Saturday’s English Premier League football is a five match coupon and we have a play in each game including Everton vs Chelsea, Brentford vs Liverpool and Man City vs Ipswich
Everton vs Chelsea
Fifth placed Everton are unbeaten with wins at home to Palace (2-0) and Ipswich (1-0) and draws at Bournemouth (1-1), Spurs (0-0) and most recently Hull (2-2) and they also finished all square at home to Man United (2-2).
Sixth placed Chelsea are behind Everton on goal difference. They 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 but they bounced back last weekend with a 5-1 home win over Bournemouth. They have conceded 13 league goals, the joint worst defensive record in the EPL.
Verdict
I’m short of inspiration here but ex Chelsea man Dewsbury-Hall was on the scoresheet last week and could pop up again, any time.
Bet: Any time goalscorer Dewsbury-Hall at 100/30 with Sportingbet
Brentford vs Liverpool
Brentford remain in fourth spot, unbeaten with 2 wins and 4 draws. Those 2 wins came at home to Spurs and most recently Chelsea (both 3-0) and the draws came at home to Sunderland (1-1) and away at Leeds and Bournemouth (both 1-1) and most recently at Villa (2-2).
Liverpool come into this latest round of EPL matches with 2 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat against their name and are no higher than ninth. They went down 3-0 at home to Man City last weekend, their first league defeat and other home games saw them held by Forest (2-2) and Fulham (0-0). Away from home form is better, a 2-2 draw at Newcastle and wins at Ipswich (2-0) and Bournemouth (1-0 and in midweek they won 6-3 at LASK in the UCL.
Verdict
This is quite a game and it’s a mark of respect to Brentford that they start as slight favourites. Barcola got off the mark in some style for Liverpool in the UCL, this is a much tougher game but with confidence up he might well come through again.
Bet: Any time goalscorer Barcola at 16/5 (from 3/1) with Sportingbet
Fulham vs Hull
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 in their most recent home game. They looked on course for a first win when leading at Ipswich last weekend but they conceded two late goals and went down 2-1. That leaves them rock bottom on 2 points.
Hull took 8 points from their first 4 matches against all odds before they came unstuck in a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle. Away from home they have won 1-0 at Coventry and drawn 2-2 at Chelsea and last weekend they drew 2-2 again, this time at home to Everton.
Verdict
Fulham really should have taken something from Ipswich last week and they are as short as 8/11 to win this but the pressure is really on. I prefer corners and will take Fulham (who were awarded 5 away at Ipswich) to chalk up 7 or more here.
Bet: Fulham corners over 6.5 at 9/10 with Sportingbet
Man City vs Ipswich
After the 3-0 win at Liverpool last weekend City top the log with 6 wins from 6 and they boast the only 100% record in the top flight. Results at home include wins over Bournemouth (2-1), Coventry (1-0) and Sunderland (5-3) but in midweek they were beaten 4-2 at home by PSG in the Champions League, a game they trailed 3-0 just after half an hour. .
Ipswich are mid table having won 2-1 at home to Sunderland and 3-2 at Palace and last weekend’s late comeback saw them edge out Fulham 2-1 in a home fixture. Their 3 defeats came at Man United (5-2) and at home to Liverpool (2-0) and away to Everton (1-0).
Verdict
City were no match for PSG but they have been equal to every test the EPL has put in front of them so far. I think Ipswich can score but my play is a touch more conservative, City to win a game of 4 goals or more in total.
Bet: Man City to win and over 3.5 total goals at 12/10 with Sportingbet
Newcastle vs Aston Villa
Newcastle crashed and burned 4-1 at Coventry on Monday night and they now have 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats against their name. Their wins came away at Spurs and at home to Hull, they also played out 2-2 draws at home to Liverpool and Bournemouth.
Villa opened their EPL win account at the fifth time of asking when they edged out Spurs 3-2 in London and last weekend they drew 2-2 at home to Brentford. Other away results include a 4-0 loss at Brighton on the opening weekend and a 0-0 draw at Hull. In midweek Villa crushed Fenerbahce 6-0 in a UCL home game to make it 2 wins from 2 in that competition.
Verdict
Newcastle are proving to be hit and miss whilst Villa look to be improving significantly. Nicolas Jackson is full of confidence right now, he was in the goals again for Villa in the UCL in midweek and I fancy he can oblige in the same market here at a boosted price.
Bet: Any time goalscorer Nicolas Jackson at 15/8 (from 7/4) with Sportingbet
Prices are subject to change