Premier League preview: Saturday’s action including Wolves vs Liverpool
Wolves vs Liverpool
I keep waiting for Liverpool to drop a clanger, and it keeps not happening. The side are currently on a 15-match unbeaten run, and last time out they comfortably beat Villa 3-0.
Still, it’s conceivable that the international break could mean a few of Klopp’s players are at sub-optimal levels for this lunchtime kick-off.
With Wolves’ most recent home game in the Prem seeing them ship four goals to Brighton, there’s no obvious reason to fancy Gary O’Neil’s team to beat the visitors.
But Liverpool did fail to win any of their 12:30pm kick-offs last season. And in four of those six matches, one or fewer goals was scored. With Wolves rarely prolific scorers, this could be another match that’s short on goals – you can back under 2.5 goals at 8/5.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
Villa’s last game before the international break was a chastening defeat at Anfield. But they’ve won each of their last eight league games at Villa Park and will be hopeful of adding to that run against Palace, even if the Eagles are off to a decent start themselves.
Aside from their 4-0 defeat of Everton last month, the Villans’ previous eight home victories in the Prem have each seen a total of three or fewer goals scored. So backing the hosts to win and under 3.5 goals in a double at 13/8 makes sense.
Fulham vs Luton
After an opening day win against Everton, Marco Silva will be hopeful of landing his second Premier League victory of the season; meanwhile, Luton are still looking for their first point of the campaign. Is Rob Edwards’ side capable of staging a smash-and-grab at the Cottage?
Fulham have conceded in each of their last seven Premier League home games; most recently, they shipped three against Brentford last month.
If the visitors are to find the net, Carlton Morris seems the likeliest player to do so; Morris has already scored a penalty and provided an assist for the Hatters, while his nine shots in the box so far this season are the most of any Luton player. Morris is 13/5 to score.
Man Utd vs Brighton
United could count themselves unlucky not to take something from Arsenal last time out. Nevertheless, the Manchester side have faced scrutiny for disappointing performances in these early weeks of the campaign.
Now they host a Brighton side that have been broadly excellent, even if West Ham caught Roberto De Zerbi’s side on the hop. The Seagulls are unbeaten in their last four meetings with United in all competitions too, winning 2-1 at Old Trafford in this fixture last season.
Bruno Fernandes might be the man to help the hosts in their quest for a home win this time, though. As well as scoring four of Man Utd’s last eight goals against the Seagulls, he’s also contributed two assists.
The United captain has been in good form recently, with three assists for Portugal against Luxembourg earlier this week. Fernandes may look to continue his fine record against Brighton on Saturday, and is 2/1 to provide an assist.
But Brighton have an accomplished assist provider of their own in Kaoru Mitoma; the Japanese star already has three assists in the Prem in this campaign, and is 4/1 to set up another goal here.
Tottenham vs Sheffield Utd
Spurs return from the international break with what on the face of it looks a pretty forgiving assignment. The north London club are loving life under Big Ange, scoring for fun with a 5-2 away win over Burnley just before the international break.
Now they host another promoted club. The Blades were able to earn a point against Everton last time out, but it’s tough to see them keeping this seemingly irrepressible Tottenham side at bay on the road.
Spurs have scored at least two goals in each of their four Prem games so far this season; meanwhile, the Blades have conceded in their four league matches. It could be worth backing Total Goals by Tottenham – over 2.5 at 10/11.
West Ham vs Man City
The Irons are unbeaten and come into this game on the back of three straight wins; can David Moyes’ side figure out a way to slow down the City juggernaut on Saturday?
Without quite committing to West Ham getting a point against City, they may at least be able to find the net. In two of their last three home games against City they’ve scored.
The East London side have also been reliable as a BTTS bet lately; their last six league games have all seen both sides get on the scoresheet. Backing City to win and BTTS YES in a double gets you a 19/10 return.
Newcastle vs Brentford
Three tough opponents, three straight defeats for Newcastle. And with the Saudi owners not known for their easy-going, laidback approach to life, a bit of pressure could be bearing down on Eddie Howe.
Brentford may be capable of adding to Howe’s general lack of happiness. But it’s worth remembering that in this fixture last season, the hosts battered the Bees 5-1.
Brentford are adapting to life without Ivan Toney, but the West London side’s only win so far this campaign came against Fulham.
This one’s a bit of a conundrum; Thomas Frank may smell blood, but equally, Newcastle may be able to use their frustration as fuel for a forceful performance.
A Newcastle win is overdue and may be on the cards; take the hosts to win and over 2.5 goals in a double at 11/10.
To bet on a wide range of markets, visit 32Red Sport today. If you’re looking for a different kind of flutter, check out our 32Red Casino site. There’s plenty of slots and table games to keep you entertained!
