Manchester City remain top of the English Premier League after a last gasp 98th minute equaliser from John Stones against title challengers Arsenal last weekend. City’s equlaiser ensured the current title holders remained top with their unbeaten record in tact after the game ended 2-2 in what was an enthrawlling match.
Arsenal lead 2-1 with goals from new singing Riccardo Califiori and Brazilian defender Gabriel, before Stones late late equaliser, Haaland had put city ahead after 9 minutes making this his 10th goal of the season already and continuing an incredible record, he has now scored in the opening five games of the season.
Can City and Haaland continue their incredible form this weekend as they take on Newcastle United at St James Park in the weekends early fixture on Saturday 12:30 ko (UK time).
Arsenal meanwhile will welcome Leicester City to the Emirates, the Gunners also remain unbeaten however have now dropped down to 4th below Liverpool who travel to Wolves in Saturdays evening game 17:30 ko and the in form Aston Villa who play Ipswich away on Sunday 14:00 ko.
The remainder of Saturdays action sees Brentford v West Ham, Chelsea v Brighton, Everton v Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest v Fulham. All at 15:00 ko.
Sundays 16:30 ko is a mouthwatering clash at Old Trafford as Manchester United take on Tottenham, and the weekends action is rounded up on Monday night with a south coast derby as Bournemouth host Southampton.
Newcastle United vs Manchester City
Pre-Match Summary
Newcatsle head into this having only won once in the previous ten meetings against City, and last weeks 3-1 defeat away to Fulham wil have caused unrest for the Magpies, while City continue to show why they are current champions and remain favourites to retain the title with resilant displays such as last weekend v Arsenal and there overall dominance this season so far.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Manchester City are rightly favourites and away win seems likely given there dominance is recent H2H and also current form.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Likely to see over 2.5 goals as both teams play attacking styles and will create a lot of chances in front of goal.
- Both Teams to Score: Newcastle always pose an attaking threat and at home will have the crowd behind them, btts is a likly outcome
Pre-Match Summary
After coming so close to grabbing what would have been a huge three points against City, Arsenal may feel like last weekends draw was a defeat, allthough there unbeaten run remains preserved. Arsenal have a host of players out with injury and Leandro Trossard will be suspended but they welcome a winless foxes side who continue to find life back in the top flight difficult.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Home win, its hard to see past Arsenal agaisnt a Leicester team stuggling for form and have not beaten the hosts away since 1973!
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Likely over 2.5 goals, Arsenal could dominate this and have an opportuity to score 3 or 4 perhaps.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible, Leicester do have it in them to potentially nick an away goal, however it may only be a consolation.
Pre-Match Summary
Both teams sit in the bottom half of the table (12th & 14th) respectivley, and its hard to see which team may win this. Brentford have registered two wins this season both of which came at home so this will give the Bees confidence. West Ham however have just one win and the Hammers fans are quickly losing patience with new manager Julen Lopetegui.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: The Home crowd could be the difference here in edging Brentford over the line, a draw could also be possible.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Good chance of seeing goals in this game if there is a repeat of last season as Brentford won 3-2, the reverse game last season saw West Ham on top with a 4-2 victory.
- Both Teams to Score: Both teams have the ability to score goals, also both have had their defensive problems this season so goals either end has a strong chance.
Pre-Match Summary
Chelsea look to be finally returning to form and look to be the team they once was, striker Nicolas Jackson fired in two last weekend and now has 4 goals this season while Cole Palmer seems to be getting better and better each week. Brighton still one of the leagues unbeaten teams will be hoping to maintain that form and would leapfrog Chelsea with a win here.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Brighton have a strong away record and are not easily beaten, Chelsea are equally as strong at home and have a slight advantage with the home crowd. Chelsea are favouirte to win but the verdict is a draw.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: A tight game is expected and this may result in few chances, under 2.5 goals is a likely outcome.
- Both Teams to Score: Possibilities, as much as this is expceted to be a tight game, both teams have star players such as Cole Palmer (Chelsea), & Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) who can produce moments of magic.
Pre-Match Summary
Everton earned their first point of the season last weekend and will want to build on that. The Toffee’s have taken the lead in the last 3 games but have failed to win which is a concern but they will be hoping that first win of the season is due, especially against a Palace side who have not beaten Everton away in the last 10 attempts. Palace are also winless in the league and will be hoping to kick start their season here.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Everton are doing things right and are taking the lead often in games, they will be hoping they can do the same and see it out, Home win is a favourable selection.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Defensive frailties could suggest there will be goals, it depends on how clinical these teams can be in attaking arears.
- Both Teams to Score: With only one clean sheet between them in both there opening 5 games this season its possible each team could find the net.
Pre-Match Summary
Only a point seperate these sides at this stage of the season as unbeaten Forest are enjoying themselves in 8th place only 4 points off league leaders Manchester City and Fulham a place below in 9th only 1 point behind todays hosts. An intruiging fixture and both teams proving to be uneasy opponenets so far this term.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Despite Forest good start to the season they are yet to win at home drawing both games 1-1, while Fulham on the road have managed to lose 1 draw 1, so a draw may be a likely outcome.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Unlikely too see over 2.5 goals, with both sides equally matched it could be a case of cancelling each other out.
- Both Teams to Score: Maybe, there is a chance both teams could score but it is certainly not a banker.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool
Pre-Match Summary
It does not get any easier for bottom of the league Wolves as they host high flying Liverpool to the Molineux stadium. Wolves having lost 4 of there opening 5 games, the other being a 1-1 draw, will not be looking forward to this as Liverpool, on the otherhand seem to be in full flow again after a shock defeat to Nottingham Forest (0-1) at Anfield two weeks ago. The reds are 2nd in the table a point behind leaders City, and have scored 10 goals and concedeed just 1 all season.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Away win is hard to overlook as Liverpool look to win what would be 5 of there firt 6 games.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Good chance, the way Liverpool are playing this season they seem to be able to score for fun right now so do not rule this out.
- Both Teams to Score: Unlikley, Wolves despite being at home may find it difficult to break down a pretty in form and solid Liverpool defence.
Pre-Match Summary
Ipswich, allthough without a win this season, have only lost to Manchester City and Liverpool. They have avoided defeat and drew there other three games so will go into this game hopeful of getting a result. Aston Villa however come in in excellent form having won every game this season in all competitions with the exception of Arsenal which was a 0-2 defeat at home. Uni Emery’s men are proving to be the real deal so far.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Ipswich may need to wait a little longer for that first Premier League win, as an away win seems the likely outcome in this one.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Only once this season has an Ipswich game seen over 2.5 goals, where as Aston Villa games this season has only seen under 2.5 goals once. This really could go either way.
- Both Teams to Score: It is possible we will see goals either end as Aston Villa’s natural attacking mentalitly does on occassions see them left vulnerable at the back which Ipswich could expose.
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur
Pre-Match Summary
Spurs in 10th and United in 11th have identical records this season in terms of formhaving both W2 L2 D1 only sperated by goal difference. It has been a pretty medicore start to the season for both these teams who had pre season ambitions of finishing in the top 4. Both managers will be hoping for improvments and a win in this game could just be the answer.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Possible draw, these teams can not be seperated by the form book so perhaps this will be the end result too.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Both teams are dangerous in attack when they want to be, but this could be a battle in midfiled so goals may not be likely.
- Both Teams to Score: Both teams have the attcking prowess, but will either side take the initiative and be clinical? Can not rule btts out in this match.
Pre-Match Summary
A Monday night south coast derby could be a fiest event! Newly promoted Southampton will be hoping the form book goes out of the window as they look for a first league win which will see them climb out of the bottom 3, while Bournemouth, would see a win for them take them into the top half depending on other results.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Bournemouth are favourites to win this one but a derby match can always throw up a suprise.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Neither team have scored many this season, in fact Southampton have scored only twice all season while the home side have managed 5. Under 2.5 goals is a possibility.
- Both Teams to Score: Allthough both teams are lacking somewhat infront of goal, neither side have kept a clean sheet in either of their opening 5 games, so it wouldnt be a suprise to see each team score.
This weeks TOP BET:
Newcastle/Manchester City Over 2.5 goals
Arsenal – Home win
Brentford/West Ham – Over 2.5 goals
Liverpool – Away win
Place this bet here at Sportpesa NOW!
Follow all the weekends action on SP Score.