After the first international break of the season, the Premier League and the Sky Bet Championship are back with a bang this weekend, as we have several big matches to get stuck into.
Manchester City and Liverpool get the Premier League back underway this Saturday with a blockbuster match at the Etihad Stadium. Meanwhile, the league leaders Manchester United travel to Stoke City on Saturday evening.
In the Championship, Derby County host Hull City on Friday night, while Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest lock horns at Hillsborough on Saturday.
- Manchester City v Liverpool – Manchester City to Win 1-0 (12/1 at Bet365)
- Stoke City v Manchester United – Manchester United to Win -1 (6/4 at Betfair)
- Burnley v Crystal Palace – Draw (2/1 at Sky Bet)
- Swansea City v Newcastle United – Draw and Both Teams to Score (18/5 at BetVictor)
- West Ham United v Huddersfield Town – West Ham United to Win 2-1 (8/1 at Bet365)
- Derby County v Hull City – Hull City to Win and Both Teams to Score (7/1 at Sky Bet)
- Sheffield Wednesday v Nottingham Forest – Nottingham Forest to Win 2-1 (14/1 at Betfair)
Premier League
With the first international break all done and dusted, Premier League action is back this Saturday. The biggest match of the weekend is the first, as Man City welcome Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium. Later in the day, Stoke host Man Utd. On Sunday, Crystal Palace travel to Burnley, while Swansea City and Newcastle United meet in South Wales. This round of fixtures ends on Monday, with West Ham United playing their first home game of the season, as they entertain Huddersfield Town.
Manchester City v Liverpool – 9th September
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City host Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in a huge Premier League matchup at the Etihad Stadium this Saturday afternoon. This is a fixture that both teams will be going all out to win.
City left it very late to see off Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium before the international break, as Raheem Sterling’s injury-time goal earned the Citizens a priceless three points on the south coast. As for the Reds, they thumped Arsenal 4-0 at Anfield in a scintillating, attacking performance.
This game could go either way, but we’re backing Guardiola’s men to seal a narrow win on their own patch. Take a look at Bet365’s 12/1 for the hosts to win 1-0.
Manchester City to Win 1-0 – 12/1 at Bet365
Stoke City v Manchester United – 9th September
Manchester United are the only side left in the Premier League with a 100% record. This Saturday, Jose Mourinho’s men make the trip to Stoke City, who beat Arsenal in their last match at the Bet365 Stadium.
United have made a phenomenal start to their Premier League campaign, winning all three matches without conceding a single goal. The Red Devils will fancy their chances of adding another three points to their tally in this one.
Mark Hughes’ Potters have made a decent start to their season, having taken four points from their first three matches. However, we can’t see them stopping Man Utd’s relentless attack on Saturday. Back the away team to win -1 at 6/4 with Betfair.
Manchester United to Win -1 – 6/4 at Betfair
Burnley v Crystal Palace – 10th September
Sunday’s opening match sees Frank de Boer’s Crystal Palace travel to Turf Moor to play Sean Dyche’s Burnley. The Eagles are pointless after three games, while the Clarets have a respectable four points to their name.
Burnley kicked off their Premier League season with a memorable 3-2 win at Chelsea, but they have taken just one point since. As for Palace, they have made a disastrous start to their campaign, losing all three fixtures without scoring a single goal.
Despite having zero points to their name, we’re expecting Palace to seal a point at the very least at Turf Moor this Sunday. To be fair, a draw will not be a bad result for either side. The stalemate is priced at 2/1 with Sky Bet.
Draw – 2/1 at Sky Bet
Swansea City v Newcastle United – 10th September
Also on Sunday, Paul Clement’s Swansea City entertain Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United at the Liberty Stadium. The Swans are the slight favourites to seal their first home win of the season this weekend.
Both teams picked up their first league wins of the campaign before the international break. Swansea won 2-0 at Crystal Palace, while Newcastle thumped West Ham United 3-0 at St James’ Park.
This is another fixture that has draw written all over it. However, we can see both sides finding the net at the Liberty. Have a few quid on BetVictor’s tempting odds of 18/5 for the draw and both teams to score.
Draw and Both Teams to Score – 18/5 at BetVictor
West Ham United v Huddersfield Town – 11th September
On Monday night, West Ham United will play their first home match of the season, as they welcome newly promoted Huddersfield Town to the London Stadium. This has the potential to be a tricky fixture for the Hammers.
These two have had a contrasting start to the season, as West Ham sit rock bottom having taken zero points from their opening three league fixtures. As for the Terriers, they have accumulated seven points from their three games, occupying third place in the Premier League table as a result.
Slaven Bilic’s men are in desperate need of points, and we believe they will finally come good on Monday night. We like the look of Bet365’s 8/1 for the Hammers to secure a nervy and narrow 2-1 home win.
West Ham United to Win 2-1 – 8/1 at Bet365
Championship
Neil Warnock’s Cardiff City are riding high at the top of the Sky Bet Championship with a 100% record after five games. This weekend, the Bluebirds make the trip to London to face Fulham. Meanwhile, Leeds United, who are also unbeaten, host Burton Albion at Elland Road. We’ll be focussing on Friday night’s encounter between Derby County and Hull City, as well as the Sheffield Wednesday v Nottingham Forest match on Saturday.
Derby County v Hull City – 8th September
Derby and Hull have taken seven points from a possible 15 so far this season, and both will be looking for the victory on Friday. With the Rams being at home, Gary Rowett’s men are the favourites to take all three points.
Leonid Slutsky has had a testing start as manager of Hull, as his side have won two, lost two and drawn one so far. However, they are the top scorers in the Championship with 12 goals. As for Derby, they have won one and lost one at Pride Park.
Although the Tigers have not won a league game away from home since August 2016, we can see them claiming a much-needed victory on the road this Friday. The away team to win and both teams to score, which you can get at 7/1 at Sky Bet, is the standout bet here.
Hull City to Win and Both Teams to Score – 7/1 at Sky Bet
Sheffield Wednesday v Nottingham Forest – 9th September
On Saturday, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest go head-to-head in a mouth-watering Championship fixture at Hillsborough. Mark Warburton’s Forest are sixth on nine points, with Carlos Carvalhal’s Owls a place above with a better goal difference.
Although not perfect, both teams have made a pretty solid start to their season. Both Wednesday and Forest have won three and lost two of their five Championship fixtures so far. Although the hosts are the strong favourites with the bookies, the Reds are capable of causing an upset in Sheffield.
Last term, Sheff Wed’s won 2-1 both home and away against Nottingham Forest. However, we’re backing Forest to return the favour on Saturday. Betfair have the 2-1 away win generously priced at 14/1.
Nottingham Forest to Win 2-1 – 14/1 at Betfair