There is another set of Premier League matches this weekend with the ten matches being spread over three days. The opening seven games of the round will be played on a potentially entertaining Saturday which gives us plenty to go at here.
The action begins at White Hart Lane where Tottenham host Sunderland in the lunchtime kick off before five 3pm matches take place. They see Chelsea hosting Everton in the pick of them. Man City welcome Crystal Palace to the Etihad, West Ham head to Newcastle, Bournemouth host Norwich and Southampton welcome West Brom. The late game sees Aston Villa playing Leicester.
Tottenham were beaten in midweek by Leicester to lose ground on the top of the table. If they harbour any title aspirations this season then this is a match they simply have to win but all too often that is when they are at their most unreliable.
Sunderland had a very good win over Swansea in midweek with Jermain Defoe in good form and he will want to terrorise his former employers with another goal in this match. If Sunderland’s defence can hold firm they might get something out of this. That’s a big if though. It isn’t a game I can get a strong feel for really.
There isn’t much I like in the 3pm matches either in truth. I’m tempted by goals in the Chelsea vs Everton game but not quite enough to get involved with the price not the greatest on the 2.5 line. Palace could be a stumbling block at Man City if they can find their best form while I don’t really know where to start with the Bournemouth and Southampton matches.
There is one I do like though and that is West Ham at Newcastle. We’ve seen all season long how comfortable West Ham are on the road and with optimism maybe starting to build in the stands at St James’ Park there might be a little pressure on the home side.
I’m much more comfortable taking West Ham again now that Dimitri Payet is back and he put on a masterclass in midweek so he’s going to need stopping here. I’m not sure Newcastle have anyone who can stop him so I’m confident in West Ham going forward and if they can maintain their generally tight defence they can snuff out any positivity that is building in Toon land.
Prior to Tuesday night’s draw Newcastle had lost their last four in all competitions while West Ham have quietly now won their last four in all comps so I’m really surprised we can get the odds we can on the Asian line so I like West Ham here.
The late game has an interesting twist to it now that Aston Villa finally remembered how to win a game. You’d have to suggest that win was handed to them by a howler from Wayne Hennessey but a win is a win and it might be the start of something. In fairness to Villa prior to that win they had become much tougher to beat.
Leicester have been a breath of fresh air on the road this season but I’m still not completely comfortable with them as a favourite. I’d favour them to win but I’d want a bigger price than we are getting especially with Villa taking a 2-0 lead at the King Power earlier in the season before surrendering it. That suggests Villa might have something to offer here so I’ll leave the game alone.
Back West Ham (+0.25AH) to beat Newcastle for a 4/10 stake at 1.85 with BetVictor
