Premier League: Villa battle Black Cats amid Midlands madness

There’s a feast of football for the Midlands clubs in the Premier League this Saturday with Aston Villa, and Leicester City joining Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion in action for the traditional 3om kick-off slot.

Vila host Sunderland, the Baggies travel to the Britannia and the Foxes embark on a long trip down to their successors as Football League Championship winners, Bournemouth.

Aston Villa v Sunderland
Tim Sherwood made no secret of his excitement at the signing of Barcelona youngster Adama Traore and, after just two appearances for his new club, it is easy to see why the 19-year-old is held in such high regard.

Spanish-born starlet Traore tore Notts County apart during their Capital One Cup clash, netting on his full debut after forcing Crystal Palace defender Pape Souare into an own goal at Selhurst Park when coming off the bench last week. He will thrive against a poor Sunderland defence, and is 15/2 with Coral to score first.

These two sides have struggled at the back so far and conceded three goals each against a League One and League Two team respectively in midweek. The Black Cats defence have already let in eight in Premier League action, so a match total of 3.5 strikes at 13/4 should get some attention.

Stoke v West Brom
Tony Pulis returns to his old stomping ground with his current club 7/2 to grab a win. It’s been a tough start for the Baggies and unlikely to get any easier here. Stoke are odds-on at 20/23 for the three points and have lost at home to Albion just once in 35 years.

These two sides like to keep it tight and the away outfit will travel to Staffordshire looking to keep a clean sheet while hopefully nick one on the break. A draw, therefore, appeals at 23/10, but for those wanting a bigger price a 0-0 scoreline at 15/2 could be in the offing.
There have been just seven goals in the previous six meetings between these two, so a total of under 1.5 at 15/8 looks tasty.

Bournemouth v Leicester
Claudio Ranieri is in serious danger of succeeding departed player of the last season Esteban Cambiasso as an in-house Foxes legend. ‘The Tinkerman’ has guided the King Power club to second in the Premier League after an unbeaten start, and Leicester are 27/10 to grab another win at Bournemouth.

The Cherries, an even-money chance to follow up their first-ever top-flight win at West Ham United last week, will be confident of checking the visitors’ momentum. Callum Wilson hit a hat-trick at Upton Park, and is 6/1 to score first at home here.

Ryiad Mahrez is in dazzling form for the Foxes but, instead of backing him to strike again, get behind him laying on the opener for Jamie Vardy at 6/1.

Leicester have yet to concede a first-half goal in the Premier League, so the home side to score under 0.5 goals before the break at 5/6 appeals.

Coral’s top tip: Over 3.5 goals between Aston Villa and Sunderland is terrific at 13/4.