There is a bumper Premier League offering on Sunday with five top-flight matches taking place.
It could prove an informative afternoon at both ends of the table and we take a look at the three games kicking off at 2pm.
Liverpool host a Nottingham Forest side who threw away a two-goal load at home to Luton last time out, while the Hatters travel to a rampant Aston Villa outfit.
Brighton will be hoping to boost their top-four hopes against Fulham, while the Cottagers will seek to get back to winning ways after defeat to London rivals Tottenham on Monday night.
- Both teams to score in Liverpool v Nottingham Forest
- Aston Villa to win & over 2.5 goals
- Over 2.5 goals in Brighton v Fulham
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
Liverpool have won six of their opening nine Premier League matches to sit on the heels of the leaders.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have been brilliant going forward, scoring three goals in matches against Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Wolves and West Ham, but they have kept only two Premier League clean sheets this term.
Liverpool’s strength is all in attack and in Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo they boast a fab five who have scored 20 league goals between them this season.
However, they have conceded more goals than title rivals Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal, and defence is a clear area of weakness for Klopp’s side.
Injuries haven’t helped their cause but the Reds have failed to find a solid and reliable centre-back partner for Virgil van Dijk, who himself hasn’t been the imposing force of old.
Liverpool's defence can lack midfield protection at times which is also a major issue for Klopp.
Thiago’s long-term absence has seen the Reds lack control in the middle of the park and Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch are all forward-thinking players.
That vulnerability could let Forest in and Steve Copper’s side have hopes of at least finding the net at Anfield.
The Tricky Trees scored twice against Luton last time out and have scored on trips to Old Trafford, the Emirates and Stamford Bridge this term.
There is more than enough quality in their ranks to do likewise on Merseyside.
Aston Villa vs Luton
Aston Villa have cut an impressive side in recent weeks and it cannot be too long before Unai Emery’s men are being considered as serious top-four contenders.
The Villans have won five of their last seven matches and their only defeat in that run came at Liverpool.
Villa have beaten Brighton 6-1, Everton 4-0, West Ham 4-1, as well as recording other wins over Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Burnley this season, and they are unlikely to have any trouble adding Luton to that list of victims.
The Hatters showed plenty of spirit to battle back from 2-0 down to draw at Nottingham Forest last time out, but they were second-best for large periods and have won just once this season.
Luton are likely to be outclassed against a confident Villa, but they do carry a threat going forward and Carlton Morris, in particular, has proved a handful for opposition defences.
The Hatters have had at least six shots on goal in all of their six away matches this term and they will pose a threat from set-pieces.
However, they are yet to keep a clean sheet on the road and boss Rob Edwards doesn’t appear happy to merely set his side up with the sole purpose of nullifying opponents.
Luton have scored four goals on their last two top-flight road trips and while they may come up short again, Edwards’ visitors can get on the scoresheet.
ASTON VILLA TO WIN & OVER 2.5 GOALS
Brighton vs Fulham
Brighton’s top-four credentials were being talked up in the early weeks of the season but an indifferent run has led to questions being asked of the Seagulls.
Roberto De Zerbi’s men are without a win in three Premier League games, although they have played Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester City in that run so it would be unwise to write off Albion just yet.
Their 6-1 hammering at Villa is concerning but Brighton have won at Manchester United and beaten Newcastle this season and remain a capable outfit.
Goals are one thing that is almost guaranteed whenever Brighton take to the field.
There have been 39 goals scored in Brighton nine top-flight matches this season, with a bet on over 2.5 goals and both teams to score landing in all of those encounters.
Evan Ferguson, Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck are excellent attacking threats and there has to be a chance that summer signing Ansu Fati is given a starting berth in the near future.
Fulham are badly missing the goals of Aleksandar Mitrovic, but the Cottagers have scored at Everton, Arsenal and Manchester City this term and will likely get chances against Brighton given the open nature of Albion's games.
Brighton haven’t kept a Premier League clean sheet this season and have allowed 22 shots on goal in their last three top-flight matches.
This is a game that Brighton should win but backing over 2.5 goals in what should be an entertaining south coast contest looks a better wager.
