We preview week four of the 2018/19 English Premier League season which gets underway on Saturday 1 September.
This is the league we all want to watch, and gameweek three showed us why. Manchester City dropped points at last season’s Championship winners, Wolves while Tottenham Hotspur ran riot at Old Trafford claiming a massive 3-0 win over Manchester United.
Elsewhere, Watford, Chelsea and Liverpool maintained their 100% record, while Unai Emery picked up his first win as Arsenal boss. More of the same in gameweek four, please!
Saturday 1 September
Leicester City 11/2
Draw 37/10
Liverpool 9/20
Leicester City and Liverpool kick-start proceedings in the Premier League this weekend, a match that many regard as the biggest tie of the weekend. The Foxes have been in decent form since their opening day defeat at Old Trafford to Manchester United, winning their last two games.
Liverpool lead the way with three matches played so far, proving that this could be their year, being the only team yet to concede a goal this season. Leicester City will still be without Jamie Vardy, who has a brilliant record against the top six in England, while Dejan Lovren could possibly make his return to the Reds squad. It may sound cynical, but back Liverpool to drop their first points of the campaign.
Take the Foxes on the Win/Draw Double Chance here at 31/20.
Chelsea 3/10
Draw 5/1
Bournemouth 17/2
Maurizio Sarri will be looking to keep up his perfect record at Chelsea when they host Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth. Chelsea are one of four teams to win all three of their matches played so far, while the Cherries can also take some positives from their first three encounters, heading into the new month unbeaten with two wins.
The Blues have looked brilliant going forward, but there’s still question marks that hover over their defence. I expect Chelsea to win here, but I fancy Bournemouth getting on the scoresheet.
Back a Blues Win & Both Teams to Score at 14/10 here.
Crystal Palace 19/20
Draw 24/10
Southampton 31/10
Crystal Palace return to Selhurst Park this weekend when they prepare to host a Southampton side who remain winless since the start of the new campaign. Palace may have lost two consecutive matches, but there were certainly some positives to take from their last home game in which they lost to Liverpool.
The Saints suffered their second 2-1 defeat in a row when they were left heartbroken by a superb last-minute Harry Maguire strike to rub salt in the wounds of the Southampton supporters. The Saints should struggle again here against a side who have looked much more up for the challenge than their opponents.
Back the Eagles here at 19/20.
Everton 11/20
Draw 3/1
Huddersfield 52/10
Everton fought hard yet again as they had to play with a man short for the second time this season as big-money signing, Richarlison, received his marching orders in the first half.
Huddersfield picked up their first point of the season when they drew 0-0 with Cardiff last weekend. The Terriers are backed by many to fall down to the Championship at the end of the season, and so far, have done nothing to change their doubters’ minds. Marco Silva could give new boys, Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes, a run out, while a rejuvenated Theo Walcott seems to have found his best form again.
Get on the home win here and include in all multiples.
Brighton 13/10
Draw 23/10
Fulham 9/4
Brighton did what they could but were just not good enough at Anfield as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool. It wasn’t the result they had hoped for, especially after beating Manchester United, but there were positives to take into their next match.
Fulham picked up their first win of the campaign, and what an emphatic one it was. The Cottagers smashed four passed Burnley, but their defence is still an area that needs to be addressed by coach, Slavisa Jokanovic.
My money is on a draw.
West Ham 31/20
Draw 23/10
Wolves 18/10
West Ham head into the new month with an unwanted record of being the only team in the league yet to pick up a single point so far. Still, somehow, there have been signs that West Ham will cause plenty of teams problems this season. Wolves picked up the result of the weekend, holding off the champions, Manchester City, to a 1-1 draw.
They did score a wrongfully given goal, but that’s football, and sometimes you have to take what you can get, especially against the best team in the land. After such an impressive draw, the worst that Wolves could do now is drop points at one of the league’s underperforming sides. Funny enough, I expect just that.
West Ham are a good value bet here at 31/20.
Manchester City 1/8
Draw 8/1
Newcastle United 21/1
Manchester City will be looking to get their title defence back on track when they host Newcastle United this Saturday evening. City dropped their first points of the campaign, sharing the spoils at Wolves, although, had there been VAR in the league, some might argue that Pep Guardiola’s side would not have conceded that handball goal.
Newcastle fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Chelsea, and although it was an exciting last few minutes of the game, the way the Toon set up was absolutely atrocious. They played for a goalless draw, and although some harsh decisions went in favour of the opposition, playing like that only brings negativity into the camp. If Newcastle sit back and keep up their defensive antics, they could be in for an annihilation.
The Citizens on the Half-time/Full-time win is priced up at 4/10 – one worth including in all multiples.
Sunday 2 September
Cardiff 9/2
Draw 31/10
Arsenal 6/10
Cardiff City will be hoping they can upset the applecart and pick up their first victory since their return to the top flight. The Bluebirds are the only team in the Premier League yet to score a single goal this campaign.
Unai Emery claimed his first win as Arsenal boss when the Gunners came out 3-1 victors against West Ham United. It’s fair to say that Emery got his changes right as his Arsenal team looked better and better after each substitute. Cardiff haven’t scored in their last four meetings against Arsenal and are still yet to break their duck this season.
The away win is tipped here at 6/10.
Watford 17/4
Draw 31/10
Tottenham 6/10
Watford and Tottenham do battle in what promises to be a thrilling affair with both teams winning their opening three games. The Hornets have been fun to watch thus far, with Roberto Pereyra netting three goals to his name, leading the way alongside some of the best attackers in England.
Tottenham come off the back of a brilliant performance at Old Trafford, hammering Manchester United 3-0 in what proved to be a one-sided second half. Lucas Moura was the star of the show, while Harry Kane netted his second goal in succession.
Take Over 2.5 Goals at 7/10.
Burnley 47/10
Draw 11/4
Manchester United 13/20
Winless Burnley face a massive test against a Manchester United side looking to bounce back after two consecutive defeats. The Clarets have been plagued with a tough schedule, playing two UEFA Europa League qualifiers since the start of the league.
United played well in the first half against Spurs but capitulated in the second half as Tottenham ran riot and claimed a 3-0 win in front of the Manchester United hierarchy, and thousands of supporters, who had had enough before the final whistle had gone. They’ve conceded six goals in two games, and Jose Mourinho needs a massive response from his players.
At 23/20, Both Teams to Score seems like a bet worth having a punt on.
Treble tipped at 4/1
Crystal Palace Win 19/20
Everton Win 11/20
Arsenal Win 6/10
