All the key storylines as the Premier League returns
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The top-flight is back
After an enforced absence due to the FA Cup, the Premier League gets back up and running this weekend.
In the pick of the games, Manchester City put their unbeaten run on the line against Liverpool at Anfield. Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion and Southampton are both looking to pick up vital wins at the foot of the table.
The Coral News Team have looked at those three issues (and two more) ahead of this weekend’s matches.
Saints continue to sink
Southampton are in desperate need of three points. The Saints have won just three matches since August and are currently on a run of nine Premier League games without a win.
They lack organisation, cutting edge and at the moment – hope.
The Coral News Team think that things could get worse against Watford this weekend. The Hornets are on a poor run themselves but comfortably beat the Saints earlier in the season.
They have match-winners and a positive, attacking manager who will take the game to their beleaguered visitors. Watford are 7/5 to claim all three points, while Richarlison is tempting at 2/1 to Score Anytime.
Big chance for West Brom
West Brom are on a club-record run of 20 Premier League games without a win. However, the Coral News Team think that may come to an end this weekend against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Baggies have shown signs in recent weeks that they’re about to turn a corner. They’ve picked up draws against Liverpool, Everton and Arsenal and were unlucky to lose at West Ham United earlier this month. Victory against Exeter City last week will boost morale, too.
Brighton, on the other hand, have not won at the Hawthorns since 1976 and have won just twice away from home all season. It’s 2/9 about West Brom or Draw, or 11/10 for the Baggies to win outright.
Tosun read for Everton debut
Everton’s new signing Cenk Tosun could get his first start for the Toffees against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening. The Turkish star joined the Blues for £27m last week and fills a crucial hole in Sam Allardyce’s attack.
He’s expected to play a part at Wembley and is 7/2 to find the back of the net. It’s 11/1 that he Scores First or Last, while Coral also go 250/1 that he lights up the league with a hat-trick on his debut.
City’s unbeaten run under threat?
Liverpool are one of the few teams capable of beating Manchester City. The Reds are unbeaten at Anfield since April 2017 and will take the game to Pep Guardiola’s men on Merseyside.
They may be without Philippe Coutinho, but Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah have all shone this season. With City showing signs of weakness in laboured performances against Bristol City, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United, Sunday could be the day their unbeaten run comes to an end.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have won their last four league games against City at Anfield. They’re 19/10 to make that five, with Salah 6/4 to Score Anytime and 7/2 to score 2 or more.
Arsenal to get back to winning ways?
It has been a torrid start to 2018 for Arsenal. The Gunners haven’t won since the turn of the year and suffered an embarrassing FA Cup exit to Nottingham Forest last week.
The good news for Arsene Wenger is that Bournemouth are in similarly poor form. Eddie Howe’s men have won just once since mid-November. A visit to the Vitality Stadium should be just the tonic for travel-sick Gunners. They’ve won four of their last five matches on the South Coast.
Arsenal are 7/10 to take all three points, with Arsenal and Both Teams to Score also well-priced at 19/10.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
