WHILE none of this weekend's Premier League matches are likely to match the out-and-out war that masqueraded as the Merseyside Derby last Saturday, there's no doubt it's another intriguing-looking set of match-ups.
The centre-piece of course will be Chelsea's trip to Old Trafford to face a slightly resurgent Man Utd – no offence intended, Fulham vs Crystal Palace, but West Ham's clash with Man City where unstoppable force meets… Man City seems the likeliest to continue the 2020/21 trend for loads of goals, along with Liverpool and Sheff Utd's Anfield clash. Here are your betting tips for this Saturday:
West Ham vs Man City | Saturday October 24, 12:30
West Ham became the first ever team to draw a Premier League match having been 3-0 down as late as the 81st minute, but that was no fluke. David Moyes has turned his side into an attacking force. The Hammers have scored at least three goals in each of their last three matches (4-0 vs Wolves, 0-3 vs Leicester, and 3-3 vs Spurs), and can make it four in a row for the first time since 1928. In fact, no Premier League team has scored three or more goals more often than West Ham in 2020 who've managed it nine times in 24 games.
But to suggest they have struggled recently against Man City would be putting it mildly. After scoring 22 goals in the last 22 meetings at Upton Park, Man City have scored the same amount in their first five clashes at the London Stadium, winning on every occasion. In total, they've won the last nine meetings between the sides with 30 goals scored and just three conceded. The Hammers have to go back to Moyes' first spell in charge for the last time they even scored in this fixture, April 2018 to be precise.
However, this is a much better West Ham and a slightly worse Man City this time around, so I think Saturday's game will be a lot closer than the recent head-to-head suggests. Leicester exposed City's susceptibility to the counter-attack, an approach which has worked out well for West Ham this season. They will threaten in behind. But with Sergio Aguero now back in the fold, and Raheem Sterling having shrugged off an injury, City have enough firepower to seal the win.
Match odds: West Ham (7/1) Draw (22/5) Man City (4/11)
Correct score: West Ham 1-3 Man City (9/1)
Tip: Man City to win and both teams to score (31/20)
Fulham vs Crystal Palace | Saturday October 24, 15:00
Fulham have lost 20 of their last 23 top-flight London derbies including all of the last 11 however Crystal Palace were their opponents for two of the games they avoided defeat. On the flipside however, Palace have kept just two clean sheets in their last 28 London derbies in the Premier League and – you've guessed it – Fulham were the opponents both times. Let's call it that a good start for anyone who fancies a 0-0.
The Cottagers have begun their 2020/21 campaign in poor fashion, particularly at home. In all three home games, Fulham have both failed to score and conceded at least three each time, 10 in total. No Premier League team has ever repeated that unique feat four games in a row. If Palace are going to play their part, they will have to improve on away form that has seen them score in just one of their last seven away games. Yet more good news for our potential, but let's now consider a couple of counter-arguments.
I tipped Ademola Lookman to make an impact on his first start last week, and sure enough his excellent goal almost handed Scott Parker his first three points. For Palace, four-goals-in-five-games Wilf Zaha has already matched last season's goal-scoring total in 33 matches fewer. There's enough attacking talent here to avoid the shutout… but only just.
Match odds: Fulham (37/20) Draw (11/5) Crystal Palace (33/20)
Correct score: Fulham 1-1 Crystal Palace (5/1)
Tip: Wilfried Zaha to score any time (12/5)
Man Utd vs Chelsea | Saturday October 24, 17:30
Both sides come into this game considerably boosted after their midweek Champions League action with Man Utd back on track after their second straight, last-gasp 2-1 win at Paris Saint-Germain, and Edouard Mendy earning his second straight Chelsea clean sheet in the draw against Sevilla. Both defences have been questioned for good reason of late, both responded well on Tuesday.
Chelsea are winless in their last seven trips to Old Trafford, their longest run without a win there since a run of 16 games between 1920 and 1957. But United's problem is that wins at Old Trafford have actually become rare for them too. Since July 13, the Red Devils have won just two of seven home games, 2-1 vs LASK, and 1-0 vs FC Copenhagen after extra-time. United have a chance of losing their first three home games in a season for the first time since 1930/31 when they were relegated.
It's only three months since Chelsea swept United aside 3-1 in the FA Cup semi-final, and given they've added Mendy and Ben Chilwell, and now have Timo Werner and Kai Havertz approaching top form with Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech now ready for action, they're in a much better position now than they were then. It'll be a shock after United's exploits in Palace, but their woeful home performances this season lead towards an away win.
Match odds: Man Utd (31/20) Draw (27/10) Chelsea (13/8)
Correct score: Man Utd 1-2 Chelsea (17/2)
Tip: Timo Werner to score any time (8/5)
Liverpool vs Sheff Utd | Saturday October 24, 20:00
The champions will of course be without their talismanic centre-back Virgil Van Dijk following Jordan Pickford's early reducer in last weekend's Merseyside derby but Jurgen Klopp knows his side's defensive problems stretch beyond one individual. Since sealing their first Premier League title in July, Liverpool have conceded more goals than anyone else in the top flight, 25 in 12 games.
Fortunately this weekend, they play the Premier League's lowest scorers (two goals), and the only side yet to lead in a game this season. The Blades have bagged a total of no goals in their last three matches with Liverpool, though with ex-Reds academy star Rhian Brewster still searching for his first Premier League strike, the immutable law of the ex could hit at the worst time for the champions.
Shaky defence aside, Liverpool's phenomenal home record remains the most impressive current run in European football. The Reds are unbeaten in 61 league games at Anfield averaging 2.7 goals per game, and 0.7 goals against, dropping points just once in the last 27 outings. With Mo Salah already up to six goals for the season, a home win with a goal bet is the way to go for Saturday's late game.
Match odds: Liverpool (6/25) Draw (27/5) Sheff Utd (23/2)
Correct score: Liverpool 4-1 Sheff Utd (13/1)
Tip: Match multi – Liverpool to win and Mo Salah to score at least two goals (18/5)
Click here to read Premier League betting tips for Sunday October 24, 2020
