Premier League Matchday 11: More Pain For The Saints

Liverpool retained their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a narrow, but well-deserved, win against Spurs last weekend. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are back on Merseyside on Sunday and brand ambassador Michael Owen again looks forward to all the weekend action exclusively for BetVictor.

Bournemouth v Manchester United

United have built on their hard-earned point against Liverpool with, at the time of writing, back-to-back away wins against Partisan Belgrade in the Europa League and Norwich City in the Premier League although they also face a severe test of their mini-revival at Stamford Bridge in the League Cup on Wednesday.

Four away games in nine games is likely to take its toll, however, and I think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will have to settle for a point in Saturday’s early kick-off at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth have failed to score in their last three league games, but I expect it to be honours even on the south coast.

Tip: Game to finish in a draw

Arsenal v Wolves

Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead for the second time this season in the Premier League – also at Vicarage Road – when they were held 2-2 by Crystal Palace at the weekend and the Gunners continue to ship too many goals for a side looking to break into the top four.

Wolves travelled to Villa Park in the League Cup midweek unbeaten in nine games in all competitions, but whatever the outcome of that midlands derby I believe the Gunners will take all three points from what is likely to be a nervous Emirates Stadium.

Tip: Arsenal to win and both teams to score

Aston Villa v Liverpool

Villa were no match for champions Manchester City at the Etihad at the weekend, and I don’t think they will be able to prevent the league leaders from taking another valuable three points.

Brighton had 20 attempts at goal in Villa’s last Premier League home game and such an open game against Jurgen Klopp’s side is unlikely to bring about anything other than an away win.

Villans boss Dean Smith will be hoping that his skipper Jack Grealish – who missed the midweek League Cup tie with Wolves – is back from injury but I can’t see past another win for the Reds in what promises to be a terrific occasion at Villa Park.

Tip: Liverpool halftime/fulltime

Brighton v Norwich City

Brighton have won their last couple of home league games and scored half a dozen goals in those victories over Everton and Spurs.

Norwich kept a clean sheet at the Vitality Stadium in their last away game, but they were well beaten by United at Carrow Road last weekend and I expect Graham Potter’s Seagulls to be too strong for the Canaries.

Tip: Brighton to win

Manchester City v Southampton

Southampton need to stand up and be counted at the Etihad after their humiliation at the hands of Leicester City at St Mary’s on Friday. The Saints did at least find the City net in the League Cup tie between the sides in Manchester on Tuesday, but it was still an emphatic win for Pep Guardiola’s side.

City had to be patient against Aston Villa last weekend, but they still ran out comfortable 3-0 winners and I would be surprised if it were anything other than another long afternoon for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side back at the Etihad.

Tip: Manchester City -3 on the handicap

Sheffield United v Burnley

Sheffield United are unbeaten in their five league games on the road so far this season and they ran out worthy winners against Arsenal at Bramall Lane in their last home game, but I still expect Burnley to take all three points in this Roses clash.

Burnley were no match for Frank Lampard’s upwardly mobile Chelsea at Turf Moor last weekend, but you write them off at your peril. I don’t believe there will be many goals or opportunities at the weekend, but I think the Clarets will edge it.

Tip: Burnley to win

West Ham v Newcastle United

Six goals in their first 10 league games of the season underlines the problems facing Newcastle and they must do without the suspended Sean Longstaff at the London Stadium.

West Ham have led against both Crystal Palace and Sheffield United in their last couple of home games but have ended up with just a solitary point. The Irons badly need a win to get their season back on track and one goal might be enough to separate the teams on Saturday.

Tip: West Ham to win 1-0

Watford v Chelsea

Watford remain the only side without a league win so far this season and the Hornets have not won in their last nine home league games. It is hard to make a case for the hosts when inform Chelsea are the visitors to Vicarage Road on Saturday evening.

At the time of writing – before the midweek League Cup tie with Manchester United – Frank Lampard’s side have won their last seven games in all competitions and have won their last four on the road in the league – scoring at least three times in the process.

Chelsea shipped two late goals at Turf Moor last weekend which will have frustrated Lampard, but they are a side full of confidence and goals at present.

Tip: Chelsea -1

Crystal Palace v Leicester City

Palace gained their 26^th away point of 2019 at the Emirates on Sunday and only Manchester City have beaten the Eagles at Selhurst Park in the league so far this season. Make no mistake this is a stiff test of Leicester City’s top four credentials, but one I expect Brendan Rodgers’ side will pass.

As poor as 10-man Southampton were at St Mary’s on Friday the Foxes were outstanding and I enjoyed the fact that they were so ruthless and never took their foot off the gas. It promises to be an absolute cracker, but I expect the visitors to take all three points back to the east midlands.

Tip: Leicester City to win

Everton v Tottenham

Spurs scored six at Goodison in the corresponding game last season and I expect Mauricio Pochettino’s side to take all three points against an Everton side who may consider themselves unfortunate not to pick up at least a point on the south coast against Brighton on Saturday.

Spurs were flattered by the scoreline at Anfield on Sunday, but that was against a Liverpool side at the top of their game. They may just have enough to take all three points back to the capital.

Tip: Spurs to win and both teams to score

Michael’s weekend treble: Brighton, Man City and West Ham at