Premier League Saturday – 1st September 2018

Premier League Saturday Match Analysis – Saturday 1st September

Brighton v Fulham

A game between two teams who are likely looking to avoid a relegation this season.

They both have one win so far this season and teams/squads that could surprise and at least have a chance of avoiding the drop.

Brighton’s last home game saw them pull off a monumental shock against a lacklustre Manchester United, but Fulham will be no walkover here and the away result certainly looks a distinct possibility.

The boys from the Cottage were ruthless in beating a solid Burnley unit last week and will be well up for this game and given that result will have filled them with confidence then 5/2 looks a solid price for the away win.

Cottagers scored four as they beat Burnley last week – a victory that could kick-start their season and they are fairly priced at 5/2 to get the victory here.

Brighton are no mugs and Chris Hughton is gradually building team that looks capable of holding it’s own in the Premier League and with that said it could pay to back Fulham with the draw a no bet at around the 6/4 mark.

Key Stats

• Brighton have won just two of their last 12 Premier League matches (D3 L7), both those wins came over Manchester United which means they raise their game against the bigger sides.
• Fulham’s Premier League matches so far this season have yielded the mosts shots (99) and the most shots on target (44) so looking at German Andre Schurrle as a possible anytime scorer has its merits.
• Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored 15 league goals since his debut for Fulham in February, the same as Liverpool’s Mo Salah.

Best Odds available with Bet365

Chelsea v Bournemouth

Bournemouth are a definite bogey side for Chelsea having have won two of their last three Premier League meetings at The Bridge. Yet they still trade at around 12/1 to make it 3 from 4?

Seven points from nine so far tells you a story and it would be no surprise if this turned into a real test for the Blues who themselves have been in fine form.

With Eden Hazrd not moved on this summer they are well equipped to make a solid Title challenge and 9 points from the opening three games has the Blues supporters already dreaming of glory come May next year.

With Chelsea at home and Hazard refreshed after the World Cup, then 9/2 to open the scoring looks very tempting.

Chelsea are a short price here but a way to get on side with the blues is to back them to score in both halves.

Eddie Howe’s Cherries will be up for this but Chelsea should have too much for them this time around.

Key Stats

• The away team has been victorious in the fixture in 5 of the last 6 encounters.
• Bournemouth are looking to win three consecutive away Premier League games for the very first time.
• Eden Hazard has been involved in three goals in his first three 2018/2019 Premier League games with (1 goal, 2 assists). A strong pointer to Hazard being value in the first goalscorer market.

Best Odds available with Betway

Crystal Palace v Southampton

The Eagles have lost two since their opening day victory inn the Derby game at Fulham. The Saints are struggling already this season with manager Mark Hughes already close to favourite in the managers sack race (Mourinho the fav)

This game gives Crystal Palace a great chance to get back on track at home and grab all three points.

Both teams won their recet Carabao Cup games so that will buoy the atmosphere in both camps, but it is at Selhurst Park and Hodgson’s men look capable of winning in routine fashion with a 2-0 scoreline looking an interesting play.

Roy Hodgson’s team have kept five clean sheets in their last eight games in all competitions, so a Palace win to nil could be a nice bet at a tempting price of 2/1.

Zaha is the obvious danger man and could cause real problems. For Palace to keep him is like signing a new player as he is going to be vital for them this season if they can keep hold of him during the January window.

Hodgson is still an underated manager in our book and his decision to move Jeffrey Schlupp (Palace’s player of the month) has proved fruitful and he seems to be enjoying the new found freedom.

It’s going to be a gruelling and demanding season for Mark Hughes and this visit to The Eagles lair is just not what they would have wanted right now.

Key Stats

• Southampton have lost seven of their last eight Premier League games in London.
• Mark Hughes has managed six away matches at Crystal Palace in his Premier League career and has not won a single one (P6 W0 D2 L4)
• Roy Hodgson has only lost one of his seven encounters with Hughes, a 2-1 defeat to Man City as Fulham manager in September 2009 in the League Cup.

Best Odds available with BoyleSports

Everton v Huddersfield

The Toffees are unbeaten so far this season under their new manager Marco Silva after winning one and drawing two (5 pts) and they seem to be gelling early which looks ominous for Huddersfield.

David Wagner’s team started last season like a scolded cat, but it has been different this time around and they need to kick into gear or be pulled down into the bottom very early on in the season.

Everton should prove way too strong at Goodison Park and 1/2 is the best price available for the home victory.

They did throw away a winning opportunity against Bournemouth, but even without their new signing Richarlisson they will be difficult to beat here.

A home win-to-nil looks great value at 11/8 with the Terriers only having had sixteen attempts on goal in their three matches.

Theo Walcott has done well since leaving Arsenal and is in fine goal scoring form. He looks like a good bet at around 5/2 to score at any time.

Key Stats

• Everton won both games with Huddersfield by the same 2-0 scoreline.
• Huddersfield haven’t won a single one of their last 14 away games against Everton losing 12 of those. It shows the tough job at hand for Wagner’s men.
• Huddersfield have failed to score in any of their last five away matches in September.

Best Odds available with BlackType

West Ham United v Wolves

A real tough game to call with the Hammers faithful sure to be edgy as they look for their team and new manager Pellegrini to register a first victory of the campaign.

Pellegrini is more in need of the points in this one sitting with three from three (losses) in their opening to the season. They did register a victory against The Dons in the Carabao Cup and that might just give them the impetous to eke out a slender win.

Wolves come here after atop class effort to hold champions Manchester City to a 1-1 draw but facing another struggling side will be a different sort of test. It is these games that will ultimately decide the fate of both teams this season. The Hammers will be desperate to avoid another loss and that means that the draw looks the most likely outcome here.

But for betting purposes we want to look at the bookings market with West Ham notorious for plenty of action in the bookings mark. 3 yellows looks a great bet at 3/1 with both teams being sure to keep things as tight as possible.

Key Stats

• Wolves have won just one of their last nine away games against West Ham (D2 L6) This will be their first ever visit to the London Stadium.
• West Ham have lost their last two home Premier League games against promoted sides.
• West Ham have lost their first three Premier League matches in each of the last two seasons – however, the Hammers have only lost their opening four league matches of the season in one of their previous 92 seasons.

Best Odds available with Betfred