WEST HAM AND Stoke have endured stuttering starts to this season, but both sides looked to have turned a corner in the last couple of weeks.
Mark Hughes’ men are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches, and will travel to the London Stadium with Joe Allen, Marko Anautovic and Wilfried Bony all in buoyant mood.
The Hammers however, who recently beat Chelsea at Stratford in the EFL Cup, are a shadow of the team that finished in seventh place last season. Although Slaven Bilic has been missing several key players at the start of this campaign, the West Ham manager can ill-afford another defeat at their new home.
Both sides are likely to settle for a draw on Saturday afternoon ahead of the international break.
EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
2. Chelsea to beat Everton and both teams to score (2/1)
Are Chelsea title contenders? It may be a little too early to say, but new manager Antonio Conte has certainly made an instant impact at a club that finished mid-table last season.
Four league wins on the trot for Chelsea has resulted in 11 goals without reply, with both Diego Costa and Eden Hazard looking rejuvenated under the Italian.
Everton too, have undergone a transformation under their new man at the helm, Ronald Koeman. And with the pace, power and intelligent movement of trio Ross Barkley, Yannick Bolasie and Romelu Lukaku in attack, it is hard not to see the Toffees at least scoring at Stamford Bridge.
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The home side should have too much for Everton though, but Koeman’s men should give Chelsea a scare.
PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
3. Arsenal (-1) to beat Tottenham (12/5)
Despite Tottenham being unbeaten in their opening 10 league games for the first time in the Premier League era, this stat hides a less than convincing start to the season – especially in Europe.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side at times, haven’t reached their heights of last season, and have lacked a cutting edge in attack since Harry Kane picked up an ankle injury, although he could make a return at the Emirates.
The loss of defender Toby Alderweireld, however, cannot be underestimated.
Arsenal are in good form as the table starts to take shape, and have lost just one of their last 20 Premier League games. Both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez continue to show why they are two of the most highly-regarded players in the league, and should make a positive impact on Sunday.
Add that to the extra solidity at the back since the arrival of Shkodran Mustafi from Valenica, then Arsenal should offer too much for their bitter North London rivals.
Owen Humphreys
Owen Humphreys
4. Liverpool to win 2-0 against Watford (11/2)
Liverpool are flying high at the moment and maanger Jurgen Klopp won’t want the international break to come, but a kind-looking fixture against Watford should see the Reds maintain their fine form.
Although Watford travel to Anfield in seventh place – ahead of Manchester United on goal difference – goals have been hard to come by for the Hornets, with strikers Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo only managing four between them, so far this season in the league.
Liverpool have goals coming from all areas of the pitch, nine players so far have got on the scoresheet – more than anybody else in the league, and should ease to victory on Sunday.
PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
5. Man United to beat Swansea and Juan Mata to score (4/1)
There’s no hiding place for Jose Mourinho. The Manchester United manager, who serves a one-match touchline ban on Sunday, needs his team to grind out a result at the Libery Stadium. A defeat could see United 10 points behind the top four, never mind leaders Manchester City.
Last week’s draw with Burnley, coupled with defeat in the Europa League to Fenerbache, has magnified the importance of Sunday’s encounter in Wales.
Ironically, Juan Mata is the only United player showing any sort of form at the moment, and the player who Mourinho cast aside during their time together at Chelsea, could be on hand to get United’s season back on track.
Swansea are without a win in nine league games, leaving new manager Bob Bradley with a big task to maintain the Welsh side’s Premier League status. The table may not look any better at the end of the weekend.
PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
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Arsenal to steamroll Spurs, Mata to Mourinho's rescue and other Premier League bets to consider
1. West Ham to draw 1-1 with Stoke (6/1)
WEST HAM AND Stoke have endured stuttering starts to this season, but both sides looked to have turned a corner in the last couple of weeks.
Mark Hughes’ men are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches, and will travel to the London Stadium with Joe Allen, Marko Anautovic and Wilfried Bony all in buoyant mood.
The Hammers however, who recently beat Chelsea at Stratford in the EFL Cup, are a shadow of the team that finished in seventh place last season. Although Slaven Bilic has been missing several key players at the start of this campaign, the West Ham manager can ill-afford another defeat at their new home.
Both sides are likely to settle for a draw on Saturday afternoon ahead of the international break.
2. Chelsea to beat Everton and both teams to score (2/1)
Are Chelsea title contenders? It may be a little too early to say, but new manager Antonio Conte has certainly made an instant impact at a club that finished mid-table last season.
Four league wins on the trot for Chelsea has resulted in 11 goals without reply, with both Diego Costa and Eden Hazard looking rejuvenated under the Italian.
Everton too, have undergone a transformation under their new man at the helm, Ronald Koeman. And with the pace, power and intelligent movement of trio Ross Barkley, Yannick Bolasie and Romelu Lukaku in attack, it is hard not to see the Toffees at least scoring at Stamford Bridge.
The home side should have too much for Everton though, but Koeman’s men should give Chelsea a scare.
3. Arsenal (-1) to beat Tottenham (12/5)
Despite Tottenham being unbeaten in their opening 10 league games for the first time in the Premier League era, this stat hides a less than convincing start to the season – especially in Europe.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side at times, haven’t reached their heights of last season, and have lacked a cutting edge in attack since Harry Kane picked up an ankle injury, although he could make a return at the Emirates.
The loss of defender Toby Alderweireld, however, cannot be underestimated.
Arsenal are in good form as the table starts to take shape, and have lost just one of their last 20 Premier League games. Both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez continue to show why they are two of the most highly-regarded players in the league, and should make a positive impact on Sunday.
Add that to the extra solidity at the back since the arrival of Shkodran Mustafi from Valenica, then Arsenal should offer too much for their bitter North London rivals.
4. Liverpool to win 2-0 against Watford (11/2)
Liverpool are flying high at the moment and maanger Jurgen Klopp won’t want the international break to come, but a kind-looking fixture against Watford should see the Reds maintain their fine form.
Although Watford travel to Anfield in seventh place – ahead of Manchester United on goal difference – goals have been hard to come by for the Hornets, with strikers Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo only managing four between them, so far this season in the league.
Liverpool have goals coming from all areas of the pitch, nine players so far have got on the scoresheet – more than anybody else in the league, and should ease to victory on Sunday.
5. Man United to beat Swansea and Juan Mata to score (4/1)
There’s no hiding place for Jose Mourinho. The Manchester United manager, who serves a one-match touchline ban on Sunday, needs his team to grind out a result at the Libery Stadium. A defeat could see United 10 points behind the top four, never mind leaders Manchester City.
Last week’s draw with Burnley, coupled with defeat in the Europa League to Fenerbache, has magnified the importance of Sunday’s encounter in Wales.
Ironically, Juan Mata is the only United player showing any sort of form at the moment, and the player who Mourinho cast aside during their time together at Chelsea, could be on hand to get United’s season back on track.
Swansea are without a win in nine league games, leaving new manager Bob Bradley with a big task to maintain the Welsh side’s Premier League status. The table may not look any better at the end of the weekend.
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