Premier League preview: Wednesday’s action including Man Utd vs Spurs
Bournemouth vs Southampton
The Saints earned a point against West Ham at the weekend, but Ralph Hasenhuttl’s crew have lost each of their last three away matches (Man City, Wolves, and Villa) – failing even to score a goal in that run.
By comparison, the Cherries are in rude health, unbeaten since Scott Parker was dumped following that 9-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Still, let’s put that in context; Bournemouth have earned four draws in that six-match run, beating only Forest and Leicester, the Prem’s bottom two clubs. And caretaker boss Gary O’Neil’s side couldn’t find the net at home against either Wolves or Brentford. Can Bournemouth do better against the often sloppy Saints?
Thing is, Southampton have a pretty great record at the Vitality Stadium; unbeaten in their last five visits, they’ve also put five goals past Bournemouth without reply in their last two encounters. And in the here and now, three of Bournemouth’s last four home games have seen the hosts fail to find the net.
History points to the visitors, but Bournemouth seem in better nick these days; when the movable object meets the stoppable force, perhaps backing the deadlock might be the best option. Bet on the draw at 23/10.
Brentford vs Chelsea
Brighton couldn’t get the job done against Brentford this weekend despite plenty of opportunity. Perhaps one-time Seagulls boss Graham Potter will show his former side how it’s done; Chelsea have won all five of their games since the international break, conceding just one goal in that run.
It’s pretty impressive, even if it does sidestep the fact that against Villa this weekend, the Blues struggled at times, Mason Mount’s brace not withstanding. Villa put in a battling performance that may not be enough to save boss Steven Gerrard; Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa was in excellent form as he denied the hosts on several occasions.
Regardless, you can’t argue with Chelsea’s positive results. The Bees have put in some memorable performances at home this season but were comfortably dealt with by Arsenal; similarly, a confident Chelsea side will probably nab the victory here. Combine Chelsea to win and Under 3.5 goals in a double at 6/4.
Liverpool vs West Ham
Does Liverpool’s win over City act as a reset for the Merseyside team? Whether or not Klopp’s side can maintain that steely determination over the remainder of the campaign, it’s worth remembering Liverpool are unbeaten at Anfield this season, even after a rough start.
Is the Liverpool win against West Ham all but inevitable then? The Irons’ own weak start to the season is behind them, David Moyes’ side winning two of their last three league games, though they could only draw against Southampton on Sunday.
In fact, while West Ham do seem to have picked up the pace, the only Prem sides they’ve beaten are Fulham, Wolves, and Villa.
After Mo Salah’s recent return to form – a six-minute hat trick against Rangers, the winning goal against City – it’s not hard to fancy the Egyptian to make his mark.
Salah is 19/5 to score first; if you deem that too chancy, you can back Liverpool to win and Salah to score at any time at 31/20 in our Pre-packs section.
Newcastle vs Everton
Frank Lampard has unquestionably made Everton a tough side to score against this season – but the Toffees come to St James’ Park on the back of two straight defeats.
Do Everton stop the rot on Wednesday, or will the Magpies add to Lamps’ laments? Unbeaten in their last five, Newcastle battered Brentford at St James Park earlier this month. Indeed, before a goalless draw with Man United at the weekend, Eddie Howe’s team had scored nine goals in two matches.
The hosts may not be able to serve up such a feast of entertainment here; before the 2-0 defeat against Tottenham on Saturday, Everton hadn’t lost by more than one goal all season.
Still, the home win seems likely; and with no Everton match having featured more than three goals so far in this campaign, back Newcastle to win and under 3.5 goals in a double for a return of 5/4.
Man Utd vs Tottenham
It’s four wins in five for Tottenham, Antonio Conte’s team losing only to league leaders Arsenal in the Prem this season.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag has steadied the ship at Old Trafford, the 6-3 loss to City notwithstanding.
Conte’s preference is for his team to exploit mistakes from the opposition, rather than to go all-out to make something happen.
And with United humiliated in the early weeks of the season, ten Hag has tried to instil efficiency over swagger since then; from United’s five league wins, four have been won by a one-goal margin.
This has all the ingredients to be similarly tight, and could end with each side settling for a point. The draw is available at 5/2.
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