Palace find themselves in the bottom three having accumulated three draws alongside their three defeats so far. Meanwhile, Liverpool are top. Oh dear. Away win.
ARSENAL vs SOUTHAMPTON (1500)
If you thought things were bad for Palace, just see Southampton’s record: five defeats and one draw. And Arsenal, their hosts today, are one point below the leaders. Oh dear again. Home win.
BRENTFORD vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (1500)
And the repetition goes on. If you thought life was tough for the Saints and for Palace, spare a thought for Wolves. Bottom. Same record as Southampton, but a marginally worse goal difference. Happily, they don’t have to do battle with a top three side. Still, when all can do is to look up, even Brentford is a prospect to make you look down, particularly during the first 60 seconds. Home win.
LEICESTER CITY vs BOURNEMOUTH (1500)
It looked so close to a highly creditable point at Arsenal last week. But then injury time – four minutes and nine minutes – came to bite Leicester on the backside and spoil what would have been an excellent afternoon. Can the Foxes recover from that disappointment against the Cherries this afternoon? Maybe. Draw.
MANCHESTER CITY vs FULHAM (1500)
With a little more luck, Fulham could have been going into this in the top four where their hosts not unexpectedly find themselves. It will take a whole lot of luck to get anything from their visit to the Etihad this afternoon, though. Home win.
WEST HAM UNITED vs IPSWICH TOWN (1500)
Well done to the Tractor Boys for progress to date. Unlike their hosts, they’ve really showed guts and their current 15 th place is a better return from six games than many would have expected - particularly when those six games include Man C, Liverpool and Villa. As for ourselves, we can look forward to Antonio and Ings featuring in attack – Fullkrug is injured – possibly with the underestimated Soucek in support. It would be good to see Summerville giving them wing power from the start. He’s been particularly impressive since moving south. What’s with Kudus’s attitude? And Paqueta? The mighty Hammers could give Hollywood Housewives a run for their money. Let’s hope they give Ipswich a good thrashing today. It’s about time, isn’t it. Home win.
EVERTON vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (1730)
The Toffees managed a much-celebrated first victory of the season against Palace last time. But Newcastle will be eager to return to the top four, and where better to do that but at Goodison? Away win.
*SUNDAY*
ASTON VILLA vs MANCHESTER UNITED (1400)
Villa’s start to the season has been particularly impressive, with just one defeat from their opening six games. Home advantage and opponents with confidence wounded and the manager’s future very much in doubt should be enough for them to see off Man U. Home win.
CHELSEA vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST (1400)
Chelsea have scored more goals than any other side in the top flight. So far. But Forest’s generosity to opponents has been miserly and the Blues will do well to keep a close eye on their visitors’ breaks. Red light spells danger. Home win.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (1630)
Together, these two have more goals scored and conceded than any other game this weekend. So their should be goals at the Amex this afternoon. It’s hard to say who will score more, but this should be a good game. Draw.
*CHAMPIONSHIP*
A last gasp equaliser saw the Black Cats salvage a point from visiting Leeds and solidify their top of the table spot. But Burnley, in second and just two points behind, host lowly Preston in one of the early fixtures can replace this this afternoon. Millwall visit previous leaders West Brom, while Sheffield Utd take on poorly Luton. QPR, Pompey and Cardiff fill the bottom three. Middlesboro, always a strong and always a losing bet for promotion, sit just outside the play-off places and travel to Watford, themselves one place below. The table is characteristically tight so there could be some significant movement today.
CRY v LIV
ARS v SOU
BRE v WOL
LEI v BOU
MCY v FUL
WHU v IPS
EVE v NEW
AST v MNU
CHE v FOR
BHA v TOT
