The Premier League will be back with a bang this weekend after our leading sides were involved in midweek European action.
Top of the bill are Manchester United who face a daunting trip to buoyant Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
Unai Emery has worked miracles at Villa Park and the home side will come into this fixture off the back of their astonishing win over Bayern Munich in midweek.
By contrast, United’s confidence is at an all-time low with Erik ten Hag almost certain to be sacked after another poor result and performance against Porto.
As ever, Betfair Ambassador Alan Shearer previews the action for Metro…
Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Liverpool were not at their best last week vs Wolves, but they took all the points which is a good sign. They also followed that up with another win in the Champions League against Bologna.
Palace have been a little bit disappointing in terms of what they’ve done so far this season, and I think Liverpool will have too much for them here.
Selhurst Park is always a tough ground to go to but with the squad they have, I think Liverpool will have enough to get the points.
Arsenal v Southampton
Southampton were awful in the first half against Bournemouth. They capitulated after looking bright for the first five or ten minutes. As soon as they conceded they just folded. They were a bit better in the second half, but it was too little, too late.
I can’t see them getting anything at the Emirates, where Arsenal taught PSG a lesson earlier in the week. .
Brentford v Wolves
This is a tough one to call. Wolves are under huge pressure and Brentford scored early again last time out, now three games in a row. I think with the pressure
Wolves are under, I’d see Brentford winning this one. Brentford are scoring early, and I put that down to good preparation, good warm-ups, and good motivation. If it happens once or twice you may say it’s a fluke, but if it’s three times, you must look at who and what’s preparing them in the right way, so huge credit to them.
Leicester v Bournemouth
Bournemouth travel to Leicester coming off the back of a good result against Southampton at home, but this is another tough one to call because I don’t see a lot in the game. Leicester almost stole a point at Arsenal, and this is a bigger opportunity to get that first win of the season. However, .
Man City v Fulham
I’d never go against Man City at home. They looked flat against Newcastle with the loss of Rodri, and that game could’ve gone either way. The draw was a fair result. They still have a squad full of the best players and I see Man City having too much for Fulham. Home win.
West Ham v Ipswich
Ipswich looked decent against Aston Villa, especially with the two good goals from Liam Delap, who looks a talent.
I’m sure they’ll cause West Ham problems, who are under huge pressure once again; we have another situation where the manager has come in and spent a few quid but hasn’t had the desired effect. I’d think .
Everton v Newcastle
Everton got a huge result last time out at home. They showed great character after going 1-0 down and McNeil got a couple of goals, but I thought Newcastle produced their best performance of the season against Man City. They looked much more like they have done over the last couple of years, and I’d be looking for them to carry that on here. I’m going to go for an away win.
Aston Villa v Manchester United
Aston Villa host Manchester United on Sunday, and it is a huge game, especially for the away side. Man United cannot afford to be humiliated again.
For Aston Villa, they’re at home, they’ll be looking to take the points and use the momentum from that great win over Munich in midweek.
Unai Emery has done a magnificent job at Aston Villa in terms of the whole football club, when you look at where they are at now compared to where they were when he took over. It wouldn’t surprise me if Morgan Rogers is in Lee Carsley’s future England plans. If there was one guy who was not knocking, but banging on the door, then it’s Rogers because of his start to the season. He’s a wonderful player, from when he started at Man City, then Middlesbrough and then to Villa. He’s another one who’s left a big club to go and climb the ladder, so you must respect him for that.
He’s had, without a doubt, one of the best starts of any player in the Premier League.
With Villa’s home record under Emery and the pressure that Man United are under, I’m predicting a home win on Sunday.
I think Ollie Watkins has his mojo back in terms of scoring goals and if he doesn’t perform here, then Duran will come on and score from the bench anyway, just like he did in midweek. .
Chelsea v Nottingham Forest
Chelsea are flying, there’s no doubt about it. Forest had a poor result at home against Fulham and will be looking to bounce back but with the form Chelsea are in, and in particular Cole Palmer, I’d have to say .
Brighton v Spurs
This is tough to call. Spurs were much better and played well against Man United, battered them in the first half, even when it was 11v11. Brighton have had a little stutter in terms of their result last weekend and a couple of draws before that, playing out from the back and getting caught with the high line.
I can see plenty of goals in this one. You may see a game that’s congested within 20 yards with both teams wanting to play a high line, but I’d be willing to bet that one team will score a goal from trying to play that line, and one of them will get caught out. .
For more from Betfair Ambassador Alan Shearer, head to https://betting.betfair.com/football/alan-shearer/.
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