THE Premier League is back after the international break – and we’ve betting tips to bring you from four huge top-flight matches.
It’s been all about goals in this bizarre behind-closed-door season, with plenty more expected as Southampton travel to West London for a Saturday afternoon clash.
Lampard’s side got back to winning ways with a 4-0 win over Palace last time outCredit: AFP or licensors
Chelsea vs Southampton, Saturday 3pm
The international break came at just the right time for Frank Lampard.
Although his Blues side got back to winning ways with a flattering 4-0 win over Crystal Palace last time out, you felt he needed to hit a reset button after a sluggish start.
It’s now two wins from four in the new Premier League season for a Chelsea side trying to bed in a number of new faces.
One of those is Edouard Mendy – who is already in the treatment room.
This then could be the redemption – or the final nail in the coffin – for the much-maligned Kepa between the sticks.
Southampton began the campaign with two defeats to Palace and Spurs, but Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side showed last season they’re not ones to linger on a loss.
As such, they’ve stormed back with two impressive victories over Burnley and West Brom, so will see this one as a free hit.
In Danny Ings they have one of the most lethal strikers in the English game at the moment, with his overhead kick for England against Wales showcasing his fearless attitude.
And will Saints have anything to fear at an empty Stamford Bridge? No chance.
They won here WITH fans last season after all and are unbeaten on their last two trips to West London.
Four of the last five meetings between the sides on this ground have featured two goals or less, but this is no ordinary season.
Goals are flying in all over the place and there have been SIXTEEN in Chelsea’s four matches so far.
With Saints on the march and Kepa most likely back between the sticks, both teams to score is our favourite bet of the entire weekend at 4/6.
The 4-0 win over Palace looks emphatic on paper, but it wasn’t a fluid performance from Frank’s men.
It was goalless at half time and we like the look of that again at a massive 29/10, with the game to open up in the second half.
Timo Werner has made a slow start to his Chelsea career and plenty of Blues’ fans want him to be more involved through the middle of the pitch.
He’s far too good to keep that drought up and we reckon this is the game he ends it after scoring for Germany in midweek – back Werner to bag anytime at 11/10.
SunSport’s best bets
- Both teams to score: 4/6 (BET HERE)
- Goalless at the break: 29/10 (BET HERE)
- Timo Werner to finally net in Premier League: 11/10 (BET HERE)
Man City vs Arsenal, Saturday 5.30pm (Sky Sports)
It’s the Master vs the Apprentice at the Etihad.
Think back to June and the whole drama surrounding Project Restart, with Arsenal arriving to face Man City as fans were buoyant to see the return of Premier League football.
A disasterclass from David Luiz later, Gunners fans were taking to social media demanding the season be cancelled.
That all seems a long, long time ago and it shows on the team-sheet with Eddie Nketiah, Matteo Guendouzi and Pablo Mari all starting for the away side that night.
Arsenal have won three of their opening four matches and will be buoyed by the FA Cup Final win over City back in July.
The international break came at a good time for Pep Guardiola, with his side held at Leeds and still reeling from a 5-2 home defeat to Leicester.
One thing is for sure – you can’t trust either of these teams in the win market.
Man City are heavy odds-on favourites, which we won’t be going anywhere near.
How Thomas Partey compares to Arsenal’s other central midfielders
They might have won the last four Premier League meetings here, but the Gunners have netted in three of those defeats.
We see them doing the same again, but it’s best to play on goals with the Premier League proving a real basket case at the moment.
Arsenal seem to have a renewed focus under Arteta, more bite, and Thomas Partey will provide some real grit in the centre of the park.
Games involving the Gunners this season are averaging more than three goals per game and over 2.5 goals is priced up accordingly at 4/9.
We do however like over 3.5 goals at an excellent 11/10, which would be a winner in the four of the last seven H2H’s at the Etihad.
And with goals on the menu, both teams to score in BOTH halves is a huge 9/1. Definitely worth a small play.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the FA Cup hero and he’s had nearly a fortnight with his feet up after pulling out of the Gabon squad.
He’s a massive 7/4 to net anytime, or 11/2 if you fancy him to bag first.
With City’s leaky defence, you take those prices.
SunSport’s best bets
- Over 3.5 goals at the Etihad: 11/10(BET HERE)
- Both teams to score in BOTH halves: 9/1 (BET HERE)
- Aubameyang to net: 7/4 (BET HERE)
Newcastle vs Man Utd, Saturday 7.45pm (Sky Sports)
Two weeks on from the Spurs shambles, it’s time to see if Man Utd can pick themselves up off the canvas.
Jose Mourinho’s men ran riot at Old Trafford before the international break, tearing United apart in a 6-1 drubbing which leaves Ole’s men languishing in 16th.
Reports over the past fortnight suggest Ed Woodward is ready to pull the trigger – and Solskjaer needs three points here to stem the tide.
That will be easier said than done though against a Newcastle side who have proved themselves to be a resolute unit already this season.
Two wins from four, just one defeat and only five conceded – that’s an excellent start from Steve Bruce’s men.
They showed last season that they can beat the Red Devils on home turf, as Matty Longstaff fired in a late winner last October to hand Toon a 1-0 victory.
One criticism we can level at this Bruce side is you’ve no idea what you’re going to get.
Against Burnley, they were strong, committed and clinical in putting away one of the division’s most difficult teams to break down.
But against Brighton, they were timid and tired as the Seagulls romped to a comfortable 3-0 win at St James Park.
Toon are 4/1 to win the game and that’s high, we won’t put you off backing that but it’s not our recommended selection.
Instead, go for Newcastle to win EITHER half – so playing it safer – at a mammoth 7/4.
United have failed to keep a clean sheet so far this season and we reckon they concede again, with no major defensive reinforcements picked up in the transfer window.
Both teams to score is an excellent 7/10, while we also liked Newcastle to score first a massive 9/5.
Toon were fast starters last time out against Burnley and that’s a big price for the same to happen again.
For United, they have the weapons going forward but it’s a case of keeping things out at the other end – and they could be without Harry Maguire who looks completely out of sorts following a dire half hour for England in midweek.
Marcus Rashford was on target for the Three Lions last weekend and will once again be trusted with leading the line in the absence of the suspended Anthony Martial and a quarantined Edinson Cavani.
At 7/4, he’s the value pick to net anytime.
SunSport’s best bets
- Newcastle to win EITHER half: 7/4 (BET HERE)
- Both teams to score at St James Park: 7/10 (BET HERE)
- Toon to score first: 9/5 (BET HERE)
- Marcus Rashford on the scoresheet again: 7/4(BET HERE)
Leeds vs Wolves, Monday 8pm (Sky Sports)
The league’s great entertainers are back.
We expected Leeds to hit the ground running this season with their high-intensity style, but even the most optimistic of fans in West Yorkshire must be delighted with this start.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men held Man City last time out in a pulsating 1-1 encounter at Elland Road, with both sides having chances to snatch the three points.
Wolves got back to winning ways against Fulham, which was needed after an uncharacteristic thrashing at West Ham.
Nuno Santo’s side pride themselves on their ability to bounce back and it’ll be fascinating to see how they approach the tactical dilemma of this swarming Leeds outfit.
They will be targeting a European place again this season and can kickstart a run here with Newcastle, Palace, Leicester and Southampton to come next.
We see goals under the lights at Elland Road – and plenty of them.
Two of Leeds’ four top-flight games have featured three or more goals so far, but that doesn’t tell the entire truth.
Their 1-0 win over Sheffield United could and perhaps should have finished 3-3, while you could say something similar about the wide open draw with City.
Leeds are the top tacklers and hardest workers in the PL
Bielsa won’t change his style for the opposition and expect Leeds to be at it from the off after a fortnight to regroup.
Over 2.5 goals is a massive 23/20 and we think it should be an odds-on shout.
As decent as Wolves’ defence is, Leeds are hardly brilliant at the back and have conceded eight in four games.
We can see another score draw and as well as three or more goals, so back both teams to score in the first half at a very generous 17/4.
That was a winner in Leeds’ games with Liverpool and Fulham, while Wolves showed when they visited South Yorkshire in their season curtain raiser that they can start fast.
On that occasion, they led 2-0 after six minutes. Rapid.
Expect goals and expect them fast – there’s big profit to be had.
Patrick Bamford is riding on the crest of a promotion wave and continues to be preferred by Bielsa over big summer signing Rodrigo.
We’re not convinced that stays the case for the remainder of the campaign, but right now the softly-spoken frontman is showing a clinical side he lacked over the past two seasons in the Championship.
Get him while he’s hot – another Bamford goal is 21/10, which is £31 return for a tenner.
SunSport’s best bets
- Over 2.5 goals at Elland Road: 23/20 (BET HERE)
- Both teams to score in first half: 17/4 (BET HERE)
- Bamford to continue hot streak: 21/10 (BET HERE)
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
