PREMIER LEAGUE - WEEK 5
Our soccer tipsters have picked out their best EPL bets for Gameweek 5.
West Ham vs Chelsea
Both teams started the season with new managers and as expected, there have been ups and downs in their games so far. The Hammers have the most worries as their defence has been leaking goals with six conceded in four games. The form of Jared Bowen and Lucas Paqueta is something that they can build on, but they look a little light up front with Michail Antonio looking his age and new signing Niclas Fullkrug still finding his feet in the EPL.
Chelsea have so many squad members that it’s a balancing act to build a cohesive team. Enzo Maresca will need time to implement his vision, but he has the raw materials available and once Chelsea finds some consistency, they will be a dangerous outfit. Check our West Ham vs Chelsea markets here.
Prediction – Under 2.75 @ 2.25
Liverpool vs Bournemouth
The home side arrive here after a confidence boosting victory away to AC Milan in the UCL on Tuesday night. They need to bounce back after a disappointing result in the EPL last time out against Notts Forest (losing 0-1 at Anfield). Arne Slot has shown that he is a good tactician and with a visiting team that likes to attack, Liverpool will look to take advantage on the counter. The reds defence has only conceded once in four games, and I feel it will be a comfortable home victory today. Check our Liverpool vs Bournemouth markets here.
Prediction – Liverpool -2 @ 2.28
Crystal Palace vs Manchester United
The Eagles have been one of the most disappointing sides so far this term. Oliver Glasner’s side finished strongly at the end of last season, but they are yet to win in four outings this term. They came back from two goals down at home to Leicester last week and maybe that will be the kickstart that they needed. The visitors banged in seven goals in the EFL cup on Tuesday but it’s back to their bread and butter which is where they struggled so badly over the last few years.
Both sides have defences that can be exploited, and I fancy goals at Selhurst Park today. Check our Crystal Palace vs Manchester United markets here.
Prediction – Over 3.25 @ 2.30
Brighton vs Nottingham Forest
Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton will be looking to continue their unbeaten run to their Premier League season as they host Nottingham Forest at the American Express Stadium. Opening wins over Everton and Man Utd, followed up with draws to Arsenal and Ipswich see the Seagulls lie in 6th in the league.
They face a Forest side who themselves are enjoying a good start to the season with 2 wins and 2 draws of their own, most notably a 1-0 away win against Liverpool last time out. Impressively the visitors have conceded few chances so far this season, resulting in just 2 goals conceded so far this season.
There is very little to separate between the sides on head-to-head with Brighton edging their last 4 Premier League meetings with 2 wins while Forest won 1 and the other ended in a draw.
This game is tough to call. Both sides will be keen to keep their unbeaten run intact and maintain their excellent defensive record. I’m going for a low-scoring draw here. Check our Brighton vs Nottingham Forest markets here.
Prediction – Draw and under 3.5 goals @4.65
Manchester City vs Arsenal
An unstoppable force meets an immovable object in this monster Premier League clash between the top 2 teams in the table. Manchester City have scored 11 goals so far in the league with 9 of those coming from Erling Haaland. Arsenal will take pride in their defensive record, conceding just 1 goal in their opening 4 league games.
Pep Guardiola’s men have not lost a single game at the Etihad in 90 minutes at the Etihad since November 2022 but face a tough task against this Arsenal side. The loss of Martin Odegaard will dent the Gunners attacking threat, but they know how to get a job done, winning 13 of their last 15 games in all competitions.
If their strong defence can contain Haaland I feel that Arsenal can get a result, but I think it will come down to just 1 or 2 big moments in the game that will sway the tie in favour of the hosts. Check our Manchester City vs Arsenal markets here.
Prediction: Manchester City to win and Under 3.5 goals @2.38
Recommended Treble:
Liverpool -2.5 @ 2.89
West Ham vs Chelsea - Under 2.5 @ 2.51
Crystal Palace vs Manchester United - Over 3.5 @ 2.54
