PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW: What an excellent line up of games we have this weekend, in particular Saturday with four Goliath teams (still getting used to saying this about Leicester) meeting. We’re coming off a three for three week after a poor start to the season. I’m feeling good that I can keep the positive run going this weekend.
MAN UNITED v LEICESTER
This is a big game for United. They finally got a win during the week after three losses on the trot. Sure it was against a lower league side in the League Cup, but it was still important for them to get through as the pressure would be so much more otherwise. I like this game for United against a Leicester side who I am still a bit unsure of this season. Of course they haven’t hit the heights of last season, but outside of that I think people are still trying to figure out if they are anything lik a contender this season.
For Mourinho this weekend it should be relatively easy. I don’t want to sound like a dinosaur here, but it isn’t rocket science to plan the best approach for Man United in this game. He needs to start Rashford and play him down the middle. The young man is playing some excellent football right now and grabbing plenty of goals. He will be playing with an abundance of confidence, and of course the main reason for playing him centrally is his pace. He is lightning quick, and looking at the opposition’s centre defenders he can certainly do damage.
Morgan in particular is looking off the pace so far this season. He played every single minute last season which has to catch up to him at his age. He has always been a bulky centre back, but just looks slower this year. This spells trouble with Rashford around. Leicester would much prefer to be coming up against Ibrahimovic tomorrow, their defenders should deal with him much better. If not starting Rashford down the middle, Jose could also deploy him on the left against Simpson who also looks a bit off the pace after hurting his hamstring a few weeks back. I am expecting United to win this one and try and make a statement.
MY BEST BET:
Man United -1 at 2.22.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQMNULei
BOURNEMOUTH v EVERTON
I’m sorry Bournemouth fans, I must admit I was going to go Man City -2 last week but decided to lay United as a bigger bet. I really didn’t see Bournemouth putting up a fight against City. They lost 9-1 combined last season,. and City have only gotten better under Pep Guardiola. I’m also sorry Bournemouth fans but I have to go against your side again this week against Everton. I’m aware I backed Everton in this game last season too, after they looked home and dry they conceded two late goals to draw the game. But this is an improved Everton team under Koeman. They are much more organised.
Everton have had an excellent start to the season, and looks like this could be the year they realise their potential and actually challenge for a top four finish. There is nothing really stopping them right now. They lost during the week in the League Cup, and to me that was really a blessing in disguise. It is not a competition they need to be putting most concentration on. Their fans want a strong League campaign, they have been waiting too long for one, considering the amount of talent in their team.
Bournemouth are just too soft at the back. You are almost certain they will concede in any given game. This is somewhat down to the style that Eddie Howe adopts, but another factor is the talent isn’t fully there. It puts a lot of pressure on the forward players to get goals to make up for what is conceded and against the good sides they just can’t make up the difference. They bought players such as Jordan Ibe in the summer, but they haven’t had enough of an impact yet. I’m afraid I only see this game going one way, and for the life of me I can’t see how Everton are priced around evens.
MY BEST BET:
Back Everton at 2.02.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQBouEver
ARSENAL v CHELSEA
This should be an excellent game. The rivalry between these sides in the past few years has been really intriguing, it was largely fueled by the Wenger and Mourinho conflict but the football has been excellent to watch as well. Two London sides, but with aspirations of winning the league. There has been enough controversies over the years to make this into one of the top rivalries in England right now.
I think Arsenal have an edge in this one. The difference between the sides will be Chelsea’s defence. Normally when saying this it meant this will be the thing that wins Chelsea the game, but right now they are looking pretty weak. The combination of David Luiz and Cahill worries me. I said it last week, and I’ll say it again, I don’t think Cahill is up to it as a Chelsea centre back. And Luiz is just liable to do anything, as a partnership they are very, very shaky. Without Terry they are weak, and even with him we ahve seen before that he didn’t mesh well with David Luiz.
Arsenal are just starting to hit their stride, integrating new players into the team and starting to get a core that they can use on a weekly basis. I really like the look of Lucas Perez, he will get plenty of goals in this league. He reminds me of Vardy (a player Arsenal tried to get this summer) with his pace. He will really be able to get in behind centre backs. With the likes of Ozil or Sanchez creating form him he has the potential to absolutely destroy a few defences this season. I think this could be a second league loss in a row for Conte, as he learns the English way of football.
MY BEST BET:
Back Arsenal at 2.40.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQArseChel
