Game Week 15 of the Premier League is set to kick off less than 48 hours after the final whistle of the previous round, as managers across the UK put faith in the depth of their squads.
We’re not forced to wait long for the match of the week, as league leaders Chelsea meet the Hammers in a London Derby on Saturday night (AEST).
Elsewhere, Liverpool looks to build on their destructive form when they face the Wolves, Man City storm Vicarage Road, and Man United play host to the Eagles.
We’ve previewed all 10 Premier League fixtures across the weekend and provided our best betting plays below!
The Blues have won three of the last five matches against the Irons (2L), with both teams to score failing to hit in four of those fixtures.
Since upsetting Liverpool 3-2 in GW11, the Hammers have gone three games without a victory (1D,2L), as the usually reliable Antonio has gone missing in the final third.
Meanwhile, the Blues are on an eight-game unbeaten run in the league (6W,2D) and remain undefeated on the road this season.
Chelsea’s squad depth will undoubtedly give them the edge here, with just two days between knocks something will have to give in the Hammers largely unchanged XI this season.
I’m backing the Blues to continue their dominance away from the Bridge, I suggest throwing them into a multi with +1.5 Total Goals, which has hit in all but two of their games this season.
Southampton and Brighton meet at St. Mary’s as both sides attempt to build on their mid-week results.
The Saints played out a thrilling 2-2 draw against the Foxes last time out, arresting a two-match losing streak and lifting a point further clear of the drop zone.
Meanwhile, Brighton completed a snatch and grab in London, a spectacular 89th minute overhead strike from Neal Maupay enough to secure a point on the road.
The Seagulls have more drawers than an IKIA warehouse much to the frustration of Graham Potter, the East Sussex side has drawn seven of their last nine fixtures, four of which have come on the road.
Southhampton isn’t a stranger to the stalemate either, with four of their seven home fixtures finishing level.
With neither side setting the world alight at the moment, I’m happy to follow the form and back the points to be split once again.
The Wolves hope to go four games without defeat when they welcome Liverpool to Molineux Stadium.
It’s the hope that kills you.
Wolverhampton may be undefeated across three matches (1W,2D), but their striking has not been up to scratch, managing to bag just one goal across their last four league fixtures!
Meanwhile, the Reds have put more onions in the bag than a greengrocer across the last three weeks, scoring exactly four goals in EACH of their previous three games.
Of Liverpool’s nine wins this season, eight have come without their opposition scoring and by a 3+ goal margin, total dominance!
I can’t see the Reds conceding against the ‘Stormtroopers’ of the Premier League, as such I’ll be taking Klopp’s team to win to nil here.
Newcastle’s situation is beginning to get sad, the Saudi-owned side currently has zero wins from 14 games and are racing towards relegation.
They have a huge opportunity to break their duck here, as they welcome fellow PL strugglers Burnley to St. James Park.
Following a rough start to the year, the Clarets have reverted back to their bland formula of bombing longballs up the ground, a tactic which could prove profitable against the incompetent Toons backline.
After their victory against the Bees, Burnley has gone on to take points away from league leaders Chelsea, top-six outfit Wolverhampton, and Crystal Palace, Nestcastle represents a step back in quality for the Clarets, and an opportunity they should seize.
After facing Arsenal, Man U, Leicester, and Chelsea across their last four fixtures, the Hornets have been rewarded with a visit from the reigning champs!
City has won their last four league fixtures with an aggregate of nine goals to two, while their only away defeat of the season came way back in GW1 vs Spurs.
The Sky Blues have enjoyed previous encounters with Watford, banging 37 goals past the Hornets across their last eight meetings (8W), while conceding just three!
Pep will surely be eyeing this match off to boost his side’s goal difference, and I would not be surprised to see them put upwards of six past the Hornets here.
Ralf Rangnick will take control of his first Manchester United in front of a capacity crowd at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils will take on the Eagles, a side who are looking to bounce back following consecutive league defeats.
Crystal Palace has held the wood over United in recent times, going undefeated against the former giants across their previous three outings, which includes two wins at Old Trafford!
History aside, there’s a cloud of optimism forming over the Red side of Manchester, they’ve gone three games without defeat against notable opposition since the departure of Ole, while the arrival of Rangnick will only further boost spirits within the camp.
I’m backing United to continue their strong run of form and easily account for the out of sorts Eagles at home.
Speaking of new managers, both Antonio Conte and Dean Smith go head to head, as both managers attempt to remain undefeated at their new clubs.
Despite going four league games without a loss, I’m still not convinced by this Canaries squad, though they seem to be enjoying the rub of the green for the time being.
Alternatively, the Spurs look far more structured under Conte, who has been intent on rebuilding the side from the base up.
Norwich barely escaped with a point against a 10-man Newcastle side last round, I can’t see them creating many chances against this fickle Tottenham unit.
Leeds will be out to claim back-to-back league wins for the first time this season when they welcome Brentford to Elland Road.
The Honeymoon period has officially ended for the Bees, who have won just one of their last five league fixtures, despite taking on Norwich (L), Burnley (L), and Newcastle (D) across the trip.
This is a battle of two sides heading in opposite directions, as such I’m backing the Whites to collect all three points and leapfrog the Bees in the process.
Aston Villa and Leicester are set to square off in what is shaping up to be an intriguing encounter.
The Foxes have found form in front of the goals, netting six times across their last two fixtures, though it’s their defense that refuses to come to the party, failing to keep a clean since GW1!
Similarly, Aston Villa has looked dangerous with the ball since Gerrard’s arrival, scoring five goals across their last three games while collecting six competition points.
Both Teams to score has hit in all but three of Leicester’s games this season, while only Liverpool (11) has seen Over 2.5 Goals Scored more frequently than both sides taking the field today.
All the numbers are suggesting the scoreboard will tick over here, and unlike FIFA’s governing officials, the numbers don’t lie!
Game Week 15 comes to a close on Tuesday morning when Arsenal hit the road to take on the Toffees.
Everton are hoping to avoid five straight defeats as Rafa Benitez prepares to update his CV.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have won four of the last six games and are closing in on a top-four birth.
Since GW1, Arsenal are undefeated against sides sitting below 7th on the table (7W,2D), while keeping six clean sheets across the trip.
I’m expecting the Gunners to put the final nail in Rafa’s managerial coffin with a convincing performance at Goodison here.