Arsenal v Newcastle United
Arsenal’s recent good run of form in all competitions was ended on Wednesday when they crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League but don’t expect the Gunners (3/10 in the match betting) to misfire when Newcastle (10/1 to win, 4/1 the draw) travel to the Emirates for the early Premier League kick-off at 13:30.
Shakhtar are no mugs and with Arsene Wenger’s men seemingly on course to make the knockout stages in Europe’s elite competition having won their first three group games, they can be forgiven for succumbing to a long trip against tough opposition, particularly when key players were missing.
Arsenal are still without Manuel Almunia, Abu Diaby, Robin van Persie and Thomas Vermaelen due to injury – while Andrei Arshavin, Denilson and Alex Song are doubtful – but captain and talisman Cesc Fabregas (5/1 to score first) is set to return to the heart of midfield.
The Spanish World Cup winner is likely to be reunited with Jack Wilshere who is available again following a three-match suspension and the pair have been forging an excellent partnership in the middle of the park.
Already five points behind Chelsea in the table, there will be no taking it easy from the north Londoners, who had won five on the bounce (the last three without conceding) since a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge before that midweek reverse.
During that winning run, Arsenal also thumped an admittedly weakened Newcastle side at St James’ Park in the Carling Cup so the Magpies can be expected to be brought back down to earth with a bump following their 5-1 win in the Tyne-Wear derby last Sunday.
The Gunners have scored at least three goals in the last five meetings with Newcastle, who have not won at Arsenal since 2001 in a run of 10 games with only one draw.
Goals are certainly expected with over 2.5 priced at 4/9 but having won their last three against Newcastle (who have scored just once in their last seven away games against Wenger’s men) at home by a 3-0 scoreline, Arsenal with -1 on the handicap at 3/4 or to win to nil at 20/21 should be looked at.
West Brom v Man City
West Brom will be looking to replicate their recent impressive away form at The Hawthorns when the Premier League millionaires of Manchester City ride into town on Sunday afternoon.
Roberto Di Matteo’s men have shocked many football fans in recent times by going unbeaten at home, winning at the Emirates, and holding Manchester United to a draw at Old Trafford.
They will now be looking for a repeat of their Carling Cup win over Manchester City on Sunday with the two Italian managers enjoying contrasting fortunes in recent times.
Roberto Mancini is under increasing scrutiny after three defeats in a row both domestically and in Europe, but he is set to benefit from the return of Carlos Tevez, who has been at the root of all things good for City so far this season.
A win for West Brom could leapfrog them over Sunday’s more illustrious visitors and their attacking power will be boosted at the Hawthorns by the return to fitness of Peter Odemwingie, who has impressed with his pace and goals since arriving in England over the summer.
With the poor form, low confidence and reports of in-fighting that has plagued City in recent weeks, there could not be a better time for West Brom to get another win over one of the teams regarded as title challengers.
Di Matteo has built a side capable of playing swift attacking football, and unless City’s defenders start to play as a unit, which they have not shown in recent weeks, it could be a long afternoon in the West Midlands, particularly as the Baggies (13/5 in the match betting) have not lost at the Hawthorns in 11 months.
Liverpool v Chelsea
Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Napoli may have improved the mood at Anfield but Chelsea’s visit on Sunday could bring the Reds crashing down again.
The victory over the Serie A side was impressive, but a hat-trick from Steven Gerrard essentially spared Liverpool’s blushes with the Italians the better of the two sides until the midfielder’s introduction.
The Liverpool captain is always capable of scoring and he does tend to raise his game in high-profile encounters. Gerrard is 5/2 to score anytime but at 9/1 the England international is worth some consideration in the enhanced first goalscorers’ market.
However, while I expect Gerrard to have a good game against the reigning champions, the rest of the Liverpool squad have done little to impress this season and Chelsea should prove too strong for Roy Hodgson’s side.
Fernando Torres is struggling for both form and fitness, while Joe Cole is unavailable as he is suffering with a hamstring problem.
Chelsea could be without Jose Bosingwa (illness) and Michael Essien (toe), while midfield duo Frank Lampard and Yossi Benayoun are definitely ruled out.
Even without Lampard and Essien, Chelsea should still be too strong for Liverpool and at evens, the league-leaders are good value to take all three points from their trip to Anfield.
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