AUTHOR: Star Sports Content
STAR FOOTBALL PREVIEW Sat: Premier League Gameweek 6
The Premier League is back again with another bumper weekend of action which will see under-fire managers try and cling onto their jobs and the league continue to shape up at both ends of the top-flight table, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI, LEWIS WILLIAMS AND JOE CITRONE.
Newcastle United v Manchester City (12.30pm Saturday, TNT Sports 1 HD & Discovery+)
Feature preview written by William Kedjanyi:
Arsenal v Leicester (3pm, Saturday)
After six days of licking their wounds thanks to dropping two points in the dying strides against champions City, Arsenal must pick themselves up to host Leicester who headed the relegation market six weeks ago and only have three points in 5 matches to show for their return to the Premier League.
Comprehensive wins over bottom half teams was Arsenal’s trademark last season and they’ve already put to bed demons of last season when putting Aston Villa and Chelsea to the sword – both of whom they previously dropped points to.
Leicester have outperformed expectations with holding Tottenham, Palace and Villa to a draw and remained competitive in both defeats to Villa and Fulham. Vardy is by far out performing his quiet season two years ago and I wouldn’t be as bullish on a walkover here as I would’ve been a month ago.
Brentford v West Ham (3pm Saturday)
It’s an all-London affair at the Gtech Community Stadium this weekend as Thomas Frank’s Brentford look to inflict more misery on a struggling West Ham side.
Although it is still early days in the Julen Lopetegui era, it’s beginning to look like a case of ‘be careful what you wish for’ after the Hammers let David Moyes go at the end of last season. West Ham are without a win in their last three games and were comfortably beaten by Chelsea in their most recent outing.
It’s been a mixed bag of results for Brentford who have won two and lost three of their opening five games, but seem to be coping pretty will without Ivan Toney with Bryan Mbuemo taking on the talisman tag this term.
Brentford will feel confident at home, but this already feels quite big for West Ham and the odds on Lopetegui to be the first manager to leave their post may start to tumble if the Hammers suffer another disappointing loss.
Everton v Crystal Palace (3pm Saturday)
Sean Dyche finds himself under serious pressure heading into this one and will be desperate for a win to ease the mounting speculation over his future as Everton manager.
The Toffees are still winless in the Premier League and sit 19th in the Premier League with the Goodison faithful starting to turn on their boss.
It won’t get any easier on Saturday, though, against a Palace side who are starting to get into their rhythm somewhat. Oliver Glasner’s side have drawn their last three but you suspect a win is coming, especially if they can keep Eberechi Eze in good form.
Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion (3pm Saturday)
The match-up between Chelsea and Brighton should be an intriguing clash with plenty of history between these two clubs over the last few years.
After the chaos of the last couple of years, Chelsea seem to have got themselves back on a slightly more even footing this season and have started the campaign strongly; they will be seeking their third consecutive victory this weekend.
However, Brighton have also looked impressive under young coach Fabian Hurzeler – just one point worse off than the Blues – and that’s why a draw could be the bet here at 16/5 with starsports.bet.
Nottingham Forest v Fulham (3pm Saturday)
I fancied the unbeaten Forest to go close last week during their trip to the Amex and I fancy them to do so again. Soso saved the point after a scorching Welbeck freekick in a match of virtually zero possession yet a huge amount of opportunities in that context – a trend also matched at Anfield when taking all 3 points at 12/1.
Fulham’s shock win over Newcastle was less unexpected but the similarities between these clubs and their recent upsets are striking. Fulham have only failed to score in their opener against Manchester United and even then they had their chances. The same is true for Forest also against more solid opposition than the Cottagers. As previously mentioned, both of these sides have produced plenty with relatively nothing lately and so over 2.5 at an underdog price of 20/21 seems more than fair, despite goals not screaming off the page in recent respective encounters.
Wolverhampton v Liverpool (5.30pm Saturday, Sky Sports Main Event HD & Sky Go)
I mistakenly gave Bournemouth a chance to emulate Nottingham Forest last week, but a 3-0 win and a subsequent 5-1 victory over West Ham in the cup firmly got their title aspirations rolling again and that Forest goal remains the only goal Slot’s men have conceded in 5 matches. In contrast, Wolves have averaged 3 per match on 14 and find themselves rock bottom with just a point earned against Forest – ironically a season too late for many a shrewd tipping up their relegation hopes 12 months ago.
In all fairness to Gary O’Neil he’s had to face Villa, Newcastle, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all within the space of 5 weeks and so it’s hardly a shock to see them struggling at present. This Liverpool side have historically loved conceding and scoring early goals, especially in cup and European showings with a goal from AC Milan and West Ham both in 20 minutes, before knocking 2 and 1 respectively in themselves within the same half. Therefore, I’m backing over 1.5 first half goals at 23/20.
Ipswich Town v Aston Villa (2.00pm Saturday, Sky Sports Main Event HD & Sky Go)
McKenna’s slew of summer value signings has proved difficult yet promising enough to earn points with, which has led to three consecutive draws against Fulham, brighton and Southampton and they’ll be disappointed not to have come away with a win yet this season after being praised seemingly every week for their football.
Despite winning every match barring a visit from Arteta this season, Villa have arguably been fortunate and yet to be truly tested against a higher calibre of club than Wolves who sit bottom, Everton, and Leicester. Although it might not cost them points this time around, a side featuring Onana, Duran, Barkley and Bailey barely scraped past Wycombe on Tuesday and you can’t knock Ipswich’s defensive record lately. A draw seems fair at 13/5 and Villa might just receive an overdue humbling.
Manchester United v Tottenham (4.30pm Saturday, Sky Sports Main Event HD & Sky Go)
Feature preview, to be written by Lewis Williams:
Bournemouth v Southampton (8.00pm Monday, Sky Sports Main Event HD & Sky Go)
Feature preview, to be written by Joe Citrone:
WILLIAM KEDJANYI & LEWIS WILLIAMS
RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Draw – Chelsea v Brighton 1pt at 16/5 (⭐
CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Over 1.5 1st half goals – Wolves v Liverpool 2pts at 23/20 (⭐
CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Over 2.5 goals – Nottingham Forest v Fulham 2pts at 20/21 (⭐
CLICK TO BET NOW)
PROFIT/LOSS (SEP 2024): +0.54 POINTS
STAR PROMOTIONS
Most Read
ALEX CROOK: Saka’s Back, Chelse...
Our football ambassador ALEX CROOK...
ALEX CROOK PREVIEW: Premier League We...
Star Sports ambassador ALEX CROOK...
GREYHOUND DERBY 2026: Third Round Dra...
Following a thrilling second...
