David Moyes has turned West Ham into a well-drilled, dependable unit and they are a percentage pick to beat a faltering Aston Villa outfit. Dean Smith’s side have been leaking goals during a run of three straight defeats and lost both encounters with the Hammers last term.
Norwich are yet to record a Premier League victory and will be looking to get off the mark in this crunch clash with Leeds. In fact, this is an opportunity for both teams to pick up some vital points, with the pair languishing towards the bottom of the table.
Precious points are on the line in this Vicarage Road clash and Southampton are shading favouritism having taken four points from their last two. However, Watford bounced back from a 5-0 defeat by Liverpool in style when running out 5-2 winners over Everton last weekend.
Brentford are unbeaten in four Premier League road trips and are fancied to extend that sequence when visiting Burnley. However, even though the Clarets are still seeking their first top-flight win, recent performances have been promising and this could be close.
Liverpool will travel to Preston on a high after Sunday’s big win over Man Utd and should enjoy more success in the EFL Cup. Jurgen Klopp will make changes at Deepdale, though, and North End have a good record on home turf, so this could be a good game to watch.
Arsenal have impressed in the EFL Cup this season and are strongly fancied to see off Leeds in the fourth round at Emirates Stadium. With no European distractions this term, Mikel Arteta is well placed to prioritise success in both domestic knockout competitions.
Claudio Ranieri’s return to English football proved to be a real baptism of fire as Watford were torn to shreds by a rampant Liverpool at Vicarage Road and they will hope to fare better against the blue half of Merseyside. Watford’s decision to dismiss Xisco Munoz and bring in the experienced Italian faces an immediate examination with Arsenal, Leicester, Chelsea and Manchester City all to play in the next six matches.
Southampton got the monkey off their back with a first league win of the season last weekend and will want to double their tally against still-winless Burnley. Summer arrival Armando Broja justified Ralph Hasenhuttl’s decision to leave Adam Armstrong on the bench with his first Premier League goal to secure a 1-0 victory over Leeds.
Manchester City are purring at present and are hot on the heels of Premier League leaders Chelsea ahead of this clash with Brighton at the Amex. The Citizens are worthy favourites for this trip to the south coast and will be full of confidence after thrashing Club Brugge 5-1 on Tuesday night.
Leaders Chelsea are expected to overcome the loss of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner in their top-versus-bottom battle against Norwich at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have posted back-to-back Premier League victories over Southampton and Brentford while Norwich remain winless and on just two points from their eight games.
Brentford have been a breath of fresh air since gaining promotion to the Premier League and are taken to give Chelsea a decent test. The Bees have picked up seven points from their last three matches, winning away to Wolves and West Ham either side of a draw with Liverpool here.
Man City had a tough run of fixtures before the international break but should be able to ease their way back into action when hosting Burnley. The Blues have won their last eight head-to-head meetings with the Clarets, including four straight 5-0 triumphs on home turf.
Brighton have been a revelation in the Premier League this term and are rated a clear form pick to edge out Norwich at Carrow Road. The Canaries have struggled since coming back up to the top flight and even earning a first point at Burnley did little to impress us.
New Watford boss Claudio Ranieri faces a baptism of fire when Liverpool visit Vicarage Road in the Premier League on Saturday. The free-scoring Reds will be looking to go top of the table, even if only briefly, and are hard to oppose on this season’s early form.