Action from the English top flight continues on Saturday afternoon with all of the five teams at the bottom of the Premier League table involved.
Although it’s still early in the season, pressure is beginning to mount on teams at the bottom and managers’ futures may well be cast into further doubt over the weekend if results don’t go their way.
Luton Town host Tottenham in Saturday’s early kick-off at 12.30pm, before four 3pm matches get under way across the country.
- Tottenham to win & both teams to score
- Chelsea to win to nil
- Bournemouth to win
- Fulham to win
- Brentford win or draw double chance
Luton vs Tottenham
Tottenham will be looking to continue their positive start to the season as they make the trip to Kenilworth Road to take on Luton.
Australian tactician Ange Postecoglou has hit the ground running since making the switch from Scottish champions Celtic to Spurs, with his new side unbeaten in the league and capable of going top with three points on Saturday.
After coming through tough tests against Arsenal and Liverpool with four points in their last two games, Spurs will be looking to make sure they avoid a banana skin against the Hatters.
Luton picked up their first Premier League win at Everton last weekend but were brought back down to earth with a thud after a home defeat to Burnley in midweek.
With three games in the space of eight days, the Hatters will be feeling it and Spurs should take advantage in the second half of Saturday’s contest.
Spurs have conceded in all of their last five games in all competitions, so Luton may still have their moment in this one.
But the hosts have the quality to claim all three points and leapfrog reigning champions Manchester City at the top of the table.
TOTTENHAM TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Burnley vs Chelsea
It has been a tough start to the season for Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea, but they may have turned a corner with back-to-back wins over Brighton in the EFL Cup and Fulham in the Premier League.
The win at Craven Cottage was just Chelsea’s second of the league campaign but the Blues should be able to add a third at Burnley on Saturday.
With just one win to their name this season, the Clarets have found the step up to Premier League football a challenge.
Manager Vincent Kompany wishes to stick to the style of football that was so successful in the Championship but it has failed to have the same impact in the top flight.
Chelsea’s confidence is on the rise and the Blues may well be able to make it three wins on the spin when they make the trip to Turf Moor.
The west London outfit have won four of their last five meetings with Burnley to nil and can continue the trend on Saturday.
Everton vs Bournemouth
These are two teams who look like they have a genuine battle on their hands to avoid relegation this season, and there will be plenty of eyes on the clash between Everton and Bournemouth at Goodison Park.
Everton looked like they had turned a corner after a first league win at Brentford was followed by an impressive away win at Aston Villa in the EFL Cup.
However, the pressure was right back on manager Sean Dyche as his side suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Premier League newcomers Luton.
Another crunch clash awaits this weekend, against a Bournemouth side who have fared well in this fixture of late.
The Cherries have won four of their last five meetings with the Toffees in all competitions and may be able to add to Everton’s woes this weekend.
Fulham vs Sheffield United
Fulham have had a tough run of fixtures to start the season but still find themselves in 13th place as they prepare to host strugglers Sheffield United.
The Cottagers have already had away trips to Arsenal and Manchester City, along with a home game against Chelsea last time out.
Trying to adapt to life without star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic following his move to Saudi Arabia in the summer, manager Marco Silva is still impressing with his efforts at Craven Cottage.
As for Sheffield United, the South Yorkshire outfit have had a tough time since securing promotion back to the top flight.
The Blades have picked up just one point from their first seven games and have conceded ten goals in their last two games, with an 8-0 loss to Newcastle United followed by a 2-0 defeat at West Ham last time out.
It’s hard to see United getting anything from their trip to the capital and Fulham look well placed to bounce back from the disappointment of their derby defeat to Chelsea on Monday night.
Manchester United vs Brentford
A 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on September 26th in the EFL Cup will feel like a long time ago for manager Erik ten Hag and his Manchester United players.
Palace went back to Old Trafford in their following game in the Premier League and won 1-0 last weekend, before Galatasaray also went to the Theatre of Dreams and won 3-2 in the Champions League in midweek.
United will be looking for a response on Saturday when they host Thomas Frank’s Brentford, but it may not be easy against the Bees.
Frank’s side stunned United early last season with a 4-0 win at the Gtech Community Stadium, before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford in April.
Considering the fragile confidence in the United squad at present, it would be little surprise to see Brentford get something out of Saturday’s encounter.
The Bees have lost just one of their last four away games in the Premier League and may be able to come away from Manchester with something to show for their efforts.
