We have 4 sides with a perfect record as we head into week 3 of the 2016/17 season. One of these sides has been performing against the odds and they’d like to keep it up when they take on Manchester United this week. It might be a bit of stretch for Hull but there’s no doubt they’ve done well for a side that has a limited squad. That isn’t the highlight match this weekend though as the early kick off on Saturday between Tottenham and Liverpool promises to be an entertaining one. Both sides love the pressing game and aren’t afraid of a goal when up to speed so it makes for a great build into the rest of the weekend’s fixtures.
Multi Bet: Leicester to win ($1.73), Crystal Palace to win ($2.3), Manchester United to win ($1.44), Southampton to win ($1.61) = $9.22
Match Day 3 Best Bet: Leicester to win at $1.73
**Odds from Sportsbet as at 27th August
Tottenham vs Liverpool
Spurs are building slowly into the season whilst Liverpool have had an up and down season already. After a thrilling 4-3 win over Arsenal, they were stunned by Burnley despite having a mammoth 80% possession. I wouldn’t expect Liverpool to be as ineffective against a Tottenham side that will push forward in this match but Liverpool’s defensive weakness is a big concern. To add to the concern is the doubts over Coutinho’s fitness along with an injury to Emre Can which limits their options in defensive midfield. Tottenham still have some concerns of their own in that Lloris will still miss through injury, but defensively they are far superior than Liverpool and that’s what may give them the edge in the end.
Predicted score: Tottenham 2-1
Best Bet: Tottenham to win either half at $1.65 (75%)
Next Best: Tottenham Draw no bet at $1.66
Watford vs Arsenal
Arsenal have had a poor start to the season and although there’s a bit of a correlation between their start and the amount of injuries they have, there’s just a growing frustration about them at the moment. They take on a Watford side who thus far have had a decent start to the season despite only capturing the 1 point. In both their matches against Southampton and Chelsea they have taken the lead and a home game here will give them a boost as they look to do it 3 weeks in a row. Their meetings last season both ended up in strong wins to Arsenal with the Gunners claiming a 7-0 aggregate score. I don’t expect a similar score line for this contest but I do expect Watford to keep the pressure on Arsenal as they hunt their first win of the season.
Predicted score: Arsenal 2-1
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.87 (80%)
Next Best: Arsenal to win at $1.73
Leicester vs Swansea
A slow start for Leicester isn’t ideal but this season was always going to be a lot tougher after the heroics of last season. A loss to Hull was followed up with a scoreless draw against Arsenal but they now have the chance for 3 points against Swansea. Swansea are a side that likes possession and that will suit Leicester’s counter attacking game very nicely. Leicester have won their last 3 league games against Swansea without conceding a goal and without having more than 40% possession. Add in the 9 goals they scored in those games and the inconsistent start from Swansea this season and we should have first win for Leicester in this new campaign.
Predicted score: Leicester 2-0
Best Bet: Leicester to win at $1.73 (90%)
Next Best: Leicester to win to Nil at $2.8
Chelsea vs Burnley
After their first two games Chelsea are undefeated but need to tighten up defensively a little bit. Conceding in both their matches so far isn’t sustainable whilst they’ve probably been pretty lucky in not having Diego Costa sent off in both matches already. For Burnley though, they’ll take huge confidence out of their win over Liverpool where they won 2-0 with just 20% possession. That’s something Chelsea will need to be wary of but it’s something that they should be able to handle at home.
Predicted score: Chelsea 2-0
Best Bet: Chelsea to lead at Half-Time at $1.62 (80%)
Next Best: Chelsea -1 Handicap at $1.72
Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth
Both sides have lost their opening games to the season which adds a little bit extra to this contest. Palace have been right in both of their matches losing both 1-0 but they will have a big boost this weekend in the form of Benteke who has joined from Liverpool. He’s the perfect fit for a side such as Palace so I’d expect him to start getting amongst the goals pretty early. For Bournemouth they’ll be without Arter who was sent off against West Ham but regardless of the line-up they take into this match they may just find it a little bit difficult. Palace defensively have looked pretty good and the lack of goals so far should be addressed through the addition of Benteke this weekend.
Predicted score: Crystal Palace 2-0
Best Bet: Crystal Palace to win at $2.3 (80%)
Next Best: Crystal Palace to win either half at $1.69
Everton vs Stoke
Contrasting starts to the season for these two with Everton securing a draw against Tottenham before capturing all 3 points last weekend at West Brom. For Stoke it’s been a tougher start for them with a reasonable draw away at Middlesbrough before a thumping at the hands of Manchester City 4-1. They have some injury concerns through the absence of Shaqiri where they lose more creativity and he could miss again this weekend. Everton too have some injuries but none overly significant and the recent return of Lukaku to the line-up alongside a dangerous Bolasie makes Everton a scary prospect on paper. They’ll need that to become reality this weekend because Stoke have beaten Everton at Goodison in their last 2 visits. On their current starts to the season though, Everton should be able to bounce back from those results.
Predicted score: Everton 2-1
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.87 (85%)
Next Best: Both teams to score – Yes at $1.8
Southampton vs Sunderland
The Saints have just the 1 point to start their season though it was likely always going to be a tough start for points under another new manager and 2 tough fixtures. They take on Sunderland this week who have lost both of their opening matches despite being reasonably competitive in both. The problem for the Black Cats is they just need a bit more time after the still recent departure of Allardyce before the start of the season. Southampton look a little more confident about things and home advantage here should see them get their first win of the season.
Predicted score: Southampton 2-0
Best Bet: Southampton to win at $1.61 (80%)
Next Best: Southampton -1 Handicap at $2.75
Hull vs Manchester United
An incredible start to the season for Hull with 2 wins may have to come to an end here because Manchester United look irresistible at the moment. With 2 wins of their own and the successful debut of Pogba last weekend makes them look incredibly strong. Throw in the goal scoring power of Ibrahimovic and an already strong defensive line-up and this has win 3 written all over it. The doubt of course will come in the form of Hull’s belief after a surprising start to the season. They won’t die wondering here but United should be winning this comfortably.
Predicted score: Manchester United 3-0
Best Bet: Manchester United to win to Nil at $2.1 (80%)
Next Best: Over 2.5 goals at $1.95
West Brom vs Middlesbrough
This is shaping up to be a pretty good game. The Baggies have a win and a loss to start the season whilst Middlesbrough already look like they belong in the top flight after claiming their first victory last weekend to go with their opening draw to start the season. The key for Middlesbrough though seems to be some excellent transfer business and business that has enhanced their side where they needed it most. Negredo up front was an excellent addition having already have Premier League experience and looks to have already paid off with a goal and 2 assists. For the Baggies they have stability through their side with little change and defensively that makes them a difficult prospect. It should make for a tough contest here and one where there may not be a lot of goals to be had.
Predicted score: Draw 0-0
Best Bet: Half-Time Draw at $1.83 (90%)
Next Best: Both teams to score – No at $1.72
Manchester City vs West Ham
After 2 wins to start the season, Manchester City will be keen to remain unbeaten ahead of the visit of West Ham this weekend. They’ve had a decent start under Guardiola and with time they should build into a formidable unit this season. Offensively they already have 6 goals and they should add to that tally this weekend. This will be a big test for West Ham especially with the number of injuries they already have. Cresswell, Sakho, Ayew, Carroll are all injured whilst there are doubts over others. The key so far though is that West Ham just don’t yet look like the side they were last season and for that reason Manchester City should make this win number 3.
Predicted score: Manchester City 2-1
Best Bet: Manchester City to lead at Half-Time at $1.67 (80%)
Next Best: Both teams to score – $1.83
