The Premier League returns following another ill-timed international break, with ten mostly exciting fixtures set to be played out.
The round gets underway with what should be a thrilling London derby between the Spurs and the Hammers.
Elsewhere, the Toon host Brighton, Man United clash with Brentford, Wolverhampton brace themselves for Man City, before match of the round materialises when the Reds welcomes the Blues to Anfield.
Our VAR virtuoso has previewed all 10 Game Week 8 fixtures and provided his best Premier League betting plays below!
The Premier League action gets underway at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where the Spurs host the Hammers in a London derby.
West Ham enters this contest off the back of their first win in six fixtures across all comps (1W,2D,3L), after seeing off newly promoted Ipswich Town 4-1.
Alternatively, the Spurs dropped points for the first time in six games across all comps (5W,1L), when they threw away a two goal advantage against the Seagulls in GW7, ultimately losing 3-2.
Seven of the last eight competitive fixtures between this pair has seen under 3.5 goals scored, while all three of West Ham’s away fixtures this season have gone under 2.5 total goals mark.
I’m backing another armwrestle here, combined with the home team picking up at least one competition point.
The Toon look to build on their unbeaten home record (2W,1D) when they welcome the Seagulls to St. James Park.
Both clubs are tied on 12 competition points with three wins, three draws and one loss to their names.
Brighton has dropped points on two of their three away trips this season (1W,1D,1L), their defeat coming against an inform Blues outfit, while they held a 10-man Gunners unit to a draw at the Emirates.
Meanwhile, the Magpies held Man City to a draw in their last home fixture and have bettered Brighton in two of their last three fixtures in Newcastle (1D).
Both teams have scored in six of the last seven meetings between this pair, and I’m backing that trend to continue combined with under 4.5 total goals, a market that has hit in all seven of the Toons PL fixtures.
Last season’s Championship rivals are set to go toe-to-toe, as Leicester travels to St. Mary’s Stadium.
The Saints success in the Championship has not translated to points in the Premier League, leaving them sitting 19th after seven games (1D,6L), with just four goals to their name.
Alternatively, the Foxes have picked up points in four of their seven league outings (1W,3D,3L), claiming their first win last time out against the Cherries.
Leicester completed the double over the Saints last season, and I have them winning on the road here.
From one pair of caller dwellers, to another.
Three points here could be extremely valuable come the tail-end of the season, with both Everton (16th) and Ipswich (17th) sitting just above the drop zone.
The Toffees have taken points from their previous three league starts (1W,2D), conceding just twice across the trip, a huge improvement on the 13 goals conceded in their opening four fixtures.
Meanwhile, the Tractor boys enter this game off the back of a 1-4 humbling at the hands of the Hammers, their six goals for is the fourth lowest return in the league.
I’m backing the Toffees to build on their form, stealing a win as road underdogs.
Fulham hope to remain undefeated at home (2W,1D) when they welcome Villa to the Cottage.
On the flip side, Aston Villa look to keep the unbeaten record on the road alive (2W,1D), following results away to Ipswich, Leicester and West Ham.
Villa have dominated this fixture in recent times, winning the pair last three league fixtures, outscoring the Cottagers 6-2 across the trip.
The Villans are a Champions League calibre side now, and after defeating Bayern Munich before the International break, they should make light work of Fulham on the road.
Manchester United host Brentford in what feels like a must win fixture for Eric Ten Haag, as his future at the club hangs in limbo.
The Red Devils are five games without a win in all competitions (4D,1L), leaving them stranded in 14th spot on the league table, 10 points behind Liverpool in 1st.
The Bees are three places above Man United in 11th, and enter this game off the back of a thrilling 5-3 victory over the Wolves.
The ‘Both Teams to Score’ market has failed to hit in seven of the last ten games featuring Man United.
I think a clean sheet will be the primary focus for Ten Haag’s side here, especially while their offence continues to stutter.
The Gunners hope to move atop of the league table with a victory over the Cherries on the road.
Arsenal are looking to secure their fifth straight win across all comps and extend a run of 16 competitive fixtures without defeat (13W,3D).
They take on a Bournemouth outfit who have lost four of their last six starts (2W), and have only bettered the likes of Southampton an Everton this season.
The Gunners are unbeaten in their last nine games against the Cherries, winning eight of those fixtures, while outscoring their opponents 7-0 home and away last season.
Arsenal to win & over 2.5 total goals has hit in the last five meetings between this pair, a trend I’m backing to continue.
Things are not looking great for the Wolves, who are stranded at the foot of the table with one competition point from seven games, and a league-high 21 goals against.
Their situation may only get worse, as they prepare to face the side with a league-high goals scored (17), in Manchester City.
The Citizens defence looks vulnerable in absence of injured star Rodri, conceding five times across their last three league starts.
Fortunately for the Sky Blues, their lethal offence has the ability to outgun most sides in Europe.
Worst defence Vs Best offence.
Let’s not over complicate this one, Man City + Goals.
Match of the round arrives in the early hours of Monday morning (AEST), when league leaders Liverpool take on a much improved Chelsea outfit.
The Blues are unbeaten since they lost to Man City in GW1 (4W,2D), currently four points adrift of Liverpool and boasting the 2nd most goals for (16).
Meanwhile, the Reds have a league-high six wins (1L), sit one point ahead of both Arsenal and Man City, while only conceding twice in seven games!
Interestingly, eight of the last nine meetings between this pair across all comps have finished tied after regular time (1W to Liverpool).
Cole Palmer is currently the form player in the EPL, already reeling off six goals and five assists in his seven league games this campaign.
I like Chelsea at the current price ($4.40), but its hard to bet against the Reds at home, as such I’ll settle with taking the Blues in a double chance at over evens.
Game Week 8 wraps up on Tuesday morning (AEST), when Notts Forest plays host to the winless Crystal Palace.
No side has drawn more fixtures this season than the Trees (4D), with the Eagles not far behind in the category with three stalemates of their own.
Despite a strong start to the season, Nottingham are yet to claim a win at home (2D,1D), with both their wins this season coming on the road, including a famous 1-0 victory at Anfield.
The points have been shared in the last three meetings between this pair, and all the signs a point towards a fourth straight tie.