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Premier League Tips: Avoid backing the Hornets who have no sting
His form is picking up after correctly calling three out of five last week and Ed Acteson is feeling bullish this time round. He’s got an opinion of five of the Saturday 15:00 Premier League matches that feature in the £5,000 Pick 5 pool. If you agree with his Premier League tips then join his Syndicate.
Aston Villa vs. Burnley
It’s not going incredibly well for Villa, is it? As they gleefully spunked well over £100m on transfers in the summer, tentative murmurs about them ‘doing a Fulham’ were uttered and are now beginning to look worryingly prophetic.
The Villans aren’t shipping goals like Fulham did but nor are they scoring at a proficient enough rate to win matches. They’ll need a drastic improvement at one end of the pitch if they’re to improve a point ratio of 0.66 per game which would only see them get 25 over the season and would ensure relegation.
Burnley are currently in ninth place, firmly ensconced in the battle for mid-table along with Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea. They firmly took the wind out Norwich’s sails last week to register their second win of the season at Turf Moor and a return of two draws and a defeat in their three away fixtures so far suggests that they are less ambitious on their travels.
I think the sides are pretty evenly matches and could cancel each other out in an uninspiring contest
Verdict: Draw
Bournemouth vs. West Ham
Sixth takes on fifth as two sides who have enjoyed a fantastic start to the season clash on the south coast.
Manuel Pellegrini has really got the Hammers firing after some shrewd summer signings. Yet let’s not forget that this is still West Ham and some of meltdown is inevitable. Whether that meltdown occurs away to a Bournemouth side high in confidence is open to debate.
In a random quirk, The Cherries have had four consecutive 3-1 results in the league, losing the first two (Man City & Leicester) and winning the most recent two (Everton & Southampton). They are the only team in the league to have scored and conceded in every match so far and, taking on an attacking West Ham side, more goals should be on the agenda.
It’s tough to see which way this one goes. You wouldn’t be surprised at any result so I’ll take the middle option and go for another draw.
Verdict: Draw
Chelsea vs. Brighton
This one is, unfortunately, an open and shut case. Brighton haven’t scored in their two away games so far this season and haven’t won at all since the opening day.
Chelsea, on the other hand, were mightily impressive in their narrow defeat to Liverpool last weekend but annihilated Wolves 5-2 the week before. They also battered Grimsby 7-1 in the League Cup midweek and will be in high spirits.
I don’t see anything other than a comfortable Chelsea victory and won’t waste any more words discussing otherwise.
Verdict: Chelsea
Wolves vs. Watford
Two sides that challenged for seventh place in the league last leason, with Wolves ultimately winning that battle, yet both find themselves in the relegation zone this season.
The difference between them is how they will be feeling after their matches last weekend. Wolves failed to notch their first victory of the season but will have left Selhurst Park elated after snatching a 95th minute equaliser against Crystal Palace, despite only having ten men.
Watford, on the other hand, left the Etihad with zero points have recorded the second heaviest defeat in Premier League history as Man City obliterated them 8-0. I said in my article that I was expecting a reaction from City but certainly didn’t anticipate anything of that nature.
The Hornet’s defending was pitiful and Quique Sanchez Flores must be the most under pressure manager after two games since Frank De Boer’s disastrous stint at Palace.
After that woeful display I wouldn’t put a penny on Watford and will be supporting Wolves.
Verdict: Wolves
Crystal Palace vs. Norwich
A tricky one. Both sides will regard their results from last week to be negative due to differing circumstances.
Palace have been unconvincing at home for two seasons now but looked decent in spells against Wolves and should have won the game after missing several big chances. Their lack of attacking firepower is, once again, their biggest deficiency and it will likely cost them plenty of points this season.
With nine goals in six games, largely thanks to the majestic Teemu Pukki, the Canaries have had no problems finding the net so far. However, having well exceeded their xG, you would expect that scoring rate to drop barring the unlikely event that Pukki manages to remain as clinical all season.
Of greater concern is their defending. Norwich have leaked 14 goals so far, the second worst record in the league and just 4 fewer than Watford who received that 8-0 battering. Year after year you see the sides with the leakiest rearguards go down no matter how much firepower they have and, after a bright start, they could soon be in trouble.
I reckon Palace go one better than they did last week and win this.
Verdict: Crystal Palace
