We take a look at three fixtures this Sunday, headlined by a blockbuster clash at the Etihad as Manchester City host Liverpool in what promises to be a pivotal encounter in the title race. Brentford welcome Newcastle United to the Gtech Community Stadium in what could be an open, high-scoring affair, while Nottingham Forest aim to build momentum at home against Leeds United in a tense battle near the foot of the table. Here are my thoughts along with suggested bets for each.
Ahead of Sunday’s action, the Premier League outright market looks somewhat settled, with Arsenal firmly in front at 11/25. Manchester City are priced next best at 9/2, while Liverpool continue at 13/2 following mixed form on the road. Chelsea and Manchester United sit further back at 33/1 and 40/1, with the remainder of the field available at 150/1 or bigger.
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BRENTFORD v NEWCASTLE UNITED – Click here to bet
Sunday’s late afternoon kickoff sees Brentford welcome Newcastle United to the Gtech Community Stadium in what promises to be an open and entertaining Premier League encounter. Both sides have endured mixed starts to the campaign but possess enough attacking quality to make this a lively affair in West London.
Brentford come into the weekend sitting 12th in the table on 13 points after a 2-0 defeat away to Crystal Palace last time out, ending their three-match winning streak. Keith Andrews’ side have been one of the league’s surprise packages, continuing to compete impressively despite losing key players and their former manager in the off-season. At home, the Bees have been formidable, losing just once in their last seven across all competitions and taking 10 points from five league outings at the Gtech (W3, D1, L1). They’ve scored nine and conceded six on home soil, and their ability to stay competitive against stronger opposition has become a hallmark under Andrews.
Newcastle, meanwhile, make the trip south following a mixed run of results. Eddie Howe’s side were beaten 3-1 at West Ham in the league last weekend but responded with a solid 2-0 midweek victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League. The Magpies sit 13th on 12 points and are still searching for their first away win of the Premier League season. Having opened with three consecutive draws on the road, they’ve since lost back-to-back away fixtures, conceding five goals in those two defeats. Illness in the squad hampered last weekend’s performance, but with players now recovering, Howe will be expecting a more cohesive showing on Sunday.
Head-to-Head
These sides met three times last season, twice in the league and once in the League Cup. Both claimed home wins in the league, while Newcastle ran out 3-1 victors in the cup. Goals have been a consistent feature of this fixture, with both teams scoring in all four of their most recent meetings and three or more goals delivering in each.
Betting
Brentford 19/10
Draw 12/5
Newcastle United 7/5
Verdict
Both teams look more comfortable going forward than they do defending, and recent meetings suggest we should see plenty of goalmouth action. Brentford rarely fail to score at home, while Newcastle’s quality in attack always gives them a threat even when form dips.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals at 11/10
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v LEEDS UNITED – Click here to bet
Nottingham Forest welcome Leeds United to the City Ground this Sunday in what promises to be a tense Premier League clash between two sides battling to build momentum near the foot of the table. Both have endured difficult starts to the campaign and will view this as an important opportunity to find some form heading into the International break.
Forest come into the weekend sitting 19th in the table on six points after a 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United last time out. The Tricky Trees produced one of their best performances under Sean Dyche, recovering from an early setback to turn the game around and briefly lead 2-1 before being pegged back late on. The midweek distraction to Austria for their Europa League tie with Sturm Graz adds another layer of difficulty as they continue to balance between competitions and test their depth. Dyche will know the pressure is mounting, his predecessor, Ange Postecoglou, lasted just 39 days before being dismissed. Forest are unbeaten in their last two appearances at the City Ground, a welcome turnaround after four straight home defeats, though defensive issues persist, they’ve now conceded at least two goals in each of their last four league outings.
Leeds, meanwhile, make the trip South sitting 16th on 11 points following a disappointing 3-0 loss away to Brighton last weekend. Daniel Farke’s side have struggled on their travels since returning to the top flight, taking just three points from a possible fifteen and scoring only three goals away from home (W1 L4). The Peacocks have failed to find the net in their last two road fixtures, both ending in defeat, and will be desperate to rediscover some attacking spark in Nottingham.
Head-to-Head
These two last met in the 2022/23 season, with both winning their home fixtures, Forest 1-0 at the City Ground and Leeds 2-1 in the reverse. The Tricky Trees have enjoyed the upper hand in this fixture in recent years, winning their last three consecutive league meetings at home.
Betting
Nottingham Forest 6/5
Draw 12/5
Leeds United 12/5
Verdict
Nottingham Forest should build on last week’s improved performance and look capable of claiming at least a point here. Dyche’s side seem more structured, though midweek European exertions could play a part. Leeds poor away form remains a concern, and if they don’t tighten up at the back, Forest could find the breakthrough. Overall, this looks like a tight, low-scoring clash.
Suggested Bet: Nottingham Forest to Win & Under 4.5 Goals at 8/5
MANCHESTER CITY v LIVERPOOL – Click here to bet
Sunday’s early evening kickoff brings us a blockbuster clash at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City and Liverpool meet for the first time this season. It’s second versus third in the Premier League, two modern rivals whose meetings have so often shaped the title race. Both arrive in winning form, and another high-intensity contest looks guaranteed.
Manchester City come into the weekend sitting second on 19 points after a comfortable 3-1 league win over Bournemouth, followed by a 4-1 victory against Borussia Dortmund in midweek Champions League action. Pep Guardiola’s side have now lost just once in their last thirteen across all competitions (W10, D2, L1) and look to be rediscovering their rhythm. The Citizens have been formidable at the Etihad, winning their last six home games in a row in all competitions while scoring 19 and conceding just two in that spell. Erling Haaland remains the focal point, already on 13 league goals this season, and will again carry the weight of expectation in front of a sold-out home crowd.
Liverpool, meanwhile, make the trip to Manchester sitting just one point behind their hosts after a morale-boosting week that saw them beat Aston Villa 2-0 in the league before a gritty 1-0 home win over Real Madrid in Europe. Arne Slot’s men had been in the doldrums prior to that, losing four straight in the league and six from seven in all competitions, but there are signs the tide may be turning. Away form remains a concern, though, the Reds have lost three of their five league games on the road and four of their last five away trips in all competitions, scoring nine and conceding the same amount in the process. Still, with momentum finally swinging back in their favour, Liverpool will feel they can trouble City if they remain compact and clinical.
Head-to-Head
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Manchester City (W2, D2) and completed a league double over them last season, both wins coming by a 2-0 scoreline, including here at the Etihad. The Citizens have taken just one point from their last two home encounters with the Reds.
Betting
Manchester City 19/20
Draw 3/1
Liverpool 5/2
Verdict
We end the weekend with a heavyweight showdown that could go either way. City’s home record speaks for itself, but Liverpool’s resurgence in recent days suggests they’ll be no pushovers. With both managers likely to prioritise control over chaos, this might be tighter and more tactical than expected.
Suggested Bet: Under 2.5 Goals at 8/5
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
