Premier League preview: Wednesday’s action including Man Utd vs Chelsea

Brighton vs Brentford

Brighton continue to entertain, but the south coast side suffered defeat against Chelsea at the weekend – and there’s no guarantee De Zerbi’s team can take three points as they entertain the Bees on Wednesday night.

In the Prem, it’s one win in eight for the Seagulls – while they’ve failed to win any of their last three home games. And Brentford have reason for optimism, having earned a point in a pulsating 3-3 draw when these sides last met at the Amex, back in May.

Defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal aside, Brentford have been in good shape, winning four of their last six league outings. There’s a strong chance the visitors can take something from this game, so backing Brentford or the Draw in the Double Chance market at 49/50 looks tempting.

Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth

We’re taken aback to see that Crystal Palace have won just a single home game so far this season. Roy Hodgson’s team have lost their last two games at Selhurst Park, and have just four points from their last six league games.

With the caveat that there’s a real possibility I have never successfully called a game involving Palace, it’s not hard to fancy the Cherries to keep their good run going here. Unbeaten in three, the Cherries were a little unlucky not to take all three points against Villa at the weekend.

There’s always the possibility that Bournemouth’s recent run has beguiled me, and in reality this match will end with Palace digging out the overdue home victory the fans are crying out for.

But assuming Bournemouth’s momentum can be maintained at a time where the Eagles are hardly flying, Dominic Solanke could be a good bet. The forward has three goals in his last three outings for Bournemouth, and is 23/10 to find the net here.

Fulham vs Nottingham Forest

The Cottagers had their hearts broken against Liverpool at the weekend, but Marco Silva’s side should be able to put that disappointment behind them against Forest.

Fulham may not have got the result at Anfield, but they came close to pulling off what would have been a momentous victory. If they can pick themselves up and go again, they may be able to take three points from a Forest side that have lost four of their last five matches.

Fulham also won both of their meetings with Steve Cooper’s side last season; the hosts look a good thing to overpower a side that has failed to score in three of their last four away games in the Prem. Fulham are 26/25 for the victory.

Sheffield United vs Liverpool

Time to wheel out the old “Meet the new boss” line, as the concept of the new manager bounce finds itself stretched to breaking point. Hecky’s out, Chris Wilder’s back in – so can Sheffield United make the most of the arrival of their new coach with an improbable win against Liverpool?

The Merseyside team have lost just one game all season in the Prem. The Blades, meanwhile, have won just once in this campaign, a 2-1 victory over Wolves last month, and are rock bottom of the league.

Since the Wolves win, Sheffield United earned a draw against Brighton, surprisingly – but then lost their next two games, including a 5-0 drubbing against a Burnley side that had lost its previous seven home games.

So now, it’s up to former Blades boss Wilder to pick up where he left off – quite literally. About two and a half years ago, Wilder exited with the club bottom of the league table. Plus ca change.

Whatever, Sheffield United are double figures to beat Liverpool, with the visitors heavily odds on to land the win.

Rather than back the outcome, maybe it’s worth taking a chance on Trent Alexander Arnold to find the net for the visitors. He’s scored in his last two league games for Liverpool (okay, technically one of them was given as an own goal), and is 7/1 to find the net once again on Wednesday.

Against a Blades side that has also shipped five goals against Arsenal and eight (at home!) against Newcastle so far this season, it doesn’t seem fanciful that Trent could get on the scoresheet.

Aston Villa vs Man City

The hosts have an outstanding record at Villa Park this season, six league games, six wins. Man City have dropped points in their last three Premier League games. Can Unai Emery take the opportunity to send his side two points ahead of City here?

When Steven Gerrard was still in charge, Villa earned a 1-1 draw against City in this fixture last season. The club have markedly improved since then, though it’s true that they’ve yet to play any of the more in-form sides at Villa Park this season.

Even so, scoring six times against Brighton says something about Villa’s current hunger for goals.

With City not quite at their very sharpest in recent games, Emery’s side surely have a shot at earning a memorable victory. Back Villa to win at 7/2.

Man Utd vs Chelsea

With neither of these sides exactly at the top of their game right now, what should we expect from these former high fliers, currently struggling to capture the glories of the past?

United have lost to practically every strong side they’ve met this season, Newcastle, Man City, Brighton, Arsenal and Tottenham all seeing off the Red Devils.

Chelsea have been more successful at taking on some of the tougher opponents. But after a notable 4-4 draw with Man City, they followed that up by taking a 4-1 drubbing from Newcastle.

Against bigger teams, Utd have been reliably poor, while Chelsea can be decent – but not reliably so. It’s quite the pickle.

With Ten Hag denying reports that he’d lost the dressing room earlier this week, it’s possible that players may offer a show of unity for the Dutchman. Unless, you know, they do actually all think he’s a dick.

Marcus Rashford might feel the need to put in a good performance too, with question marks over his commitment after United’s defeat to Newcastle at the weekend. Or, again, maybe he’s currently just not that bothered. With just two goals in this campaign, Rashford has failed to score at Old Trafford this season.

So much is dependent upon which Chelsea show up – but Pochettino must surely smell blood. The Blues have a great chance to take victory at Old Trafford in the Prem for the first time in a decade; I think they can take it. Chelsea are 31/20 for the win.

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