The focus of attention now returns to Premier League duty following the international break with a hectic Saturday schedule to get stuck into, kicking off with a mouth-watering London derby.
Tottenham v Chelsea (12:45)
Two form sides go head-to-head at White Hart Lane with Spurs recovering from their opening-day setback to forge a nine-match unbeaten streak, winning their last four in the league, while Chelsea have started the season in fine fettle, winning their last five in all competitions to hold a four-point lead at the top of the table.
There is added spice to this fixture with Andre Villas-Boas taking on his former club and he is fancied to exact some ‘revenge’ with Spurs installed as the 8/5 favourites, with the Blues on offer at 9/5 and the draw at 12/5 in the match betting.
The Lilywhites have established White Hart Lane as something of a fortress of late, losing just two of their last 22 at home, and they also have a decent record against fierce rivals Chelsea there as well – unbeaten in their last six.
Gareth Bale (7/1 First/Last Goalscorer) and Jermain Defoe (5/1) have been in good form this season and Spurs can make home advantage count against a John Terry-less Chelsea, although it will not be one-sided.
Fernando Torres (11/8 Anytime Scorer) has hit the back of the net six times this season and is perhaps starting to show the form that persuaded Chelsea to fork out £50m for his services, while the additions of Eden Hazard (9/4) and Oscar (5/2)have provided new and exciting options.
However, in the middle of a derby, there remain questions whether they are up for a fight and Spurs at 8/5 at home look a good shout to continue their winning streak.
West Brom v Man City (3pm)
Champions City have not started this season as they did the last but they do still remain unbeaten in the league, lying in third place, four points behind the leaders.
Roberto Mancini’s men have seemingly struggled on the road, winning just once so far – at Fulham – while they have been held at Stoke and Liverpool, and they have managed just one clean sheet this term – at home against Sunderland.
The Italian tactician also has selection headaches with most of his squad spread across all parts of the globe over the international break, while there is a crucial Champions League next Wednesday at Ajax to worry about.
That certainly offers hope for the Baggies, who have begun the season impressively at the Hawthorns, winning four out of four to see them surprisingly placed in six in the table, just a point behind Saturday’s opponents.
Whether they have the tools to grab a coupon-busting win is open to question – they have not scored in their last four matches against City – but they look capable of holding the champions (WBA 4/1, Draw 11/4, City 8/11 Match Betting), having lost just one of their last six games against the Citizens at the Hawthorns.
Man United v Stoke City (3pm)
Manchester United are strong favourites at 2/7 to continue a good recent record of five wins from six games, with Stoke priced at 11/1 to record their first win against the Red Devils since 1993, and first at Old Trafford since 1976.
United lead the Premier League in terms of goals with 17 so far, while the Potters continue to struggle to find the back of the net with just six successes in the opening seven games.
However, Tony Pulis’s men are always hard to beat, having held Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool this season while they were only beaten by a late goal against Chelsea.
Forget the records, Everton and Spurs have already ended their hoodoo against United this season, and although they may not win, Stoke could land a price with a draw on Saturday at 9/2.
Elsewhere, it is difficult to see anything other than wins for Fulham, Liverpool, Arsenal and West Ham, while Swansea against Wigan looking a real puzzler, given the inconsistencies and recent problems for both teams.
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