Leicester City vs Manchester City
At first glance, Saturday’s Premier League clash between Leicester and Man City may appear as somewhat of a mis-match.
While Pep Guardiola’s side are second in the table and boast one of the most feared strikers in world football, their opponents are 17th and have won just three of their 12 league games this season.
However, a closer look at the stats suggests this weekend encounter may be a lot closer than expected.
Two of Leicester’s three league victories this season have come in the last two weeks.
The Foxes have lost just one of their last five games and have elevated themselves away from the foot of the table.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have kept three consecutive clean sheets and have conceded just one goal in 450 minutes of Premier League football.
City, on the other hand, have hit some turbulence since their scintillating start to the season.
Guardiola’s troops have won just one of their last four games across all competitions.
City lost 1-0 against Liverpool in the Premier League and endured back-to-back Champions League draws against FC Copenhagen and Borussia Dortmund.
Interestingly, the goal-happy Sky Blues have only scored in one of those four games.
If that wasn’t enough, Leicester have picked up recent wins over their upcoming opponents.
The Foxes pipped their rivals to the Community Shield in the summer of 2021, and famously won 5-2 at the Etihad two years ago.
While City will head into Saturday’s contest as the overwhelming favourites, Leicester shouldn’t be easily underestimated.
The battle of the strikers should also provide plenty of drama as Jamie Vardy and Erling Haaland look to get on the scoresheet.
Both men to score is an enticing bet, though our recommendation is to back the visitors to win by a solitary one-goal winning margin.
Fulham vs Everton
The meat in Saturday’s televised football sandwich will be Everton’s trip to the capital.
Frank Lampard’s men will arrive at Fulham having emphatically ended their three-match losing run with a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
The Toffees have endured mixed fortunes this season, yet they’re currently 12th in the standings and find themselves just three points away from city rivals Liverpool.
One major concern for Everton will be their lack of firepower up front. The team have scored a measly 11 goals this season which is less than the likes of Leeds and Leicester who are in and around the relegation zone.
One team who certainly are not goal shy are Fulham. Marco Silva’s side have bagged twice as many goals as Everton with 22 already to their name.
The Lilywhites are on a three-match unbeaten run and are currently seventh in the Premier League table.
The newly-promoted side have been the surprise package of the season, with Aleksandar Mitrovic proving a real asset with nine goals to his name.
Since coming back from his slight injury, the Serb has scored in three successive Premier League games, including one against Leeds last weekend.
Our recommendation is to back the prolific forward to once again get on the scoresheet and his team to win.
Liverpool vs Leeds United
The Premier League’s evening offering on Saturday will see two under-pressure managers go head-to-head.
Liverpool have endured a mixed start to the season and while Jurgen Klopp is not among the top contenders to face the sack anytime soon, there are only so many winless games the Reds can go before their season is written off.
The German manager has blamed injuries on his team’s inconsistent start to the season, and he remains without Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Naby Keita, Joel Matip and Thiago ahead of the clash with Leeds.
The Reds have won two of their last five Premier League games, including a 1-0 victory over Manchester City.
However, for all their heroics against the defending champions, Liverpool have dropped crucial points against Arsenal, Brighton and most recently, bottom-of-the-table Nottingham Forest.
Leeds, on the other hand, are dropping points against all-comers. The Whites are winless in eight straight Premier League games and have picked up just two points during that time.
The West Yorkshire outfit have dropped into the relegation zone, with manager Jesse Marsch reportedly on his last warning.
Leeds haven’t won a league match since their 3-0 thrashing of Chelsea at Elland Road over two months ago.
What’s more, they haven’t picked up a victory over Liverpool in 12 attempts and lost 6-0 on their last visit to Anfield.
With that in mind, we’re backing the Reds to unleash more misery on Leeds by powering to a comfortable victory. Our recommended bet is a home 3-0 win in the correct score market.
Manchester United vs West Ham United
Manchester United will be looking to pick up their fifth straight league victory over West Ham when they welcome former manager David Moyes back to Old Trafford.
Since their embarrassing 6-3 defeat in the derby against Man City, Erik ten Hag’s men have rediscovered form and are currently unbeaten in four league games.
Victories over Everton and Tottenham helped the Red Devils back up the Premier League table while draws with Newcastle and Chelsea have left them within touching distance of the top four.
One area which United will be looking to improve is their goalscoring ability in the Premier League. Ten Hag’s side have found the back of the net six times from their last five games.
Nevertheless, the Red Devils will take encouragement from the fact they’ve kept three clean sheets from four recent outings.
West Ham, who endured a slow start to the campaign, are back in the groove having won six of their last eight games across all competitions.
The Irons are not only up to 10th in the Premier League table but they also boast a perfect record in their Europa League group.
A 1-0 defeat to Liverpool is the only blemish on the team’s record in October, and Moyes’ men will be intent on continuing their run at Old Trafford.
The previous five meetings between the two teams have all been won by a one-goal margin.
A similarly close clash is expected this Sunday, and our recommendation is to back a 2-1 victory for United.
Key stats
Leicester have lost just one of their last five games
Man City failed to score in three of their last four outings
Leicester have conceded one goal in 450 minutes
Man City have won one of their last four games
Fulham have scored 22 goals this season – more than Newcastle, Chelsea and Manchester United
Fulham who have scored in every home PL game this season
Everton have lost three of their last four games
Leeds are winless in eight games
Leeds haven’t won at Anfield since 2001
There’s been nine goals scored between minutes 46-60 in Liverpool’s last 10 games
Man United are unbeaten in all competitions since losing 6-3 to Man City
Man United have won four straight Premier League games vs West Ham
