Liverpool look to maintain their perfect start to the new Premier League season on Saturday.
Despite only being three games in, Jurgen Klopp’s men are the only side boasting a 100% record and they will be hopeful of maintaining that as they travel across Lancashire to face Burnley at Turf Moor in the day’s late kick-off.
Champions Manchester City are unbeaten and lie in second and will look to keep up the pressure on Liverpool as they host Brighton at The Etihad.
The day’s early kick-off sees Manchester United looking to return to winning ways at Southampton.
St James’ Park sees bottom v second bottom and probably too early to suggest it as a six pointer, but Watford are in desperate need for victory at Newcastle – who are coming off the back of their win at Tottenham.
Frank Lampard tasted victory for the first time last week, but he is looking for his first three pointer at Stamford Bridge as boss, and he will be hopeful that comes against Sheffield United this weekend.
Newly promoted duo Aston Villa and Norwich both face a trip to the capital, against Crystal Palace and West Ham respectively.
The final game on Saturday sees Leicester entertain Bournemouth.
See below for a preview on the games, including predictions from former England, Crystal Palace and Tottenham midfielder Andy Gray and our own Football Insider Graeme Bailey and bet365’s Steve Freeth.
Southampton 12:30 Manchester United
St Mary’s
TEAM NEWS: United hope that Anthony Martial could make the game, but Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are sidelined.
Ryan Bertrand, Nathan Redmond and Moussa Djenepo are all missing for Southampton, but they hope Michael Obafemi will be available.
KEY FACT: In all competitions, Man Utd have won matches at St Mary’s than at any other club
MATCH ODDS: Southampton 14/5 Draw 23/10 Man Utd 21/20
bet365 Pick: Both Teams To Score @7/10
ANDY SAYS: I can see Southampton claiming the shock win here, United were pretty poor last time out…1-0
GRAEME SAYS: Big pressure on Ole Gunnar in this one, United have to win games like this but I am not sure they will…2-2
Football Index – One to follow: Dan James – Has really been catching the eye early on in his debut season, and plenty of potential left in the Welsh wing wizard
Chelsea 15:00 Sheffield United
Stamford Bridge
TEAM NEWS: Mason Mount and N’Golo Kante should be available for Chelsea, who could also welcome back Antonio Rudiger and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Reece James, Pedro and Marco van Ginkel are ruled out.
The Blades have a near fully fit squad, but they are sweating on John Fleck who has a thigh problem.~
KEY FACT: Chelsea have lost only three of their 80 Premier League home matches against promoted teams
MATCH ODDS: Chelsea 1/3 Draw 4/1 Sheff Utd 17/2
bet365 Pick: Oliver Norwood to score anytime @10/1
ANDY SAYS: No issues for Chelsea in this one, I think they win comfortably…3-0
GRAEME SAYS: Frank Lampard’s side looked very good at Norwich and they take the three points here for sure…3-1
Football Index – One to follow: Mason Mount – Future England player, and he has started the season well
Crystal Palace 15:00 Aston Villa
Selhurst Park
TEAM NEWS: Palace are approaching a fully available squad with only James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho ruled out.
Villa come into the game with Matt Targett, James Chester and Jonathan Kodjia.
KEY FACT: Palace have won ten Premier League matches in 2019. Only Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal have won more
MATCH ODDS: Palace 6/5 Draw 23/10 Villa 12/5
bet365 Pick: Both Teams To Score @3/4
ANDY SAYS: Tough to pick my two former clubs and I don’t think I can, has to be a draw…1-1
GRAEME SAYS: I think that Villa are probably the better team but I am saying draw as Palace are at home…2-2
Football Index – One to follow: Jack Grealish – A huge talent, will only improve in the Premier League
Leicester CIty 15:00 AFC Bournemouth
King Power Stadium
TEAM NEWS: Wilfred Ndidi and Wes Morgan should be fit for Leicester, but Ben Chilwell, Matt James and Daniel Amartey miss out.
Bournemouth’s lengthy injury list continues to grow with Charlie Daniels now missing and he joins Dan Gosling, David Brooks, Simon Francis, Lewis Cook, Lloyd Kelly, Junior Stanislas and Arnaut Danjuma Groeneveld on the sildelines.
KEY FACT: Bournemouth have only lost one of their eight Premier League matches against Leicester
MATCH ODDS: Leicester 7/10 Draw 3/1 Bournemouth 15/4
bet365 Pick: Leicester to win & Both Teams To Score @11/5
ANDY SAYS: Close game for sure, but I think that Leicester at home will be too good…2-1
GRAEME SAYS: I really fancy Leicester in this one and it could be a comfortable win…4-1
Football Index – One to follow: James Maddison – The former player in the Premier League so far this season
Manchester City 15:00 Brighton & Hove Albion
Etihad Stadium
TEAM NEWS: John Stones could be available for City, but they are without Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Benjamin Mendy.
Florin Andone misses out through suspension for Brighton, whilst Jose Izquierdo, Yves Bissouma and Ezequiel Schelotto miss out through injury.
KEY FACT: Man City have won their last five matches against Brighton
MATCH ODDS: Man City 1/12 Draw 9/1 Brighton 25/1
bet365 Pick: Both Teams To Score @11/8
ANDY SAYS: One way traffic here, this could be a huge win for City…5-0
GRAEME SAYS: Hard to see how Brighton get anything here, and they won’t – easy home win…4-0
Football Index – One to follow: Rahem Sterling – Is there a better player in the world at the moment?
Newcastle United 15:00 Watford
St. James’ Park
TEAM NEWS: Newcastle are hoping summer arrivals Joelinton, Emil Krafth and Jetro Willems will be fit, along with Miguel Almiron, as they are already missing Allan Saint-Maximin, DeAndre Yedlin, Dwight Gayle, Andy Carroll, Matt Ritchie, Florian Lejeune and Jack Colback.
Troy Deeney is the only player missing for Watford due to a knee injury.
KEY FACT: This will be Steve Bruce’s first ever Premier League clash against Watford
MATCH ODDS: Newcastle 6/4 Draw 9/4 Watford 15/8
bet365 Pick: Watford win & Under 2.5 goals @5/1
ANDY SAYS: Newcastle were very impressive at Tottenham and I don’t see them not beating Watford here…2-1
GRAEME SAYS: This is a close game, and could easily go either way but will give Newcastle the edge…2-1
Football Index – One to follow: Joelinton – Brazilian has looked good since arriving
West Ham United 15:00 Norwich City
London Stadium
TEAM NEWS: Onel Hernandez and Christoph Zimmermann could return for Norwich but Josip Drmic and Timm Klose are set to be sidelined.
Javier Hernandez is ready to return for The Hammers, but Winston Reid and Michail Antonio remain sidelined.
KEY FACT: West Ham are unbeaten in their last seven home league matches against Norwich
MATCH ODDS: West Ham 17/20 Draw 29/10 Norwich 29/10
bet365 Pick: Over 3.5 goals @6/5
ANDY SAYS: I think that this will be a close one, but I think that West Ham should claim the spoils…2-1
GRAEME SAYS: I am have not been convinced by West Ham so far this term, and I think Norwich might catch them out here…1-2
Football Index – One to follow: Sebastian Haller – Could be a huge success in the Premier League
Burnley 17:30 Liverpool
Turf Moor
TEAM NEWS: Johann Berg Gudmundsson should be available for Burnley, who remain without Steven Defour and Robbie Brady.
Liverpool look to be without Naby Keita and Alisson once again, whilst Nathaniel Clyne is sidelined for the long-term.
KEY FACT: A win for Liverpool would set a club record of 13 consecutive league victories
MATCH ODDS: Burnley 17/2 Draw 9/2 Liverpool 3/10
bet365 Pick: Under 2.5 goals @13/10
ANDY SAYS: Liverpool will maintain their 100% record here, they will be too strong for Burnley…1-3
GRAEME SAYS: I do wonder if Burnley can do something here and maybe hold Liverpool to a draw…1-1
Football Index – One to follow: Virgil van Dijk – Best defender in the world? Yes, he is…
