Premier League Tips: Goals At A Premium For Burnley and Palace

Fulham v Manchester United Prediction

Sat 04 Nov 12:30

The odds in this game imply United are going through nothing more than a blip. Ten Hag’s side are odds-on in the early kick-off after being soundly beaten by Newcastle midweek and City last Sunday. I suggested back in September that Ten Hag was in trouble, and United’s record since then includes four more losses. However, as tempting as it is to back Fulham at a big price, the one thing Ten Hag’s side have excelled in is consistently beating the weakest teams in the league. If Unired do struggle prepare for a media meltdown.

Brentford v West Ham Prediction

Sat 04 Nov 15:00

The Hammers looked sharp in beating Arsenal midweek but this game is too tough to call. Brentford have not hit the heights of last season yet but two wins on the bounce are cause for optimism. No bet from me here.

Everton v Brighton Prediction

Sat 04 Nov 15:00

This is the sort of bet that could easily leave me with egg on my face but I fancy another Everton win here. The Toffees have quietly found some form and Brighton are winless domestically since September. Sean Dyche’s side looked to be headed for The Championship after a winless start to the season (W0 D1 L4) but now have three wins in their last four, with a loss at Anfield the only blot on their copybook. They looked well organised in the wins over West Ham, Bournemouth and Brentford and even in the reversal at Anfield. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucouré might not be the sort of players that get the juices flowing but both are chipping in and giving Everton a legitimate goal-scoring threat.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what has gone wrong at Brighton. Roberto De Zerbi was beginning to look like a genius as his side kept on winning despite selling so many key players during the summer. Caicedo, Mac Allister, Sanchez and Aaron Connolly were the big-name departures as the owners let €200m of talent walk out the door. Each of those players were game-winners for Brighton last season and all look sorely missed. Victory over a shambolic Ajax is the club’s only win in six weeks and they don’t have a single clean sheet in the league so far. Combine that with the Europa League slog and Brighton are being dragged into midtable mediocrity.

I have already looked foolish backing Everton this season but at 21/10 I’ll take another chance here.

Burnley v Crystal Palace Prediction

Sat 04 Nov 15:00

Two of the league’s lowest-scoring teams will clash at Turf Moor and I was planning to bet Under 2.5 Goals in this one. However, the odds moved during the week and at 13/20 there is no value in betting this one. If you are the sort of punter who bets based on the news then Burnley might be a play here at 7/4. Roy Hodgson publically “blasted” his players after the loss to Spurs last week and has since had to apologise. In reality, all he did was state the obvious, but there may well be some impact on performance. I’ve had my fingers burned too many times backing Vincent Kompany’s team this season, however, so there is no official pick from me here.

Newcastle United v Arsenal Prediction

Sat 04 Nov 17:30

Arsenal head to St James Park for the late kick-off and the bookies can’t seem to call this one. I need to be careful as an Arsenal fan that I don’t put heart over head here but 8/5 for The Gunners is too high a price. I have seen a lot of kneejerk reactions to Arsenal’s EFL Cup loss to West Ham during the week that seem totally out of proportion. Arteta rested over half his starting lineup and there will be seven or eight changes for Saturday.

Newcastle have been picking up results but the questions I had about them last week have not been answered. They were incredibly fortunate to beat Wolves and the win over United doesn’t tell us a whole lot. Despite the massive improvement in form over the last year they are yet to beat a top team in the league. They were winless against Arsenal, City and Liverpool (W0 D2 L4) last season and that has continued this term too (P2 L2). Also, the ease with which Dortmund picked them apart last month was alarming.

I’m happy to go with a well-rested Arsenal against a Tonali-less Newcastle at 8/5.

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa Prediction

Sun 05 Nov 14:00

Aston Villa are in incredible form and I’m surprised they are getting so little attention. Since the opening-day loss to Newcastle, their form is W11 D1 L3. They are sitting 5th in the league and are only two points behind Arsenal in second place. Nottingham Forest are winless in six and have managed only two victories all season. Emery’s side look a good price at 17/20 but I will add Over 2.5 goals for a little extra juice. Nine of their 10 league games so far have gone over that mark. Villa to Win and Over 2.5 Goals at 7/4 is my official pick.

Tottenham v Chelsea Prediction

Mon 06 Nov 20:00

Spurs host Chelsea on Monday Night Football that fact Spurs are outside evens tells us a lot. The early league leaders are undefeated, meanwhile, The Blues are closer to the relegation zone than the Top Four. On paper, this should be a routine home win but this fixture is never straightforward. My instinct here was to lay the favourites but the bookies are well ahead of me. When the game rolls around I will no doubt have a Bet Builder with Richarlison To Be Booked at 3/1 as the first leg. The Brazilian still has more bookings (5) than goals (2) in the league since joining Spurs and this is one of the season’s most prickly affairs.