Mikel Arteta has confirmed his Arsenal side are now firmly back in the hunt for the Premier League title after beating rivals Spurs in North London derby 2-1.
Arsenal came from behind to capitalise on league leaders Liverpool dropping points as they could only manage a 1-1 draw away to fellow high fliers Nottingham Forest to close to the gap to just four points in the race for title.
Manchester City blew a 2-0 lead away to Brentford as the game ended 2-2 with late goals for the Bees causing further frustration for City and Pep Gaurdiola, while Chelsea could also only manage a draw as Bournemouth took away from Stamford Bridge with a 2-2 draw.
There was a win for West Ham and new manager Graham Potter as they just about seen off Fulham with a 3-2 win and Newcastle continued their incredible win streak with a 3-0 victory at home to Wolves.
Everton went down 1-0 at home to Aston Villa to upset the return of manager David Moyes and Leicester lost 2-0 at home to Crystal Palace to leave them in the bottom three.
Manchester United left it late to beat Southampton 3-1 after being a goal down it was a hatrick from young star Amad Diallo to the rescue for the Red devils, and Brighton had a routine win of 2-0 away to Ipswich.
As we head into another busy weekend there are key games yet again at both ends of the table.
Newcastle begin the weekends action hosting Bournemouth on Saturday 12.30 ko UK time.
The Magpies have won nine straight games while the Cherrys visit here in fine form also having not lost in ten games recording 6W and 4D in that sequence.
League leaders face a tough away trip to Brentford, Leicester host Fulham and Crystal Palace have a short trip to fellow Londoners West Ham all at 15.00.
Saturday evening 17.30 will see acrucial match up as a revitilised Arsenal take on Aston Villa.
Into Sunday and Everton new boss David Moyes will be looking for a win as out of form Spurs visit Goodison. Manchester United welcome Brighton and Nottingham Forest play bottom club Southampton. All games at 14.00.
Sunday afternoons game is an interesting clash as Manchester City travel to play Ipswich at 16.30.
The weeknd is rounded up with a Monday night fixture between Chelsea and Wolves 20.00.
Newcastle United Vs Bournemouth
Pre-Match Summary
A great game to open the weekends action with two teams in top form. Newcastle go into this looking for a tenth straight win in all competitions and in form striker Alexander Isak will also look to continue his incredible scoring form. While Bournemouth visit today having not lost a game in ten matches with 6W and 4D then will be hoping to continue there push for a European spot.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: This has the makings of a classic with two very good teams playing some excellent football, Newcastle are favourites to continue their winning streak but it could go either way. Draw perhaps?
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Both teams have been in red hot form in front of goal so would be no suprise to see Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, Eight of the last ten H2Hs have seen both teams score and this is very likely again today.
Pre-Match Summary
Brentford come into this not in the greatest form however they fought back from two nil down at home midweek to earn a draw v Manchester City so will be hoping that is a turning point, it will not be easy today though as they welcome league leaders Liverpool who having dropped points away to Nottigham Forest midweek with a 1-1 draw will be determind to not slip up again here.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Liverpool have won the last four H2Hs and there is a strong chance that sequence will continue. Away win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Brentford have the second highests amount (16 from 21) of matches this season with games Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, there is a very strong chance that this game will see both teams on the scoresheet.
Pre-Match Summary
Leicester now sit only one place off the bottom of the league and have lost the last six league games in a row, a worrying stat for Foxes fans and some are even calling for the sacking of manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy after only two months in charge. Fulham come here having lost 3-2 to West Ham last time out which ended an eight game unbeaten run in the league allthough six of them eight games were draws.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Leicester are really struggling at the moment and have lost six league games in a row, Fulham have a strong squad and are favourites to get the win. Away win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Leicester have conceded at least two goals in the last seven games and Fulhams last four games have all been Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, this game is sure to be open and potentially could be a high scoring game with both teams netting.
West Ham United Vs Crystal Palace
Pre-Match Summary
New manager Graham Potter started life at West Ham with a 3-2 win over Fulham and will look to kick on from there. That win saw the Hammers move upto thirteenth in the table and are now ten points ahead of the drop zone. Palace only two places and two points behind todays opponents have had a very welcome mini run of 2W and 2D which will inject confidence into the players ahead of this clash.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Two evenly matched teams and this is a hard game to predict, perhaps the home advantage and new manager factor will have the edge for West Ham, Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: This fixture historically is one full of goals and this has the potential to go the same direction. Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, only once in the last fourteen meetings has this game not been both teams to score.
Pre-Match Summary
Arsenal are now only four points behind the league leaders allthough they have played one extra game, they come into this one having not lost a game in eleven matches in the league with 7W and 4D. Villa seem to be back in good form having won the last two games and have climbed back upto seventh place and are pushing once again for a European spot.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: This wont be an easy game for title hopefuls Arsenal however they are favourites and with the home fans behind them, it may be enough to et them over the line. Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Could be a tight game this and Villa will make it awkward. Chances may be limited. Under 2.5 goals may be a shrewd option.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible, both teams are certainly more than capable of scoring so do not rule this out, but with a tight game expected it could be down to fine margins.
Pre-Match Summary
Everton welcomed back ex manager David Moyes but the fairytale return was not to be as they lost 1-0 to Aston Villa. Moyes had only had a couple of days to prepare and allthough this game is a quick turnaround from Wednesday nights defeat, we should see a more familair Moyes like Everton team and performance. Spurs come here after losing the North London derby 2-1, and continue to remain inconsistent this season currently way down in fourteenth place.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Everton will feel this is a winnable game due to Spurs inconsitent performances, however they have struggled to score goals so will not be easy as said than done. Possible draw.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Evertons form in front of goal is poor and after beating Wolves 4-0 they have only scored once since then (six games).
- Both Teams to Score: No, its hard to see where goals are coming from for Everton, and Spurs have not exactly been firing on all cylinders either.
Pre-Match Summary
Both teams come into this after picking up wins on Thursday night, United left it late against Southampton and a hatrick in the last ten minuts from young star Amad Diallo stole the points from Saints who remain rock bottom of the league. Brighton had a routine win 2-0 away to Ipswich making this a first win in five after four straight draws.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: A tough prediction, Brighton have beaten United the last two visits to Old Trafford and perhaps will be confident to make that a hatrick of wins, Away win may be on the cards.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Both teams have decent attacking options and like to play openly which could make for an exciting game with plenty of goal scoring opportunities. Over 2.5 goals is likely.Both Teams to Score: Yes, it is easy to see and end to end game here and looking at the two teams recent results, this is likely to see both teams netting.
Nottingham Forest Vs Southampton
Pre-Match Summary
Forest almost completed an unlikely double over Liverpool after being ahead for a long period of the game midweek only to be pegged back to 1-1, the game ended with Forest taking a well earned point after previously winning six league games in a row. Southampton come here still only with the one win all season and remain bottom of the league on a mere 6 points.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Forest in tremendous form third in the league only six points behind Liverpool should have the beating of Saints today and a routine Home win is very likely.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: This could all be one way and Forest may be able to build on goal difference if they really want to. Top Scorer Chris Wood (13 goals) will be hoping to add to that. Over 2.5 goals is possible.
- Both Teams to Score: No, Forest could make this an attack v defence stule match and Saints who have struglled all season may find this one extremley tough.
Pre-Match Summary
Ipswich who sit in the bottom three have played ok in recent weeks but have not got the desired results which will not do confidence any good, today the welcome current title holders Manchester City who have had there own concerns of late but will look at this as a chance to get back on track after blowing a 2-0 lead midweek away to Brentford eventually drawing the game 2-2.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: City come here rightly as heavy favourites and it is hard to see anything other than an Away win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: City, allthough not back to their very best have started to find the net pretty frequently again and could dominate this. Chance of Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible, it is likely City will maintain most possesion and on paper should record a routine win however Ipswich will be up for it and may snatch one.
Chelsea Vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Pre-Match Summary
Chelsea who a few weeks ago was looking like serious title challengers have dropped off somewhat with a string of poor results leaving them in fifth place. They welcome Wolves to Stamford Bridge and will be hoping to get back to winning ways as Wolves remain dangerously close to the drop zone and only goal difference keeps them above Ipswich and the bottom three.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Chelsea will be hoping for much better and with respect to Wolves this should be a a fairly simple Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Wolves have had the most games this season involving Over 2.5 goals (17 from 21 games), If Chelsea are back at it this could also be a high scoring game.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible, as much as Wolves have a poor defence they are capable on occasions of scoring and with Matheus Cunha also back from a suspension this has a chance.
This weeks TOP BET:
Newcastle v Bournemouth – Both teams to score YES
Brentford v Liverpool – Over 2.5 goals
West Ham v Crystal Palace – Both teams to score YES
Nottingham Forest – Home win
Chelsea – Home win
Place this bet here at Sportpesa NOW!
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