Our football writer previews the English Premier League Week 11 action which kicks off on Saturday 3 November 2018.
The Premier League was full of thrills and excitement yet again as Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City maintained their unbeaten starts to the season. Elsewhere, Arsenal’s 11-game winning streak ended at Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace held the Gunners to a 2-2 draw. Manchester United made their climb up the table with a narrow 2-1 win over Everton, to remain nine points adrift of the leaders.
This weekend throws up some enticing encounters to look forward to with Arsenal looking to end Liverpool’s unbeaten run, while Jose Mourinho’s men make the trip to Bournemouth on the same day that Wolves host Tottenham.
Saturday 3 November
Bournemouth 5/2
Draw 26/10
Manchester United 21/20
High-flying Bournemouth face one of their biggest tests yet this season when they welcome a rejuvenated Manchester United to the Vitality Stadium. Eddie Howe’s men are yet to taste defeat at their ground this campaign, and head into this encounter in superb form – unbeaten in their last four matches with three wins.
Manchester United are three points behind their opponents, and have played some decent football in the past couple of weeks, claiming seven points from a possible nine – including a 2-2 stalemate at Chelsea. This will certainly be a tricky encounter, with goals expected at either end.
I’m going for value here – back Over 3.5 Goals at 17/10!
Cardiff 51/20
Draw 9/4
Leicester City 23/20
Cardiff were hammered 4-1 at Anfield last weekend, but showed impressive signs, albeit against a relatively second-string Liverpool side. Neil Warnock’s men will have to regroup and get their second win on the board if they are to avoid a relegation scramble at the end of the season.
Leicester City will also be hoping for a turn in fortune after a run of three matches without a victory. The Foxes have been free-scoring, but their defence has let them down too often this season. Cardiff haven’t been convincing at all this campaign, although they would feel that this would be the best time to face Leicester.
Still, I fancy Claude Puel’s men at 23/20.
West Ham 15/20
Draw 26/10
Burnley 38/10
West Ham ended their losing run against Leicester City last weekend, drawing away from home after Mark Noble’s red card put a dampener on the Hammers’ chances of holding on to their lead. Burnley were thrashed for the second consecutive weak when they were hit for four by Chelsea at their own backyard.
Marko Arnautovic should make his return after missing out due to illness. The Austrian has been a vital cog for the Hammers this campaign with four goals to his name already.
Back the home win here at 15/20.
Everton 13/20
Draw 28/10
Brighton 17/4
Marco Silva will look to get his Everton side back on track after suffering a hard-fought defeat at Manchester United. Prior to that encounter, the Toffees had won three on the spin, while their home form will give the team some belief ahead of their encounter.
Brighton have been excellent in recent weeks, claiming three consecutive 1-0 wins in a row. Despite their superb showing, the Seagulls haven’t been flying as high away from home, winning just once in five matches.
Take the home win here.
Newcastle 13/20
Draw 43/20
Watford 19/10
Newcastle have been down in the dumps all season, failing to win their first match so far in the campaign. They never really threatened Southampton last weekend and have lost all five of their home ties so far.
Watford have come alive since the international break, beating Wolves 2-0 away and then humbling Huddersfield 3-0 at home last weekend. Roberto Pereyra and Gerard Deulofeu looked menacing in attack for the Hornets.
Get on the visitors to pile more misery on Newcastle here at 19/10!
Arsenal 43/20
Draw 28/10
Liverpool 11/10
Unai Emery and Jurgen Klopp will meet for the first time in the Premier League on Saturday as Arsenal entertain Liverpool.Emery will be hoping to celebrate his 47th birthday by seeing his side hand Liverpool their first league defeat, while Klopp’s side will look to pull further away from the Londoners.
Click here to read more on this match.
Wolves 49/20
Draw 24/10
Tottenham 23/20
After two consecutive defeats, Nuno Espirito Santo faces a massive task ahead at Wolves, facing London giants, Tottenham and Arsenal in his next two league games. Wolves have been creating chances, but wasteful finishing has seen the newly-promoted pack go two games without a goal.
Tottenham were humbled 1-0 at Wembley on Monday night as Manchester City kept the Londoners outside the top four. Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen made their return off the bench and should be available from the start in their decisive match against Wolves.
My money is on Spurs to return to winning ways here.
Sunday 4 November
Manchester City 1/8
Draw 8/1
Southampton 20/1
Manchester City moved back on top of the Premier League on Monday night when they managed a 1-0 victory over Tottenham at Wembley Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s men were relatively comfortable in the game, keeping their sixth successive clean sheet in the league. Southampton also come into this game off the back of two clean sheets, but it wasn’t the result that the Saints had hoped for, drawing blanks against Bournemouth and Newcastle.
Southampton are winless in six games, losing three times in that run. Another worrying statistic for Southampton is that Man City haven’t lost any of the 19 league games that Aymeric Laporte has played in, with City winning 17 times.
Back the Home Win to Nil market here at 7/10.
Chelsea 1/4
Draw 5/1
Crystal Palace 19/2
Chelsea will look to continue their title charge and stay within touching distance of the top when they welcome Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge. Maurizio Sarri became only the second manager to remain unbeaten in his first 10 league games as Blues boss when they smashed Burnley 4-0 at Turf Moor. Crystal Palace shared the spoils last weekend against Arsenal, courtesy of two penalties from Luka Milivojevic to earn the Eagles a 2-2 draw.
Palace have a tough run ahead of them, locking horns with Spurs and Man United after their trip to the Bridge. With Eden Hazard back from injury, Chelsea should steamroll their way past their local rivals.
For more value, back the hosts on the (-1) Handicap at 7/10.
Monday 5 November
Huddersfield 13/10
Draw 47/20
Fulham 22/10
Monday night throws up a bottom-of-the-table spectacle as Huddersfield prepare to face Fulham to close off this week’s round of action. David Wagner’s men sit rooted to the foot of the table, yet to win a match this season, while Fulham have the worst away record in the league, conceding 15 goals.
The Cottagers will fancy their chances of keeping it tight at the back as they come up against a Huddersfield side who are yet to score a single goal in front of their home crowd. Not much separates these two teams going into the game, although I do fancy Fulham to walk away with some sort of positives.
Back the travelling side on the Win/Draw Double Chance here at 6/10.
TREBLE @ 7/1
Bournemouth vs Man United Over 3.5 Goals 17/10
West Ham Win 15/20
Chelsea (-1) Handicap 7/10
