Premier League Gameweek 8 Preview

The first round of Premier League fixtures following the October international break could be crucial as the early-season strugglers seek a turnaround in fortunes and the top sides bid to maintain their momentum. Manchester City and Crystal Palace will aim to stake a march on the sides above when they host Everton and Bournemouth respectively on Saturday while Wolves will see their trip to Sunderland as a big chance to get their first league win on the board.

On Sunday, Aston Villa face a tricky trip to Tottenham in a clash between two sides with European ambitions and Liverpool host their bitter rivals Manchester United at Anfield. The action concludes on Monday when Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham are in must-win territory at home to Brentford.

Premier League Fixture List – Gameweek 8

Saturday 18th October

• Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea (12:30)
• Brighton vs Newcastle (15:00)
• Burnley vs Leeds (15:00)
• Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth (15:00)
• Manchester City vs Everton (15:00)
• Sunderland vs Wolves (15:00)
• Fulham vs Arsenal (17:30)

Sunday 19th October

• Tottenham vs Aston Villa (14:00)
• Liverpool vs Manchester United (16:30)

Monday 20th October

• West Ham vs Brentford (20:00)

Aston Villa draw no bet vs Tottenham @ 6/5 with bet365

Back-to-back home wins over Fulham and Burnley have finally given Aston Villa’s campaign the kickstart it needed. They look like a big-priced underdog going to Spurs, who have been better away from home in the early stages of Thomas Frank’s reign. Tottenham have scored only one goal and taken just one point from their last two home games and that came courtesy of a 94th-minute equaliser against rock-bottom Wolves.

Spurs have also lost five of their last seven clashes with Villa, who have won on two of their last three trips to North London. Unai Emery’s side have lost only three of their last nine Premier League away games and with Spurs showing signs of slowing down in front of goal, the draw no bet market offers a safety net and decent value on this clash.

Erling Haaland to score first vs Everton @ 5/2 with bet365

Manchester City have scored first in six of their seven league games this season, and Erling Haaland has been the man to break the deadlock in four of those. The Norwegian striker has 12 goals in all competitions already and he maintained that fine form on international duty, bagging a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Israel. Haaland will be looking to continue his fantastic scoring run against an Everton side that has conceded before the half-hour mark in three of their last four away matches.

City have scored two or more goals in four of their last five meetings with the Toffees, Haaland registering in three of those and seeing his penalty saved in the only other in which he featured. The Norwegian’s intelligent movement and deadly finishing make him the obvious candidate to strike first on Saturday.

Ladislav Krejci to score or assist vs Sunderland @ 6/1 with bet365

Wolves have had very little to celebrate, but summer Ladislav Krejci has been a rare bright spot in an otherwise gloomy autumn. The Czech international is a firmly established fan favourite for his all-action displays in defence and midfield. He scored his first goal for the club on his home debut with an assured finish and then provided the cross for Wolves’ opener in their Carabao Cup win over Everton.

Krejci played a major part in Wolves’ goal at Tottenham when Santiago Bueno pounced on the rebound after his header was saved, underlining how much of a set-piece threat he is becoming. Two of the last three goals Sunderland have conceded were from corner routines and there may be a vulnerability emerging in their set-piece defending, which makes Krejci a value pick to make an impact with a goal or assist.