The Premier League returns this weekend after a busy FA cup break last week and all will be keen to get going once again as we enter a crucial stage of the season.
Liverpool remain league leaders now seven points clear but will be left frustrated after an eventful midweek final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park ended in dramatic style with a last minute equaliser for the Toffees seen Everton snatch a well earned point in a 2-2 draw.
James Tarkowski’s late equaliser sparked scenes as the final whistle blew both teams saw a player sent off for unsportinmanlike conduct aswell as a furious Liverpool manager Arne Slot also seeing a red card for his actions.
Liverpool will now play Wolves on Sunday at 14.00 ko UK time with their manager watching on from the stands as he serves a toutchline ban, meanwhile Everton have a tricky away trip to in form Crystal Palace at 17.30 on Saturday evening.
Elsewhere fourth placed Chelsea will play Brighton on Friday at 20.00 who lost their last game 7-0 to start the weekend off before Arsenal begin Saturdays action at 12.30 with an away trip to struggling Leicester.
Saturdays other fixtures include Aston Villa at home to also struggling Ipswich, Fulham v high flying Nottingham Forest, a intriguing clash sees Manchester City host Newcastle, while bottom of the league Southampton welcome fellow South Coasters Bournemouth, and finally West Ham play Brentford. All 15.00 ko.
Sunday we head to the Tottenham Hotsur Stadium as Spurs welcome Manchester United to round up the weekends action at 16.30 in what will sure to be an exciting game as both teams this season have hugely underperformed and both sit in the bottom half (14th & 13th) only seperated by two points going into this one.
Pre-Match Summary
Brighton will have had an eager wait to return to Premier League action aster a heavy 7-0 away defeat last time out, that result followed a 1-0 defeat at home the week before making it back to back losses however they did win an FA Cup tie over Chelsea 2-1 so will be hoping a repeat of that as they welcome Chelsea to the Amex for the second week in a row. Chelsea have not been great on the road this season and know this will be another tough match.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Brightons form has not been great but have only lost twice in the last ten in all competitions 4W, 4D. Chelsea also seem to be having a mixed run with 3W, 4L & 3D. Possible Draw.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: It is more likely to see a game with goals here than without and both teams are certainly capable. Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, Eight of the last nine H2Hs have seen both teams find the net.
Pre-Match Summary
Seven points behind the leaders Arsenal will still fancy their chances of a title win especially after a huge victory over Man City last time out with a 5-1 win, however one concern for the Gunners is their ever growing injury list. Leicester have won just once in nine league games the other eight ending in defeat, including a 4-0 hammering away to Everton in the last game.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Leicester’s form is a worry and despite Arsenals injury woe’s you would still expect to see an Away win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: With a poor defence and Arsenals attacking prowess this could easily be Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Possiblity, allthough Leicester have a weak defence they do still pose a threat going forward so perhaps could snatch an odd goal.
Pre-Match Summary
Ipswich visit Villa Park in nineteeth place having won only three games all season, a stark contrast to todays hosts who sit eigth just six points behind the top four and will be looking to improve their placings with a win today having not won any of their last three league games, 2D and 1L.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: No win in three for Villa should spark them into a response today against an Ipswich team low on confidence having lost the last four in a row. Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Villa have shown this season they are more than capable of scoring goals and back at home against a bottom three team could see this as Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: No, Ipswich may find this a difficult game and could struggle to create opportunities.
Pre-Match Summary
Forest still continue to fly high and a massive 7-0 home win over Brighton in the last game enhanced that reputation and their persuit of a Champions League spot. Fulham eleven points behind Forest have enjoyed some good recent form including a 2-1 away win over Newcastle last week, but they do like a draw and have the joint highest in the league.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Not much to seperate these two in the betting market and Fulham do have the home advantage, this is a very good Forest side though and it would not be a suprise to see an away win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Both teams in excellent form in front of goal and this should be a game with plenty of chances, Over 2.5 goals is likely.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, two good attacking teams with in form strikers should see goals at both ends.
Pre-Match Summary
A fascinating fixture as these two teams sit fifth and sixth in the league with identical records of 12W 5D and 7L both on 41 points and oddly the same goal difference figure, they can only be seperated by goals scored. They both head into this one on the back of defeats as City lost 5-1 to Arsenal and Newcastle went 2-1 down at home to Fulham. Who will step up today to change the stats?
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: May be best to look at historical H2Hs rather than recent form, and in that case City have the upper hand, they also have a home advantage but this will not be a certainty. Preferable Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Two teams full of goals all over the pitch, Strong chance we will see Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, in form attacking players, slightly vulnerable defences.
Pre-Match Summary
Saints long drab season continues and they remain bottom of the league and now are becoming detached as they ten points adrift of saftey, and despite winning the last game 2-1 v Ipswich today they welcome the Cherrys who are in a rich vain of form having lost once (to Liverpool) in twelve league games 7W and 4D.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Life has been tough for the Saints back in the top flight this season and it does not get any easier, Bournemouth in excellent form are hot favourites for an Away win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Possible, it is hard to see Southampton scoring many, Borunemouth on the other hand are certainly firing so there is a chance of Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: No, aswell as being bottom of the league on lowest points, Saints also have scored the least goals of any team in the league (18).
Pre-Match Summary
Just one win in the last six games for the Hammers leaves them lingering dangerously close to the drop zone and will be searching for better under new manager Graham Potter who has not had the best of starts in his reign. Brentford do fair slightly better, their away record isnt great, having said that there only two away wins of the season have been in their last lwo matches.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Tough one, West Ham not in the best form and need to quickly turn it around or could find themselves in a relegation scrap, this may give the incentive for a Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Both these teams have been involved in a lot of high scoring games this season and this fixture last seaosn ended 4-2 so theres certainly a chance of Over 2.5 goals.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, the last three H2Hs have seen both teams score and this looks likely to continue.
Pre-Match Summary
Both these teams have now found a bit of good form with Palace unbeaten in six league games having W4 and D2 which sees them climb to twelvth place. While Everton under returning manager David Moyes have won three on the spin followed by a midweek draw against fierce rivals Liverpool on Wednesday night.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Two in form teams makes this another tough one to call, Everton will come here bouyant from their last minute derby leveller but Palace are proving a tough nut to crack of late. Possible draw.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: This has the makings of a tight game and could be decided by fine margins, Under 2.5 goals is likely.
- Both Teams to Score: Possible, in what is likely to be a tight game there may be few chances, both teams have been clinical of late though so do not rule out both teams scoring.
Liverpool Vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Pre-Match Summary
Liverpool will be kicking themselves for not seeing out the win at Goodison Park midweek in what was their game in hand over rivals Arsenal, however they do remain seven points clear and today welcome a Wolves side who sit two points above the relegation zone. Liverpool have dominated this fixture in recent years and Wolves will have their work cut out to get anything here.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: Liverpool have lost just once at Anfield all season and thier dominance here looks sure to continue. Home win.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Liverpool the leagues top scorers (58) welcome Wolves the leagues worst defence (52), this could be a goal fest. Over 2.5 goals is likely.
- Both Teams to Score: No, difficult to make a case for Wolves here and it could end up a game of attack versus defence.
Tottenham Hotspur Vs Manchester United
Pre-Match Summary
Two teams who have largley underperformed this season and as a result find themselves both in the bottom half of the table. Spurs did record a victory in the last match over Brentford which was a first win in the last eight after 6L and 1D. While United’s form does not read much better and it is just two wins in the last eight league matches having 5L including last game at home to Crystal Palace and 1D.
Statistical Insight:
- Home Win/Away Win/Draw: The inconsistent form from both teams makes this difficult to judge. In addition the last ten H2H have seen both sides win four each and drew the other two, so this is very even poised.
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Four of the last five H2H have been Over 2.5 goals. This looks another game that could be goal heavy.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, it is easy to see an end to end game here and there should be plenty of goal scoring opportunities for both teams.
This weeks TOP BET:
Brighton v Chelsea – Both teams to score YES
Arsenal – Away win
Aston Villa – Home win
Fulham v Notts Forest – Over 2.5 goals
Man City V Newcastle – Both teams to score YES
Place this bet here at Sportpesa NOW!
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