Seven matches in the eighth round of the English Premier League take place on Saturday and we look at each game including Notts Forest v Chelsea and Fulham v Arsenal
Prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but subject to change.
Notts Forest v Chelsea
The early kick off sees Forest host Chelsea and the home side are still without a win in 7 matches across all competitions under Postecoglou. Prior to the international break they lost 2-0 at Newcastle to finish the round fourth from bottom with 5 points and without a league win since they beat Brentford 3-1 in a home fixture on the opening weekend.
Chelsea were 2-1 winners at home to Liverpool last time out, their first league win since the end of August and they moved up to seventh with 11 points. Away from home they have won at West Ham (5-1), drawn at Brentford (2-2) and lost at Man United (2-1).
I may be in denial but surely Forest have the players to start picking up results. Whether it will be in this match is not easy question to answer mind you and if the crowd turn on him again it could spell more trouble for Big Ange. To avoid things turning ugly I reckon Forest have to score the first goal here and they get a speculative vote to do just that.
Bet: First Team To Score? Forest at 14/10 with Sportingbet
……….
Brighton v Newcastle
Brighton are in mid table with 9 points and they are unbeaten at home with score draws against Fulham and Spurs either side of a 2-1 win over Man City. They also won at Chelsea recently but needed a late goal to salvage a draw at bottom of the table Wolves last time out.
Newcastle’s 2-0 home win over Forest was only their second victory of the season in the EPL and they also have 9 points. Their away record makes interesting reading, three 0-0 draws at Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth.
It’s crazy to see 3 Newcastle road trips fail to see a goal scored for either side and this looks a tricky call. In the hope the quality wide players on both sides will feature heavily I’m with 11 or more corners in total.
Bet: Total Match Corners, over 10.4 at 12/10 with Sportingbet
……….
Burnley v Leeds
Burnley's only win this season came in Round 2, 2-0 at home to Sunderland and they are third from bottom on the log. Since then they have added just 1 more point to their tally from a 1-1 draw at home to Forest and their only other home game saw them go down 1-0 to a late Liverpool penalty.
Leeds have earned 8 points so far, they lost 2-1 at home to Spurs last time out whilst away from home they have lost at Arsenal (5-0) and Fulham (1-0) but they did win at Wolves (3-1).
This is the sort of game Burnley simply cannot afford to lose but I believe the draw is the way to go for this one
Bet: Match Result Draw at 9/4 with Betway
……….
Crystal Palace v Bournemouth
Palace’s 19 match club record unbeaten run across all competitions came to an end when they conceded 2 late goals in a 2-1 defeat at Everton last time out and they are in sixth position with 12 points. In their most recent home game they brought Liverpool's 100% record to an end with a 2-1 win and earlier matches at Selhurst Park delivered draws at home to Forest (1-1) and Sunderland (0-0).
Bournemouth are 2 points and 2 places better off than Palace and since a 4-2 defeat at Liverpool on the opening weekend they have won 4 and lost 2. Aside from the loss at Anfield they have won at Spurs (1-0) and drawn at Leeds (2-2)
Two good sides, well coached and in the top 6. I really like the look of Yermi Pino for Palace and his creative skills earn him the vote to provide an assist.
Bet: Player Assists Yeremi Pino, 1 or more at 4/1 with Sportingbet
Man City v Everton
City finished the previous round in fifth position with 13 points, 9 of which have been earned in their last 4 league games. At home they have lost to Spurs (2-0) and beaten Man United (3-0) and Burnley 5-1).
Everton are 2 points behind City, just above halfway in the standings. They are unbeaten at home whilst on the road they have lost at Leeds (1-0) and Liverpool (2-1) but they did win 3-2 at Wolves.
Jack Grealish has been terrific for Everton but he cannot feature against his parent club which makes a tough task for the visitors even harder. I’m looking for a goalscoring alternative to Haaland and Phil Foden fits the bill.
Bet: Anytime Goalscorer Phil Foden at 23/10 with Sportingbet
……….
Sunderland v Wolves
Sunderland went down 2-0 at Man United last time out and remain on 11 points. They return to the Stadium of Light where they are unbeaten this season with wins over West Ham (3-0) and Brentford (2-1) in addition to a 1-1 draw with Villa.
Wolves are at the bottom of the log with just 2 points. They are still looking for their first league win of the season but are certainly threatening to break that duck after draws in their last 2 matches at Spurs and at home to Brighton. Both those games finished 1-1 and Wolves conceded very late goals on both occasions.
Sunderland have done well, especially at home, Wolves are in a desperate situation but could have won each of their last 2 and I reckon both teams to score is the way to go here.
Bet: Both teams to score? (Yes) at even money with SuperSportBet
……….
Fulham v Arsenal
With 8 points Fulham are just below half-way in the standings and they return to Craven Cottage after a pair of 3-1 defeats away to Villa and Bournemouth. Home games have delivered a 1-1 draw with Man United and wins over Leeds (1-0) and Brentford (3-1).
Arsenal’s 2-0 home win over West Ham last time out saw them go top of the log, 1 point clear of Liverpool. A 1-0 loss at Anfield is their only defeat this season and other road trips saw them win at Man United (1-0) and Newcastle (2-1).
Fulham’s home form warrants respect but despite injuries this Arsenal squad has real depth and are putting it together. Now they have hit top spot I believe the visitors will kick on and win this one with daylight.
Bet: Handicap, Arsenal -1 goal at 1.45/1 with SuperSportBet
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change