All games kick-off at 3pm on Saturday unless stated otherwise
Sunderland v Southampton (12.45)
A tough game to call, Sunderland have slowly shown signs of improvement under Gus Poyet, while Southampton have not quite delivered on their early-season promise, losing six and winning just two of their past ten games.
The Saints also may be somewhat unsettled by the upheaval caused by their chairman leaving during the week, so expect Sunderland to get at least a point from this game.
Bet: Draw @ 23/10
Arsenal v Fulham
The Gunners have never lost at home to Fulham, having played 27 times in the past 110 years.
And don’t expect that record to change today — they have only lost once all season at home in the Emirates (against Aston Villa, on the opening day), while lowly Fulham are labouring just above the relegation zone.
Bet: Arsenal win @ 2/9
Crystal Palace v Stoke
Stoke fans complained of dull football under Tony Pulis, but the side certainly can’t be accused of that under Mark Hughes, as they illustrated last week against Liverpool.
They looked impressive in attack, though always seemed capable of conceding down the other end too. They should, however, earn at least a draw against a Palace side that have won just one of their last six Premier League matches.
Bet: Draw @ 9/4
Man City v Cardiff
Is there any hope for Cardiff today?
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Man City have won 10 home games from 10 so far this season, and the prospect of them going unbeaten at home all season is far from inconceivable at the moment.
Thus, even a manager as highly rated as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is unlikely to mastermind a shock result this afternoon.
Bet: Man City win @ 1/7
Norwich v Hull
(Ireland international David Meyler is expected to feature for Hull today — Mike Egerton/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
Hull arguably go into this game as slight favourites, given that the Canaries are five places below them in the table.
Moreover, the Tigers — for whom new signing Shane Long could make his debut — have lost just lost one of their last eight games against the Canaries.
Nevertheless, Steve Bruce’s side have picked up the joint fewest away points this season, so Norwich will view this game as a good opportunity to pick up a much-needed win.
Bet: Draw @ 11/5
West Ham v Newcastle
Despite losing their last three consecutive games, Newcastle were impressive for large portions of the 2-0 defeat by City, and were unlucky to have a goal ruled out at a crucial point of the game.
Yet while Alan Pardew’s men have invariably been good against the top sides, against lesser teams, they have oddly sometimes struggled — so it will be intriguing to see how they do against a West Ham team that are currently short on confidence.
Bet: Newcastle win @ 6/4
Liverpool v Aston Villa (17.30)
At the moment, there seems to be no stopping Liverpool — Brendan Rodgers’ men have already scored more goals than they managed in the whole of the 2011/2012 season.
And the really bad news for their rivals is that Daniel Sturridge — one of their key players — is back from injury and likely to start today’s game.
Bet: Liverpool win @ 1/4
Swansea v Tottenham (Sunday, 13.30)
Tottenham have had a relatively impressive start to life under Tim Sherwood, attaining 13 points out of a possible 15 of late.
Yet against Swansea, their much-discussed 4-4-2 system is likely to be heavily tested by Swansea’s extra man in midfield. That said, provided Sherwood doesn’t go too gung ho, they should have enough talent to overcome the Welsh outfit.
Bet: Tottenham win @ 7/5
Chelsea v Man United (Sunday, 16.00)
Undeniably the game of the weekend, United did at least put an end to their poor recent form against Swansea the other week, though now face the formidable prospect of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
On the other hand, Moyes’ record against Mourinho is notoriously poor, and Chelsea will be odds-on to continue that trend on Sunday.
Bet: Chelsea win @ 3/4
West Brom v Everton (Monday, 20.00)
Will Aiden McGeady make his debut in a game that should have plenty of interest from an Irish perspective?
Either way, Roberto Martinez’s side will be expected to beat a West Brom team just three points off the relegation zone, if they are to continue the type of form that is making them look like viable contenders for the top four.
Bet: Everton win @ 5/4
Accumulator
A tenner on the following results should net you a very handy €14,157.00
Premier League preview: how to fill out your weekend football accumulator
All games kick-off at 3pm on Saturday unless stated otherwise
Sunderland v Southampton (12.45)
A tough game to call, Sunderland have slowly shown signs of improvement under Gus Poyet, while Southampton have not quite delivered on their early-season promise, losing six and winning just two of their past ten games.
The Saints also may be somewhat unsettled by the upheaval caused by their chairman leaving during the week, so expect Sunderland to get at least a point from this game.
Bet: Draw @ 23/10
Arsenal v Fulham
The Gunners have never lost at home to Fulham, having played 27 times in the past 110 years.
And don’t expect that record to change today — they have only lost once all season at home in the Emirates (against Aston Villa, on the opening day), while lowly Fulham are labouring just above the relegation zone.
Bet: Arsenal win @ 2/9
Crystal Palace v Stoke
Stoke fans complained of dull football under Tony Pulis, but the side certainly can’t be accused of that under Mark Hughes, as they illustrated last week against Liverpool.
They looked impressive in attack, though always seemed capable of conceding down the other end too. They should, however, earn at least a draw against a Palace side that have won just one of their last six Premier League matches.
Bet: Draw @ 9/4
Man City v Cardiff
Is there any hope for Cardiff today?
Man City have won 10 home games from 10 so far this season, and the prospect of them going unbeaten at home all season is far from inconceivable at the moment.
Thus, even a manager as highly rated as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is unlikely to mastermind a shock result this afternoon.
Bet: Man City win @ 1/7
Norwich v Hull
(Ireland international David Meyler is expected to feature for Hull today — Mike Egerton/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
Hull arguably go into this game as slight favourites, given that the Canaries are five places below them in the table.
Moreover, the Tigers — for whom new signing Shane Long could make his debut — have lost just lost one of their last eight games against the Canaries.
Nevertheless, Steve Bruce’s side have picked up the joint fewest away points this season, so Norwich will view this game as a good opportunity to pick up a much-needed win.
Bet: Draw @ 11/5
West Ham v Newcastle
Despite losing their last three consecutive games, Newcastle were impressive for large portions of the 2-0 defeat by City, and were unlucky to have a goal ruled out at a crucial point of the game.
Yet while Alan Pardew’s men have invariably been good against the top sides, against lesser teams, they have oddly sometimes struggled — so it will be intriguing to see how they do against a West Ham team that are currently short on confidence.
Bet: Newcastle win @ 6/4
Liverpool v Aston Villa (17.30)
At the moment, there seems to be no stopping Liverpool — Brendan Rodgers’ men have already scored more goals than they managed in the whole of the 2011/2012 season.
And the really bad news for their rivals is that Daniel Sturridge — one of their key players — is back from injury and likely to start today’s game.
Bet: Liverpool win @ 1/4
Swansea v Tottenham (Sunday, 13.30)
Tottenham have had a relatively impressive start to life under Tim Sherwood, attaining 13 points out of a possible 15 of late.
Yet against Swansea, their much-discussed 4-4-2 system is likely to be heavily tested by Swansea’s extra man in midfield. That said, provided Sherwood doesn’t go too gung ho, they should have enough talent to overcome the Welsh outfit.
Bet: Tottenham win @ 7/5
Chelsea v Man United (Sunday, 16.00)
Undeniably the game of the weekend, United did at least put an end to their poor recent form against Swansea the other week, though now face the formidable prospect of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
United have shown already that they can rise to the big occasion, beating Arsenal earlier in the season.
On the other hand, Moyes’ record against Mourinho is notoriously poor, and Chelsea will be odds-on to continue that trend on Sunday.
Bet: Chelsea win @ 3/4
West Brom v Everton (Monday, 20.00)
Will Aiden McGeady make his debut in a game that should have plenty of interest from an Irish perspective?
Either way, Roberto Martinez’s side will be expected to beat a West Brom team just three points off the relegation zone, if they are to continue the type of form that is making them look like viable contenders for the top four.
Bet: Everton win @ 5/4
Accumulator
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