies have scored at least two goals in each of those victories; Villa have nine goals from their last four games.
So while the end result here remains an enigma, the goals could continue. Either that, or the two sides will cancel each other out to bring us the most boring game of the weekend. But let’s go with the former theory instead.
Over 2.5 goals is a 49/50 shot that would have paid off in four of Newcastle’s last five matches.
Of course, Ollie Watkins might be a creditable alternative. The Villa forward has nine goals in his last 11 games! He’s 11/5 to find the net once again in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.
Chelsea vs Brighton
After Brighton were cruelly denied a win by a number of unfortunate refereeing decisions against Tottenham, the Seagulls are due a bit of luck.
As Brighton face the club that have poached their players and managerial figures alike – how’s that working out? – Roberto De Zerbi’s side look to put last week’s apocalyptic injustices behind them.
They’ll have to do so without RDZ himself, who was sent off after getting understandably shirty last week. Though in fairness, the Italian was getting shirty before a ball was kicked.
Whatever, Chelsea at least have the raw talent to put in a performance to cheer the Stamford Bridge faithful. That said, they’ve won two of their last 11 league games, and any new manager bounce has so far been restricted to an increase in light-hearted moments of bonhomie during engagements with the media.
Earlier this week new-boss-same-as-the-old-boss (because he is the old boss) Frank Lampard saw his side comfortably turned over by Real Madrid in the Champions League; though Frank’s only been in charge for two games, his side have now failed to score in their last four outings.
I think it’s fair to assume Brighton have a reasonable chance here. The south coast side are 17/10 to win; based on Chelsea’s problems finding the net, you could also opt to gamble and add BTTS No to a double for a 17/5 return.
Everton vs Fulham
You’ve probably got it in your mind that Fulham are doing well this season, because, well, in the grand scheme of things they are. Tenth in the Prem, in no danger of relegation, and having recorded a memorable defeat over local rivals Chelsea this season – what’s not to like?
That said, it’s five straight losses in all comps for the Cottagers, with strugglers West Ham and Bournemouth each taking three points against the West London club in the last few weeks.
Under the circumstances, you have to fancy Everton to continue to exploit Fulham’s recent drop-off. This has got 1-0 to the hosts written all over it, and you can back that outcome in the correct score market at 6/1.
Southampton vs Crystal Palace
With Southampton scratching around for a win anywhere they can find one, they might have figured a visit from Palace might offer a comparatively rare opportunity for three points.
That was before doddering purveyor of pragmatism Roy Hodgson flung caution to the wind and reinvented himself as the hottest 75-year-old manager on the block.
There’s been admiring talk this week of Roy impassively standing on the sidelines like some zen monk, refusing to react to setbacks, nonchalantly waiting for things to click as if an apparent lack of urgency was all part of his wider plan.
In truth, it doesn’t sound that different from the way the man went to work at Watford last season, gently smiling at the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Right now, it’s getting results. Back then, it got the Hornets relegated. Yes, I suppose I am being rather churlish.
Whatever, after they beat Leeds 5-1 last week, Palace’s confidence should be through the roof. Southampton’s own sense of self-assurance is unlikely to be similarly stratospheric, even if they’ve kind of, sort of done okay just lately – the fightback against Spurs, the goalless draw with Man Utd. For all that, they’re still winless in their last five.
On the basis that Palace can build on the good feeling from the last couple of weeks, the away win is a 13/8 shot.
Tottenham vs Bournemouth
Tottenham were so very very fortunate against Brighton last week, even if Son scored a wonderful goal. Now the north London club entertain a Bournemouth side who’ve shown fight in recent weeks, even if they’re still in danger of the drop.
With Spurs erratic and the Cherries capable of an upset, the only near certainty is Harry Kane. The striker has scored five goals in four league games (and bagged another couple for England during the international break too). Even when Tottenham are toiling, Kane can’t be restrained. He is 13/5 to find the opener.
Wolves vs Brentford
They’re 13th in the table, but Julen Lopetegui’s Wolves are still just three points clear of the relegation zone. After beating Chelsea a week ago, the hosts should be bullish as they face a Brentford team that are winless in their last four.
Which isn’t to say the Bees can’t improve at Molineux. They come here having recorded two defeats on the bounce, and Thomas Frank will be keen to arrest that slump.
And in Ivan Tony, Brentford have the league’s third most proficient striker, with 18 goals so far; only Harry Kane and Erling Haaland have scored more.
Toney has scored in two of his last three away games. He also got on the scoresheet with a penalty against the Magpies last week. The 27-year-old is 17/10 to find the net on Saturday.
Man City vs Leicester
Mired in deep relegation territory, Leicester have ditched Brendan Rodgers and recruited Dean Smith to stop the drop. But with the Foxes flailing, surely a visit to the Etihad is an unlikely destination for a successful new manager bounce.
Leicester have lost seven of their last eight games. Even if Smith can instantly lift his players’ spirits, that doesn’t mean a positive result will follow. As for the opposition, Man City are on an eight-match unbeaten run which includes seven wins.
Guardiola’s team beat Bayern 3-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday, and while there’s an argument that the midweek performance may have sapped a little of the side’s energy for Saturday’s encounter, it’s still tough to see the Citizens slipping up.
It seems likelier this could be a romp for the hosts; last season City beat the Foxes 6-3 at the Etihad. More recently, the Manchester side’s last four home results read 7-0 against RB Leipzig, 6-0 against Burnley, and 4-1 against Liverpool along with the 3-0 over Bayern.
Over 4.5 goals would have paid off in three of those matches, and is a 41/20 shot this week.
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