Jesse Nagel previews the third week of the 2018/19 edition of the English Premier League.
It was another thrilling week of Premier League action as just six teams head into gameweek three with a 100% record. It was business as usual for Manchester City as they ran out 6-1 victors at home to Huddersfield, while Liverpool kept up their solid defensive record, beating Crystal Palace 2-0.
Harry Kane finally scored in August as Tottenham beat Fulham 3-1, while Unai Emery remains winless after losing 3-2 at Stamford Bridge last weekend. The shock of the weekend came at the Amex Stadium, though, as Brighton claimed a massive victory over Manchester United, humbling Jose Mourinho’s side to a 3-2 defeat. Could there be further twists in the tale? Let’s hope so.
Saturday 25 August
Wolves 9/1
Draw 11/2
Manchester City 1/4
Wolverhampton Wanderers face a daunting task when they host high-flying champions, Manchester City, at the Molineux Stadium. Wolves are winless in their opening two games in the top flight, losing 2-0 to 10-man Leicester City last weekend.
City were up to their usual tricks in the league, thumping Huddersfield 6-1 at the Etihad Stadium. Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick in that match, and despite missing Kevin De Bruyne through injury, the Citizens looked lethal. Wolves have played some decent football, but don’t pose much of a threat against the best team in the land.
Back the champions on the (-1) Handicap here at 13/20.
Huddersfield 13/10
Draw 2/1
Cardiff City 5/2
Huddersfield and Cardiff do battle this weekend, with both teams set to come out guns blazing after being dubbed by many as the favourites to go down at the end of the season. Huddersfield are bottom of the pile, after being hammered 3-0 and 6-1 by Chelsea and Man City respectively.
Cardiff picked up their first point of the campaign last weekend, courtesy of a straight-forward save from the spot by Neil Etheridge from a poor Kenedy penalty right at the very end of their tie against Newcastle, keeping the game goalless. The Filipino shot-stopper has saved two penalties in two games, and I’m expecting him to keep this match low-scoring once again.
Under 2.5 Goals is the way to go here at 5/10.
Bournemouth 16/10
Draw 49/20
Everton 17/10
Bournemouth are flying high with two wins from two games and they’ve looked superb in both attack and defence. Callum Wilson already has two goals to his name, but still doesn’t lead the standings. That’s because of Everton’s Richarlison, who has three goals to his tally already.
The big-money signing from Watford seems to be enjoying life under Marco Silva, and it’s not just his goals, but his performances have made an impact as well. The Toffees have picked up four points so far, ousting Southampton 2-1 at Goodison Park, after claiming a 2-2 draw with Wolves, despite having Phil Jagielka sent off early in their opening game.
Everton on the Double Chance & Both Teams to Score at 13/10 is the best bet here.
Arsenal 7/20
Draw 17/4
West Ham 13/2
Arsenal fell to their second consecutive defeat in the Premier League as they conceded late in the game to lose 3-2 at Stamford Bridge. There were a few positives to take from the game, but wasteful finishing left Unai Emery disappointed and winless in the campaign.
West Ham had high hopes for their first season under Manuel Pellegrini, but so far, they’ve crumbled, just as their Saturday opponents have, going winless in their first two encounters. Now, Pellegrini gets his first taste of a London derby, and it’s a ground in which they haven’t had much success over the past couple of years.
Back the Gunners to pick up their first victory of the campaign here.
Southampton 27/20
Draw 22/10
Leicester City 9/4
Southampton find themselves in the middle of the pile with two games into the campaign so far. They suffered defeat at Goodison Park but held on to draw against Burnley in their season opener.
Leicester City ground out a 2-0 win over Wolves last weekend but will miss Jamie Vardy for the next couple of matches after the English forward cynically lashed out at a defender to be shown a straight red card. The Foxes still look pretty decent on paper but could struggle against one of the league’s most tactically defensive teams.
My money is on a draw here.
Liverpool 1/6
Draw 13/2
Brighton 14/1
Liverpool were brilliant on Monday night as they shut out Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park to win 2-0. Jurgen Klopp’s men played as a unit and are the only team yet to concede a goal in the league so far. The Reds last conceded a Premier League goal at Anfield way back in March. Astonishing.
Brighton come into this tie off the back of a massive result, putting Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United to the sword, winning 3-2 at the Amex Stadium. Despite that feat, Anfield is not like any ground to go to in the division.
Back the Reds to Win to Nil at 8/10 – great value there!
Sunday 26 August
Watford 15/10
Draw 22/10
Crystal Palace 2/1
Watford have started their campaign off in the best possible way, being one of only six teams to boast a 100% record. The Hornets claimed a comfortable 2-0 win in their last home game over Brighton, and then went to Burnley and scored a further three goals to walk away 3-1 victors.
Palace showed great fight and character in their 2-0 home defeat by Liverpool and can take a lot of positives from that encounter. They’re likely to find the back of the net here, but a win is never guaranteed at Vicarage Road.
Take Both Teams to Score here at 17/20.
Newcastle United 17/4
Draw 28/10
Chelsea 13/20
Newcastle United welcome Chelsea to Tyneside, with the hosts looking for their first win of the season. They had the perfect chance to steal a victory at Cardiff last weekend, but Chelsea loanee, Kenedy, had his penalty saved with seconds to spare. After lashing out at Victor Camarasa in that game, the Brazilian trickster could be given a ban and sanctioned to the touchline – although, even if he doesn’t, he would be ineligible to play against his parent club.
The Blues made it two wins from two and gave Maurizio Sarri the perfect start he had hoped for. They’ve scored three goals in each game, and despite being a bit shaky at the back, three goals is usually enough to get over the line.
Sarri’s men should make it three wins from three here – get on at 13/20!
Fulham 21/20
Draw 23/10
Burnley 29/10
Fulham and Burnley do battle on Sunday evening with both sides looking to get their season on track and avoid early doubt cast over their survival chances. After spending over £100m, the Cottagers have been far from entertaining and have two defeats in as many games.
Burnley have had to turn their attention to the UEFA Europa League every now and then, but know very well that a decent start to the season gives you a massive chance of progressing as the campaign goes on further.
For me, this one ends in a draw.
Monday 27 August
Manchester United 16/10
Draw 22/10
Tottenham 18/10
Full preview to follow.
Quad tipped at 13/2
Man City (-1) Handicap 13/20
Arsenal Win 7/20
Liverpool Win to Nil 8/10
Watford vs Crystal Palace BTTS 17/20
