1. Olivier Giroud to score first and Arsenal to win 2-0 (25/1)
With four points from their opening three matches, Arsenal (1-1-1) are off to their worst Premier League start since 2011 and Arsene Wenger’s team will be desperate for the three points at St. James’ Park this weekend.
Monday’s draw with Liverpool will have disappointed them, with the home team having nearly 60% possession for the match but unable to find the breakthrough. It hasn’t clicked for them in front of goal so far but they have attempted a league-high 61 shots in their three games.
They also have a remarkable record against Newcastle. They have won seven straight league matches and are unbeaten in their last nine versus the Magpies. Olivier Giroud, in particular, loves playing against them. He scored twice in both fixtures last season and will fancy his chances of repeating the feat this weekend.
2. Manchester City to win both halves v Watford (13/10)
Manchester City have looked in ominous form in their opening three games and have rightly been installed as prime candidates for their third title in five years. Not only have they beaten reigning champions Chelsea in convincing fashion, they have scored eight goals without conceding.
They’ve now won a club-record nine consecutive Premier League matches and carry an eight-match home winning streak in the league. Watford, to their credit, played well in their opening game against Everton but have failed to score in their opening 277 minutes across all competitions.
3. Aston Villa to win to nil against Sunderland (15/8)
Both Aston Villa and Sunderland have looked incredibly poor so far this season. Dick Advocaat’s side were a complete mess in their opening two games and were lucky to earn a point at home to Swansea last weekend.
The Black Cats are now without a win in six straight Premier League matches and conceded three goals against League Two side Exeter City in their mid-week Capital One Cup match.
And their recent form against Aston Villa will not inspire much confidence. They have failed to score in four straight Premier League match against Villa, haven’t won at Villa Park since 2011 and are currently on a goalless streak that stands at 418 minutes.
4. Swansea and Manchester United to draw (23/10)
Manchester United have been installed as firm favourites for this weekend’s match at the Liberty Stadium but have looked less than impressive in their opening three games.
Club Brugge aside, United have looked poor up front and played out a lacklustre 0-0 draw at home to Newcastle United last time out. Swansea have earned rave reviews for their performances but they also slipped up in their last match, drawing 1-1 at struggling Sunderland.
But their recent form against United has been good, defeating the Red Devils home and away last season. Both teams will be looking to head into the international break on a high note but I think they will have to settle for a draw and this could be a good bet to add to your accumulator.
5. Stoke City v West Brom, under 1.5 goals (15/8)
Tony Pulis will take his West Brom side to his former home at the Britannia Stadium, with both sides still searching for their first Premier League win of the season.
Stoke have failed to win any of their first three league matches and West Brom have taken just one point from their opening games. Although in the Baggies’ defence, they have faced Manchester City and Chelsea and were unlucky not to nick a point of the latter.
West Brom prevailed 1-0 in their last encounter at The Hawthorns, snapping a five-match win-less run against Stoke. Both sides have only won three of their last twelve games in the Premier League and haven’t exactly set the world alight in front of goal, so I was tempted to go with a draw. But our preferred bet is that one side will emerge 1-0 winners.
Originally published Friday at 4pm