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With another round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers now in the books and the best nations closer to next summer’s showpiece in the USA, Canada and Mexico, club football returns. It’s not a moment too soon for lovers of the Premier League.
Matchweek four from the English Premier League begins on Saturday in London, where Arsenal host Nottingham Forrest from 12:30 BST. We then have five matches in the 15:00 slot, before a pair of London derbies in Stratford and Brentford. Sunday sees Liverpool visit Turf Moor and the first Manchester Derby of the season.
Having spent time poring over the stats from the opening three games, dissecting the results and analysing the transfer news, Frank Monkhouse presents his predictions. The Flashscore writer and gambling expert highlights his best picks, including a few at big odds.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forrest, Saturday, 12:30 BST
Arsenal enjoy home advantage over Nottingham Forrest at the Emirates Stadium in the early afternoon kick-off. Mikel Arteta’s team aims for a third win in four starts and three points that would send them top of the league, at least for a few hours. The Gunners open in third place, following victory over Man Utd and Leeds, before losing 1-0 at Anfield.
Nottingham Forest journey from West Bridgford to the UK capital, sitting in mid-table. They bring an even split of one win, a draw, and a defeat - backed by new manager Ange Postecoglou. They enjoyed a dream start when beating Brentford 3-1 at the City Ground, before ending 1-1 at Crystal Palace and slipping to a 3-0 home defeat against West Ham. The new squad is yet to gel.
Arsenal impressed in their opening games, beating Man Utd 1-0 at Old Trafford and Leeds 5-0 when last playing at this venue. They suffered a narrow loss at the home of the champions in a bruising battle, Dominik Szoboszlai smashing home a late winner. With one goal conceded in three games, Arsenal will beat a team that has already leaked five.
Tip: Arsenal win @ 2/5 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If the home side wins, you bank the returns.
Everton vs Aston Villa, Saturday, 15:00 BST
Football fans weren’t sure what to expect from Everton under the guidance of the fans’ favourite David Moyes this term. The Toffees finished a disappointing 13th last time, but have started this campaign strongly. They opened with a surprise 1-0 defeat at Elland Road, but dusted themselves off to beat Brighton 2-0 and Wolves by the odd goal in five.
Villa narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification when finishing last season in sixth. Fans had high hopes for the new campaign, but Unai Emery’s boys suffered a nightmare start. The Villans have claimed just one of the first nine points available, opening with a goalless draw against Newcastle before losing to Brentford and Crystal Palace.
Aston Villa sit in the relegation zone after three matches, conceding four goals and scoring none. I’m confident Emery will turn things around quickly and Villa will shoot up the table, but things will get worse before they get better. Back a confident Everton to add another three points and delight their army of fans.
Tip: Everton to win @ 7/5 (bet365)
Bet explanation: This one is simple; if Everton win, you win.
Newcastle vs Wolves, Saturday, 15:00 BST
We switch our attentions to St James’ Park, where Newcastle welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers. Home fans started the season with high hopes following last term’s fifth-place finish, but the Magpies haven’t hit the ground running. They’ve drawn two and lost one, scoring two goals and conceding three. Saturday is a great chance to bag that first win.
Wolves head to Tyneside at the bottom of the division following three defeats on the bounce. The visitors opened with a 4-0 home defeat to Man City, before losing 1-0 at Bournemouth and 3-2 when Everton came to Molineux last time. That’s eight goals conceded - the EPL’s worst defensive record so far. I expect another painful afternoon.
Newcastle are much better than their current league position suggests. They failed to find the net at Villa Park and Elland Road, but did score twice when hosting Liverpool in a pulsating five-goal thriller. The Reds needed a stoppage-time goal to get past the 10 men of Newcastle. Eddie Howe’s team will win on Saturday and begin climbing the table.
Tip: Newcastle win @ 4/9 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need a home win by any margin to beat the bookies with this bet.
West Ham vs Tottenham, Saturday, 17:30 BST
In East London on Saturday evening, we have a fiery derby as West Ham host Spurs. The Hammers started the round just a point above the relegation zone following two defeats and a win. They opened with back-to-back losses to Sunderland and Chelsea, conceding eight goals and scoring once. The locals ended August with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forrest.
Tottenham travel from North to East London with confidence in the ranks following a strong start. Spurs impressed when beating Burnley 3-0 and Man City 2-0, but were beaten 1-0 at home by Burnley in the shock result of round three. Thomas Frank wants to see his men bounce back to winning ways at the first time of asking, but they face a tough task here.
Saturday’s trip to Stratford will show if that loss to the Cherries was little more than a bump in the road or a sign of things to come for Spurs. We’re still finding out about Frank’s Spurs, but I’ve seen enough to suggest the visitors will have too much for an opponent that’s low on confidence and have a negative four goal difference tally. Add an away win to your accas.
Tip: Tottenham win @ 11/10 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If the match result is an away win, your bet lands.
Brentford vs Chelsea, Saturday, 20:00 BST
The Brentford Community Stadium hosts Saturday evening’s second London showdown. Brentford set up with a 1-0 home win over Aston Villa, sandwiched between a 3-1 defeat at the City Ground and a 2-1 loss at the Stadium of Light. The Bees are in 15th, a point above the relegation zone, and that doesn’t fill bettors with optimism for a home win.
Chelsea were my pick to win the Premier League this season, and followers take encouragement from an unbeaten start for the Blues. The away team have taken seven of the nine points up for grabs. They started with a goalless draw when hosting Crystal Palace, before hammering West Ham 5-0 and Fulham 2-0. Another win could send them top.
The fixture list has been rather unkind to the world champions, and Saturday will be their fourth London derby on the bounce. It has been a baptism of fire for Enzo Maresca, but the results speak volumes. Chelsea have impressed, scoring seven goals and conceding just one. There’s more to come from this contender, and I’m happy to stick with them.
Tip: Chelsea win @ 3/4 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Chelsea leave Brentford with all three points, your bet will pay out.
Man City vs Man Utd, Sunday, 16:30 BST
Man City enjoy home advantage in Sunday’s explosive Manchester derby, with Pep Guardiola’s team under pressure to steady the ship following back-to-back defeats. The locals started with an impressive 4-0 victory at Molineux, before slumping to a 2-0 loss to Spurs at this venue and a 2-1 reverse at Brighton. The pressure is building.
Man Utd make the short coach journey to the Etihad Stadium, four places higher in the table than their rivals, but just a point more in the bank. The Red Devils carry a mixed bag of results after losing to Arsenal, drawing with Fulham, and beating Burnley in a five-goal thriller. Fans are unsure just what to expect from Ruben Amorim’s United this season.
An away win over their greatest rivals is exactly what’s needed after that defeat to Grimsby in the League Cup. Both clubs are under immense pressure following a less-than-impressive start to such an important season, and the mood in the stands could quickly turn toxic. With that in mind, I’m confident that both managers and sets of fans would settle for a draw and a point.
Bet explanation: If the Manchester derby ends all square, your bet is a winner.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.