Following Saturday’s Premier League action, there are three games to look forward to on Sunday with Arsenal’s visit to Liverpool the highlight at 1.30pm.
Liverpool v Arsenal (1.30pm)
Liverpool (11/10) have come in for criticism for letting Andy Carroll go without, in the end, bringing in a replacement but face an Arsenal (5/2, draw 12/5) side who similarly failed to splash the cash on deadline day.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers made it clear on Thursday and Friday that he wanted at least one more addition to his frontline but, for whatever reason, he failed to land Clint Dempsey from Fulham and now must approach the next three months will very little cover for Fabio Borini and Luis Suarez.
Scoring goals was their biggest problem last season and could well haunt them again this time around as, taking into account their Europa League games against Hearts as well as the two league games so far, missing chances have again been a feature of their early matches.
However, the Reds were impressive last weekend against champions Manchester City and, but for a shocking back-pass from Martin Skrtel, would have got a deserved 2-1 win, so there is optimism they can get three points against the Gunners.
Finding the back of the net has also been a worry for Arsene Wenger as Arsenal have begun slowly with two unimpressive goalless draws against Sunderland and Stoke.
The Frenchman will hope Oliver Giroud, Lukas Podolski and apparent Liverpool target Theo Walcott begin to fire soon, preferably on Sunday, as they look to get a win under their belts.
Despite a lack of goals from both sides, then, this one should be entertaining with Liverpool tipped to win by the odd goal. Go for 2-1 in the correct score market at 9/1.
Newcastle v Aston Villa (4pm)
Newcastle (8/13) host Aston Villa (5/1) after their Europa League success on Thursday and will hope to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at Chelsea last time out.
The Magpies began with a 2-1 win over Spurs and many believe they can again battle for a top-six spot after last year’s surprise bid for a top-four place. They host a poor Villa side and this looks nailed on a home win.
Villa have began the campaign dreadfully and last week’s 3-1 reverse against Everton was as bad a performance the home faithful witnessed under old boss Alex McLeish.
The deadline-day signing of Christian Benteke is designed to provide Darren Bent with a decent strike partner but it remains to be seen if a side who many are now tipping for relegation, can be revitalised by Paul Lambert.
Two games in remains very early to judge a side but the signs are not good for Villa and we cannot see anything other than an away defeat on Sunday to leave them point-less after three games.
Southampton v Manchester United (4pm)
United go to top-flight new-boys Saints (5/1) hoping to find a bit more rhythm as Sir Alex Ferguson’s title-chasers have been rusty so far.
A deserved defeat at Everton was followed up by a sloppy 3-2 home victory over Fulham and they will need to be wary of a Southampton side bound to be pumped up for what will undoubtedly be one of the occasions of the season at St Mary’s for the home fans.
Robin van Persie did get off the mark well last week and appears to have hit the ground running in his new surroundings so the Dutchman is worth backing in the first goalscorer market at 4/1.
Expect a tight opening 45 minutes in this one as Nigel Adkins sets his side up with two banks of four but United are eventually tipped to break them down with a narrow away win on the cards (Draw/United – HT/FT – 10/3).
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