The Premier League weekend continues on Saturday afternoon when six more matches in the top flight take place on a day where events could very much impact things at both ends of an intriguing table.
As ever on a Saturday we have a couple of TV matches which bookend the action. All the usual places should be able to keep us up to date with events during the other four games throughout the afternoon.
Early Kick Off
Manchester pride is at stake in the lunchtime kick off when Manchester United play host to their rivals Manchester City in what is one of the bigger Manchester derbies in recent times. United know that if they win this match they will move a point behind City into second place in the table and announce themselves as title contenders. City know they play 28 hours before Arsenal and a win will move them to within two points of the Gunners and pile the pressure on them ahead of their match on Sunday.
3pm Matches
We have four matches in that traditional 3pm kick off slot on Saturday afternoon where the pick of the fixtures comes from the Amex Stadium as an entertaining Brighton side welcome Liverpool to that part of the world. They played out a 3-3 draw in the reverse fixture and the Seagulls will move above Liverpool if they are victorious. Liverpool could end the day within four points of the top four if they can shake off their recent loss at Brentford to win this match.
The other three games in this slot are all huge ones at the bottom end of the table. Southampton boosted their confidence in midweek when they won through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals and they will hope that sparks their league form when they go to Everton. Both those sides are in the bottom three and the other two teams in the bottom four meet at Molineux where Wolves welcome West Ham. There is an East Midlands derby at the City Ground too where Nottingham Forest host Leicester City.
Special Offer
OPEN AN ACCOUNT WITH 888SPORT AND BET £10 TO GET £30 IN FREE BETS PLUS A £10 CASINO BONUS! PERFECT OFFER TO USE ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE! CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO JOIN. USE CODE 30F. NEW ACCOUNTS ONLY. 18+ T&Cs apply (See image for significant terms). Gamble Aware.
Late Game
The late game comes from the Gtech Community Stadium where Brentford will look to follow up their fine win over Liverpool in their last league match when they host an AFC Bournemouth side who are looking devoid of confidence right now and who won’t have had that boosted by defeat to Championship leaders Burnley in the cup last week. Bournemouth could find themselves in the bottom three when this one kicks off and will be eager to pick up three points but the Bees are looking up and could finish the day in seventh if they win here.
Betting
I’m intrigued by the match at Goodison Park where Southampton have to show that their win over Manchester City in the Carabao Cup in midweek wasn’t a fluke and Everton really need to show signs that they can beat the drop under Frank Lampard. I think this is a match the two sides will have circled in bold pen on their calendar as one they can win and dare I suggest it have to win so I expect to see both teams having something of a go here.
You wouldn’t say that either of these teams look overly convincing defensively so the chances to score should come regularly in this match. Both teams have a bit of character about them though and plenty of athleticism so even if they fall behind they can get back into the match. I was tempted to play over 2.5 goals in this one but I am aware how big the match is so I’ll have a little bit of safety on my side and take over 2.25 so we get some stake back if there are just two goals.
Tips
Back Everton vs Southampton – Over 2.5 goals for a 3/10 stake at 1.98 with Bet365
