Manchester City regain the top spot in the Premier League after seeing off relegation battling Southampton as it ended 1-0 at the Etihad last weekend with yet another goal from Earling Haaland.
Haaland’s eleventh goal of the season came early in the game and the solitary goal was enough for City to take three points and claim back the top spot from Liverpool. The defeat for Southampton now leaves them bottom of the league on a single point from nine games played.
Liverpool meanwhile had to come from behind twice against Arsenal at the Emirates to earn a point on the road. The 2-2 result however sees the reds slip to second, while Arsenal sit in third and will be frustrated that they allowed a 1-0 and 2-1 lead to get away from them as Liverpool showed their resilience to fight back in a great game.
Elsewhere there was a host of late stoppage time goals last weekend as Wolves scored in the 88th and 93rd minute after being 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Brighton, which lifted them off bottom place. Ipswich thought they had rescued a point away to Brenford as they made it 3-3 in the 86th minute only for Brentford to win the game in the 96th minute 4-3.
Aston Villa conceded late on at home to Bournemouth after Brazilian forward Evanilson equalised in the 96th minute ensuring the Cherrys went back to South Coast with a point after a 1-1 draw, whilst Everton scored through substitute Beto in the 94th minute to claim a point v Fulham in a 1-1 draw. West Ham’s Jarred Bowen scored a 92nd minute penatly at home against Manchester United to beat them 2-1. The aftermath of this result seen Manchester United sack manager Erik Ten Hag.
Game week ten and all eyes will be on managerless Manchester United to see how they will cope this weekend as Chelsea visit Old Trafford on Sunday 16:30 kick off (UK time). Spurs will take on Aston Villa in Sundays 14:00 fixture.
Saturdays action begins at St James’s Park as Newcastle host Arsenal 12:30, and Wolves will play Crystal Palace in the 17:30 late kick off.
There are five 15:00 fixtures on Saturday which include Bournemouth v Manchester City, Ipswich v Leicester, Liverpool v Brighton, Nottingham Forest v West Ham and Southampton v Everton.
The weeknds action is rounded up with a Monday night all London clash as Fulham host Brenford at Craven Cottage 20:00.
Pre-Match Summary
Newcastle have now gone five games without a win in the league, and after what seemed a very promising start to the season now seem to be in free fall as they drop into the bottom half. Arsenal come here in much better form and will be hoping to capitalise on a vulnerable and out of sorts Newcastle team.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Away win is the more likely outcome as Arsenal will look to close the gap at the top against a Newcastle team that are really out of form right now.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Likely to see a lot of goal scoring opportunities created today so Over 2.5 goals is favourable.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, both teams have shown this season they are dangerous in attacking areas and this has the makings of a great attcking game.
Bournemouth vs Manchester City
Pre-Match Summary
Bournemouth have only lost once at home all season and noteably beat Arsenal here 2-0 a fortnight ago, however this will be a different test and they will need to be at there very best if they want anything from this game. Manchester City back into top spot will be looking to tighten there grip on that with a win here. City have won this fixture the last seven times in a row.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: City like it here and have beaten Bournemouth away the last seven times in a row, and that trend looks likely to continue with another Away win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 goals is a probable outcome, with City’s attacking threat and also Bournemouth in good form, this should be entertaining.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible, Bournemouth look pretty decent at home this season and have only failed to score once at the Vitality Stadium, City can also have the occasional defensive lapse.
Pre-Match Summary
Ipswich thought they had rescued a point late on last week v Brentford only to lose the game 4-3 with an even later killer blow which leaves Ipswich now in the bottom three. Leicester having won a couple of games back to back, seen themselves on the end of a 3-1 home defeat last weekend to East Midland rivals Nottigham Foest, and will be hoping to bounce back today.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Tough game to call, but Ipswich have been knocking at the door and been unlucky in some games, perhaps they can get that first win of the season.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Neither of these teams have a great defensive record and we may well see another game full of goals in this one.
- Both Teams to Score: Likely, both teams have shown they are capable of scoring goals, they both concede a lot too, so both teams to score could be a good choice.
Pre-Match Summary
Both these teams drew 2-2 in their last matches as Brighton threw away a 2-0 lead at home to Wolves with minutes to go and Liverpool fought back twice away to Arsenal. The teams also met midweek in the EFL cup and Liverpool were eventual winners 3-2. This has the makings of another close and very good game that should have plenty of action and excitment.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Liverpool do not often lose at home and they are favourites to win this one, Brighton do have it in them to cause a possible upset.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: The last six meetings between these two have been Over 2.5 goals and heading into this one it looks likely again to see Over 2.5.
- Both Teams to Score: Five out the last six meetings have seen both teams score in this fixture, this looks to have a strong chance again the way both teams have played this season.
Nottingham Forest vs West Ham United
Pre-Match Summary
Seventh placed Forest have been the suprise package this season and are enjoying an excellent run of form, currently on 16 points a win for Forest here today could see them move into third position depending on other results. West Ham needed a last minute penalty to claim the victory over Manchester United last time out and will visit here in good spirits after that win.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Not an easy game to predict but Forest’s recent good fortune may continue as West Ham despite winning last time have been somewhat inconsistent this season.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Forest have really tightened up defensivly and are not an easy team to break down. Under 2.5 goals could be the outcome.
- Both Teams to Score: Not a likely outcome, this could be a tight game and may be a low scoring match.
Pre-Match Summary
Saints now occupy bottom spot in the league having lost eight of the first nine games, drawing the other with fellow league newcomers Ipswich (1-1). Furthermore they are the leagues lowest scoring team having only scored six goals. Everton rescued a point against Fulham last weekend extending their unbeaten run to five games now with 3D and 2W.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Could be a close game, but an Away win is the more likely outcome.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Under 2.5 would not be a suprise, could be a close game won by fine margins.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible, allthough this is not likely to be a thriller and could be a game with few chances and goals.
Pre-Match Summary
Palace finally got their first win of the season last weekend with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Spurs at home, meaning only the bottom three teams now are yet to win, one of which includes todays hosts. Wolves will take confidence from the previous game having scored twice late on to grab a point away to Brighton in a 2-2 draw and will look to build on that as they search for that first win of the season.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: This may be a tight one, Wolves are desperate for that first win and having the home crowd behind them perhaps will be the difference.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Palace are the leagues joint bottom scorers, however Wolves have conceded the most goals in the league (25) so we may well see goals, but it likely to be a low scoring game.
- Both Teams to Score: Unlikely, Palace are not exactly prolific and even less so away from home.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa
Pre-Match Summary
Spurs continue to show inconsistencies after they dispatched West Ham 4-1 two weeks ago they followed that result with a shock defeat away to Crystal Palace losing 1-0, leaving much to be desired from Ange Postecoglou’s men. Villa meanwhile remain fourth and still with only one defeat in the league all season however, Villa have failed to win in the league the last two times they have had a midweek cup game and after losing out to Palace themselves in the EFL cup on Wednesday they will be weary of this stat going into this one.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Spurs go into this as slight favourites, but this is not a sure thing given there unpredicible performences, perhaps a draw could be the best option.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: There may well be goals here, both teams have solid attacking options and both teams will create chances. Over 2.5 is likely
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, both teams offer good attacking threat and this game should present plenty of goal opportunities bothe ends of the pitch.
Pre-Match Summary
Questions and doubt loom heavily over Manchester United as they target a new manager follwing the sacking of Erik Ten Hag. Ruud Van Nistelrooy took charge midweek and United triumphed 5-2 winners over Leicester City in the EFL cup, however it remains to be seen how United’s future will pan out. Chelsea currently fifth in the league will be coming here hoping to contiune their good form and capitalise on a uncertain United.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Hard to split these two teams but an Away win may be more favourable given the uncertainty surrounding the home side right now.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Possible there will be Over 2.5 goals, this could be a tight game but with two teams who can cause each other problems we may see goals.
- Both Teams to Score: The last six head to heads have seen both teams scoring, and this looks likely again.
Pre-Match Summary
Marco Silva will be disappointed Fulham conceded a 94th minute equaliser last weekend away to Everton which means they have now not won in three games having L2 and D1. Only one point and one league place above them in nineth, Brentford came from 2-0 down to be leading 3-2 v Ipswich and then had to win it all over again as Ipswich made it 3-3 before a 96th minute winner finally secured the three points for the Bees to leave them buzzing ahead of the short trip to Fulham today.
Statistical Insights:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Brentford are still winless away from home this season which tips the balance in favour of a Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Strong chance of an open game with two capable sides so Over 2.5 goals is likely.
- Both Teams to Score: A likely outcome, both teams like to be on the front foot and will both generate goal scoring opportunities.
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Newcastle v Arsenal – Both teams to Score YES
Liverpool – Home win
Manchester City – Away win
Tottenham v Aston Villa – Both teams to Score YES
Manchester United v Chelsea – Both teams to Score YES
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