It feels like a while since we last saw some Premier League action. Clubs will be praying their star players return fit and injury free as we gear up for the return of the most exciting league in the world this week.
The first game back after an international break is always difficult for Premier League clubs. Their players return tired and although most clubs boast lots of internationals, it can level the playing field somewhat. That also makes it tricky to make accurate predictions, but with some decent games coming up, I’ll see if I can have a winning acca this week.
Newcastle vs Brighton – Home Win
Details: Saturday, October 19th, 3.00 pm
Newcastle have had a decent start to the season, currently sitting just outside the Champions League places. However, the noise on Tyneside has been that they have not played well despite picking up early points. They suffered defeat at Fulham but since then performances improved, and they played very well at home to Man City a few weeks back, drawing 1-1. They will be disappointed in only drawing at Everton before the international break, a missed Anthony Gordon penalty proving costly in a 0-0 draw. But they look to be getting better and will be hoping that continues on Saturday.
What a comeback and result for Brighton two weeks ago, recovering from 2-0 down to beat Spurs 3-2. It is clear Fabian Hürzeler’s side will be involved in high scoring matches this season, that Spurs win came on the back of a 4-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge. Brighton play a high-risk-high-reward type of football that is very easy on the eye but also leaves them vulnerable at the back.
I think Newcastle will come out on top but expect both teams to score in this one.
Ipswich vs Everton – Home Win
Details: Saturday, October 19th, 3.00 pm
Like most newly promoted teams, Ipswich are finding it tough going in the Premier League. They currently sit one place outside of the relegation zone and there is no doubt they would take that at the end of the season. Despite the last game being a 4-1 defeat at West Ham, there have been positives. Striker Liam Delap has proved he can score goals at this level, and in their 2-2 draw against Villa Ipswich showed they can live with the best in this league.
Everton have certainly picked up recently, picking up four points from their last two games. There has also been positive news off the pitch, as it has emerged new owners are on the horizon, with the Friedkin Group close to finalising a takeover. It feels like with the new owners and a move to a new stadium, the future for the Toffees looks good. I think they will stay up this season and look to build in future years.
This is tough one to call, but I think Ipswich will edge this game by the odd goal.
Man Utd vs Brentford – Draw
Details: Saturday, October 19th, 3.00 pm
So, Erik Ten Hag has survived the international break. It was widely reported that Utd’s owners were meeting during the two weeks without a game to discuss his future. It appears he is safe, for now. The fact Thomas Tuchel has taken the England job means there is one less candidate on the market for the Red Devils should they choose to part with the Dutchman. Despite a 0-0 draw at Villa two weeks ago, it still feels like a matter of when, not if, Ten Hag is relieved of his duties. They have been poor for a long time, these are his signings and nothing seems to be getting better.
No such drama for Brentford. The Bees seem to have mastered scoring early, remarkably netting inside three minutes in their last three games. Thomas Frank is one of the most respected managers in the league and despite selling talisman Ivan Toney in the summer, they can still score plenty of goals. Bryan Mbuemo is in great form and this is a team full of players who all know their jobs inside out.
This is so tough to call, I just don’t trust Utd enough at the moment and Brentford are a good side. I am going to sit on the fence and say a draw.
Bournemouth vs Arsenal – Away Win
Details: Saturday, October 19th, 5.30 pm
It has been a solid start to the season for Bournemouth, and they could arguably have more that the eight points they have collected. Certainly, in their defeats to Chelsea and Leicester, they deserved at least a point on both occasions. In Antoine Semenyo they have one of the most exciting attackers in the league, and he has been linked with a move to some of the top clubs in Europe. They play a high octane style of football and are usually an exciting watch for the neutral.
Arsenal keep ticking along, living up to their tags as serious title challengers. They have drawn some criticism as not being the most exciting side to watch, but nobody in that part of North London will care if it leads to winning the league. Mikel Arteta’s men are extremely well drilled, Kai Havertz is in fine scoring form and they haven’t missed a beat despite captain Martin Ødegaard missing the last few games through injury. They will take some stopping this year.
Bournemouth go into this as a huge underdog, but I can’t see any upset here.
BettingTools Premier League Acca
As I mentioned above, predicting games after the international break is always tricky, with players arriving late. I think Arsenal and Newcastle will have too much for Bournemouth and Brighton, respectively. I am less confident on Ipswich but they can score goals and think they may finally get their first win of the season. As for Utd, they ‘should’ win at home to Brentford but then they ‘should’ have won a lot of games they haven’t.
You can also quickly work out your accumulator returns using our free calculator.
