Photo Credit: Premier League
Everton v Liverpool
Nothing like a Merseyside derby to spice up a weekend (though our Scottish friends will say that the Old Firm derby is the spiciest of them all, which ironically is also on this weekend, but I digress).
Everton are winless after five matches with 3 draws to their name. They will be desperate to turn around their form and there is no better fixture to do it in, than in the Merseyside derby. Just out of the relegation zone on goal difference, Everton are desperate to win this match, not just in the context of their season, but also bragging rights over their neighbours. After their brave and unexpected draw against Leeds in midweek, courtesy of Anthony Gordon’s equaliser, nothing will give more joy to their loyal fans, than to defeat their rivals.
Liverpool on the other hand have found some form, beating Bournemouth 9-0 and then following it up with a 2-1 win over Newcastle. Roberto Firmino is back in form for the reds.
The match can be watched live on Optus Sports at 10pm AEST Saturday 3rd September.
Odds: Everton 7.50
Draw 5.00
Liverpool 1.37
Tip: We believe that Liverpool has bounced back into form and will easily beat their rivals. Despite the fact that it is a derby and the form guide is usually thrown out, we don’t believe Everton has a chance here.
Tottenham v Fulham
The 3rd placed Tottenham will be eager to keep up their great start to the season. They are one of three unbeaten teams and will want to keep this record intact. Harry Kane is expected to be the main man at Tottenham, supported by the Croatian, Ivan Perisic.
Fulham have been doing well on their return to the Premier League. Currently in 8th place with 2 wins and 2 draws. Their latest match was a win against the early season surprise package Brighton. With their Serbian striker Aleksander Mitrovic is fine form with 5 goals so far this season, Fulham cannot be taken lightly.
The match can be watched live on Optus Sports at 12am AEST Sunday 4th September.
Odds: Tottenham 1.46
Draw 4.50
Fulham 6.50
Tip: Both teams are in fine form and believe the 4.50 for the draw is a good value bet.
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth
Both teams are on the lower end of the table and will be desperate to break away from the relegation zone. Both teams are on one win and one draw. Both teams have been on the wrong end of a flogging in recent weeks therefore both teams will be low on confidence.
Both teams are doing poorly in the disciplinary statistics, with Adam Smith of Bournemouth one yellow card away from a suspension, and Joe Worrall on 3 yellow cards already in the season.
The match can be watched live on Optus Sports at 12am Sunday 4th September.
Odds: Nottingham Forest 2.00
Draw 3.30
Bournemouth 3.85
Tip: We do not rate Bournemouth’s chances at all in this match. The best value bet, and the most likely result, is a draw between the two struggling teams.
Chelsea v West Ham
Chelsea have just come off a loss against Southampton in a match they were expected to win and now find themselves in 10th place. A team of such quality expects to be in the top 4 and yet, they are not firing. They need Raheem Stirling and Mason Mount firing on all cylinders it they want to bounce back into form and keep up with the leading pack.
West Ham, after their poor start to the year have had a win and a draw in their last 2 matches and will feel they have finally got their season started. With a vulnerable Chelsea team, this may be the right time for Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek to strike.
The match can be watched live on Optus Sports at 12am Sunday 4th September.
Odds: Chelsea 1.52
Draw 4.25
West Ham 6.00
Tip: Once again, we are tipping Chelsea on the quality of their squad, though West Ham will not make it easy.
Brentford v Leeds United
This mid-table clash sees a clash between 2 teams who claimed draws in midweek. Brentford have a chance to leapfrog Leeds with a home win. They will be relying on Ian Toney and Yoane Wissa to do claim a win.
Leeds though will have other ideas. An unexpected home draw against Everton, they would be disappointed with that result and will be desperate to show that they belong in the leading pack. Rodrigo Moreno is currently on 4 goals and would love to boost his goal tally and get Leeds United back on track.
The match can be watched live on Optus Sports at 12am Sunday 4th September.
Odds: Brentford 2.10
Draw 3.60
Leeds United 3.25
Tip: We expect this to be a close match between 2 very similar teams. Brentford at home paying 2.10 looks like the best value bet.
Wolves v Southampton
Wolves are in the relegation zone after no wins for the season so far. A win can help leapfrog them into a mid-table position and they will need to make this match the one that gets them out of the relegation zone. Raul Jimenez and Pedro Neto need to start scoring some goals or it will become more difficult to escape the relegation zone.
Southampton meanwhile are high on confidence after their mid-week win over Chelsea. They are currently in 9th position and will feel that they are better than that. Romeo Lavla and Adam Armstrong will want to keep up their goal scoring form against Chelsea in this match too.
The match can be watched live on Optus Sports at 12am Sunday 4th September.
Odds: Wolves 2.20
Draw 3.40
Southampton 3.25
Tip: Wolves are lacking inspiration while Southampton are getting results against more fancied teams. We expect Southampton to win away from home and the price of 3.25 is a great price.
Newcastle v Crystal Palace
1 point separates these teams in this mid-table clash. Newcastle were shocked by Liverpool’s injury time winner in their last match and will want to make amends for the 2 points that were dropped in that match. They need Alexander Isak and Ryan Fraser in form to beat their opponent.
Whilst Wilfried Zaha has been in fine form for Crystal Palace, the team has not set the league alight thus far this season and a lot will be expected from other players such as Marc Guehi and Jeffrey Schlupp.
The match can be watched live on Optus Sports at 12am Sunday 4th September.
Odds: Newcastle 2.00
Draw 3.40
Crystal Palace 3.70
Tip: We expect Newcastle to bounce back after their heart-breaking loss against Liverpool, with a victory over Crystal Palace.
Aston Villa v Manchester City
A clash between the team coming second last against the team coming second. Does Aston Villa have a chance? They have had some tough games but also lost to some weak teams too. They need Steven Gerrard to come up with a magic formula to unlock the defences. Boubacar Kamara and Jacob Ramsey working in midfield are the key to Aston Villa’s success.
Meanwhile, can anyone ever tip against Manchester City? They have been ruthless, especially their new signing Erling Haaland who leads the goal scoring charts with 9 so far this season. John Stones has been more like a rock at the back for Manchester City and his defensive partnership with Ruben Diaz will make it difficult for any team to score.
The match can be watched live on Optus Sports at 3am Sunday 4th September.
Odds: Aston Villa 8.50
Draw 5.50
Manchester City 1.30
Tip: Despite the short odds, we cannot think of one scenario that will not include a Manchester City victory.
Brighton v Leicester City
The high-flying Brighton at home against the team coming last would come across as an easy match. Brighton with 3 wins and 1 draw are in outright 4th place and have justified their place with some enthralling football. Alexis MacAllister and Leandro Trossard will be looking to continue their fine form.
Meanwhile, Leicester has been awful with just 1 draw to their name this season. James Maddison and Harvey Barnes will need to come up with some methods to unlock the Brighton defence if they want to get off the bottom of the table.
The match can be watched live on Optus Sports at 11.30pm on Sunday 4th September.
Odds: Brighton 1.85
Draw 3.50
Leicester City 4.25
Tip: Brighton to continue their early season form and beat the last placed Leicester City.
Manchester United v Arsenal
Gone are the days of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger in the coach’s dugouts, though the fiery clashes have never disappeared.
Manchester United after their early season woes are suddenly in 5th place. Jadon Sancho scored the winner in their last match and will be hoping for another chance to add to his goal tally. Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes will be hoping for more of the same. Meanwhile their centre backs, Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane will need to be on their game to keep out the high flying Arsenal.
The table topping Arsenal are in fine form. Five wins from five matches sees them in outright first in what has been one of their best starts to a season in years. With Manchester City breathing down their necks, they will want to keep up their perfect record and will be looking to their stars such as William Saliba, Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka for inspiration.
The match can be watched live on Optus Sports at 2am Monday 5th September.
Odds: Manchester United 2.60
Draw 3.40
Arsenal 2.65
Tip: Manchester United is difficult to beat at home but there are up against a team with the perfect record. We believe this match will be the first that Arsenal drops points and will end up a draw.