After a couple of weeks without any action in the Premier League, the teams return to action this weekend with what is something of a derby day special!
That’s because over the period from Saturday through to Monday, there will be no fewer than four derby games taking place!
We have the North London derby kicking off things, followed by another London derby, then on Sunday it is the Manchester derby and finally Monday night see’s a relatively rare East Midlands derby to enjoy.
So there is plenty of fantastic footie to enjoy over the weekend and beyond!
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Let’s now take a look at the fixtures that are scheduled to take place this weekend.
Premier League Fixtures (Kick off 3pm unless stated)
Saturday 1st October
- Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur (12.30pm)
This should be a cracking game between two of the top three teams in the table, plus a North London derby to boot. The Gunners sit atop the table but Spurs are just a point behind and know a win here will leapfrog them over their rivals. This is so close to call it is very tough to pick a winner here and so in that case I think the draw at 13/5 is the best option.
Two newcomers to the Premier League will meet at the Vitality Stadium and Bournemouth have bounced back well from their 9-0 mauling at Anfield in recent games to pick up a couple of wins. Brentford have started the season very well too, with their 4-0 win over Manchester United very much a highlight of the season so far.
You can make a case for any result in this game given how the two teams have performed this season but I just feel Brentford have the edge in class which makes them a good bet at 11/10 for the win.
The second derby of the weekend sees Crystal Palace take on Chelsea at Selhurst Park. Palace have lost all the last 10 against Chelsea and they have not drawn a match since 1995. In fact Palace have just four wins in games since then, Chelsea have won 19 of the 23 games between the two and even with a new manager in Graham Potter, you have to fancy their chances here.
Defensively, Chelsea have not looked too solid of late but I expect them to be so dangerous in attack that even if Palace were to score, Chelsea would win. Take Chelsea to win and BTTS at 3/1.
- Fulham v Newcastle United
Fulham have made a fantastic start to the season to lie 6th in the table, while Newcastle have proven hard to beat, losing just once in their seven games to lie 10th. Draws have been the reason Newcastle are not higher in the table and it has been a little while since Fulham earned a draw in the Premier League which sets up this game rather nicely.
I think if Newcastle had all their key men available, they’d be the team to back here, but with a number out injured, I feel that a draw is likely the option here at 12/5.
Brighton have lost manager Graham Potter to Chelsea since their last Premier League game and this is a tough test for the team, even against a Liverpool side with just two wins in their Premier League campaign so far. The Reds form is a worry for Jurgen Klopp although he should have some players back from injury for this game.
Brighton put on a superb display in a 2-2 draw at Anfield last season and they have proven so hard to beat this year, but I am backing Liverpool to land the win and both teams to score at 2/1.
Everton recorded a huge win over West Ham last time out which moved them away from the foot of the table, Southampton’s form started poorly, improved but then has fell off again in the past two games. This is a tough game to call, but Everton’s form of late sees them tough to beat and that has to be respected here.
That said, Southampton are a solid team at home and I can’t see the Saints succumbing to defeat here either, hence I am backing the draw option which is a 12/5 chance with bet365.
- West Ham v Wolverhampton Wanderers (5.30pm)
Both of these two teams were expected to do better this season than their current league position suggests and with both sitting in the lower reaches of the table, this is a game that both will feel that they have a chance of getting something from. Goals is the problem for both, with both teams scoring just three goals in the Premier League this season.
I can’t see too many goals being scored in this one, but I do have a feeling that Wolves may just have the edge defensively here, so I am backing them to land a narrow win here. Take Wolves to win at 29/10.
Sunday 2nd October
- Manchester City v Manchester United (2pm)
This weekend’s third derby game is one of the biggest of the season as the two Manchester Giants, City and United to head to head at the Etihad. Away teams have won nine of the last 13 games between the two, drawing one other, so United won’t feel too daunted by being on the road here, and their recent form is also very good.
However City are seemingly invincible in the league at the moment and I can see them picking apart that United defence at will. Back Manchester City to win this one 3-1 at 10/1 with bet365.
- Leeds United v Aston Villa (4.30pm)
Two teams that have struggled for results and consistency this season meet at Elland Road. Leeds have been better than Villa this season and that makes them favourites here, but recent form suggests Villa are well capable of picking up a result here, with them taking four points from the last two EPL games.
This is a tough one to call as you can make a case for any result, but I am backing the draw option here which is 23/10 with bet365.
Monday 3rd October
- Leicester City v Nottingham Forest
The fourth and final derby game of the weekend is an East Midlands clash that sees the two teams at the foot of the Premier League table battling it out for a vital three points. Leicester City, who have just one point so far this season, host Nottingham Forest who lie 19th in the table with three points vital for both teams.
Both teams have shipped a lot of goals this season and so I think both will score in this game, but I am backing Leicester to edge it, so take Leicester and BTTS at 12/5 with bet365.
Current EPL Table
*All odds shown were correct with bet365 Sport at the time of writing but may have changed in the meantime.
