It’s taken just nine game weeks for the generally slow starting Man City to climb atop of the league table, do they just kick on from here, or is there still hope for the rest of the comp?
Game Week 10 gets underway at St. James’ Park, where the underperforming Toon host the injury-struck Gunners.
Elsewhere, City face giantkiller Bournemouth, Villa travel to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Man United begin life post ten Haag with a game against the Blues.
The Offside Oracle has previewed all the Premier League action over the weekend and provided his best betting plays below!
The Toon look to break a spell of five league fixtures without victory (2D,3L) when they host the Gunners in the opening fixture of the round.
Alternatively, the Gunners are winless in two fixtures and are already trailing competition leaders Man City by five points.
Goal scoring, or lack of is a major contributing factor to the Magpies form slump, being held to one or fewer goals in their last six games across all comps.
Discipline has been the Achilles heel of the Gunners this season, going down to 10 men in three of the four fixtures in which they have dropped points.
Both teams to score has failed to hit in 11 of the last 12 competitive meetings between this pair, and with Newcastles current scoring woes I’m backing that trend to continue.
After knocking off Arsenal and holding Villa to a draw, the Cherries take aim at four-time champs Manchester City.
The Sky Blues are enjoying a historic run in the league right now, going 32 EPL games without defeat.
On top of recent form, the Citizens have a 100% record against the Cherries in the Premier League, winning all 14 meetings since 2015, scoring 4+ goals in seven of those fixtures.
At over even money, Man City & Over 2.5 Total Goals looks to be great value here.
Notts Forest look to keep their dream start to the season alive when they take on a resurgent Hammers outfit.
Only Liverpool have allowed less goals than the Trees this season, who have only conceded seven times across nine league fixtures, leaving them seventh on the table with one loss.
Meanwhile, the Irons have won two of their last three league fixtures, lifting themselves clear of the relegation zone, at least for the time being.
Under 2.5 total goals has hit in seven of Nottingham’s nine league fixtures this season, and in all four of their home games.
Plus, three of the Hammers away games have also gone under.
This one could be a snooze-fest, I’m taking the unders and watching another match.
The Reds relinquished top spot on the table following a 2-2 draw with fellow title contenders, Arsenal, last time out.
That stalemate was only the second league fixture Liverpool has dropped points in (7W,1D,1L), following an incredible start under the management of Arne Slot.
They’ll face a Brighton squad who are reeling from their own 2-2 result last weekend, but unliked the Reds, the Seagulls fell short against cellar dwellers Wolverhampton despite leading 2-0 87 minutes into the game!
After keeping three consecutive clean sheets to start the season, Liverpool have conceded at least once in four of their last six league fixtures, with the absence of first choice keeper Alisson taking it’s toll.
I’m backing the Reds to get the job done at Anfield, but not without a hiccup or two.
The Saints head into their fixture against the Toffees as warm favourites, despite sitting at the foot of the table with one competition points from nine league fixtures, and a joint-worst goal differential (-13).
Alternatively, Everton have bounced back from a horrible start, claiming competition points in each of their last five starts (2W,3D), including results in their last two road fixtures (1W,1D).
They say winning is a habit, unfortunately, so is losing, and for that reason I’m happy to take on the bookies at back the Toffees outright.
The Tractor Boys host the Foxes in the Championship derby.
Ipswich are one of only three Premier League outfits yet to claim a win this season (4D,5L), and are staring down the barrel of four straight defeats.
Meanwhile, Leicester have won twice this season (3D,4L), with both of those victories coming in their last three starts (1L).
Until Ipswich proves to me they can win in the top flight, I’m going to continue to back against them, especially with the healthy price on offer for the Foxes.
Two of the league’s biggest underachievers are set to take the field at Molineux Stadium as Wolverhampton play host to Crystal Palace.
The Wolves doubled their season points tally last time out (0W,2D,7L), scoring two late goals to secure a 2-2 draw against Brighton.
Palace did the same, with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham, taking their points tally to 6 (1W,3D,5L), dragging themselves clear of the drop zone.
The Eagles completed the double over the Wolves last season, but their form suggests another win on the road might be a stretch.
Neither side inspires much confidence in the head-to-head market, as such I’m leaning towards a draw.
Villa are out to build on an impressive run of 11 games without defeat in all comps when they travel to the capital to take on the Spurs.
The Villans are currently sitting fourth in the league with just one loss to their name (5W,3D), while they’re both figuratively and literally kicking goals in their return to the UCL, winning all three of their fixtures, leaving them top of the league standings.
Alternatively, Tottenham’s progress this season has been anything but linear, Ange’s side handed Crystal Palace their first victory of the season last week following a decent run of form which saw them win seven of eight starts in all comps.
All four of Villa’s away fixtures this season have seen over 2.5 goals scored, while the same can be said of three of Tottenham’s four home fixtures.
I’m taking both sides to score, combined with the overs.
Manchester United begin post Eric ten Hag life, after the Dutchman was sacked following a horrid start to the season.
The Red Devils will be managed by club legend and interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy for their home fixture against the Blues.
Alternatively, the Chelsea faithful are warming to their new manager, Enzo Maresca, following a strong start to the season (5W,2D,2L).
The Blues last league win at Old Trafford came back in 2013, a match where Juan Mata scored the winner (1-0) against a side fielding stars such as Ryan Giggs, Vidic, van Parsie, and Jonny Evans!
Will Man United enjoy the new manager bump, or does Chelsea’s form continue?
I’m steering clear of the head to head market, instead backing chaos to ensue.
The Bees look top swarm Craven Cottage in the final fixture of the weekend.
Brentford claimed a 3-0 victory away to the Cottagers last season, and are unbeaten across the pairs last three competitive meetings (2W,1D).
Following a promising start to the season, Fulham have entered a form slump, claiming one points from their last three fixtures (1D,2L).
The Bees have only been kept scoreless in just one of their 12 fixtures across all comps this season.
Brentford’s away form is a concern here, but at the current price ($3.40) they are worth a swing in the H2H market.