Four more English Premier League matches take place on Sunday and we have a play in each game including Leeds vs Man United and Notts Forest vs Arsenal
Bournemouth vs Sunderland
Both these sides made it 2 wins from 2 in the Europa League in midweek. Bournemouth saw off Strum Graz 3-0 in a home fixture while Sunderland struck late to beat Torreense 2-1 in Portugal.
Bournemouth are 1 of 3 top flight sides looking for a league win after 3 draws and 3 defeats and after crashing 5-1 at Chelsea last weekend they are third from bottom. At home they drew with Everton (1-1) and Brentford (2-2) and lost to Liverpool (1-0)
Sunderland are 1 place and 1 point better off than their opponents and their 4 points came from a 1-0 home win over Fulham and 1-1 draw at Brentford. They have lost each of their last 3 in the EPL, most recently going down 2-0 at home to Brighton who played half and hour or so with 10 men. Other results on the road include defeats at Ipswich (2-1) and Man City (5-3).
The Verdict
Both sides made plenty of changes in their respective starting line ups for the European games in midweek and will no doubt revert to their strongest available teams with much needed EPL points at stake.
It looks as though Brobbey will return to lead the Sunderland line after missing the Brighton game through injury and after his hat trick at Man City he could well pop up again here.
Bet: Anytime goalscorer Brian Brobbey at 29/10 with Sportingbet
Brighton vs Crystal Palace
These teams were also in European action in midweek. Brighton thrashed Kauno Zalgiris 4-0 in a Conference League home fixture whilst Palace went down 3-2 away to Lyon in the Europa League.
Brighton’s 2-0 win at Sunderland last weekend kept them third with 13 points. A 3-0 win at home to Arsenal just before the international break was preceded by a 5-0 win at Coventry and their tally of 18 goals scored in the best in the EPL.
Palace saw off former boss Oliver Glasner and his Notts Forest side in a 3-1 home win last weekend, their first points of the season at Selhurst Park. On the road they have lost at Everton (2-0) won at Fulham (3-2) and drawn at Leeds (0-0).
The Verdict
It’s really hard to argue with Brighton right now but this is a derby in the fans eyes, it’s usually tight and the value here rests with the draw in my opinion.
Bet: Match result draw at 7/2 with Sportingbet
Leeds vs Man United
Leeds opened the scoring but eventually went down 2-1 away to Arsenal last weekend, their first league defeat of the season. At home they have drawn 0-0 with Palace and 1-1 with Brentford either side of dishing out a 4-1 hiding to Newcastle. They come into the weekend in seventh place with 9 points.
United lost 2-0 away to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in midweek and they return to EPL action below half way in the standings with 1 win, 3 draws and 2 defeats to their name. On their travels they suffered a 2-0 defeat at Hull and dred at Everton (2-2) and Fulham (1-1).
The Verdict
Man United are under pressure and Carrick could be walking a tightrope if they lose here. I expect Leeds to make this as uncomfortable as possible and both teams to pick up 2 cards looks a very realistic proposition to me.
Bet: Both teams to have 2 or more cards? Yes at 9/10 with Sportingbet
Notts Forest vs Arsenal
Forest have earned 4 of their 5 points from away matches, a 2-2 draw at Liverpool and 2-1 win at Villa. They have yet to score a league goals in front of their own supporters after losing 1-0 to Leeds, drawing 0-0 with Spurs and then going down 1-0 to Coventry.
Arsenal’s only blip so far this season came in their most recent road trip when they crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Brighton just before the international break. They bounced back with that win over Leeds last week and also beat 3-0 in a UCL home fixture in midweek. Earlier results on the rad include a wins at Villa (1-0) and Sunderland (2-0). They Gunners finished the previous round in second spot, 3 points behind Man City.
The Verdict
Given they haven’t scored a league goal in 3 home matches so far Forest would probably rather be playing any one else bar Arsenal. I’ll take them to break their drought but it might just be a consolation.
Bet: Arsenal to win and both teams to score? Yes at 29/10 (from 5/2) at Sportingbet
Prices are subject to change