The Premier League returns from a two week break on Saturday and it does so with eight matches in what promises to be a frantic day of action.
With the Champions League back in midweek the big four are all in action across the various kick off times which makes this one of the potentially more exciting Saturday’s of the season so far.
The matches begin at Vicarage Road as Watford host Man Utd in the lunchtime kick off before six 3pm games start at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea play Norwich, at Goodison where Everton host Aston Villa, at St James’ Park as Newcastle try to contain Jamie Vardy and his Leicester side, at St Mary’s where Stoke are the visitors to take on Southampton and the Liberty Stadium and The Hawthorns where Swansea play Bournemouth and West Brom go against Arsenal.
After all that we’re left with the match of the day as the leaders Man City host Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in one of the matches of the season not just this weekend.
Early kick offs this season haven’t always caught fire and I’m not sure this one is going to either. Watford games have tended to be tight this season while United matches aren’t exactly free scoring.
Watford average less than a goal a game this season which is even worse when you think two of their 11 goals came on the opening day but on the flip side they only average one against per game and given that Arsenal put three past them not so long ago that isn’t a bad record.
United have the meanest defence in the league and they are set to go into this match without Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney so I don’t really see how this one lights up.
When you factor into the equation that both sides like to counter attack there is a serious chance they could cancel each other out so under 2.25 goals looks the way to begin the day.
At first glance betting potential comes thick and fast in the 3pm matches too with some good match ups but on second look there aren’t many bets I’m taking due to lack of prices and things.
I was going to take over 2.5 goals in the Chelsea-Norwich match. Stamford Bridge is anything but the fortress it used to be while Norwich can’t defend for anything but the odds are a little skinny particularly with Chelsea having a big game in midweek.
The same situation presented itself in the Newcastle vs Leicester match where I expect there to be goals but the odds are a little skinny. Both sides have goals in them but the Vardy factor has completely deflated the odds. That wouldn’t normally bother me but he missed England duty with an injury so I’m happy to leave it at the odds.
The Southampton vs Stoke, West Brom vs Arsenal and Everton vs Aston Villa matches don’t really interest me although it took a fair bit of resolve to resist the temptation of backing Everton. Villa aren’t great but I can’t be backing a side with one win in their last six at a massively short price.
There is one other that I like in the 3pm matches though. Neither Swansea nor Bournemouth are in the greatest form right now but we can’t get away from Bournemouth’s injury problems and they have had a major impact on their season.
Bournemouth haven’t scored in their last three matches and in the games before then they may have scored but they conceded five both times so this isn’t the time to be with the Cherries right now.
In fairness Swansea have only won one of their last six and against Villa which isn’t much of a form guide but they do have a tight defence and given Bournemouth’s struggles and their openness at the back I expect Swansea to get chances to take advantage.
The international break came at a good time for Swansea to reassess things and work on what they need to improve on and at just under evens I’ll take them to get their season back on track with a win here.
I’m expecting a Man City win in the late match but the odds aren’t really there to tempt me. I probably would have been tempted had Sergio Aguero and David Silva been 100% match fit but surely neither can be and given that Liverpool beat Chelsea when they were well written off I’ll err on the side of caution and leave the late game well alone.
Back Watford vs Man Utd – Under 2.25 goals for a 4/10 stake at 1.78 with BetVictor
Back Swansea to beat Bournemouth for a 4/10 stake at 1.95 with William Hill
Blog football YTD: -22.71pts
