England Premier League

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

Tottenham Hotspur’s fans were left livid by their team’s performance against Chelsea last weekend, and the team was booed off the field. Saturday lunchtime sees a repeat of last season’s Europa League final when Manchester United visit North London. United slipped up on their road to five successive victories at Nottingham Forest, drawing 2-2, but they actually played rather well in patches.

Saturday’s match pairs two of the league’s most unpredictable teams, and that makes betting a challenging prospect. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have been in blistering form of late, and they could cause harm to a fragile Spurs defence. On the flipside, though, Spurs haven’t suffered defeat to United in their last seven meetings, dating back to 2022. You can’t ignore these types of statistics, and I would shy away from an away win. Both teams to score is probable.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

In a twist of fortunes absolutely nobody saw coming, West Ham sprung into life with a 3-1 victory over Newcastle on Sunday, taking the Hammers to within three points of safety. Ironically, it is Saturday’s opponents, Burnley, who sit just above them in 17th with absolutely everything to play for at the Olympic Stadium.

Nuno Espirito Santo has to seize the moment and build from the Newcastle win. Once a slide starts in the Premier League, it can be impossible to stop, and the Portuguese coach can’t afford to let this momentum slip away. There isn’t much between the two teams, but West Ham have more individual quality. A home win coupled with Lucas Paqueta to score anytime could be worthwhile.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

Everton fans have become a little disgruntled with their recent form, although they may need a reminder that they need to learn to walk under David Moyes before they can run. Things will turn around, just as they did at West Ham. They host Fulham on Saturday, with the London club just below them in the league table. Fulham got a much-needed win against a hapless Wolves side last weekend to arrest their own slide, but you’d imagine they will face a much tougher team in the Toffees. Iliman Ndiaye is starting to get warmed up and is a good shout as an anytime goalscorer in a tight draw.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

If before the season began you’d have told anyone that Arsenal’s visit to the Stadium of Light on November 8th would be a top-four clash, you’d have been laughed out of the room. However, after Sunderland’s incredible start of 18 points from a possible 30, they sit in fourth spot, albeit seven points adrift of the Gunners. Mikel Arteta’s team are blocking out all the noise this term; they’re not focusing on any criticism of their agricultural style whatsoever. They’re looking to win the Premier League title and nothing more. The form book says Sunderland should make things difficult for Arsenal, but their performance last month against Manchester United concerned me. I think Arsenal will deliver a harsh blow to the Black Cats. An away win over 2.5 goals.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

Wolverhampton’s winless start to the Premier League season finally saw Vitor Pereira sacked as the club’s manager. Despite handing him a contract extension earlier in the season, Wolves decided that 10 matches without a single win was too poor a return. Few expect Wolves to avoid the drop at this juncture, and they face a difficult away trip to face Chelsea on Matchday 11. It’s unclear whether a new coach will be in place for this fixture, but Chelsea have to be heavy favourites, despite their own inconsistencies. A home win is the smart bet here, but you could combine it with over 2.5 goals and Joao Pedro to score anytime.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

Newcastle’s shock defeat to West Ham has rocked the Magpies, and they face an arduous task going away to Brentford on Sunday lunchtime. Brentford have everything in their locker to make things difficult for the Geordies, much like the Hammers did a week ago. Brentford are so effective from long throws and long counterattacks that Newcastle are bound to concede chances. Both teams to score in a draw makes sense here, and for the brave amongst us, a coupling of both Nick Woltemade and Igor Thiago to score anytime.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

Sunday’s action continues with a meeting between two Spanish coaches as Unai Emery’s Aston Villa welcome Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth to Villa Park. Villa had begun to rebuild their season after a slow start, but were surprisingly naïve in their defeat at Anfield. They played right into Liverpool’s hands and suffered a damaging defeat. Bournemouth, on the other hand, were simply outclassed by a superhuman Erling Haaland. This will be a much more balanced affair for both teams, and it’s difficult to pick a winner. A draw with both teams to score is the best I can do.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

Nottingham Forest were back to their best against Manchester United. They defended exceptionally well and caused huge problems on the counter. It was as if Nuno Espirito Santo had never been away. Sean Dyche will look to carry on this promising return to a particular style of play and earn his first league victory at home to Leeds United on Sunday.

Leeds have impressed going forward at times this season, but they’re simply not a very good football team at this level. Daniel Farke is coming under increasing pressure, and I expect Forest to add to that with a home win.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

The most unusual rivalry in English football makes a return on Sunday lunchtime when Brighton pay a visit to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace. What exactly makes this such a toxic fixture certainly puzzles the rest of the country, but at the present moment, both teams are capable of producing fireworks on the pitch.

Palace returned to winning ways last weekend after a three-game winless run, whilst Brighton were comfortable winners against Leeds. Palace are so well coached that you’d imagine Oliver Glasner watched Manchester United systematically take Brighton apart a fortnight ago and will try to copy their game plan. Home advantage will likely make the difference. I’ll stick with a home win and a possible Mateta to score anytime addition.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

Sunday afternoon brings the Premier League weekend to an exciting climax at the City of Manchester Stadium with Liverpool looking to build on their win over Aston Villa. Pep Guardiola has a mixed history in these battles with the Reds, but he has Haaland at his disposal, who could win any game at this moment. Liverpool’s defensive frailties will be sniffed out by the Norwegian, and that could decide the match.

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate will need to be at their best if Liverpool are to avoid defeat this weekend. The smart money could be on a home win, with both teams to score and Mohamed Salah to score anytime, with his record against City being excellent.