Premier League preview: Saturday’s action including Villa vs Arsenal
Brighton vs Man Utd
Brighton started in devastating fashion away to Everton last weekend, winning 3-0 at Goodison Park; can new manager Fabian Hurzeler keep the Seagulls soaring as they welcome Man United for this lunchtime kick-off?
United’s own season started with an acceptable if unexceptional win against Fulham, Joshua Zirkzee getting off the mark in his first appearance for his new club.
The Red Devils did win 2-0 in their last visit to the Amex, during the fag end of Roberto De Zerbi’s time in charge.
But in the two seasons before that, Brighton had taken victory in two home games against United, winning 4-0 in 2022. In all, they’ve won four of their last five league games against the Red Devils!
The south coast side also looked pretty confident in the opening weekend. Backing Brighton to win at 29/20 is a straightforward bet with plenty of appeal.
Crystal Palace vs West Ham
Neither of these sides could take anything from their opening fixtures; can Palace get some points on the board in their first home game of the season, or is Julen Lopetegui about to mastermind an away win at Selhurst Park?
Palace have won their last four at home – a run which included a notable 5-2 win over West Ham back in April. Of course, since then Michael Olise has been sold to Bayern Munich; without one of their most influential performers, can the Eagles continue to impress during this campaign?
Whichever side takes the spoils, this fixture has certainly delivered in recent years. Palace won 5-2 when these sides met here last season; in the previous campaign, the match ended in a 4-3 scoreline. And in 2022 and 2021, West Ham won both games 3-2.
Four seasons of veritable goal-fests? Does that mean we’re in for another no-holds-barred symphony of scoring excess? If you’re thinking along those lines, you can back over 3.5 goals at 43/20.
Alternatively, you could just take a chance on Eberechi Eze scoring for the hosts; he scored three times in last season’s final two league games, and is 19/10 to find the net on Saturday.
Fulham vs Leicester City
Fulham started the new season with a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Man Utd; can they take a point or three at Craven Cottage on Saturday? They failed to muster a victory in their last four home games of the previous season, against Newcastle, Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Man City.
Leicester are back in the big time after a season away, and Steve Cooper’s side were able to earn a point against Spurs on Monday night, thanks to Jamie Vardy’s determination.
The striker is 37 and returning from injury; despite not looking especially mobile against Tottenham, he still found the net and would have had a second if not for a smart save from Guglielmo Vicario.
Still, Leicester were battered in the first half by Spurs; maybe Fulham can prove more efficient than Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Taking on the Foxes on home turf, Fulham may edge out the newly promoted side; maybe it’s worth looking at Andreas Pereira to deliver for the hosts. Pereira created six chances against Man Utd last week, and is 19/5 to provide an assist against Leicester.
Man City vs Ipswich Town
After losing to Liverpool in their first Premier League game for 22 years, now Ipswich Town travel to the Etihad to face a side that have won their last four home games in the Prem 3-1 (against West Ham), 5-1 (Wolves), 5-1 (Luton) and 4-1 (Aston Villa).
It’s not exactly a gentle start for the newly promoted side. One ray of hope for Ipswich is that City did concede in each of those games. Still, it’s not hard to imagine the Champions shutting out Kieran McKenna’s side on Saturday.
Ilkay Gundogan has re-signed with City on a free transfer from Barcelona after sending just one season in Spain; Gundogan could make an appearance for his new/old club on Saturday.
But whoever Pep selects, this could be a tough afternoon for the Tractor Boys. Thrashing or routine win? There’s almost certainly goals in this one. But maybe it’s better to back Erling Haaland in the shots on target market.
Haaland is 7/5 to have over 2.5 shots on target; the Norwegian looked sharp in his opening appearance last week, when he scored against Chelsea.
Southampton vs Nottingham Forest
Southampton slipped to defeat in their opening fixture at St James’ Park, despite Newcastle’s Fabian Schar being sent off in the 28th minute after some, uh, let’s call it wiliness from Ben Brereton.
The Saints have lost their last two meetings with Forest in the Premier League; can Russell Martin’s side fare better on Saturday?
In fact, the south coast outfit have never beaten Forest at home in the Premier League. Is that a good portent for Forest, or a reminder that the Saints are overdue a victory against the Tricky Trees?
Forest took a point as they hosted Bournemouth last weekend; and they won their last two away games of the previous season, defeating Burnley and Sheffield Utd.
Chris Wood was the scorer against the Cherries; with Forest’s fine record away to Southampton, maybe the striker can star once again for the visitors this week. Back Wood to score at 19/10.
Spurs vs Everton
Tottenham really should have taken a win from their opener against Leicester, but Spurs’ wasteful finishing and Jamie Vardy’s persistence saw Ange Postecoglou’s side leave the King Power with just a point.
Will the North London team prove more focussed against Everton? The Toffees finished the previous season looking pretty solid under Sean Dyche. But they ended up losing 3-0 against Brighton at the weekend, with Ashley Young sent off for good measure.
Not ideal starts for either side, but Dyche will be the more frustrated – and with Everton yet to win on the road in 2024, that frustration seems likely to continue against Tottenham.
Spurs are heavy favourites to take three points, and it’s tough to see another outcome. Whether you’re temped to back the odds-on price for a home win is another matter.
Alternatively, James Maddison has a fine record against the Toffees, providing four assists from his last three appearances against them. Maddison is 14/5 to serve up another assist on Saturday.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
Aston Villa played a significant role in Arsenal not winning the title last season. Former Gunners boss Unai Emery steered the Villans to consecutive wins over Mikel Arteta’s team in the previous campaign, winning 1-0 at Villa Park in December and then pulling off a 2-0 win at the Emirates in April.
Can Arsenal put those defeats behind them with an assured display against Villa in the tea-time kick-off? Or is Emery set to leave the Gunners grimacing once more this weekend?
Both sides started with wins last week, Villa getting the better of West Ham 2-1 in East London while Arsenal found it relatively straightforward against Wolves.
But with Villa having the edge over Arsenal last season, it’s not much of a stretch to see them defying Mikel Arteta again here. Villa to win at 17/5 looks tempting.
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