Premier League preview: Sunday’s action including Arsenal vs Man City
Brighton vs Liverpool
In the harum-scarum world of Roberto De Zerbi, recent results have lurched from dynamite to disaster from one match to another – and even over the course of one game, given Brighton’s appearance against Marseille on Thursday.
One constant is goals, though. Brighton have played a total of 10 matches this season, with nine of those featuring at least four goals.
The Seagulls have racked up plenty, but last week against Aston Villa de Zerbi’s team could only find the net once – as Villa found the net six times against the visitors.
That’s painful for Brighton supporters – who may also be concerned that it’s now just one win in five in all comps for the south coast side.
Not a great time to be hosting Liverpool, then. The Merseyside team will be smarting after last week’s controversial loss to Tottenham; that VAR-based debacle is Klopp’s side’s only loss this season, with the side winning eight of their last nine games in all comps.
Still, Brighton are unbeaten against Liverpool under De Zerbi – two wins, one draw – and it may be a mistake to write them off, even with the possibility that the team will be fatigued after Thursday’s Europa League action.
With Liverpool games generally good for goals too, perhaps the safest course of action is to bank on the scoring to continue. Over 3.5 goals is a 10/11 shot.
West Ham vs Newcastle
With their victory against Freiburg in the Europa League on Thursday, West Ham extended their unbeaten run in Europe to 17 games, a new record for an England club.
But if David Moyes is hopeful his side can strike while the Irons are hot, presumably Newcastle will be in pretty confident mood for this encounter. On Wednesday, the Magpies ran rings around a disappointing Paris Saint-Germain side, winning 4-1 in the Champions League. For both these sides, life is good right now.
When these sides met at the London Stadium earlier this year, Newcastle inflicted a resounding 5-1 win over the hosts. West Ham have lost two of their last three league games too (admittedly against Liverpool and Man City).
Irrespective of West Ham’s fine form, Eddie Howe’s team appear to have hit formidable new heights. Another away win could be on the cards – back Newcastle for victory at 11/10. Callum Wilson may be able to pop up with a goal at 13/10, too; he has 12 goals in 13 appearances against the Hammers.
Wolves vs Aston Villa
Few saw it coming when Wolves beat Man City 2-1 last week – for just their second Prem win of the season. Now Gary O’Neil’s side turn their attention to Aston Villa, Unai Emery’s side coming to Molineux after a famous win of their own.
Villa’s 6-1 dismantling of Brighton shows us that Emery’s side can be merciless. So can we expect the visitors to deliver another killer performance against opposition that have proved they can mix it up with the best team in the league?
While we um and ahh about that one, we can at least see it could be worth backing Ollie Watkins while the man is delivering. He found the net three times against Brighton, and may be the man to penetrate this Wolves’ defence on Sunday. Watkins is 33/20 to score at any time.
Arsenal vs Man City
Has Arsenal’s defeat to Lens in the Champions League sapped some confidence, ahead of their showdown with Man City?
Despite City’s own recent slip-ups in recent weeks – away defeats to Wolves and Newcastle – there are reasons to be doubtful about the Gunners chances on Sunday.
For one, Bukayo Saka’s possible lack of availability, after he had to be subbed off with an injury midweek. Saka is important to Arsenal, and his potential absence will be felt.
But even if he’s fit to be involved, there’s more for Arteta to deal with – like the weight of recent history. Because the Gunners have lost 12 Premier League games in a row against City! Arsenal’s last win against this team came in December 2015.
City might have wavered in recent weeks – but for Pep, an appointment with Arsenal may be likelier to act as a pick-me-up than a cause for pessimism.
Of course, Arsenal are just a point behind City in the Prem right now. Win here, and the north London side could turn pacesetters – at least for a bit. It’s not like there isn’t plenty of incentive for Arsenal to put in a winning performance.
And Rodri’s absence for City could be a big factor too. The Spaniard has missed 15 league games since arriving in Manchester in 2019. City have lost five of those games – or a third of the matches played without him.
Still, we can’t ignore those previous results. Even if we focus on this season, City have scored in every away game they’ve played in the Prem; and Arsenal have conceded in every home game.
You could opt to keep it simple, backing BTTS Yes and Man City to win at 18/5.
Or otherwise you could try a Bet Builder; combine over 2.5 total goals, BTTS Yes, Over 6.5 corners and over 3.5 cards in a four fold at 9/4.
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