Another week of European football is done and dusted, and we’re starting to enter the meat and potatoes part of the EPL season as we head into match week 9. We’ve got a great slate ahead, headlined by a couple of London derbies and other high-stakes matchups.
That means there’s only one thing left for us to do here at betcha: get into the weeds, analyse the games, and come away with our best bet for each one, as we always do.
So let’s kick things off with a game you can enjoy with your Saturday morning breakfast.
In all honesty, when I said you could watch this one with your Saturday morning breakfast, you’ll want it to be a good one, because it features two of the worst teams in the Premier League going head-to-head.
Now, while that’s true, it doesn’t mean there isn’t value to be found. Both teams have struggled to finish off the rare chances they create, which is proven by the fact they’ve combined for just 13 goals in 16 games. That makes me think taking the under 2.5 could be the way to go in this one.
The first game of the Sunday slate will see Chelsea host Sunderland at Stamford Bridge, after they’ve seemingly found some form following early-season woes. The newly promoted side, however, have had quite a start to their quest for survival in the top flight, sitting in 7th place with 14 points.
As for how this one could shake out, many will like Chelsea’s chances, as reflected in the match result market. However, I’m going to focus on the total goals market, where I think this one should go over 2.5. Chelsea have scored 8 goals in the past week, and Sunderland have shown they don’t back down from a fight, which should create the opportunity for this one to go over.
Newcastle will host Fulham at the historic St James’ Park this weekend, and it’s a game I’m personally rather excited for. Both teams have underperformed relative to pre-season expectations, but there has been one aspect of their play that has been somewhat reliable.
That’s the form of Alexander Isak’s replacement, Nick Woltemade, who in his last five games has found the back of the net four times. I like his chances to do so again, as he’s spearheading an attack built to go through the striker, as we’ve seen over the past 14 months.
The Seagulls will travel pretty far north to take on Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United, who have seemingly found their form in recent weeks. With both teams sitting in 9th and 10th place respectively, I expect this to be a well-fought battle.
Given that, and the fact that the underdogs for the occasion, Brighton, are yet to lose in their past four games and tend to show up against big clubs, I’m not opposed to the Brighton double chance here.
I think Liverpool will soon be able to turn their season around, after being labelled pre-season champions following all the business they did in the summer. They have a perfect opportunity to bounce back here against Brentford, who currently sit in the bottom half of the league.
For me, the defending champions seem to be trying too hard to be the smartest in the room with some of their selections, fitting square pegs into round holes. If they can return to playing their best players in their natural positions, this could be an outstanding “get right” game, one they should come away from with a win.
From Premier League darlings to whatever calamity is unfolding, Forest currently find themselves with more permanent managers than Premier League wins after last season’s time spent in Champions League spots. They will now be led by the hard-nosed journeyman manager Sean Dyche, who could at least give this side some steel, if nothing else.
On the other side of the ledger, the Cherries have been in outstanding form, currently sitting in 4th on the table and boasting one of the form players in the league leading their attack in Antoine Semenyo. Because of this, and the turmoil surrounding their opponents, I think the Cherries will get this one done at home.
In a game that combines a -17 goal difference, 9 points, and an average position on the table of 18.5, we certainly aren’t set up for a barnburner. However, you might find a game where each side fights tooth and nail just to finally get a result.
With that being the case, and Wolves still not securing a win all season, I like the Burnley double chance away from home.
Now, to a casual football fan, this game might not seem like a good one on paper. However, this is likely the best matchup of the weekend. Now, that’s not from a spectacle standpoint, because Crystal Palace are able to deploy a low block that even 2011 Barcelona would struggle to break down, but purely based on quality, this one takes the cake for the weekend.
They will be taking on the kings of winning low-scoring affairs in Arsenal, who, currently sitting at the top of the table, will look to grow their lead on rival clubs. And while Palace may be able to stop goals, the question will be: can they break through the best defence in the league this season, who have only conceded 3 goals so far? Away from home, I tend to say no, which is why I am taking them under 0.5 on the day.
What are we doing here? Pep is finally letting his robot of a striker go to work again this season, ensuring he gets as many opportunities as possible to find the back of the net.
This has resulted in Haaland scoring 11 goals in 8 games so far this season, and they are now taking on a Villa side who just lost in the Europa League on Friday. So, give me Haaland to find the back of the net again.
Spurs have seemingly progressed compared to where they were under Ange last season, with Thomas Frank now at the helm. Meanwhile, Everton, while finding themselves in the middle of the pack, will get their talisman back this weekend in Jack Grealish.
So, with Everton having had longer to prepare and bringing their best player back into the fold, I think they could give Spurs a real run for their money. Will that end up with a win? I’m unsure, but one thing I like the chances of is both teams playing some lovely football and finding the back of the net at some stage.