Premier League preview: all the Easter weekend action

Spurs vs Brighton

There was plenty of relief for Graham Potter last weekend as his under-scoring Brighton side earned an unexpected win against Arsenal. The Seagulls scored two goals at the Emirates – having scored just a single goal in their previous seven matches. Nice one lads. Great timing.

Now the south coast side take on another north London team with a reputation for wobbling at important moments. But unlike the Gunners, Spurs are in pretty convincing form at the moment, having scored 12 goals in their last three matches. They’re on a four-game winning streak – with the first victory in that sequence coming against Brighton at the Amex.

A home win for Antonio Conte’s newly impressive side seems almost a given then. With Harry Kane in mind, Paul Merson called Spurs a one-man team recently – perhaps doing his bit to inspire Heung-Min Son’s hat-trick against Villa last week.

Son is 5/4 to score again – tempting, given he’s scored six goals in three games for Tottenham. But Kane is well overdue a goal too, and can be backed at 10/11 to find the net against Brighton in the lunchtime kick off.

Man Utd vs Norwich

It’s one win in seven games for United in all competitions. The Rangnick reboot hasn’t worked, but surely even this team of serial underperformers can produce the goods against a Norwich side that – plot twist – have just won their first league game since January! Hang on…

Those frustrated by United’s ineptitude in recent weeks might see a potential Canaries win priced at 13/1 and toy with the possibility. But as underwhelming as the Red Devils have been since Ralf rocked up, United are unbeaten at Old Trafford in their last six league games.

It’s not that surprising, but the Manchester side have generally relished visits from Norwich, winning 4-0 in four of their last five encounters with the Canaries at Old Trafford. History doesn’t always repeat itself, but United need a boost, and Norwich might be the perfect foil here. The 4-0 win is 10/1.

If you can’t see this United team beating anybody 4-0, fair enough. But it’s not that much of a stretch to imagine Ronaldo shaking off his recent mobile phone misery – if you missed it, he appeared to smash a young fan’s phone in anger after defeat to Everton last week – by plundering a few goals against a side rooted to the foot of the league table. Big Cris scored a hat-trick in his last league appearance at Old Trafford, against Spurs last month.

Ronaldo is 13/5 to score first on Saturday, and 10/3 to score a couple of goals against Norwich.

Southampton vs Arsenal

Is Southampton’s recent decline good news for Arsenal – or is Arsenal’s recent decline good news for Southampton? One thing’s for sure – both these sides are in pretty risible form right now.

The Saints have lost five of their last six games in all comps, losing 6-0 to Chelsea at the weekend. Meanwhile, with the Gunners in a good position to land a spot in the Champions League next season, Arteta’s side seems to have fallen apart, losing three of their last four matches. Including to Brighton. Who, at the risk of repeating myself, had scored ONE GOAL IN SEVEN MATCHES before beating Arsenal 2-1 at the weekend.

The jig’s not up for the Gunners. Win here, and they’ll be on the same points total as Tottenham. So – can Arteta get his side firing again? Maybe Alexandre Lacazette will rouse himself as he faces a side he’s scored seven goals against in six previous meetings. The Arsenal forward is 39/20 to find the net at any time here.

Watford vs Brentford

It’s Hornets vs Bees, but only one of these sides seems to be carrying much of a sting at the moment.

Football can make you look like a ‘nana just when you think you’ve got it sussed. But – Roy Hodgson has lost all his home games with Watford, the side failing to muster even a draw at Vicarage Road since September. Conversely, Brentford have won four of their last five league games. They also beat Chelsea 4-1 recently and look to have rediscovered confidence since Christian Eriksen’s arrival.

Backing Brentford for the win is hardly a daring strategy, then. Still, Thomas Frank’s side are 31/20 to take all three points. Ivan Toney might be worth a look at 4/1 to be first goal scorer, too. He scored last time out against West Ham. And has eight goals in his last eight league games…

Newcastle vs Leicester City

After what’s been a pretty satisfying 2022, results-wise, Newcastle had a bit of a wobble in the last month. The Magpies lost three straight matches on the road, conceding five goals in a single match against Spurs.

But Eddie Howe’s side steadied the ship with a win over Wolves last time out. At St James Park, they’ve won their last four league games. Can they keep that run going against a Leicester side unbeaten in their last four matches?

The Foxes have enjoyed past encounters in this neck of the woods, beating Newcastle in their last five league visits. Will it be different this time? With the Foxes coming off a tricky away visit to PSV Eindhoven on Thursday, the Mags’ comparative freshness may be enough to make it another home win. Newcastle are 6/5 to take the three points.

West Ham vs Burnley

Burnley should be the fresher for this match, with West Ham away to Lyon on Thursday night. Still, the Clarets recent performances suggest that, with apologies to Sean Dyche, the side don’t know how to win.

Not on the road, anyway. Burnley prised a precious three points out of an encounter with Everton last week – then undid their good work four days later when they lost away to a Norwich team that have been pretty abysmal for most of the season.

It all adds up to five defeats in six matches for Burnley, who have failed to score a single goal in any of that six-game run besides the win over the Toffees. There’s not much reason to believe the side can get anything out of their trip to East London, then.

West Ham are unbeaten in their last five league games at home, and surely have enough about them to beat this less than vintage Burnley side. Back West Ham to win to nil at 7/4.

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