A bumper Sunday Premier League coupon means there are only five fixtures on Saturday but they are all intriguing affairs with most eyes fixed towards the foot of the division with three of the bottom four aiming to move away from relegation trouble.
Brighton No Bankers at the Amex
Pick of the bets comes at the Amex Stadium where Brighton don’t look bankers at odds of 11/10 at home to a Leeds team who are perhaps the most surprising of all the sides knocking around the wrong end of the table.
Injuries have hampered Marcelo Bielsa’s visitors at every turn of a tough campaign, although at odds of 13/5 they retain the potential to cause an upset.
Patrick Bamford has at least returned to training but the bigger absentee at Tottenham last week was that of Raphinha through illness.
The Brazilian has been hugely influential and if he can return to peak fitness and form then Leeds have a real chance. They played extremely well at Tottenham in the first half last week, deserving a 1-0 half-time advantage, and Albion have gone off the boil.
They have gone seven games without a win, a run which includes disappointing draws with Newcastle and Norwich as well as a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa last time out.
Vieira Versus Gerrard to Finish in Stalemate
Villa will be hoping to build on that success, a first in Steven Gerrard’s debut as boss, but it won’t be easy against improving Crystal Palace.
The Eagles have played some good football this term with new England international Conor Gallagher catching the eye, but winning has not come easy for Patrick Vieira’s outfit.
Palace have drawn seven of their 12 matches and that looks the pick of the odds at 23/10.
Another tight affair could take place at Carrow Road with Norwich entertaining a Wolves team, who have finished with no more than two goals in nine of their 12 Premier League matches under Bruno Lage. Under 2.5 goals is understandably short at 20/31.
Liverpool to March on Against Saints
Liverpool beat Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday and they can march on with another three-point haul when Southampton visit Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are only 5/19 to win the match which won’t appeal to all punters, however, Liverpool to win in a game featuring under 3.5 goals is much more tempting at 27/20.
It’s going to be difficult for Saints to keep Liverpool’s slick attackers at bay for 90 minutes, although they have allowed only 249 touches inside their own penalty area this term which is the fourth-lowest in the Premier League. Only Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea have allowed fewer penalty-box touches so it’s good company to be in and suggests they are defending well.
Goals Expected at the Emirates
The early kick-off between Arsenal and Newcastle should be a livelier affair given the Toon Army have not seen their team keep a clean sheet this term in the league.
They at least show much more attacking intent in Eddie Howe’s first match in charge – a 3-3 draw against Brentford when Newcastle had 23 shots, nine of which were on target.
That suggests Newcastle could have a goal in them at the Emirates with Arsenal’s extra class to tell. The Gunners to win 2-1 at 13/2 and 3-1 at 33/4 may be of interest.
*All odds correct at time of writing
