Will those who were in full bloom prior to the break continue their momentum this week? And will those out of form managed to have found something that can turn their campaign around? The supporters of Manchester United and Crystal Palace, amongst others, will have differing views on that.
So let’s get back into the saddle and ride all the way to win town with Saturday’s Premier League betting tips.
Arsenal vs Bournemouth (Saturday, 3:00pm)
These are not great times to be an Arsenal supporter. With a divide in the fanbase as to whether Arsene Wenger should have stayed or gone in the summer, the Gunners’ performances on the pitch have suffered as well. They could quite easily be pointless after three games had Leicester not capitulated on the opening night of the campaign.
So backing them might be considered a risky ploy, but only if they are playing a team in decent nick. Bournemouth, clearly, are not.
The Cherries have scored a solitary goal in 270 minutes of Premier League football – managing only six shots on target in the same timeframe. They should enjoy a bit more freedom against an Arsenal side for whom defending has become a real chore, but there’s nothing about Eddie Howe’s men which suggests they can win anywhere at the moment, not least Arsenal away.
Recommended Bet
Arsenal to Win & Over 2.5 Goals (8/11 with Paddy Power)
Brighton vs West Brom (Saturday, 3:00pm)
When the highlights of this one are played on Match of the Day it might be an opportune moment to stick the kettle on.
Brighton have manged just six shots on target this season, and their attacking shyness will not be aided by injuries suffered by frontmen Sam Baldock and Tomer Hemed. Indeed, Glenn Murray and Izzy Brown also face late fitness tests before this one.
Chris Hughton has perhaps surmised that his best hope of accumulating points at present is by winning 1-0, and so his conservative tactics speak for themselves.
As for West Brom, well, we know how they will set-up. The Baggies have reverted to classic ‘Tony Pulis Ball’ this season, and their three outings have yielded a grand total of four goals. Don’t expect that tally to be greatly altered here.
Recommended Bet
Under 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score – No (10/11 with Coral)
Everton vs Tottenham (Saturday, 3:00pm)
Your personal attitude towards shot data and chance creation may just determine how you see this match unfolding.
Everton, on paper at least, have had a decent enough start to the campaign with a win against Stoke, a credible draw at Manchester City and a shame-free loss at Chelsea.
But delve a bit deeper and you see a side that struggled to break down a Stoke outfit hellbent on drawing 0-0, a side who stole a point from Manchester City according to the shot data, and a side who failed to record a single shot on target at Chelsea.
Perception, in football as in life, is everything.
Tottenham will enjoy playing away from home given their Wembley hoodoo, and that very same shot data suggests they have dominated all three of their matches so far despite claiming just four points from the nine available.
Recommended Bet
Tottenham to Win (21/20 with William Hill)
