The Premier League returns after the international break with three clubs having new managers at the helm for the start of a chaotic period for English top-flight outfits with ten gameweeks to be played between now and the round of fixtures over New Year.
Steven Gerrard (Aston Villa), Eddie Howe (Newcastle) and Dean Smith (Norwich) will be in the dugouts of their new teams hoping to make an immediate impression as they look to avoid relegation, but game of the day comes at the other end of the table with Liverpool hosting in-form Arsenal at Anfield.
Liverpool to Once Again Out-Gun Arsenal
The last eight league meetings between the pair at Anfield have all featured at least four goals which could make the 13/10 for over 3.5 appeal, and usually it is Liverpool doing most of the scoring.
Liverpool have notched at least three in each of their last six league games at home to the Gunners and the best bet could be to take Liverpool to win and over 2.5 goals at 1/1.
More adventurous bettors may also like the 33/4 offered about a 3-1 Reds success given that has been the outcome in three of the last five league clashes on Merseyside.
Arsenal arrive in better form with six wins and two draws from the last eight in the league, while goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is making quite the impression in north London.
However, the former Sheffield United stopper could find himself overworked by the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota.
Howe Is No Steady Eddie Which Could Lead To Goals
Gerrard is 7/5 to snap Aston Villa’s five-game losing streak at home to Brighton in his first match since arriving from Rangers, while the man he replaced, Smith, is 51/20 to make the perfect start at Norwich by beating Southampton. Bizarrely, it was a 1-0 loss at Saints last time out which cost Smith his job at Villa.
There’s possibly too many question marks to have a strong opinion, however, Newcastle’s first match under Howe could be a high-scoring fixture as Brentford make the long trip north.
Howe’s coaching methods would probably be filed under “brave” when he was at Bournemouth and he certainly isn’t afraid to put his team on the front foot. Expect them to have a go at Brentford, but United are still waiting for a first clean sheet of the season.
It points to goals at both ends which is available at 20/29.
Chelsea to Claim FA Cup Final Revenge
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have welcomed the international break more than most as it allowed the under-fire Manchester United manager to take stock following a 2-0 derby defeat at the hands of local rivals Manchester City.
United were outclassed in that contest but a trip to Watford is much more to their liking and the Red Devils should win, as highlighted by match odds of 4/9.
Better value is to be had at the King Power where Chelsea can get revenge for their FA Cup final defeat at the hands of Leicester by securing maximum Premier League points to maintain top spot.
Youri Tielemans, the scorer of the goal which won the cup for Leicester last season, is sidelined through injury and the Foxes lack the craft to open up such a tight Blues defence.
Thirteen of Chelsea’s 14 away victories under Thomas Tuchel have been achieved in games with no more than three goals so take them to win and under 3.5 goals at 13/10.
*All odds correct at time of writing