We take a look at five English Premier League matchups taking place this Saturday, offering insights and providing a betting suggestion for each game.
Before delving into each game, let’s review the outright markets for the EPL title race. After match day 2, Manchester City are leading the pack at 14/10, with Arsenal closely following at 17/10. Liverpool are the third favourites at 13/2, while Chelsea have made significant progress, now priced at 25/1. The rest of the field is available at odds of 30/1 or higher.
Click here for English Premier League Outright Betting
ARSENAL v BRIGHTON– Click here to bet
Arsenal, currently 3rd in the table, will entertain Brighton at the Emirates Stadium this Saturday. Their 2-0 win away to Aston Villa over the weekend marked their second consecutive victory by the same score line. Yet to concede this season, the Gunners will aim to maintain their defensive solidity and extend their winning streak. Brighton, though formidable, will face a tough challenge against an Arsenal side that has picked up right where they left off last season.
Brighton head to London this Saturday, currently placed 2nd in the standings after securing an impressive 2-1 victory at home against Manchester United over the weekend. With 6 points from their first two league appearances, it’s clear that newly appointed head coach Fabian Hürzeler has made an immediate impact. However, the Emirates Stadium will present their toughest challenge to date—a venue that has yielded mixed results for the Seagulls, who are looking to build on their strong start to the campaign.
Head-to-Head
Arsenal managed to secure the double last season by registering a 2-0 win in this fixture and a 3-0 victory in the reverse match.
Betting
Arsenal 4/11
Draw 9/2
Brighton 7/1
Prediction
Both teams enter this fixture unbeaten, but that is likely to change this weekend. Despite Brighton’s impressive start, they may struggle at the Emirates Stadium. With Arteta’s side yet to concede this season and having secured similar results home and away against Brighton last season, the Gunners are well-positioned to replicate similar performances with another clean sheet win.
Suggested Bet: Arsenal To Win To Nil, Yes at 27/20
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IPSWICH TOWN v FULHAM – Click here to bet
Ipswich Town have had a challenging start to their return to top-flight football, failing to secure a win so far. Currently languishing in 18th place after a heavy 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, the Tractor Boys will host Fulham at Portman Road this Saturday. Ipswich will be looking to get their campaign back on track with much needed points, having suffered consecutive losses in the opening two weeks of the Premier League season.
Fulham will head to Portman Road this Saturday as slight favourites. Currently 10th in the league, the Cottagers secured their first win of the season last weekend with a 2-1 victory over Leicester City at home. Although they are still searching for their first away win, Fulham will be optimistic about their chances, thanks to their strong track record against Ipswich, having won their last four away encounters in all competitions.
Head-to-Head
The last time these two teams met in the league was during the 2017/18 Championship season, when Fulham achieved back-to-back victories. They won 2-0 in this fixture and secured a 4-1 triumph in the reverse match.
Betting
Ipswich Town 2/1
Draw 5/2
Fulham 27/20
Prediction
Ipswich have had a challenging start to the season, having faced Liverpool and Manchester City in their opening rounds. This match will provide a clearer assessment of their capabilities, but it won’t be straightforward. Goals are likely to feature in this game, with both teams expected to find the net. Nevertheless, Fulham are deserving favourites and should come away with something from the game.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance And Both Teams To Score, Draw/Fulham And Yes at 12/10
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS– Click here to bet
Nottingham Forest currently occupy 7th place following a strong start to their campaign. Unbeaten so far, Forest have secured one win and one draw, with their latest result being a hard-fought 1-0 away victory over Southampton last Saturday. This weekend, they will host Wolves at the City Ground, aiming to secure their first home win of the season. Buoyed by their positive start, the Tricky Trees will be looking to showcase their skills against a Wolves side that appears to be struggling at the moment.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a horrible start to their season after registering back-to-back losses in the league. Despite hosting Chelsea at the Molineux Stadium this past weekend, Wolves were dealt a harsh lesson in front of their own fans by succumbing to a heavy 6-2 defeat, placing them 19th on the table with a negative goal difference of 6 for their efforts thus far. This Saturday, they face a confident Nottingham Forest, hoping to regain some form and move up the standings with a crucial victory.
Head-to-Head
These two sides had to settle for draws on both occasions last season, with this fixture ending 2-2 and the reverse match resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Betting
Nottingham Forest 11/10
Draw 26/10
Wolverhampton Wanderers 5/2
Prediction
Wolves seem to be in a downward spiral at present, whereas Forest are enjoying a decent run of form that extends from the end of last season into the current campaign, having gone unbeaten in four of their last five league appearances. Wolves will be desperate to end their poor run and are likely to trouble Forest’s defensive line, but the question remains whether that will be enough to secure all three points—I’m not convinced it will be.
Suggested Bet: Totals And Both Teams To Score, Over 2.5 And Yes at 21/20
EVERTON v AFC BOURNEMOUTH– Click here to bet
Languishing at the bottom of the table, Everton will be desperate to find a solution to their worrying form. After a disappointing 3-0 defeat at home to Brighton on the opening weekend, they offered even less resistance in the second week, succumbing to a 4-0 loss against Spurs. With limited funds at their disposal, Sean Dyche has called for calm, urging the public to recognize their financial constraints—an appeal that has not been well received by many. This weekend, they welcome Bournemouth with mounting pressure to perform. Yet to register a single goal and with a deficit of 7 goals, Everton seem to have it all to do this Saturday, despite the game being played in front of their own fans at Goodison Park.
Bournemouth head to Everton this Saturday, still unbeaten after two consecutive draws. In their most recent match, the Cherries secured a solid 1-1 draw at home against Newcastle United. They now face an Everton side eager to make an impact, as they have yet to deliver a standout performance in the early stages of their season. Bournemouth, on the other hand, will be looking to make a statement of their own, especially with new signing Evanilson aiming to establish himself in the league after the club sold Dominic Solanke to Spurs. Considering Everton’s recent defensive struggles, this presents an ideal opportunity for the Brazilian forward to demonstrate his attacking prowess, make an immediate impact, and justify his price tag.
Head-to-Head
Everton secured a 3-0 victory in this fixture last season, while Bournemouth won the reverse fixture with a 2-1 score line
Betting
Everton 7/4
Draw 5/2
AFC Bournemouth 31/20
Prediction
This fixture could see a few goals. Everton have struggled defensively but will be eager to get something out of this game. I expect the Toffees to finally get on the score sheet, but whether they can secure a victory remains uncertain.
Suggested Bet: Totals, Over 2.5 at 5/6
WEST HAM v MANCHESTER CITY– Click here to bet
Having strengthened their squad over the summer, West Ham look revitalized and poised for a successful season under the guidance of Julen Lopetegui. This weekend, they welcome reigning champions Manchester City to the London Stadium in what promises to be an explosive encounter. Currently sitting 9th in the league with 1 win and 1 defeat, the Hammers head into match day three buoyed by an impressive 2-0 victory away at Crystal Palace last weekend, securing their first points of the season. However, this Saturday will prove to be their sternest fixture to date, as they have only earned a meagre 2 points from a possible 15 in their last five home league encounters against the Citizens.
Manchester City make the journey to East London hoping to continue their dominant form against West Ham. Currently sitting at the top of the standings after two consecutive victories, Pep Guardiola’s side arrives full of confidence. They come off another commanding performance, having easily dispatched newly promoted Ipswich Town 4-1 at the Etihad in their most recent league outing, boosting their overall goal tally to 6 and their goal difference to +5. This fixture has been particularly favourable for the Citizens in recent times, and they will be looking to secure a third consecutive win at the London Stadium.
Head-to-Head
Last season, Manchester City defeated West Ham in both league encounters, winning 3-1 at London Stadium and 3-1 in the reverse fixture at the Etihad.
Betting
West Ham 6/1
Draw 9/2
Manchester City 4/10
Prediction
Manchester City are the rightful favourites, but with the current pricing, I’m inclined to back both teams to score and for the match to go over 2.5 goals. West Ham could certainly challenge City, having scored in their last two encounters with the Citizens. This market would have been profitable in both of those matches, offering significantly better value overall.
Suggested Bet: Totals And Both Teams To Score, Over 2.5 And Yes at 17/20
Click here for all the weekend’s English Football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
