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Matchday 5 Odds & Previews: West Ham v Spurs, Arsenal v Villa, and more

Liverpool got their first win of the season in style at the weekend, demolishing Bournemouth 9-0 at Anfield, while Arsenal continued their 100 per cent streak and Erling Haaland scored his first Premier League hat-trick as Manchester City came from two goals down to beat Crystal Palace.

A hotly awaited local derby between rivals West Ham and Tottenham is the top game on the schedule this week, with other clashes of note including Arsenal v Villa and Leicester v Man United.

5 Key Games to Look Out For, Odds, and Predictions

Premier League Odds: Man City v Nottingham Forest

• Game time & date: 1930 BST, Wednesday August 31
• Broadcast: BT Sport 3

Any doubts over how Erling Haaland would adapt to the Premier League can be put to bed after he struck three of City’s four goals in a stunning fightback at home to Palace at the weekend.

City are at home again on Wednesday night with Nottingham Forest heading to the Etihad. It looks a tough test for Steve Cooper’s side and the defending champions are very strong favourites to win.

In each of City’s last nine home league games, over 2.5 goals has been a winner so this is a good place to start for some slightly better value at 1/4 with 888Sport.

Combining City to win with over 2.5 goals bumps that up to 4/11, which is still pretty short. The handicap market could come into play with 888Sport offering 8/13 on City -2 and 29/20 on City -3.

Haaland’s hat-trick on Saturday means he is even shorter than usual on the goalscorer markets. But those who fancy the Norway hitman to make it back-to-back trebles can take 9/2 with 888Sport for him to claim the match ball for the second game in a row.

It is 20 years since Forest went to City in a league game. They lost 3-0 on that occasion and the same scoreline is keenly priced at 11/2 with 888Sport.

Premier League Odds: Arsenal v Aston Villa

• Game time & date: 1930 BST, Wednesday August 31
• Broadcast: BT Sport ESPN

League leaders Arsenal are fancied to make it five wins from five with a struggling Aston Villa side the visitors to the Emirates during the first midweek round of the season.

Pressure is already growing on Steven Gerrard after his men went down 1-0 at home to West Ham, who had lost their first three games of the season.

Arsenal are short-priced favourites here even though they needed a late goal to get the better of Fulham at the weekend, while Villa actually have a good record in recent games against the Gunners.

Villa have won this game three times out of the last five in the Premier League, though Arsenal did take maximum points from the two meetings between the sides last term.

It is hard to see beyond a home win here and Arsenal have seen over 2.5 goals scored in their last 12 home matches against Aston Villa in all competitions, so it should be an entertaining watch.

Arsenal to win with over 2.5 goals scored is a standout selection at 11/10 with 888Sport.

The Gunners have also scored at least three goals in five of their last six home matches against Aston Villa in all competitions, adding to the evidence that this could be an easy home win.

Premier League Odds: West Ham v Spurs

• Game time & date: 1945 BST, Wednesday August 31
• Broadcast: BT Sport 2

The most high-profile game on the midweek slate sees Spurs make the short trip to take on London rivals West Ham, who got off the mark after a poor start by beating Villa at the weekend.

Spurs have started the new season strongly and are favoured in the Premier League odds for the game, no doubt taking into account their five wins from their past six league games.

Sunday’s 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest maintained the early season momentum for Antonio Conte’s side, who have also won their last two meetings against West Ham in all competitions.

However. West Ham have come out on top in successive home Premier League games against Spurs, with Michail Antonio’s deciding goal proving the difference last season.

This could be a close clash. Spurs have kept five clean sheets in their last seven away league games, while West Ham’s last four matches have all seen under 2.5 goals scored.

The 21/20 at 888Sport for under 2.5 goals therefore appeals, with the 13/5 on Spurs to win to nil – as they have in two straight Premier League games – is another option to consider for this one.

Premier League Odds: Liverpool v Newcastle

• Game time & date: 2000 BST, Wednesday August 31
• Broadcast: BT Sport 1 & 4K UHD

Liverpool put Bournemouth to the sword on Saturday, equalling the largest win in Premier League history, but Jurgen Klopp still has some injury issues and Newcastle will put up more of a fight.

While the Magpies have not won since the opening weekend, three straight draws including Sunday’s 1-1 at Wolves ensured they are still unbeaten.

The Premier League odds suggest that run will come to an end at Anfield on Wednesday night, with Liverpool having done the double over Newcastle during the 2021-22 season.

The year before, though, saw Newcastle earn two draws against the Reds and Eddie Howe’s side are much improved since then thanks to heavy investment in the squad.

New star striker Alexander Isak could be in line to start, though the fact Liverpool have won 13 of their last 16 home matches against Newcastle in all competitions suggests the Reds will win here.

Liverpool have been winning at both half time and full time in five of their last seven home matches against Newcastle in all competitions, so this market is worth considering to back the hosts.

With 888Sport, it is 17/20 for Liverpool to be ahead at both half time and full time in this one.

Premier League Odds: Leicester v Man Utd

• Game time & date: 2000 BST, Thursday September 3
• Broadcast: BT Sport 1 & 4K UHD

Thursday’s only Premier League game sees an improving Manchester United make the journey to Leicester City, who are rock bottom of the league after four rounds of games.

Talk of United being in crisis has rescinded after a stirring home win over rivals Liverpool was followed up by the weekend’s narrow triumph at Southampton.

Leicester have had a miserable start to the season, taking a single point from their games so far and sliding to a 2-1 loss at Chelsea last time out despite Conor Gallagher’s red card for the Blues.

United’s attack is gradually knitting together under new boss Erik ten Hag and the fact the Foxes have have conceded at least two goals in all four matches in the Premier League backs up their status as the favourites in the Premier League betting here.

Although Leicester have beaten United in their last two visits to the King Power, it is hard to see them making it three wins on the spin over the Red Devils as Brendan Rodgers’ side are in disarray.

The 21/20 for United to win a third straight Premier League game is decent value at 888Sport, where 5/2 is offered for United to win with over 2.5 goals scored.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in nine of Leicester’s last 10 games Premier League, so this is a standout selection for the last game of the midweek round.

Author: Jamie Smith