After a break of almost three weeks English Premier League football returns on Saturday and we take at look at each of the six matches which including Arsenal vs Leeds and Man United vs Spurs
Arsenal vs Leeds
Arsenal’s perfect start to the season which included 4 wins from their first 4 league games came to an abrupt end when they crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Brighton just before the international break. They return to action in second spot, 3 points behind Man City.
Meanwhile Leeds kept their unbeaten record intact although they were a bit below previous performances in drawing 0-0 at home to Palace last time out. Still, 2 wins and 3 draws and fifth place represents an excellent start to the season,
Verdict
Across the 2 head to head’s last season Arsenal put 9 unanswered goals past Leeds but the visitors look to be made of sterner stuff this season and have conceded just 3 league goals. Leeds are very direct and I’ll go with both teams to be awarded 4 or more corners.
Bets: Both teams to be awarded 4+ corners at 21/10 with Sportingbet
Aston Villa vs Brentford
Villa opened their EPL win account at the fifth time of asking when they edged out Spurs 3-2 in London last time out. They have lost both home games so far, to Arsenal (1-0) and Forest (2-1) and are currently fifth bottom with 4 points.
Brentford are going really well in fourth spot, unbeaten with 2 wins and 3 draws. Those 2 wins came at home to Spurs and most recently Chelsea (both 3-0) and the draws came at Leeds and Bournemouth (both 1-1).
Verdict
Brentford did the double over Villa last season and so far this time around they have impressed more than Villa but this looks a tricky call. I’ll nibble at the price boost for both teams to score in the first half.
Bets: Both teams to score in the first half? Yes at 34/10 with Sportingbet
Chelsea vs Bournemouth
Mid table Chelsea won their first 2 matches at Fulham (3-2) and home to Brighton (4-3) before a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal. Since then they were held to a draw at home to Hull and crashed 3-0 away to Brentford and they have conceded 12 league goals, the worst defensive record in the EPL.
Bournemouth are 1 of 3 top flight sides looking for a league win after 3 draws and 2 defeats. Away from home they lost 2-1 at Man City and drew 2-2 at Newcastle and they are currently fourth from bottom.
Verdict
Alex Scott picked up an injury during the international break which is the latest blow to a Bournemouth side who haven’t had things go their way this season. Chelsea were awful at Brentford, the break may have allowed them to regroup and I will take them to win a game of 3 goals or more in total.
Bets: Match result and total goals, Chelsea and over 2.5 at 23/20 with Sportingbet
Ipswich vs Fulham
Ipswich are just below half way having won 2-1 at home to Sunderland and 3-2 at Palace alongside 3 defeats, at Man United and most recently Everton and at home to Liverpool.
Fulham looked vulnerable in losing their first 3 matches before a big improvement came in a 0-0 draw at Liverpool and only a late equalizer for Man United denied them a first win last time out. Nonetheless they have only Spurs below them on goal difference.
Verdict
Fulham were improving before the break but whether they have enough to win here I’m not so sure and I will take my chances with a draw.
Bets: Match result draw at 23/10 with Lucky Fish
Sunderland vs Brighton
Sunderland’s 4 points came from a 1-0 home win over Fulham and 1-1 draw at Brentford. In their 2 most recent league outings they went down 2-0 at home to arsenal and 5-3 in a cracking game away to Man City.
Brighton are up to third with 10 points and their 3-0 win at home to arsenal was their best display so far. Away from home they thrashed Coventry 5-0 but lost 4-3 at Chelsea and their tally of 16 goals scored in the best in the EPL.
Verdict
Sunderland look set to be without Brian Brobbey who scored a hat trick against City and at the other end of the park they haven’t been defending as well as last season. That could spell trouble against free scoring Brighton but I think there is a goal for the home side and Enzo Le Fee is the most likely to tee it up.
Bets: Player to assist, Enzo Le Fee at 9/2 with Lucky Fish
Man United vs Spurs
United’s only league win so far came at home to Ipswich (5-2). They lost the derby at home to Man City (1-0) and on their travels defeat at Hull and draws at Everton and most recently Fulham have raised plenty of questions.
Spurs are bottom of the standings with 2 points from 0-0 draws at Forest and at home to Everton. Their first league goals came in a 3-2 home defeat to Villa last time out and they are in desperate need of a boost.
Verdict
It’s hard to have too much confidence in either side on what we have seen so far but I’m with Spurs Micky Van De Ven to register a shot on target.
Bets: Player shots on target Van De Ven at 42/10 with Lucky Fish
Prices are subject to change