Prem Preview: Arsenal host Palace plus more from Saturday’s fixtures
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Big guns are involved
The Premier League resumes on Saturday with four of the division’s top-six in action.
Chelsea and Arsenal take on Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace respectively.
Meanwhile, Manchester United make the trip to East Lancashire to face Burnley.
The Coral News Team have looked at those three matches (and one more) in our Saturday storylines…
Chelsea set for first win of 2018?
It’s been a torrid start to 2018 for Chelsea. The Blues have drawn their last five matches and have won just once away from home since mid-November.
That could make a trip to the Amex Stadium more difficult than it seems. Brighton have lost just once at home all season – and that was against a rampant Liverpool side. With Saturday’s visitors struggling in front of goal, Chris Hughton’s men will fancy their chances of getting a draw out of the contest.
It’s 13/5 for the spoils to be shared, with 3/1 on offer for a Draw and Under 2.5 Goals. With Alvaro Morata banned, Eden Hazard is Chelsea’s best chance going forward at 23/20 Anytime.
Can Arsenal arrest their poor run?
Arsenal are winless in five matches. They’ve not gone six without a win since December 1998. Up against Crystal Palace at the Emirates, that run could be equalled.
The Eagles are the Premier League’s form side. Roy Hodgson has rejuvenated the South Londoners who have lost just twice since early-November. They were unlucky to lose out to the Gunners last month and should get plenty of joy through Wilfried Zaha, Andros Townsend and Christian Benteke.
Palace make plenty of appeal on the Double Chance at 8/5. They’re 11/2 to win outright, with the tricky Zaha a tempting 14/5 to net Anytime.
Turf Moor test for United
Manchester United are back on form. The Red Devils are unbeaten in six and have won their last three. However, a trip to Turf Moor is no simple task. Burnley have built their reputation on being difficult to beat at home.
Jose Mourinho’s side have stumbled on two of their three most recent visits to this part of Lancashire. They needed a last-minute equaliser to rescue a draw against the Clarets at Old Trafford last month, too.
The Coral News Team are expecting another tight game on Saturday. It’s 8/13 for there to be Under 2.5 Goals and even-money for the first-half to end in a draw.
Paul Lambert back in the dugout
Stoke City are in desperate need of a lift. The Potters have won twice since October and are currently on a run of five games without a win.
They’ll be hoping that the appointment of Paul Lambert is the shot in the arm required to arrest their poor form. Against a Huddersfield Town side with one away win since the opening day, he couldn’t have hoped for a better first match in charge.
The hosts are even-money to pick up three points. A game between two leaky defences could also see Stoke to Win and Both Teams to Score land at 18/5.
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
