We turn our attention to Sunday’s Premier League action, beginning in South London where high-flying Crystal Palace look to extend their excellent run as they welcome a Manchester City side steadily building momentum near the top of the table. The focus then shifts to the North-East for the eagerly awaited Tyne-Wear Derby, as Sunderland and Newcastle renew hostilities in what promises to be one of the most emotionally charged fixtures of the season. The round concludes in East London, where West Ham continue their search for stability against an Aston Villa team operating with confidence and purpose under Unai Emery. Here are my thoughts, along with suggested plays for each match.
Before we dive into the weekend previews, here’s a quick look at the Premier League title odds, Arsenal are clear favourites at 3/4, with Manchester City close behind at 7/4. Chelsea and Liverpool are both available at 25/1 and you can get 28/1 and better the balance.
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CRYSTAL PALACE v MANCHESTER CITY – Click here to bet
We kick things off this Sunday at Selhurst Park, where Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace host Manchester City.
The Eagles sit fourth with 26 points after a 2–1 win at Fulham last weekend, marking back-to-back league victories. They have seven wins, five draws, and three defeats so far, scoring 20 goals in total. At the time of writing, Palace’s European trip to Shelbourne on Thursday could leave them short of recovery time ahead of this big clash with the Citizens.
At home, Palace have yet to match their excellent away form, where they top the charts. They’ve claimed just 10 points at Selhurst Park this season, with two wins, four draws and one defeat. Their most recent home league outing ended in a 2–1 loss to Manchester United.
Manchester City travel to London on the back of a hard-fought 2–1 win away to Real Madrid at the Bernabéu on Wednesday, a result that places them fourth overall after week six of the Champions League, league phase. Domestically, City sit second with 31 points after 15 matches, and last weekend’s 3–0 victory over Sunderland extended their league winning streak to three, with 11 goals scored across that run. Like Palace, City have had a congested schedule, but they arrive in strong form as they look to keep the pressure on at the top.
On the road, the Citizens have recorded three wins, one draw and three defeats this season. Their most recent away league game was an entertaining 5–4 victory over Fulham, following a 2–1 loss at Newcastle.
Head-to-Head
Last season, the sides met three times. City took four points from a possible six in the league, with a 2–2 draw at Selhurst Park and a 5–2 win at the Etihad. Palace gained revenge in the FA Cup Final at Wembley with a 1–0 win. League encounters between these two have often been high-scoring affairs, with both teams contributing and at least four goals scored in each of the last four league meetings.
Betting
Crystal Palace 57/20
Draw 57/20
Manchester city 87/100
Verdict
City may head into Sunday’s clash buoyed by an impressive win in Madrid, but this is exactly the type of fixture that can quickly bring any side back down to earth. The outcome feels finely poised, yet one theme stands out, both teams have shown a consistent ability to create, and concede, chances. Their recent meetings have been lively, high-scoring affairs, and all signs point toward another open, attacking contest. A match with goals at both ends would be fully in keeping with the pattern of their recent league encounters, and that’s the angle I’m leaning towards.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals at 21/20
SUNDERLAND v NEWCASTLE UNITED – Click here to bet
All eyes will be on the Tyne–Wear Derby this Sunday as Sunderland host local rivals Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light. The sides last met in last season’s FA Cup, where the Magpies triumphed 3–0, but this will be their first league meeting since the 2015/16 campaign. With Sunderland having undergone a major squad overhaul, this encounter promises to be far more competitive.
Sunderland enter the derby in 9th place with 23 points after 15 matches. Last weekend’s 3–0 defeat at Manchester City marked their heaviest loss since returning to the top flight, and they will be eager to avoid a repeat against their North-East rivals. At home, Régis Le Bris’ side remain unbeaten in the league with four wins and three draws, with their most recent outing at the Stadium of Light being a 3–2 comeback victory over Bournemouth. Defensive concerns persist, however, as Sunderland have kept just two clean sheets at home and conceded twice in each of their last two matches on their own turf.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United make the short trip this weekend on the back of Wednesday night’s 2–2 draw away to Bayer Leverkusen in Europe, a result that places them 12th in the Champions League, league phase after six rounds. Domestically, they also sit 12th with 22 points and come into the derby having extended their unbeaten league run to four matches following last week’s 2–1 win over Burnley.
Despite this positive spell, the Magpies have not reached the same heights as in previous seasons, but a victory on Sunday would see them leapfrog Sunderland, adding further motivation. Their away form has been inconsistent, with just one win, three draws, and three defeats from seven league trips, though their most recent outing on the road, a 4–1 win at Everton, snapped a four-match away losing streak and should provide a timely boost ahead of the derby.
Head-to-Head
League history favours Sunderland, who are unbeaten in their last nine meetings with Newcastle (six wins, three draws). Last season’s FA Cup tie saw Newcastle claim a 3–0 win at the Stadium of Light, but historically the Black Cats have had the upper hand in league fixtures.
Betting
Sunderland 9/4
Draw 12/5
Newcastle united 5/4
Verdict
Local derbies are notoriously unpredictable, and with Sunderland back in the top flight, the outright result is difficult to call. Emotions will run high, but I expect a lively, attacking contest. Both sides have shown defensive vulnerabilities recently, so goals are likely, though this remains a conservative prediction given the nature of the fixture.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams to score at 73/100
WEST HAM v ASTON VILLA – Click here to bet
We close out the weekend’s action with a London showdown as West Ham host Aston Villa at the London Stadium.
The Irons enter this round following a 1–1 draw away to Brighton, marking consecutive score draws under Nuno Espírito Santo. While those results have earned them some much-needed points, West Ham remain in the relegation zone in 18th place with 13 points from 15 matches, recording just three wins, four draws, and eight defeats overall.
At home, West Ham have yet to find consistent form, managing only two wins alongside five defeats this season. After losing their opening four league games at the London Stadium, they secured back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Burnley, only to suffer a 2–0 home defeat to Liverpool in Round 13. Defensive frailties continue to be a concern for Santo’s side.
Aston Villa arrive in strong form under Unai Emery, sitting third in the table with 30 points from 15 matches, just three points behind leaders Arsenal. Last weekend’s 2–1 victory over Arsenal at Villa Park extended their domestic winning streak to five games. At the time of writing, Villa still have their European fixture away to Basel to contend with on Thursday before returning to London for Sunday’s clash against West Ham. Given their current run of form, that midweek trip is unlikely to hamper them in the slightest.
On the road, Villa have taken 11 points from seven away league matches, winning their last two away games against Leeds and Brighton, and proving effective against sides struggling at the bottom of the table. Their recent away form shows they can handle trips to teams like West Ham, who continue to struggle at home.
Head-to-Head
Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last six meetings with West Ham across all competitions. Last season, they claimed four league points from a possible six, winning 2–1 at the London Stadium before a 1–1 draw at Villa Park. An FA Cup tie between the sides last season also ended in a 2–1 Villa victory.
Betting
West Ham 53/20
Draw 5/2
Aston Villa 21/20
Verdict
Aston Villa’s current form and league position mean they’ll be looking to keep their winning run going. West Ham have shown some fight recently, but their poor home record makes taking all three points unlikely. These two sides often produce goals at both ends, as seen in their last six meetings, so another lively encounter is likely. The focus will be on Villa maintaining their momentum, albeit slightly more conservatively with some additional cover, while both teams look to find the net.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance & both Teams to Score – Draw or Aston Villa and Yes at 6/5
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
