It was an action packed midweek in the Premier League with thrills and spills as Liverpool remain top but failed to win away to Newcastle in what was a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Liverpool came from 2-1 down to lead 3-2 late on with Mo Salah having a huge impact on the game yet again scoring twice and assisting another only for a big goalkeeping blunder in the dying moments saw Newcastle equalise earning the Magpies a point and ending Liverpools long winning sequence.
Wins for both Chelsea (5-1) away to bottom club Southampton and Arsenal (2-0) at home to Manchester United ensured they both remained in second and third place respectfully and the gap has now closed to seven points.
Manchester City were finally back to winning ways with a comprehensive (3-0) home win over Nottigham Forest and will now be hoping to put a bad patch behind them and kick on.
There was also twists and turns at the bottom end of the table too as Crystal Palace won (1-0) away to Ipswich leaving them in the bottom three along with Wolves who suffered a (4-0) away defeat to Everton who now pull five points clear of the relegations zone.
Leicester won under new boss Rudd Van Nistelrooy (3-1) at home to West Ham and Aston Villa won by the same scoreline at hometo Brentford.
The action continues this weekend beginning with the Merseyside Derby 12.30 ko (UK time) which will be the last ever at Goodison Park before Everton move away to their new multi million pound new stadium at Bramley Moore.
Aston Villa will take on Southampton, Brentford play against Newcastle and Manchester City travel to Crystal Palace all on Saturday 15.00, before a late 17.30 ko will see Manchester Utd face Nottingham Forest.
Sunday we have an all London clash as Arsenal travel to Fulham, Ipswich will be hoping for a better result as they face Bournemouth and an excisting game awaits at the King Power Stadium as Leicester host Brighton all at 14.00.
Sundays afternoon game at 16.30 is back to London as second place in form Chelsea visit Spurs before the weekends action is rounded up with a Monday night clash between West Ham and Wolves at 20.00 a game in which both managers Julien Lopetegui and Gary O Neil will be looking over their shoulders as a loss for either could spell the end of their job in charge.
Pre-Match Summary
The stage is set for the final ever Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. The reds have been flying under Arne Slot but will be feeling slightly subdued after dropping two points midweek away to Newcastle. Everton should be feeling much better now after suffering a 4-0 away defeat to Manchester United last weekend they turned that around with a 4-0 home win over fellow strugglers Wolves and furthermore they won this fixture 2-0 last season, the Toffees fans will be wishing for more of the same.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Liverpool are obvious favourites, however as we seen last year for really can go out the window in a big local derby match and an upset is always possible.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over half of both Liverpool and Everton games this season has seen Over 2.5 goals, we could be in for a cracker here.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, this is sure to be a great game with plenty of action, and has that extra edge of being the last derby at Goodison so expect a firey attmosphere which could make for plenty of goals.
Pre-Match Summary
Another heavy defeat for Saints sees them glued to the bottom of the league on a miserable five points and it does not get any easier as they travbel to Aston Villa who have not been in great for of late however things took a good turn midweek as they beat Brentofrd 3-1 at home and manager Unai Emery will be hoping they can regain that early season good form.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Saints continue to create their own problems and its hard to see them getting any type of result here. Home win is a strong likelihood.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Aston Villa looked back to their best midweek scoring three, and Saints have a really poor defence so Over 2.5 goals may well be a good bet.
- Both Teams to Score: No, Aston Villa in reality should dominate this and chances for the away side may be few and far between.
Pre-Match Summary
Newcastle put in a really good shift at home to league leaders Liverpool and manager Eddie Howe was pleased with the result but more so the attitude and performance of his players. Brentford suferend a midweek loss away to Villa, however their home form is much better and will be hoping for a better result today.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Brentford usually are pretty solid at home and have not lost here all season, oddly the last team to beat Brentford at home was in fact Newcastle with a 4-2 win last season. Can they grab an Away win again?
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Two teams who like to push forward and play open football, Over 2.5 goals is a probable outcome.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes. It would be no suprsie to both teams on the scoresheet given the two teams attacking threats.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
Pre-Match Summary
City were finally smiling again after an uncharachteristic poor winless run. They dispatched Nottingham Forest at home with ease 3-0 and the welcoming back of playmaker Kevin De Bruyne who had a big influence on that win was a big positive for City. Palace also won midweek 1-0 v Ipswich for what was only their second win all season, todays task will be a much tougher assignment.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: City come here as favourites and its difficult to see any reason as to why they wont win. Away win is very likely.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Palace games this season have mainly been tight and gritty with not many goals. City are capable of plenty but this one may not be. Under 2.5 goals is possible.
- Both Teams to Score: No, City getting back to winning ways midweek will have revived the players and palace are not exactly prolific in frot of goal so its not a certainty this will be a goal fest.
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest
Pre-Match Summary
New United manager Ruben Amirom suffered his first defeat in charge away to Arsenal in what was his first real test since taking charge and will want a quick turnaround as they are back at Old Trafford. Forest play in Manchester for the second time in a week after losing to United’s rivals City 3-0 on Wednesday and will not want a repeat scoreline. Forest do still remain in the top six but defeat here could see them drop to midtable depending on other results.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Forest have now only won once in four games and that early season form seems to be dropping off slightly, United are the more likely here and a Home win is favourable.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Seven of the last eight H2Hs at Old Trafford has been Over 2.5 goals. will we see that again today?
- Both Teams to Score: Possible, Forest will be looking to top scorer Chris Wood for goals but both teams to score is not a certainty.
Pre-Match Summary
Since losing away to Newcastle 1-0, Arsenal have now gone four games unbeaten with 1D and 3W. Arteta’s men are joint second with Chelsea and look to be back to their best now they have captain and playmaker Martin Odegaard back in action. Fulham secured a comprehensice 3-1 home win over Brighton on Thursday and now climb into the top six.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Both teams come into this off the back of very good wins and will be high in confidence, Fulham managed to win this fixture last season 2-1 and maybe will fancy their chances again, but Arsenal do look strong so, Away win is slightly preferred.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 goals should be a good option, both teams are in excellent scoring form.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, six out of the last eight H2Hs have seen both teams netting. This could be the same outcome today.
Pre-Match Summary
Ipswich remain in the bottom three and still have only recorded one win all season not good reading for the premier league new boys as they welcome Bournemouth who again suprised everyone with a 1-0 win at home to Spurs on Thursday night to claim another big scalp along with beating Manchester City and Atsenal.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Bournemouth are favourites for this but their form away from home is not as solid as their home form and Ipswich are desperate for a win, a close game is expected, perhaps a Draw will be the final result?
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: This could be a tight game and may be decided by fine margins. Under 2.5 goals may be the way to go.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible both teams may score in what could be a cagey match, but history has seen both teams scoring the last six H2Hs, however them stats date back sometime.
Pre-Match Summary
The Foxes got off to a winning start under manager Rudd Van Nistelrooy at home beating West Ham 3-1 and looked revitilised they will go into this confident and host a Brighton team that lost to Fulham by the same scoreline (3-1) and also failed to beat bottom team Saints at home last weekend.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: A tough game to call, but Leicester looked good midweek and will be looking to build on that against a Brighton team who look a bit lethargic and have not wn in the last two. Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: This should be an open game as both teams attacking styles will create opportunities so Over 2.5 goals is probable.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, all six of the last H2Hs have been both teams scoring and this looks likely again here.
Pre-Match Summary
Chelsea visit Spurs sitting in second place and seem to have found some great form. They are now unbeaten in the league in the last six games D1, W5, including a 5-1 demolition of Southampton on Wednesday. The same can not be said about Spurs who really are up and down this season and this inconsistency showed again on Thursday as they lost away to Bournemouth 1-0.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Chelsea are beginning to look like they could mount a serious title challenge and go into this as favourites and its hard to go against that pick. Away win
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: This could be a close game and usually these two teams have a good battle, but there will be a chance of goals. Chelsea won here last season 4-1 however Spurs had two red cards.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, both teams attacking prowess suggests there is a big chance we will see goals either end.
West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Pre-Match Summary
Both of these teams are out of sorts and both managers seemingly are under pressure, more so Wolves as they sit nineteeth and have lost back to back games conceding four goals in each of them. They have the worst defense in the league and have shipped thirty six goals in fourteen games. West Ham are only marginaly better and six points ahead of Wolves, but many fans think they have under performed so far and expect better.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: West Ham allthough inconsistent this season should have enough to get over the line here, Wolves look deflated and low on confidence so a Home win is likely.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Given the poor defensiove records for both teams this could be a high scoring game and Over 2.5 goals is likely.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, Wolves have goals in them with the likes of Strikers Cunha and Larsen however its hard to see them keeping clean sheets at the moment.
This weeks TOP BET:
Man City – Away win
Aston Villa – Home win
Man Utd v Notts Forest – Over 2.5 goals
West Ham v Wolver – Over 2.5 goals
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