PREMIER LEAGUE SATURDAY – Chelsea v Manchester United

PREMIER LEAGUE SATURDAY – 20th October 2018

Chelsea v Manchester United

After an heroic fightback against Newcastle last time out Mourinho heads to Stamford Bridge having not won there in his last four games, and for sure the pressure will be on as he goes back to his old hunting ground.

The win at Newcastle for Mourinho would have been a real shot in the arm for his players, so the recent Nations League internationals will have come at a bad time. He’ll be hoping that does not stop any momentum gained in the win over the Magpies.

Two early goals from the Magpies at Old Trafford appeared to have put the final nail in the coffin for Mourinho when it comes to his United tenure, but three goals in the final 20 minutes, including one in old fashioned ‘Fergie time’, helped seal a dramatic win, one which the fans got fully behind and they will need those fans in full voice today up against Sarri’s side who are going very well in the league.

But today is whole new ball game up against a team who themselves are flying, and with Eden Hazard they have arguably the best player in the world right at this moment. It will also be a plus Hazard has come out and said it looks likely he will stay at The Bridge.

If the Belgian was not enough, Man United have to worry about a host of injuries as well.

Chelsea are odds on to win and that is probably a fair analysis given they are at home and it will be brave man who bets against them.

Hazard has been in fine form and could once again be decent enough value as an anytime scorer but we expect to see goals in this and the suggestion is that Marcus Rashford may well get on the scoresheet for the Red Devils.

Mike Dean, who has so far dished out 27 bookings and three dismissals in seven games this term, is the man at the helm at Stamford Bridge, and with what looks likely to be a volatile atmosphere, we could see a raft of bookings.

The game will surely be tight with Mourinho wanting to leave with a point at least so a low scoring game looks likely.

BEST BETS:
Marcus Rashford to score anytime at 4/1 with Marathon Bet
First Team Booking is 4/6 with Marathon Bet

Key Stats

Chelsea have lost just one of their last 16 home Premier League games against Manchester United (W10 D5 L1), a 2-3 defeat in October 2012.

In all competitions, Man Utd haven’t won at Stamford Bridge since Sir Alex Ferguson retired at the end of the 2012-13 season (P6 W0 D1 L5)

Chelsea are looking to remain unbeaten in their first nine games to a Premier League season for the third time, They won the title both seasons they achieved this.

Bournemouth v Southampton

With the Cherries hitting a nice run of form it is likely this could be another fruitless day for The Saints as Bournemouth are unbeaten at home this season with three wins out of their four games and The Saints (although this is a local trip) have lost three away.

The goals have been flowing for Bournemouth and with Southampton needing a result of some kind then this could turn into a high scoring game and Bournemouth to win 3-1 or 3-2 looks a solid play.

BEST BET Over 4.5 goals at 5/1 with Bet365

KEY STATS

Bournemouth have won 22 points from their last 30 available in the Premier League.

Bournemouth have lost just one of their last eight home Premier League games.

Only Manchester City (174) and Chelsea (142) have had more shots than Southampton in the Premier League this season (116)

Cardiff v Fulham

The key to this game could well be Aleksandar Mitrovic, and he can help Fulham to grab 3 vital points against a Cardiff side who are also struggling. It is already proving to be difficult for both these sides back in the top flight, but Mitrovic just adds that bit of class and he looks the likeliest scorer for The Cottagers.

Cardiff are having trouble scoring goals and Fulham just cannot stop letting them in so this has the makings of a classic relegation scrap (very early in the season) but one that could turn into a high scoring game.

Warnock’s team have only scored a few goals thus far but have one of the weakest teams in the league defensively to go at.

BEST BET: Aleksandar Mitrovic to score two or more at 9/1 with Bet365

KEY STATS

Fulham are without a clean sheet in their last 21 matches against Cardiff in all competitions.

Cardiff are winless in their last eight Premier League home games giving away a massive 22 goals in the process.

On the flip side Fulham have conceded 21 goals in the Premier League this season.

Man City v Burnley

City have been awesome at home this season and it is the blue and not claret and blue that we see coming out on top in this one.

How fit Kevin De Bruyne is on his return and whether he actually starts adds a conundrum for punters, whatever happens City will be glad to have him back as he is truly world class.

Burnley are a shadow of the side from last year and have been weaker this season.

From a betting perspective it will be fascinating to see how Joe Hart (been in great form) plays and he looks sure to be value as MOM (Man of the Match)

BEST BET: Man City to win by 1 goal at 11/2 with Boylesports.

KEY STATS

This will be the 100th meeting between Man City and Burnley in all competitions with City winning 44 of those.

Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 33 Premier League games kicking off at 3pm on a Saturday.

Burnley have beaten the reigning Premier League champions at least once in each of their four previous Premier League campaigns (Man Utd in 2009-10, Man City in 2014-15, Leicester in 2016-17 and Chelsea in 2017-18).

Newcastle v Brighton

This match has the makings of a very tight game but Newcastle can come out on top with home advantage. It is not really a betting match so the simple option is to go for the home win.

After four straight defeats at home (have played some tough teams) this is a chance for Newcastle as Brightons record shows them as the worst performing side away from home this season.

BEST BET: Newcastle to win at 5/4 with Betway

KEY STATS

Brighton have not won away from home in their last 17 Premier League games.

Brighton manager Chris Hughton is yet to win at St. James’ Park as an away manager against his former employers.

Rafael Benitez has lost 11 of his 28 home Premier League games as Newcastle manager.

West Ham v Tottenham

A few weeks ago this would have been a simple task fort Tottenham but Manual Pellegrini has not wavered from his attacking tactics and the West Ham players are starting to look a confident unit.

With goals now flowing for The Hammers it could be another tough day for Mauricio Pochettino.

A derby at the London Stadium may not be the best time to play Tottenham but the Hammers are such decent nick that they can really use the tactical awareness of their manager to hit Spurs on the break.

Given the two teams have such talent upfront it looks likely goals will flow and both Arnautovic and Kane could get on the scoresheet.

BEST BET: Marko Arnautovic to score anytime at 2/1 with Unibet.

KEY STATS

Spurs have won their last four London derbies in the Premier League.

Spurs striker Harry Kane has scored seven goals in his last seven Premier League games against West Ham.

No player has scored more Premier League away goals this season than Spurs’ Harry Kane (4).

Wolves v Watford

The first ever Premier League match between these two teams should be a cracker. Watford came out of the traps like a scolded greyhound but recent weeks have been very poor and an away trip to a confident Wolves team is going to be a tough test and this could be won to nil by the home side who still throw caution to the wind.

Wolves have only let in one goal in the last seven matches and this is why this could be a win to nil for them on Saturday afternoon.

BEST BET: Wolves to win 2-0 with 7/1 at Bet365

KEY STATS
This is the first ever Premier League meeting between Wolves and Watford.

Wolves have conceded just one goal in their last seven games.

Wolves’ last eight Premier League goals have been scored in the second half.