Manchester United’s trip to Everton provides the highlight of Saturday’s Premier League action as the Toffees seek to get back on track after three games without a win.
Opponents United are in the midst of a mini-crisis. Still to win in the league at home, the pressure is growing on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his side followed up last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal with an awful 2-1 Champions League loss to Turkish champions Istanbul Basaksehir.
The defeats, that come with often insipid performances characterised by poor defensive mistakes, means all is not well in the red half of Manchester. And it could get worse before it gets better with a difficult lunchtime trip to Goodison Park next.
Everton, after an initial fine start to the campaign, themselves need to bounce back after losing to Southampton and then Newcastle last weekend.
Carlo Ancelotti is still getting the Toffees going in the right direction, though, and the 39/20 on them securing three points in Saturday’s early kick-off, and heaping more misery on Solskjaer in the process, looks decent value.
Bielsa’s Boys Can Storm the Palace
The solitary 3pm game sees Crystal Palace host an inconsistent Leeds United. Much has been made of the Whites’ return to the top flight and there’s no doubt they have ruffled a few feathers with impressive performances against champions Liverpool (lost 4-3), Manchester City (drew 1-1) and Aston Villa (won 4-1) so far.
However, they suffered a deserved 4-1 home defeat to Leicester last time out and they sit in mid-table, despite all the early-season positivity.
Beating the likes of Palace is what is required next if Leeds are to demonstrate they really are back and intend to stay in the top flight, but the dogged Eagles will not lie down easily.
Roy Hodgson’s men have been predictably unpredictable again so far this season, mixing good early-season results like the 3-1 win at Manchester United and victories over Southampton and Fulham with fairly dismal defeats against Chelsea (4-0) and Wolves (2-0), the latter coming last time out.
Palace attempt to keep it tight and the worry is Leeds, who love to try and dominate games, will swarm them with their high-energy and pressing. An away win, to get Marcelo Bielsa’s men back on track, appeals at 6/4.
Blues Too Good for Blunt Blades
At 5:30pm, Chelsea shouldn’t have too many issues seeing off struggling Sheffield United, who are beginning to look like relegation material this term.
Frank Lampard’s men maintained their fine recent form with a 3-0 win over Rennes in the Champions League in midweek and it’s now three wins on the spin in all competitions for the Blues.
They’ve also kept five clean sheets on the trot and suddenly look ready to challenge for a top-three place again. New goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has made a big difference and another victory should follow on Saturday against the hapless Blades.
Chelsea to dominate, winning at half-time and full-time, on offer at 20/21, appeals.
Hammers to Blank Fulham
Finally, the evening kick-off is a London derby between West Ham and Fulham and this is expected to go the way of the Hammers, who have been unfortunate not to pick up more points in recent weeks.
David Moyes’ side performed well when coming back from the dead to draw 3-3 with Tottenham, before earning a very creditable 1-1 draw against Man City and they were then only edged out late on by champions Liverpool at Anfield (2-1) last weekend.
Taking on a Fulham team that has managed just four points from their first seven games will not hold too many fears then. A home win to zero, available at 19/10, is advised.
