A week of European action means the Premier League’s Saturday schedule is often a little quiet.
We’ve got a bumper Super Sunday this weekend too, which leaves us with just four fixtures for the Soccer Saturday/BT Sport Score/Final Score teams to yelp at.
Below are a few thoughts and tips on those four matches.
Huddersfield Town vs WEST HAM UNITED
Huddersfield finally got their first win of the season against Fulham on Monday night. The Terriers are still in the bottom three but will hope that can be a springboard.
David Wagner’s side struggle mightily in the final third, both with creating and scoring chances. West Ham’s defence should give the hosts opportunities this weekend, though.
The Hammers have been good to watch since recovering from their dodgy start. Marko Arnautovic and Felipe Anderson starred last time out and the duo look capable of troubling even the league’s best defences.
How those two perform will go a long way to deciding this match...
West Ham are yet to get their results that their performances have warranted this season. The extra quality in the final third makes them a solid bet to get the win.
TIP: West Ham to win @ 5/4
PREDICTED SCORE: West Ham to win 2-0 at 9/1
LEICESTER CITY vs Burnley
Leicester got an emotional victory away to Cardiff last weekend. The Foxes are up to tenth thanks to a solid start to the campaign.
Mid-table is where this squad belongs and Claude Puel has his team playing almost exactly to expectation.
Burnley, you could argue, have regressed to the mean. Last season was a real freak for the Clarets.
They have conceded 13 goals in their last three matches and are in for a long relegation battle. The defence that defied logic is suddenly leaking goals.
This is the sort of match Burnley would have been fancied for last season. It’s different this season, and it is hard to see past a Leicester win.
TIP: Leicester to win @ 4/9
PREDICTED SCORE: Leicester to win 3-0 at 17/2
Newcastle United vs AFC BOURNEMOUTH
The Magpies doubled their points tally for the season with victory against Watford last weekend.
This is a big match for Newcastle, who need to build on that positive result in front of a nervous St James’ crowd. Rafa Benitez needs his side to be resolute, and perhaps fortunate, defensively given their attacking issues.
Bournemouth are not an easy side to stop. They are creating chances as well as any team in the league outside of the top three and Eddie Howe has a number of players capable of contributing.
Ryan Fraser, David Brooks and Callum Wilson have all impressed and will fancy their chances against a weakened Newcastle.
The form book points to an away win. The safer bet might be the double chance as Newcastle will be happy enough to avoid defeat.
TIP: Bournemouth to win or draw @ 4/9
PREDICTED SCORE: Bournemouth to win 2-0 at 11/1
Southampton vs WATFORD
Mark Hughes is under severe pressure, which wasn’t helped by the 6-1 defeat to Manchester City last weekend.
Saints are outside the bottom three at the moment, but they are just two points above Fulham, who are currently 20th. Their finishing has cost them dearly so far, with only Huddersfield having scored fewer.
Watford have had a good start to the season. The Hornets were frustrated by Newcastle last time out, though, as wasted opportunities in the first half cost them.
A top half finish looks well within their reach this campaign, and they could move up to sixth with victory on the south coast.
Watford are a good side this year. Javi Gracia has his team well-organised and making the most of their talent. Hughes has not achieved the same with Southampton. A home win is unlikely - side with the Hornets to avoid defeat.
TIP: Watford to win or draw @ 4/7
PREDICTED SCORE: Watford to win 1-0 at 15/2
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
