The Premier League action continues on Wednesday with another six crucial games taking place across the country. Here at InterBet we run the rule over all six games, including pre-match odds and team news.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
Arsenal will have the chance to consolidate their position in the Premier League’s top four when they host Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. The Gunners’ rise up the league table has been down in no small part to their impressive home form. Arsenal have won seven consecutive matches at the Emirates and could close to within four points of North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
In contrast to Arsenal’s fine recent home form, the away form of Wednesday’s visitors has been dire. Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth have slumped to 12th in the Premier League thanks to a club-record run of eight consecutive away defeats in the Premier League.
The Cherries have conceded at least two goals in each of those eight losses and come across an Arsenal strike partnership in red-hot form on Wednesday. France international, Alexandre Lacazette is aiming to score for the fifth league match in a row, a feat now achieved by an Arsenal player since Robin van Persie seven years ago. Fellow striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored 15 league goals this season, just two behind the league’s top scorers, Sergio Aguero and Mo Salah.
Match Odds
Arsenal – 4/9
Draw – 73/20
AFC Bournemouth – 59/10
Prediction: 3-0 (17/2)
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur
In what is undoubtedly the stand-out game of the week, fierce London rivals, Chelsea and Spurs aim to put their respective weekend disappointments behind them when they meet at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea agonisingly lost the Carabao Cup final on Sunday after a penalty shootout. Their resolute defensive performance was however completely overshowed by their bizarre attempted substitution in the last minute of extra-time. Manager, Maurizio Sarri, called for Willy Caballero to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal just prior to the game going to penalties. It is unclear whether this was down to an apparent injury sustained by Kepa or simply a tactical move due to Caballero’s Manchester City history. However, Kepa refused to leave the field of play and remained in goal for the shootout.
Despite claiming post-match that this was simply a mere misunderstanding, Kepa has been fined a week’s wage by Chelsea. It will be interesting to see if the Spaniard is named in the starting line-up on Wednesday.
When asked whether Kepa will retain his place in the Chelsea line up, Sarri explained,
“I have to decide, maybe yes, maybe not. It will be a decision for the group. For all the players. I spoke with the goalkeeper, with Kepa, of course. Then we spoke altogether, because he said sorry to the technical staff, but it was not enough. Then he said sorry to his team-mates, to the club. I think he made a big mistake, but we need to be taller. We don’t want to kill him.”
Spurs fell further adrift in the Premier League title race at the weekend after going down to a shock defeat away at relegation-threatened Burnley. That reverse has cranked up the pressure ahead of Wednesday’s London derby.
They do however have an impressive record under Pochettino, particularly against Chelsea. A win at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday will give Spurs a fourth win in five league meetings between the pair. Tottenham are looking to win three consecutive league games against Chelsea for the first time since 1963.
Match Odds
Chelsea – 63/50
Draw – 233/100
Tottenham Hotspur – 9/4
Prediction: 1-2 (93/10)
Crystal Palace vs Manchester United
Manchester United head to Selhurst Park enjoying a fine run of form on the road but with a squad plagued by numerous injuries to key players.
The Red Devils have won seven consecutive away games in all competitions, their best run since 2002. Back then caretaker boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, was a part of the United playing staff.
Crystal Palace are on a six-game unbeaten run of their own, claiming four wins and two draws in that time. They have however, failed to beat Manchester United in the Premier League in any of their previous 19 attempts.
Palace’s chances of success have been boosted by a series of injuries that have hit the visitors. Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic and Jesse Lingard could all miss the trip to Selhurst Park. In their absence, under-pressure pair, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez are both likely to start.
Match Odds
Crystal Palace – 217/100
Draw – 227/100
Manchester United – 131/100
Prediction: 1-2 (15/2)
Liverpool vs Watford
Liverpool will hope to maintain their push for a first ever Premier League title when they welcome high-flying Watford to Anfield.
Watford have only lost just one of their past 11 matches in all competitions but their recent record against Liverpool at Anfield is woeful. In their past two visits to Liverpool, Watford have conceded eleven goals, scoring just one, losing 6-1 and 5-0.
Liverpool’s injury problems seem to be easing up by The Reds will still be without several first-choice players for the visit of Watford. Forward, Roberto Firmino is likely to miss out after limping out of last weekend’s draw at Manchester United.
Match Odds
Liverpool – 2/7
Draw – 9/2
Watford – 10/1
Prediction: 2-2 (18/1)
Manchester City vs West Ham United
Liverpool face a tough match against Watford and Manchester City will be keen to capitalise on any slip-up. Guardiola’s side will be buoyed by last weekend’s Carabao Cup win and boast a fine record against West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium.
City have lost just once at home to West Ham since moving to their current ground from Maine Road. In their 12 league meetings at the Etihad Stadium, the home side have won ten and drawn the other. Their record against West Ham United since Pep Guardiola took charge is even more impressive. City have won all six matches against the Hammers during Guardiola’s tenure, scoring 22 goals and conceding a mere three.
This season, Manchester City have won 13 out of 14 home league games whilst on the road West Ham United are winless in five consecutive away games.
Match Odds
Manchester City – 2/13
Draw – 34/5
West Ham United – 16/1
Prediction: 4-1 (11/1)
Southampton vs Fulham
There’s a real relegation six-pointer at St Marys as Southampton host Fulham on Wednesday. The home side are without a win in four Premier League games whilst Fulham have just one win in their last eight in all competitions.
The Saints have lost all four games they’ve played against the three newly-promoted sides this season but have a historical advantage over Fulham. Southampton have not lost a home league game to Wednesday’s visitors since 1935, an unbeaten run going back 19 matches.
Fulham arrive on the South Coast as the only top-flight team yet to record an away win this season. Fulham have lost 12 and drawn two of their 14 league games on the road thus far. Their manager, Claudio Ranieri, boasts an even worse record in Premier League away games. If you include the Italian’s spell in charge at Leicester City, it is now 22 Premier League games since Ranieri last claimed three points on the road, seven in charge at Fulham and his last 15 at Leicester.
Match Odds
Southampton – 23/25
Draw – 5/2
Fulham – 301/100
Prediction: 1-0 (11/2)
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