Week 5 preview...

With the first week of the new CL format over, attention turns back to the Premier League, and there are some BIG games coming.

Saturday:
West Ham vs Chelsea 12:30pm
We start with a London derby. Both teams have had a mixed start to the season, with West Ham picking up just 4 points and Chelsea 7. Both have lost to Man City, while West Ham beat Crystal Palace when Chelsea could only draw at home to them.
West Ham won this fixture 3-1 last season in a game that had penalties, a red, 10 shots on target and a lot of fouls.

Aston Villa vs Wolves - 3pm
Another derby as Villa look to continue their impressive start while Wolves are looking for their first win.
Villa have won 3 out of 4, just a defeat to Arsenal blemishing their record. They also posted a great 3-0 win away in the CL.
Wolves have picked up just a point and have conceded 11 in 4 games.
Last season Villa had a comfortable 2-0 win, a game that had 7 bookings.

Fulham vs Newcastle - 3pm
Fulham have had a mixed start, picking up 5 points thanks to a win over Leicester and draws with West Ham and Ipswich after opening day defeat to Man Utd.
Newcastle, on the other hand, have had a strong start. 3 wins and a draw, including a notable win over Spurs, leaves them 3rd level on points with Arsenal.
Newcastle won 1-0 at Craven Cottage last season, a game that had 9 shots on target. They may be without Alexander Isak though.

Leicester vs Everton - 3pm
Is it too early to call this a relegation battle 6 pointer? Everton have lost all 4 games so far, conceding 13. The last 2 games have seen them lead 2-0 and lose - most alarmingly at home to Bournemouth where the lead was lost in the last moments.
Leicester have had 2 credible draws at home to Spurs and away to Palace - although they also had a 2 goal lead blown in the latter. The other 2 games were narrow 2-1 defeats to Villa and Fulham.
The last time they met the game ended 2-2 with both sides getting a penalty, and Leicester picking up 4 bookings. There were 38 shots and 14 on target.

Liverpool vs Bournemouth - 3pm
Liverpool will be licking their wounds after defeat to Forest, but an impressive 3-1 win in the San Siro will have eased the pain. They look like they will be without their #1 though.
Bournemouth have picked up 5 points, although they fell hard-done by for not picking up 3 against Newcastle. The dramatic win over Everton gave them Merseyside delight.
Last time out at Anfield, Liverpool won this fixture 3-1 despite a missed penalty and an Alexis MacAllister red card.

Southampton vs Ipswich - 3pm
Another big game at the bottom as pointless Southampton host 2 point Ipswich.
A missed penalty at 0-0 last weekend proved fatal for the Saints, who have also lost against Brentford, Forest and Newcastle with just one goal to their name.
Ipswich were dealt a nightmare schedule to start the campaign, and lost to Liverpool and City. However, they have stabilised with decent draws with Fulham and Brighton.
Last season Ipswich won at St Marys 1-0, albeit in the Championship.

Spurs vs Brentford - 3pm
4 points from 4 games, and a home NLD defeat, have left Spurs fans sore. A 4-0 win over Everton is the highlight of a season that has also seen a draw with Leicester and defeat to Newcastle.
Brentford have had to go to the Etihad and Anfield already, so they will be happy with 6 points taken from home games with Southampton and Palace.
Last season Spurs came out in the 2nd half 1 down and blitzed the Bees with 3 goals in 10 minutes. The game ended 3-2, with Spurs dominating all stats.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United - 17:30
Two teams who haven't got the points they probably feel they should have. Palace have started with 2 defeats and 2 draws while United have won 2 lost 2.
In this fixture last season, Palace absolutely hammered United 4-0 and United haven't won at Selhurst Park since 2020.


Sunday:
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Nottingham Forest - 14:00
Two teams who have had impressive starts to the season, both unbeaten and picking up 8 points each.
After winning their first two, against Everton and Man Utd, Brighton are probably a little disappointed to only take 2 points from 10 man Arsenal and lowly Ipswich.
Forest go into the game on the high of winning at Anfield. They also beat Southampton, with draws against Wolves and Bournemouth.
Last season Brighton won 1-0, with both teams picking up 4 yellows.

Manchester City vs Arsenal - 16:30
The top 2 meet in the weekends final game.
City have won 4 out of 4, with Haaland already hitting 2 hat-tricks.
Arsenal have won 3 from 4, drawing the other with Brighton.
Last seasons meeting was a bit of a non-event, 0-0 with just 2 yellows. City could only muster 1 shot on target, with Arsenal having 2 despite City dominating possession.
Both had midweek 0-0 draws against Italian opposition, but will the extra day and no travel be key for the hosts?



A lot of interesting games, and for the gamblers out there an interesting weekend lies ahead. Feel free to post your tips and good luck!!