Premier League preview: Saturday’s action including Villa vs Arsenal
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
A painful home defeat to Man City saw Arsenal’s title challenge took a serious hit on Wednesday. Is this the moment where the Gunners prove they still have the stomach for a fight?
Mikel Arteta’s side are winless in their last four games in all comps, losing three. A blip has become something more concerning – but surely it can’t get worse at Villa Park?
Well, Unai Emery would certainly enjoy putting one over on his former club. He’s already done so once, knocking Arsenal out of the Europa League semi-finals with Villarreal a few years ago; now he has another opportunity to make the Gunners suffer.
Not everything is in the host’s favour, though. Villa are improved since Emery’s arrival, but have lost their last two.
It’s certainly conceivable that the erstwhile coach can turn the screw on his old side. But perhaps it’s more likely that the Gunners come here determined not to cede another inch in a battle for the title that’s far from finished?
Win their remaining games, and Arsenal will still beat City to the title. Right now, the London club just need to take it one step at a time – starting by winning against beatable opposition on Saturday.
Back the visitors to win at 4/5.
Brentford vs Crystal Palace
Bees are good, as the Shaman almost observed back in the day. Meanwhile, the Eagles currently occupy the bland, beige territory of their musical namesakes; it’s not exactly been life in the fast lane for Palace fans of late.
The South London side have drawn three of their last four matches, which counts as progress of sorts; the team are still looking for a first win this year, and were exceptionally fortunate to come away with a point against Brighton last week.
By comparison, Brentford are swashbuckling scallywags, facing down Arsenal, turning over Liverpool, beating Man City in their own backyard. Home win? How could it not be? Brentford are 17/20 to win this one.
Brighton vs Fulham
It’s been onwards and mostly upwards for Brighton since Graham Potter pootled off; new ace face Roberto de Zerbi is yet to lose in 2023, even if his side have slowed down in terms of goals scored in the last couple of weeks.
Can Fulham spring a surprise on the hosts? Perhaps not, but the Cottagers have been in pretty decent nick themselves, and should at least be able to make a game of this one. Combine Brighton to win and BTTS in a double at 13/5.
Chelsea vs Southampton
Graham Potter has to win this one, right? Ace raconteur Nathan Jones may have departed, but the Saints could still be in all sorts of strife; not even a no-manager bounce may be enough to save the visitors this week.
Chelsea were unlucky to lose against Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday, and Joao Felix looks eager to make an impression after toiling joylessly for Atletico Madrid; perhaps the Portuguese star can get on the scoresheet against these rudderless Saints on Saturday.
Felix is 24/5 to find the opener here.
Everton vs Leeds
Everton were up for it against Arsenal, but sadly pretty anonymous against Liverpool this week. This should be a closer match. So can Sean Dyche inspire a second consecutive home win against a Leeds side that sit just one point above the Toffees in the table?
Like Everton, Leeds have recently got rid of a manager – though Jesse Marsch’s replacement remains uncertain at the time of writing. Harry Redknapp? Surely not.
With neither side finding victories easy to come by, and Everton still missing striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, perhaps this one ends with both teams settling for a point. The draw is a 23/10 shot.
Nottingham Forest vs Man City
Forest have settled down after a rough start to the season, even if Steve Cooper’s side lost to Fulham last week.
Meanwhile, Man City’s mojo may be restored, with emphatic wins against Villa and Arsenal in their last two outings suggesting that now the Manchester side are top of the table they’re not going to be dislodged easily.
But nevertheless, could Pep be left frazzled by Forest, just as Man City seem to be hitting their stride? The Tricky Trees are unbeaten at the City Ground in seven league games; the visitors emerging with all three points here is not a foregone conclusion.
There could be further twists in this title race to come – City lost three away games just prior to their triumph at the Emirates, after all.
With the hosts strong on home turf, perhaps backing Forest or the draw in the double chance market at 12/5 isn’t the craziest bet here.
Wolves vs Bournemouth
Wolves fought back from a goal down against hapless Southampton last time; can they enjoy victory against another sorry south coast outfit this week?
Bournemouth have shown a spark of life in the last few weeks, earning draws against Forest and Newcastle at the Vitality.
But their away form remains dire, with defeats in their last six league outings on the road. In five of those, the Cherries failed to find the net.
Combine Wolves to win and BTTS NO in a double at 6/4.
Newcastle vs Liverpool
Five draws in six matches suggest Newcastle aren’t quite hitting the heights of their earlier season form. For all that, they’ve lost one game all season – against, hello, Liverpool!
The Merseyside team claimed a much-needed win against an Everton side that didn’t offer a whole lot on Monday, disappointingly. Still, that victory is good news for Jurgen Klopp – so can he build on it with another decent showing at St James’ Park?
With Newcastle clearly missing the suspended Bruno Guimaraes, the Magpies are definitely lacking a spark. This could well end in another draw – which is a 12/5 shot.
Alternatively, maybe backing under 2.5 goals at 17/20 is the way to go – Liverpool have scored just three goals in their last five league games, while seven of Newcastle’s last eight league games have seen two or fewer goals scored.
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