WITH THE ARRIVAL of several high-profile managers to the Premier League, expectations at the Emirates would have been relatively low at the start of the season, but there are signs that Arsene Wenger has the makings of a very good side.
The Gunners have won their last seven matches, scoring 23 goals in the process, but there is an added industrious element to their side this year, thanks in part to the additions of defender Shkodran Mustafi and midfielder Granit Xhaka in the summer. Although the latter will be suspended for this match.
Middlesbrough travel to north London without a win since August, picking up just two more points since that victory over Sunderland, and will not relish facing the in-form trio of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott.
Tim Ireland
Tim Ireland
2. Roberto Firmino to score first against West Brom and Darren Fletcher to be shown the game’s first card (80/1)
After being frustrated by Manchester United in Monday’s dour encounter, Jurgen Klopp will be demanding Liverpool make a fast start at Anfield on Saturday evening.
The Reds could be boosted by the return of influential duo Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum to their starting line-up, while the visitors are without the reliable Jonny Evans, who serves a one-game ban.
Former United man Darren Fletcher will be one of the players providing West Brom with a defensive shield, and could be fallible if Liverpool attack with intensity early on, as Roberto Firmino aims to net his fifth goal of the campaign.
Advertisement
Admittedly this is a long shot, but a small bet here could yield big rewards.
Nigel French
Nigel French
3. Leicester City to beat Crystal Palace and under 2.5 goals in the match (3/1)
The English champions are on the verge of the knockout stages of the Champions League in their maiden campaign, but they are just two points above the relegation zone having already lost more games this term than the whole of their victorious campaign.
Clauido Ranieri will want to halt the Foxes’ slide down the table and without any midweek distractions to come, they will be solely focused on the task against Alan Pardew’s men, who haven’t kept in clean sheet in their last 13 league matches.
Leicester are unbeaten at home in the league and won both meetings 1-0 last season against Palace.
But they will have to be cautious of Andros Townsend, Wilfred Zaha and Christian Benteke on the break, but a similar outcome to last season will do just nicely.
EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
4. West Ham, Swansea, Everton, Manchester City all to win (9/1)
West Ham will be looking to gather some momentum into their season when they host struggling Sunderland at the London Stadium, and the Mackems have a poor record when travelling to play West Ham, with eight losses from their last 11 visits being an ominous sign.
Bob Bradley’s Swansea showed some encouraging moments in his first game in charge, away to Arsenal, and with an extra week on the training ground, the American will be hoping to come up with a plan to overcome Watford at the Liberty Stadium.
Everton face a tricky trip to Turf Moor to take on Burnley but the Toffees may have too much firepower in the shape of Yannick Bolasie, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku to be contained, while Manchester City will aim to get back to winning ways at home to Southampton on Sunday afternoon.
5. Paul Pogba to score from outside the penalty area against Chelsea (14/1)
The world’s most expensive footballer won’t be silencing his critics anytime soon, but Paul Pogba is slowly showing signs what he is capable of in a Manchester United shirt.
The Frenchman was responsible for creating the best chance against Liverpool on Monday night, with his quick feet allowing him to swerve a teasing ball on to the head of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who could only head wide.
The 23-year-old is never afraid to shoot from distance and was rewarded twice in the past two weeks with goals from range for France against Holland in a World Cup qualifier and against Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday night for United.
Don’t rule out another strike against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Arsenal to ease past Boro, Pogba to shine, an 80/1 shout and other Premier League bets to consider
1. Arsenal (-2) to beat Middlesbrough (2/1)
WITH THE ARRIVAL of several high-profile managers to the Premier League, expectations at the Emirates would have been relatively low at the start of the season, but there are signs that Arsene Wenger has the makings of a very good side.
The Gunners have won their last seven matches, scoring 23 goals in the process, but there is an added industrious element to their side this year, thanks in part to the additions of defender Shkodran Mustafi and midfielder Granit Xhaka in the summer. Although the latter will be suspended for this match.
Middlesbrough travel to north London without a win since August, picking up just two more points since that victory over Sunderland, and will not relish facing the in-form trio of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott.
2. Roberto Firmino to score first against West Brom and Darren Fletcher to be shown the game’s first card (80/1)
After being frustrated by Manchester United in Monday’s dour encounter, Jurgen Klopp will be demanding Liverpool make a fast start at Anfield on Saturday evening.
The Reds could be boosted by the return of influential duo Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum to their starting line-up, while the visitors are without the reliable Jonny Evans, who serves a one-game ban.
Former United man Darren Fletcher will be one of the players providing West Brom with a defensive shield, and could be fallible if Liverpool attack with intensity early on, as Roberto Firmino aims to net his fifth goal of the campaign.
Admittedly this is a long shot, but a small bet here could yield big rewards.
3. Leicester City to beat Crystal Palace and under 2.5 goals in the match (3/1)
The English champions are on the verge of the knockout stages of the Champions League in their maiden campaign, but they are just two points above the relegation zone having already lost more games this term than the whole of their victorious campaign.
Clauido Ranieri will want to halt the Foxes’ slide down the table and without any midweek distractions to come, they will be solely focused on the task against Alan Pardew’s men, who haven’t kept in clean sheet in their last 13 league matches.
Leicester are unbeaten at home in the league and won both meetings 1-0 last season against Palace.
But they will have to be cautious of Andros Townsend, Wilfred Zaha and Christian Benteke on the break, but a similar outcome to last season will do just nicely.
4. West Ham, Swansea, Everton, Manchester City all to win (9/1)
West Ham will be looking to gather some momentum into their season when they host struggling Sunderland at the London Stadium, and the Mackems have a poor record when travelling to play West Ham, with eight losses from their last 11 visits being an ominous sign.
Bob Bradley’s Swansea showed some encouraging moments in his first game in charge, away to Arsenal, and with an extra week on the training ground, the American will be hoping to come up with a plan to overcome Watford at the Liberty Stadium.
Everton face a tricky trip to Turf Moor to take on Burnley but the Toffees may have too much firepower in the shape of Yannick Bolasie, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku to be contained, while Manchester City will aim to get back to winning ways at home to Southampton on Sunday afternoon.
5. Paul Pogba to score from outside the penalty area against Chelsea (14/1)
The world’s most expensive footballer won’t be silencing his critics anytime soon, but Paul Pogba is slowly showing signs what he is capable of in a Manchester United shirt.
The Frenchman was responsible for creating the best chance against Liverpool on Monday night, with his quick feet allowing him to swerve a teasing ball on to the head of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who could only head wide.
The 23-year-old is never afraid to shoot from distance and was rewarded twice in the past two weeks with goals from range for France against Holland in a World Cup qualifier and against Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday night for United.
Don’t rule out another strike against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Klopp: ‘Physical’ Man United tactics were good practice for Pulis’ West Brom
Ireland set to play Euro 2016 surprise package Iceland in Dublin
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Premier League premier league bets Soccer Wager