What a week of football it has been. We have had matches every single weekday night, which has helped distract from the nights closing in and the autumnal weather.
European action has been the focus for the past few days, but Premier League football continues this weekend. Saturday’s two televised matches get our attention here...
FULHAM vs WATFORD
Watford have overachieved so far, while Fulham have fallen short after an exciting transfer window.
The Hornets lead the west London club by eight points, despite falling to home defeat to Manchester United last weekend. Javi Gracia’s side were a little unlucky to get anything from the match. Fulham, meanwhile, were thrashed by Manchester City.
Fulham’s only win of the season came against Burnley at Craven Cottage. This is the kind of march that Slavisa Jokanovic’s side really have to win if they are to have a comfortable campaign.
Aleksandar Mitrovic since joining Fulham in February:
— 888sport (@888sport) August 26, 2018
League starts: 21
Goals: 15
Incredible stuff. ⚫️⚪️#FULBUR pic.twitter.com/fHssjq0wSl
Watford won their only away league match so far this season, but that was admittedly against a struggling Burnley side as well.
The hosts have looked a decent side when going forward. Aleksandar Mitrovic has been the player we saw in the Championship, a dominant, powerful striker capable of scoring 15 Premier League goals.
Defensively, though, it’s been pretty bleak. Fulham have the most expected goals against so far and have conceded 12 in five matches. Watford to score over 1.5 is 13/10.
As ever, the midfield will be where this is won, however. Watford have been rock solid in the middle third. Abdoulaye Doucoure has been immense, and Roberto Pereyra has shown the quality that earned him a spell at Juventus.
Fulham have talent of their own in midfield, notably Jean Seri who has shown flashes of brilliance, but they have failed to protect their defence. Pereyra could find a lot of space between the lines.
Goals are the safest bet with Fulham involved. They have the players to outplay Watford, but they have already shown themselves to be unpredictable.
Home advantage tips the scales in Fulham’s favour if you have to pick a winner. It would be hard to argue against a draw, though.
TIP: Over 2.5 goals @ 10/13
PREDICTED SCORE: Fulham 2-2 Watford (Priced at 10/1 with 888sport)
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs Tottenham Hotspur
The mood surrounding these two clubs is quite different.
Brighton are on a high after a come-from-behind 2-2 draw at Southampton on Monday night, while Tottenham are edging towards a mini crisis after three straight defeats, including a complete capitulation at San Siro on Tuesday night.
Mauricio Pochettino is not exactly a man under pressure. He has built up several seasons of credit at Tottenham after all.
His trouble, though, is that his midfield is struggling to assert itself in matches and Harry Kane still looks like a man with cement in his boots.
Kane is simply not shooting enough. The England captain was shooting at least four times per match in recent seasons, but that number is under 2.5 this term.
Brighton were abysmal in the first half of Monday night football, but Chris Hughton worked his magic at half-time and they were a different animal in the second 45. Glenn Murray played hero again for the south coast club.
The Seagulls won’t cause Spurs problems with pressing like Liverpool and Inter did, but Murray provides his own challenges for a Tottenham back line that has looked uncertain. Murray is a solid price at 11/5 to score anytime.
Comeback complete ✔️
— 888sport (@888sport) September 17, 2018
Glenn Murray makes it five goals in six league starts for Brighton against Southampton ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/tR6OLXQ2Vy
Tottenham’s troubles at the base of their midfield could also give opportunities for Pascal Gross to influence the match.
Gross played a big role for Hughton’s side last season with a combination of intelligent movement and good decision making. He has a knack for getting into goal scoring positions and is a more than capable provider for Murray.
Brighton lost just four times at home in the league last season. Hughton has his team well-drilled and spirits will be high after Monday’s result. Tottenham are in desperate need of a spark and could be in for a difficult evening on the south coast.
TIP: Brighton to win or draw @ 11/10
PREDICTED SCORE: Brighton 2-1 Tottenham (Priced at 12/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
