Manchester United are the early pace-setters in the Premier League, as Jose Mourinho’s men have secured back-to-back 4-0 wins. This weekend, the Red Devils host Leicester City at Old Trafford and will look to make it three out of three.
The Sky Bet Championship has also started with a bang, with Cardiff City and Ipswich Town both winning their opening four fixtures to sit top of the division on 12 points. There are several big matches taking place at the weekend in the second tier as sides bid to make it to the promised land of the Premier League.
After sealing wins in their openers last week, we’ll also be taking a look at Barcelona’s match at Alaves, and Real Madrid’s fixture with Valencia in La Liga. With Neymar gone and Ronaldo suspended, how will the two rivals get on?
- Bournemouth v Manchester City – Manchester City to Win -1 (4/5 at BetVictor)
- Manchester United v Leicester City – Manchester United to Win to Nil (23/20 at BetVictor)
- West Bromwich Albion v Stoke City – Both Teams to Score (11/10 at Betfair)
- Liverpool v Arsenal – Arsenal to Win and Over 3.5 Goals (7/1 at Coral)
- Bristol City v Aston Villa – Aston Villa to Win (19/10 at Betfair)
- Nottingham Forest v Leeds United – Draw and Both Teams to Score (17/5 at BetVictor)
- Alaves v Barcelona – Barcelona to Win 3-0 (8/1 at Betfair)
- Real Madrid v Valencia – Real Madrid to be Winning at Half Time and Full Time (4/6 at Ladbrokes)
Premier League
Manchester United, Huddersfield Town and West Bromwich Albion are the three Premier League teams left with a 100% record after two games. This weekend, United host Leicester, Huddersfield entertain Southampton, while West Brom welcome Stoke City to the Hawthorns. The standout fixture of the week comes from Anfield on Sunday, though, as Liverpool play Arsenal.
Bournemouth v Manchester City – 26th August
Bournemouth and Manchester City get the Premier League weekend up and running with a match at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon. City, who have won all four PL meetings between the two, head to the south coast as the strong favourites.
The Cherries have started badly despite being tipped for a decent season, losing their opening two matches without scoring a single goal. As for Man City, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton on Monday night, leaving them on four points from two games.
Pep Guardiola guided the Citizens to two handsome wins over Eddie Howe’s boys last season, and we can’t see anything other than another routine City victory on Saturday. Check out BetVictor’s 4/5 for the away team to win -1.
Manchester City to Win -1 – 4/5 at BetVictor
Manchester United v Leicester City – 26th August
Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United have made a faultless start to their Premier League campaign, beating both West Ham United and Swansea City 4-0. This weekend, they welcome Craig Shakespeare’s Leicester City to Old Trafford.
United’s attack has dazzled so far this season, with Romelu Lukaku at the forefront. Paul Pogba has also carried on his scoring form from the end of last season to hit the ground running, netting in both 4-0 wins. As for Leicester, they followed up their opening weekend 4-3 loss at Arsenal with a 2-0 home triumph over Brighton & Hove Albion.
This should be another comfortable match for Mourinho’s men. The standout bet here is the Red Devils to win to nil, which is priced at 23/20 with BetVictor. United are flying right now and Leicester just won’t be able to handle them.
Manchester United to Win to Nil – 23/20 at BetVictor
West Bromwich Albion v Stoke City – 27th August
Tony Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion have been one of the league’s surprise packages so far, as they have six points out of six to their name. Stoke City, who beat Arsenal last weekend, travel to the Hawthorns on Sunday.
This should be an entertaining fixture between these two, who will both be looking to build on good wins last weekend. Pulis has got the Baggies playing with a real belief and swagger thus far, and they will be hoping to maintain their 100% start with another win this weekend against a club of a similar stature.
However, whilst these two evenly matched teams are hard to split, we can see the pair getting on the scoresheet. Back both teams to score at very good odds of 11/10 with Betfair on Sunday.
Both Teams to Score – 11/10 at Betfair
Liverpool v Arsenal – 27th August
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal go head-to-head in a heavyweight clash at Anfield on Sunday. There’s not a lot in it but, being at home, the Reds are the slight favourites with the bookies.
These two English giants have played out some thrillers in recent times, with last season’s 4-3 game at the Emirates Stadium standing out. Liverpool did the double over the London outfit last term, scoring seven times in the process.
There should be goals between the duo yet again, but we’re backing Arsenal to hit back after last weekend’s defeat at Stoke. Have a punt on Coral’s tempting price of 7/1 for the Gunners to win and over 3.5 goals.
Arsenal to Win and Over 3.5 Goals – 7/1 at Coral
Championship
After beating Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux last Saturday, Neil Warnock’s Cardiff City went three points clear of Wolves at the top of the table. Ipswich Town also made it four wins out of four, as the Tractor Boys beat Brentford 2-0 at Portman Road. We should be in for even more thrills and spills in the Championship this weekend. On Friday night, Bristol City host Aston Villa at Ashton Gate. The following day, two giants of the English game square off, with both in the hunt for promotion, as Leeds United travel to Nottingham Forest.
Bristol City v Aston Villa – 25th August
Aston Villa put their poor start behind them last week, as Steve Bruce’s men sealed an impressive 4-2 home win over Norwich City. This Friday night, the Villans make the trip to Ashton Gate to play Lee Johnson’s Bristol City.
Despite their sluggish start, Villa are still one of the favourites for the Championship title. As for the Robins, they have taken five points from their opening four fixtures, although they have not won since the opening weekend of the season.
This is a pretty tough match to call, but Villa’s qualities should shine through in the end. We believe there’s good value in Betfair’s 19/10 for Bruce’s boys to win at Ashton Gate.
Aston Villa to Win – 19/10 at Betfair
Nottingham Forest v Leeds United – 26th August
Mark Warburton’s Nottingham Forest have made an excellent start to their Championship campaign, having taken nine points from a possible 12. On Saturday evening, Forest face Leeds United at the City Ground.
The Whites have also started well, accumulating eight points from their opening fixtures. On a sourer note for the Leeds faithful, however, they have just sold the prolific Chris Wood to Premier League Burnley. That said, former Real Madrid youth player Samuel Sáiz has hit the ground running and the West Yorkshire club have other offensive options too.
Looking at Forest’s recent home form, this has draw written all over it. BetVictor are offering 17/5 for the draw and both teams to score at the City Ground, a price we feel is well worth taking advantage of.
Draw and Both Teams to Score – 17/5 at BetVictor
La Liga
Real Madrid kicked off the defence of their title with an easy 3-0 win at Deportivo La Coruna last weekend. Meanwhile, Ernesto Valverde got off to a winning start in La Liga, as Barcelona beat Real Betis 2-0 at the Camp Nou. This Saturday, Blaugrana make the trip to Alaves in Spain’s top flight. As for Zinedine Zidane’s Real, they host Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday evening in what could prove a testing contest.
Alaves v Barcelona – 26th August
Ernesto Valverde takes charge of his first away league game as Barca supremo on Saturday, as his troops travel to the Mendizorrotza Stadium to face Alaves. After winning their opener, Barca will be looking to make it six points from six this weekend.
Without setting the world alight, Barcelona did more than enough to beat Real Betis 2-0 at the Camp Nou on the opening weekend. Meanwhile, Luis Zubeldia’s troops lost 1-0 away to Leganes last Friday night.
Despite being on the road, Barcelona should have far too much quality for their hosts, even without the departed Neymar. We like the look of Betfair’s 8/1 for Barca to run out 3-0 winners.
Barcelona to Win 3-0 – 8/1 at Betfair
Real Madrid v Valencia – 27th August
Real Madrid began their La Liga campaign with a routine 3-0 win at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday evening. This weekend, Real entertain Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu, as they look to make it six points out of six.
Goals from Gareth Bale, Casemiro and Toni Kroos were enough to seal last Sunday’s easy victory at Deportivo. That result followed on nicely from their Super Cup success over Barcelona. Marcelino Garcia Toral’s Valencia started with a 1-0 win over Las Palmas at the Mestalla.
After being so dominant so far this season, we can’t see Zinedine Zidane’s Los Blancos taking their foot off the gas in this one. Ladbrokes are offering 4/6 for Real to be winning at half time and full time in Madrid on Sunday. The champions have enough depth to cope without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and that looks a big price.
Real Madrid to be Winning at Half Time and Full Time – 4/6 at Ladbrokes