Sunday’s Premier League action serves up three standout fixtures that could further shape the early title picture. Arsenal look to extend their unbeaten start when they welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates, while Aston Villa host Manchester City at Villa Park in a fascinating clash between two in-form sides. The weekend concludes on Merseyside where Everton face Tottenham Hotspur, with both clubs eyeing a result that would strengthen their European aspirations.
Ahead of this weekend’s action, the Premier League title market sees Arsenal holding firm as favourites at 4/5, just ahead of Manchester City at 13/4. Liverpool’s recent wobble has seen them drift slightly to 4/1, while Chelsea remain outsiders at 20/1. For those fancying a long shot, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United can each be found at 50/1 or bigger in the outright betting.
.Click here for English Premier League Outright Betting
Last Leg Bad Luck!
Scratched/Voided markets do not count towards Leg count.
Pre-match bets only.
Free Bets do not count towards this offer.
Refund must be claimed within 24 hours of the game finishing.
Free Bet vouchers received must be used within 7 days.
Max refund per account per day in Free Bets:
Free Bets terms and conditions apply.
Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘Last Leg Promo or, present your ticket to your branch manager within 24 hours of the game finishing.
ARSENAL v CRYSTAL PALACE — Click here to bet
We start off Sunday’s schedule at the Emirates where Arsenal take on Crystal Palace, with the hosts looking to maintain both top spot in the table and their unbeaten run of nine matches in all competitions (W8 D1). The Gunners were dominant in Tuesday’s 4-0 Champions League win over Atlético Madrid, backing up last weekend’s narrow 1-0 victory away to Fulham. As a result, Mikel Arteta’s side sit three points clear of Manchester City on 19 points from their opening eight league fixtures. Unbeaten in their last five league outings and having won three in a row, Arsenal once again look well-drilled defensively, conceding just three goals all season. While they have seen strong starts unravel in past campaigns, for now, the Gunners appear in full control and will aim to keep their momentum intact against the Eagles.
At the Emirates, Arsenal have been formidable. They remain unbeaten at home this season with three wins and one draw, earning 10 points from a possible 12. Even more impressive has been their defensive discipline, conceding just one goal in four home league appearances.
Crystal Palace make the short trip across London knowing they’ll need to be at their absolute best to trouble the league leaders. Oliver Glasner’s side have enjoyed a steady start, losing just once this season. However, when faced with a team of Arsenal’s quality, prior form can quickly become irrelevant. The Eagles showed character last weekend to fight back and draw 3-3 at home to Bournemouth, a result that keeps them in the top half of the table in 8th place on 13 points.
Interestingly, Palace have fared slightly better away from home this season, collecting seven points from four away matches (W2 D1 L1). They’ve scored six goals on the road while keeping things relatively tight at the back, conceding just three in return.
Head-to-Head
Arsenal have had Crystal Palace’s measure in recent times, remaining unbeaten in their last seven meetings in all competitions (W6 D1). Last season, the Gunners took four points from six, winning 5-1 in the reverse fixture before sharing the spoils in a 2-2 draw at the Emirates.
Betting
Arsenal 43/100
Draw 15/4
Crystal Palace 25/4
Verdict
Arsenal look to be operating at full tilt once again, blending attacking flair with defensive steel. With the Emirates crowd behind them and momentum on their side, it’s hard to see them slipping here. Previous meetings between these sides have often produced high-scoring affairs, although this one feels as though it could be tighter given Palace’s compact setup under Glasner away from home. Even so, Arsenal’s pace and precision in the final third should eventually prove too much.
Suggested Bet: Arsenal Win & Under 4.5 Goals at 77/100
ASTON VILLA v MANCHESTER CITY — Click here to bet
Aston Villa return to Villa Park this Sunday for what promises to be their sternest domestic test so far, facing Manchester City. Unai Emery’s men have quietly built momentum, climbing to 11th in the standings with 12 points after last week’s 2-1 win away to Spurs. At the time of writing, the Villans sit on a five-match winning run in all competitions, though they will need to manage their schedule carefully, with Thursday’s Europa Conference League trip to Go Ahead Eagles still to come and just three days’ rest before Sunday’s clash.
Motivation won’t be an issue for Emery’s side. Back at home, they’ve been strong, winning their last three at Villa Park in all competitions. In league play, Villa have taken seven points from four home matches (W2 D1 L1), scoring and conceding five apiece. However, defensive frailties have emerged lately, with Villa failing to keep a clean sheet in their last three home league outings, their only shutout coming back in Week Two against Newcastle.
Manchester City travel to Birmingham this weekend, looking to maintain their impressive form, which has seen them go unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions (W7 D2). Last week’s 2-0 win over Everton was followed by another clinical display in Europe, a 2-0 victory away to Villarreal on Tuesday night. With a longer recovery window than their hosts, City should be well-prepared for this fixture. Pep Guardiola’s men enter Week Nine in second place with 16 points (W5 D1 L2), having scored 17 and conceded just six in the league.
City’s early away form was patchy, but they’ve since steadied the ship, now unbeaten in their last five on the road in all competitions (W3 D2). In their four league away fixtures this term, they’ve taken seven points (W2 D1 L1), scoring seven and conceding three. However, they’ll be wary of their recent record at Villa Park, where they’ve collected just one point from their last three visits.
Head-to-Head
Last season saw both sides claim home wins, with Aston Villa victorious 2-1 in this fixture before City returned the favour by the same scoreline at the Etihad.
Betting
Aston Villa 57/20
Draw 11/4
Manchester City 87/100
Verdict
Villa have turned Villa Park into a fortress under Emery, but this test against City represents a significant step up. The hosts attacking intent could make this an open contest, though their defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern. City are operating smoothly once more, and their extra rest might just be the difference. Still, Villa tend to rise for big occasions, this could be closer than the odds suggest.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams to Score at 13/20
EVERTON v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR — Click here to bet
We end the weekend’s action at Hill Dickinson Stadium where Everton will look to bounce back after last week’s 2-0 defeat away to Manchester City ended their two-match unbeaten run (W1 D1). Despite that setback, the Toffees have been competitive this season, showing signs of progress compared to last term’s struggles. Wins over Palace and Wolves may not necessarily stand out, but their earlier 3-2 victory over Brighton hinted at real improvement. Heading into Week nine, Everton sit 12th on 11 points (W3 D2 L3), having both scored and conceded nine goals.
At home, David Moyes side have been particularly solid. The Toffees remain unbeaten at Hill Dickinson with two wins and two draws, conceding just twice while scoring five from their opening four fixtures on Merseyside.
Tottenham travel north following last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, their second home loss of the campaign. Thomas Frank’s men also featured in Europe midweek, earning a valuable point away to Monaco after a goalless draw to preserve their unbeaten Champions League run (W1 D2). However, the quick turnaround could test their depth heading into this clash. Spurs currently sit sixth in the table with 14 points (W4 D2 L2) and appear to be managing their domestic and European duties far better than last season, when they languished near the relegation zone under Ange Postecoglou.
Away from home, Spurs have been outstanding. They boast the best away record in the league, collecting 10 points from a possible 12 (W3 D1), scoring nine and conceding just three. In all competitions, they’ve played six times on their travels without defeat (W3 D3). Under Frank, their composure and efficiency on the road mark a clear improvement from last season, when they managed just five away wins across the entire campaign.
Head-to-Head
Both sides won on home turf last season, with Spurs cruising to a 4-0 win in the reverse fixture and Everton edging a 3-2 victory in this fixture at Goodison Park.
Betting
Everton 7/5
Draw 12/5
Tottenham Hotspur 2/1
Verdict
Everton have quietly built a sturdy foundation at home, and Moyes will fancy his side to cause Spurs problems, particularly given Tottenham’s congested schedule. That said, the visitors’ counter-attacking efficiency and road form can’t be ignored. This could turn into a lively, end-to-end battle where both sides trade blows in front of goal.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals at 13/10
Click here for all the weekend’s English Football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
