This weekend, we focus on the six Premier League fixtures scheduled for Saturday, offering insights and betting tips for each matchup.
Before we get started, let’s take a quick look at the current outright market odds for the Premier League title race. As it stands, Liverpool are the clear favourites at 2/9 to lift the title, with Arsenal sitting second at 9/2. Manchester City are still in the hunt at 20/1, while Chelsea and Nottingham Forest are considered long shots, both priced at 80/1. The rest of the teams are all priced at 100/1 or higher, indicating the tight competition for the top spots.
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NOTTINGHAM FOREST v BRIGHTON – Click here to bet
Nottingham Forest welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the City Ground this Saturday, with both sides eager to bounce back from disappointing results. Currently 3rd in the league with 44 points from 23 matches, Forest saw their momentum halted by a heavy 5-0 defeat at Bournemouth last weekend. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side will be keen to respond as they look to maintain their place among the league’s frontrunners. Encouragingly for the hosts, they have been formidable at home, winning six of their last eight league games at the City Ground—a challenge Brighton will need to overcome.
Brighton are mid-table, sitting 11th with 34 points from 23 matches. The Seagulls saw their three-match winning streak come to an end with a 1-0 defeat at home to Everton last weekend. Fabian Hürzeler’s men will be eager to get back to winning ways and put pressure on the top half of the table. Brighton has shown they can compete against the best, but they will need to improve their finishing and defensive stability to secure all three points in this away fixture.
Earlier this season, these two sides played out a 2-2 draw at the Amex Stadium, while last season, Brighton claimed all three points in this fixture with a 3-2 victory.
With both teams eager to return to winning ways, this promises to be a competitive clash. Given Forest’s strong home form, I will cautiously side with them to edge this encounter.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result, Nottingham Forest at 29/20
EVERTON v LEICESTER CITY – Click here to bet
Everton will host Leicester City at Goodison Park on Saturday in a crucial relegation battle. The Toffees have found new life under David Moyes, winning back-to-back league games for the first time this season, including an impressive 1-0 victory away to Brighton last weekend. Currently in 16th place with 23 points from 23 matches, Everton are 7 points clear of the relegation zone and will look to build on their recent form to push further away from danger.
Leicester City, on the other hand, have had a difficult season, but they showed signs of life with their 2-1 win away to Spurs last weekend, securing their fourth league victory of the season. The Foxes are currently in 17th place with 17 points, just above the relegation zone. Despite the win, Leicester’s form remains patchy, and they will need to find consistency if they are to avoid the drop.
These sides battled to a 1-1 draw earlier this season, while their most recent meeting at Goodison Park saw Leicester City secure a 2-0 win.
Everton have shown more solidity under Moyes, while Ruud van Nistelrooy appears out of his depth at the moment. The Toffees should have enough to secure a home victory.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result, Everton at 5/6
NEWCASTLE UNITED v FULHAM – Click here to bet
Newcastle United will look to continue their strong push for a top four finish as they host Fulham at St James’ Park. The Magpies are in excellent form, sitting 5th with 41 points from 23 matches after bouncing back from a disappointing 4-1 loss to Bournemouth with a 3-1 win over Southampton last weekend. Eddie Howe’s men have been impressive at home, and they will look to make it back-to-back wins to keep pace with the top teams.
Fulham, in 10th place with 33 points from 23 matches, come into this match following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at Craven Cottage. Marco Silva’s side were unlucky not to get something from that game, but they will need to improve their finishing if they are to get a positive result here. Despite their loss, Fulham have been a tough team to break down and will look to make life difficult for Newcastle.
Fulham earned a 3-1 victory in the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage, though their last visit to St James’ Park ended in a 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United.
Newcastle United should have too much for Fulham at St James’ Park, where the atmosphere will be electric as the hosts look to get back to winning ways on home soil.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result, Newcastle United at 7/10
BOURNEMOUTH v LIVERPOOL – Click here to bet
Bournemouth will take on league leaders Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium this Saturday, with the Cherries in superb form. The Cherries are unbeaten in their last 11 league matches and have been scoring freely, including an impressive 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest last weekend. They sit in 7th place with 40 points from 23 matches and will be looking to continue their rise up the table. With a dynamic attack that has netted 9 goals in their last two matches, Bournemouth will certainly give a good account of themselves against the Reds this weekend.
Liverpool, however, have been in excellent form themselves, sitting 1st in the league with 53 points from 23 matches, 6 points clear of 2nd-placed Arsenal. The Reds were dominant in their 4-1 win over Ipswich last weekend and will be looking to maintain their lead at the top. Arne Slot’s men have been clinical in attack, with Mohamed Salah leading the charge. Liverpool will head into Saturday’s clash following a 3-2 defeat away to PSV in the Champions League midweek, though the result had little impact as they had already secured their place in the round of 16. Despite Bournemouth’s great form, Liverpool’s quality and depth should provide plenty of optimism for the visitors.
Liverpool claimed maximum points in the reverse fixture at Anfield with a 3-0 win, while last season, they dominated again with a 4-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium.
While Bournemouth will be eager to spring a surprise, Liverpool’s superior quality should shine through in what promises to be an open, high-scoring encounter. Rather than taking the 8/11 on an away win, I’d prefer backing both teams to score with at least three goals in the game.
Suggested Bet: Totals and Both Teams to Score, Over 2.5 and Yes at 15/20
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IPSWICH v SOUTHAMPTON – Click here to bet
Ipswich will host Southampton at Portman Road in a vital clash for both teams battling at the bottom end of the table. They are in 19th place with 16 points after 23 matches and have been struggling of late, with a three-game losing streak. The Tractor Boys have conceded 10 goals in their last two Premier League outings, once again highlighting their defensive frailties. Despite their poor form, Ipswich will be desperate to find a way to stop the slide and secure some much-needed points to aid their survival hopes for next season.
Southampton are rock bottom of the league with just 6 points from 23 matches, and their situation is increasingly dire after six consecutive defeats. The Saints were soundly beaten 3-1 by Newcastle United last weekend, and their form shows no sign of improving. Southampton will need a significant turnaround if they are to avoid relegation, but their current form suggests they will be up against it here.
Earlier this season, these sides played out a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s, while last season, Ipswich emerged victorious with a 3-2 win at Portman Road when both clubs were in the Championship.
A difficult one to call given the teams’ current positions in the table, with both desperate to gain the upper hand. Given the stakes, this could be a relatively low-scoring affair, where home advantage might just help the hosts avoid defeat.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance and Total, Ipswich/Draw and Under 3.5 at 8/10
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS v ASTON VILLA – Click here to bet
Wolverhampton Wanderers will take on Aston Villa at Molineux on Saturday evening, with the hosts desperate for a change in fortune. Wolves are currently on a four-match losing streak in the league, including a 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal last weekend. Languishing in 18th place with 16 points, Wolves are in serious danger of relegation and will need a strong response to turn things around.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, are in 8th place with 37 points after 23 matches. Despite balancing European and domestic commitments, Unai Emery’s side has remained competitive this season, entering this match off the back of consecutive draws on the domestic front, including a 1-1 result against West Ham last weekend. Villa have had a very successful week, following their 4-2 win over Celtic in the Champions League, which secured their place in the round of 16 after locking in a top eight finish. While they’ll be confident of securing all three points against a struggling Wolves side this weekend, Molineux has often proven to be a tricky venue for them in the past.
Aston Villa secured a comfortable 3-1 win in the reverse fixture earlier this season, while their last visit to Molineux ended in a 1-1 draw.
Another tricky encounter to call, despite both teams sitting at opposite ends of the table. Aston Villa are rightful favourites based on their season so far, but with their tendency to be involved in games where both teams find the net, that looks like the best approach here. Wolves, meanwhile, will be desperate to pick up any sort of result, which should make for an intriguing contest.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance and Both Teams to Score, Draw/Aston Villa and Yes at 21/20
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
