The Premier League returns to action following the second international break of the 2023/24 campaign with another set of exciting fixtures.
Let’s look at the five best betting tips for this weekend.
Chelsea vs Arsenal – Arsenal to Win, Under 2.5 Goals
Chelsea had just started to build a head of steam before the international break interrupted their momentum, hitting the pause button on their three-game winning streak in all competitions.
After their five consecutive games saw one or both sides fail to score, producing under 2.5 goals, Mauricio Pochettino’s lads thumped Burnley 4-1 at Turf Moor last time out.
But their cross-city rivals Arsenal proved their Premier League credentials with a gutsy 1-0 home triumph over Man City, maintaining a flawless eight-game league start (W6, D2).
With all due respect to Chelsea’s recent form resurgence, they might be out of their depth here, especially after losing their last three H2Hs at Stamford Bridge, two of which via the same 1-0 scoreline.
Arsenal should have this one in the bag, with Asian Storm and other sports bookmakers placing them as slight pre-match favourites to claim the bragging rights in this mouth-watering London derby.
Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion – Over 3.5 Goals, Both Teams to Score
Man City could lose three consecutive league games for the first time under Pep Guardiola after back-to-back defeats on the stroke of the international break.
If there’s a side capable of upsetting the odds in the Premier League, it’s Brighton, one of the most free-scoring teams across Europe’s big-five leagues this season.
Each of the Seagulls’ eight top-flight matches this season has featured over 3.5 goals and both teams scoring, including a 2-2 draw against Liverpool last time out.
High scoring has also been a common theme in Man City’s recent home encounters against Brighton, with three of the last five following the abovementioned pattern.
Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace – Magpies to Win, Under 2.5 Goals
Despite heading into the international break as one of only two Premier League sides to have hit a 20-goal landmark this term, Newcastle will be up against a sturdy Palace defence here.
Regardless of numerous high-profile absences, Roy Hodgson’s men have been a tough nut to crack, conceding a mere seven goals after the opening eight rounds.
Only Arsenal and Man City have conceded fewer. However, scoring has been an issue for Palace, as they’ve averaged 0.87 goals per game.
With that in mind, Newcastle should grab a tight win at St James’ Park, albeit connoisseurs of action-packed football may want to switch their attention elsewhere.
Sheffield United vs Manchester United – Draw, Under 2.5 Goals
You’d expect Man Utd to ease past the rock-bottom Blades, but the Red Devils’ long-standing travel sickness casts a large shadow on Erik ten Hag’s lofty ambitions.
Before squeezing past Burnely 1-0 on their last Premier League road trip, United had lost their opening three competitive away matches this season, conceding multiple goals on each occasion.
That shouldn’t be the case here, with Paul Heckingbottom’s side lamenting the second-worst attacking record in the division with six goals from eight games.
Yet, the question remains – can Man Utd finally piece together a decent performance outside Old Trafford? Given all the off-the-field issues, it doesn’t feel so.
Aston Villa vs West Ham United – Over 1.5 First-Half Goals, Villa to Score over 1.5 Goals
Villa Park has been a venue of entertainment this term, with each of Villa’s three home league matches featuring 4+ goals.
Unai Emery’s high-flyers have been relentless on home turf in the Premier League (W3), averaging a jaw-dropping 4.33 goals per game.
Brighton were the last top-flight team to fall victim to Villa’s unparalleled prolificacy in Birmingham, going down 6-1.
However, the Lions have lost their last three home league clashes against West Ham, two of which yielded 4+ goals.
Emery told BBC in the build-up that the Hammers are defensively sound, but that hardly changes the fact his men are unstoppable at home.
It stands to reason the Villa Park crowd will be in for another spectacle.
