Premier League preview: Saturday’s action including West Ham vs Chelsea
West Ham vs Chelsea
West Ham have found a little form in recent weeks, building on victory against Everton with a draw at St James Park last week – despite having conceded against Newcastle in the opening minutes.
It’s not like David Moyes’ side have suddenly transformed into world-beaters – but perhaps there’s the beginning of some momentum there.
You might think that in previous seasons, a visit from Chelsea might have called a quick halt to that momentum – but it’s not necessarily so. The east-end side have a surprisingly decent record against their west London rivals; West Ham have lost just one of their last five home encounters with Chelsea.
Back in the here and now, Chelsea have amortised themselves up the wazoo with their January spending spree. But all those millions splurged on new players couldn’t buy a goal against Fulham last week.
In fact, Graham Potter’s side are seriously lacking in terms of being a goal threat right now. They’ve scored five goals in their last nine league games, drawing blanks in their last two.
That’s not to say it isn’t going to click for Chelsea at some point. But right now looks a good time to oppose this side. West Ham are 27/20 to win in the Draw No Bet market.
Arsenal vs Brentford
The Gunners blew a gasket last week at Goodison, new Merseyside messiah Sean Dyche enjoying a glorious return to management as his Toffees saw off the league leaders.
In fact, it’s two losses on the bounce for Arteta’s men; they were dumped out of the FA Cup by Man City before the Everton defeat. It’s not a downward spiral just yet – but a spirited Brentford side will surely be eyeing this fixture with interest.
The Bees took the fight to Man City at the Etihad earlier this season, and came away with all three points. Can Thomas Frank’s side rock Arsenal back on their heels this week?
Brentford haven’t actually lost in their last nine league games in this campaign, a run that includes five wins from their last seven outings. Arsenal will be keen to get back on schedule, but Brentford can make it tricky; they’ve only conceded a single goal in their last five Prem games.
Back Brentford or the Draw in the Double Chance market at 19/10.
Crystal Palace vs Brighton
Four of the last six meetings between these teams have ended in 1-1 draws. Is another stalemate on the cards at Selhurst Park on Saturday?
That might be the best the home side can hope for; Patrick Vieira’s team haven’t won since New Year’s Eve, drawing their last two home games.
The Seagulls, in contrast, have won five of their last six. There’s every chance they can maintain their recent excellence against their bitter rivals in this unorthodox derby; Brighton are 26/25 to claim the away win.
Fulham vs Nottingham Forest
Both these sides will be happy with current form; Forest are unbeaten in five league games, while Fulham have taken four points from Chelsea in 2023 and are ahead of their illustrious west London rivals in the league table, eighth to Chelsea’s ninth.
Four of the Cottagers’ last five Prem games have seen one or fewer goals scored; Forest have scored one goal or fewer in six of their last seven league games.
This one may be tight in terms of goals conceded, too; in the Prem, Forest haven’t scored more than once in an away game all season.
Under 2.5 goals is a 41/50 shot; alternatively, Fulham to win 1-0 is a 6/1 shot.
Leicester vs Tottenham
The Foxes showed some fight last time out, coming back to win 4-2 over Villa after the home side had taken the lead. Is it as simple as James Maddison’s return to fitness being key for Brendan Rodgers’ side? Maybe.
Whether Leicester can build on that win against Tottenham is tough to say; the north London team have blown rather hot and cold this season, though they did see off Man City last weekend, just like this column said they wouldn’t. Doggone it.
In fairness, Tottenham had been turned over in their previous two home games before the City win. On the road, they’ve been more reliable; in their last five away games, their only loss has come against Man City.
After scoring four goals last week, Leicester might be sharpening up – but they’ve been sadly off target too often at the King Power, failing to score in five home games in the Prem in this campaign.
It’s tough to have too much faith in the hosts having truly turned the corner, then. And Spurs did hammer this side 6-2 earlier this season, Heung-Min Son scoring a hat-trick in a campaign where he’s often struggled to make an impact.
Son also looked lively against Man City last weekend, and may be able to take inspiration from his last encounter with the Foxes. In fact, the South Korean ace has five goals from his last two meetings with Leicester. Son is 23/20 to score on Saturday.
Southampton vs Wolves
Fair to say Nathan Jones’ “me-against-the-world” post-match interview after the defeat to Brentford last week hasn’t made the Saints manager’s life any easier.
Having heard his own fans chanting “get out of our club” during Southampton’s latest defeat, Jones implied his side were struggling because he had “compromised because of fans”. He then harked back to his swashbuckling exploits in his previous role with Luton, which seemed a tad irrelevant under the circumstances.
Presumably the supporters are more concerned that Southampton have lost six of the seven league games they’ve played under their new manager.
In any case, Saints are in a sorry state at the moment. So it’s got to be worth taking a chance on the visitors, fresh from beating Liverpool last week. The Wolves win is a 31/20 shot.
Bournemouth vs Newcastle
Bournemouth are pretty bad, Newcastle are pretty good. Is that too simplistic? Not really; the Cherries are 19th in the Prem and the hunt for a win in 2023 continues. It gets worse; five of the south coast side’s last six league outings have ended in defeat.
Newcastle are on a mildly concerning run of their own – four draws in five matches – but they’re unbeaten since August in the Prem, and can surely nab the away win against a Bournemouth side that have scored just one goal in their last six league games. Cherries? Buried, more like…
Combine Newcastle to win and BTTS No in a double at 6/5.
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