Jamie Griffith’s best bets for Saturday’s top-flight matches include goals at both ends when Arsenal face Brighton, and a bounce-back win for Aston Villa.
The first international break of the season looms, meaning there is a blockbuster Saturday of Premier League action to look forward to before the Nations League gets underway.
The day’s standout fixture will see Arsenal host Brighton in the early kick-off, with that clash as well as three of the 3pm matches featuring in our 9/1 acca.
Tips
Arsenal v Brighton: Both teams to score
5/6
Over 2.5 goals in Ipswich v Fulham
5/6
Aston Villa to beat Leicester
31/40
Nottingham Forest v Wolves: Both teams to score
13/20
Four-fold pays 9/1
Arsenal v Brighton (12.30)
After two near-misses, Arsenal will have their sights on the Premier League title this term and have started their pursuit strongly, beating both Wolves and Aston Villa by two goals to nil.
Another side who have started brilliantly, though, is Brighton, who opened with a 3-0 rout of Everton before beating Manchester United 2-1 last Saturday, and they could provide a real challenge at the Emirates.
Arsenal beat the Seagulls to nil in both meetings last season, however Brighton netted 12 goals in the previous four clashes between the pair and given how ruthless they have looked going forwards under Fabian Hurzeler, it could pay to back them to score alongside their hosts in north London.
Ipswich v Fulham (15.00)
Ipswich were dealt a nightmare start on their Premier League return after a 22-year hiatus from the top-flight, having to face Liverpool and Manchester City in their opening two matches.
Despite taking zero points, the Tractor Boys offered some occasional threat against the Reds and even netted against the champions.
Given they scored a league-high 92 goals in the Championship last term, net-bulging action could be on the agenda at Portman Road when Fulham visit on Saturday.
Three of the Cottagers’ last four league matches have gone over 2.5 goals, while the same selection landed when this pair met in the League Cup last term, suggesting it could be the best bet for Saturday’s Suffolk showdown.
Leicester v Aston Villa (15.00)
Aston Villa will be disappointed to have left their last match empty-handed after winning the expected goals 1.96-1.34 against Arsenal, but a repeat of that performance and then one which saw them beat West Ham in their opener would surely see them defeat Leicester.
The Foxes looked toothless when losing to Fulham last weekend and may struggle to create many chances against the Villans, who will be taking part in the Champions League after the international break.
Leicester are winless in their last three home games against Villa and it is hard to envisage them picking up their first three points of the campaign on Saturday.
Nottingham Forest v Wolves (15.00)
Nuno Espirito Santo has silenced the doubters leading Nottingham Forest to four points from the first six available and the Reds boss will be keen for his side to give another strong showing at the City Ground against Wolves this weekend.
However, Wanderers will arrive with a point to prove after being routed 6-2 by Chelsea last Sunday. Gary O’Neil will expect a reaction from his side and they should go on the front foot in Nottingham.
Wolves did at least rack up over two expected goals against the Blues, suggesting the scoreline was a touch flattering towards Chelsea and also highlighting the attacking threat they possess.
Similarly, Forest should have scored more than one against Southampton last Saturday and given both teams have netted in the last four meetings between this pair, it could pay to back goals at both ends of the City Ground this weekend.
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