Premier League preview: Saturday’s action including Man Utd vs Everton
Manchester United vs Everton
United required last-gasp heroics from Cristiano Ronaldo to win against Villarreal in the Champions League on Wednesday – and avoid a fourth defeat in five matches. That win eased the pressure somewhat on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – but if Everton can get something here, the Norwegian’s coaching credentials will come under scrutiny once more.
A good day for the Toffees isn’t out of the question either, with Rafa Benitez’s side having been largely impressive under their new coach. Three of the last four league meetings between these teams have ended in draws, and that looks a decent prospect again this week at 16/5.
Andros Townsend has been the standout player for Everton this season, with four goals and three assists – he’s scored in both of his last two appearances, too. The 30-year-old is 27/5 to score at any time against United, and with Dominic Calvert-Lewin unlikely to be match-fit, Townsend may be Everton’s likeliest source of goals again.
Burnley vs Norwich
Sean Dyche must be eying this one as the match where his Burnley side can finally earn their first win of the season – even if Norwich are in a similar bind.
The Canaries haven’t even managed a point yet, but if Daniel Farke is angling to correct that, it’s worth remembering Burnley beat Norwich home and away last time they graced the Premier League.
With the Clarets showing a bit more life than their opposition thus far, it’s not a stretch to see the hosts winning this one. Burnley are 17/20 to take all three points. One man who should be particularly relishing this match is Chris Wood, who has scored five goals in four league starts against Norwich. Wood is Evens to score at any time here.
Chelsea vs Southampton
Chelsea have lost two on the bounce, with defeats to Man City and Juventus in the last seven days. Do Southampton offer an opportune route back to the good times for Thomas Tuchel? You’d have to think so, with Saints still seeking that elusive first win of the season.
Hasenhuttl’s side haven’t been as bad as that suggests, holding Man City and Man United to draws already. But they also lost to Wolves last week at home, and the south coast side have failed to score in their last three league outings.
Given Chelsea’s overall reliability and Southampton’s overall lack of reliability, the home win still looks pretty likely. It’s priced accordingly at 4/11, though; maybe a better option is to back Romelu Lukaku to score, even if he has gone a bit quiet lately. The Belgian is without a goal in his last four matches in all competitions, but his record against Southampton has seen him score nine goals in 12 league matches. Lukaku is 11/4 to bag the opener here.
Leeds vs Watford
Leeds’ ever more desperate hunt for a win goes on; can the Bielsa formula hit paydirt against the Hornets, or is all that running around starting to run out of steam for the eccentric Argentine coach?
The hosts will be without the injured Patrick Bamford, though Raphinha should be available for Leeds, and is 13/2 to find the opener.
For the visitors, Ismaila Sarr remains the clear dangerman – with three goals in his last two outings, the Senegal star might be Watford’s best hope again here. He is 9/1 to be the last goal scorer, as he was in each of his last two league games.
The draw is a 14/5 shot, and with Leeds’ form so far this season it wouldn’t be a shock if Watford can get a point here.
Wolves vs Newcastle
Bruno Lage scored his second league win with Wolves as his side beat Southampton at St Mary’s last week, but the Portuguese is yet to win at Molineux. Can he enjoy a home win against a Newcastle side that have been perhaps a little unlucky this season, but still haven’t managed a win?
Steve Bruce’s Magpies have earned hard-fought draws in three of their last four matches and may not be the ready victims that Wolves are hoping for here. Another draw, then? Well, the last five meetings between these sides have ended 1-1 – as have Newcastle’s last two outings in the Prem.
This one is 16/5 to end all square, 13/2 to finish with the familiar 1-1 scoreline.
Brighton vs Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s convincing win over a lacklustre Tottenham seems to have been enough to convince supporters that Arteta’s project is more than just a masterclass in aspirational, positivity-drenched management-speak.
Let’s see. But if Arsenal want to show us they’re truly back on the right track, getting a result here against the Seagulls would be useful. Brighton have been unexpectedly good this season, losing only once.
Graham Potter’s side have also won four of their three games at the Amex in all competitions this season – can they continue to excel against an Arsenal side on the up?
Gunners fans have seen plenty of false dawns in recent years, but maybe it’s worth not going too gung-ho on Brighton, who were comfortably beaten at the Amex by Everton earlier this season.
Perhaps Emile Smith Rowe could be worth backing, though. The Arsenal man has scored in each of his last two appearances, and is 9/2 to score at any time here – or 11/1 to find the opener.
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