Premier League preview: Sunday’s action including Chelsea vs Arsenal
Chelsea vs Arsenal
The current narrative around Chelsea is that results under Graham Potter have been better than performances; that last week’s defeat to Brighton had been coming.
Potter’s team are without a win in their last three Premier League matches, too. Against an Arsenal side that have barely put a foot wrong, are the Blues heading for further setbacks at Stamford Bridge?
We were as surprised anyone to learn that Chelsea haven’t actually won at home against Arsenal in the Prem since 2018. The Gunners have won on each of their last two visits – last time, sweeping the Blues aside 4-2.
Against that, Arsenal made slightly heavy weather of it as they beat FC Zurich on Thursday in the Europa. And Chelsea must be keen to move on from that Brighton shock.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may have a say in this one too. The former Arsenal man did not leave the Gunners on the best of terms. That said, Auba hasn’t been in the best of form since arriving at Chelsea, with three goals in 11 appearances.
Also of note, Arsenal haven’t scored more than one goal per game in any of their last four away matches (all comps). I’m drawn to backing under 2.5 goals at 19/20 – but if you’re determined to back the result, betting on the draw at 49/20 may be the best angle.
Chelsea have drawn against both Spurs and Man Utd already at the Bridge this season; Potter may have to settle for a similar outcome on Sunday.
Aston Villa vs Man Utd
Villa’s respite from the Steven Gerrard era lasted just one game. After beating Brentford 4-0 in their first game without Stevie at the helm, the Midlands team shipped four goals against Newcastle last time out.
Will Unai Emery’s presence in the Villa dugout for the first time help his new side put up a more resolute showing against a Man United that clearly know how to grind out a win under Erik ten Hag?
United have rediscovered a degree of team spirit that’s not always been apparent in the post-Fergie years. And even despite that, United’s record at Villa Park in the Prem is outstanding – they haven’t lost there since 1995! Back the visitors to win at 11/10.
Southampton vs Newcastle
In each of their last eight matches, Southampton have scored one or fewer goals – and won just one game. Meanwhile, Newcastle have won five of their last six, and stuck four goals past Villa a week ago.
Eddie Howe’s side should be viewing this fixture the way Scrooge McDuck eyes an unguarded piggy bank.
The Magpies are 22/25 to take three points; meanwhile Callum Wilson has three goals from his last two outings, and is 6/5 to score at any time.
West Ham vs Crystal Palace
West Ham were narrowly beaten by Man Utd last time, but David Moyes’ team have won their last six home matches across all competitions. Fair to say Palace aren’t travelling well either; Patrick Vieira’s side have failed to score in their last three away games.
A little jarringly, Palace have a decent away record to the Irons recently, though. It’s two draws and an away win in the Eagles’ last three visits. Still, the side’s sluggish showings on the road in this campaign, plus West Ham’s decent form, makes it difficult to trust the visitors to continue to impress on Sunday.
Another home win seems the likeliest outcome here; the hosts are 10/11 to take the spoils.
Spurs vs Liverpool
What could on paper be a rip-roaring affair seems more likely to perplex, Liverpool currently underperforming in the Prem as Spurs simply underperform in the first half. Every first half.
In their last six matches in all comps, Tottenham have failed to find a first half goal; yet Antonio Conte’s side have dug deep to produce stoppage time winners in their last two matches, against Marseille and Bournemouth.
Those late goals may be harder to come by now, though. Already lacking Kulusevski and Richarlison, Spurs are now also without Son, who fractured his eye socket during the CL clash with Marseille earlier this week.
As for the visitors, it might be an oversimplification, but Liverpool’s players seem more inclined to fight for the Champions League, less committed to giving their all in a competition they have lost twice by a single point in the last four years. Funny that.
Either way, the truth is that neither of these sides are entirely reliable right now. For Tottenham, if anyone is going to find the net Kane would ordinarily look the obvious choice. Except he’s drawn blanks in his last three, and with key players missing he’s not getting the service he’d be hoping for.
One player who has been reliably providing goals, though, is Darwin Nunez; he has five in his last seven appearances for the visitors. Nunez is 19/10 to score at any time for Liverpool…
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