Premier League: Saturday’s Football Preview

Two contenders for the England number 1 jersey go head-to-head on Saturday, just one of a number of fascinating matchups across four televised Premier League matches.

Matthew Crist

Jordan Pickford will have a point to prove when he comes up against Burnley’s Nick Pope on Saturday lunchtime as Burnley welcome Everton to start almost 10 hours of live televised football.

Fulham will be looking for an unlikely away win double when they travel to the Etihad following their shock 2-1 win at Leicester on Monday night.

Meanwhile, David Moyes faces his old club to the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon, one of a few Premier League games able to admit spectators this weekend.

Last, but not least, Marcelo Bielsa squares off with adversary Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge in the latest installment of a rivalry brought about by the Leeds boss’s spying antics last year.

Burnley v Everton 12:30

Nick Pope

After winning their first four games, the Toffees have won one of their last six, and that was a rather unconvincing 3-2 victory over struggling Fulham as they head to face a Burnley side with just one win all season.

The Blues also have no clean sheets in their last nine league games after their 1-0 opening day win over Spurs, and, perhaps more worryingly, no Premier League clean sheets at Turf Moor ever.

Having finally got their season up and running with a win over Crystal Palace, Burnley suffered a fourth consecutive 5-0 hammering at Manchester City last weekend.

And the stats don’t make pleasant reading for Clarets fans ahead of this one as their club have attempted the fewest shots on goal (83), landed the fewest on target (24), and scored the fewest Premier League goals (four) this season – meaning Jordan Pickford might be in for a quieter afternoon than his rival for the England goalkeeper spot – Nick Pope.

BURNLEY WIN: 4.05
DRAW: 3.45
EVERTON WIN: 2.00

Man City v Fulham 15:00

Scott Parker Fulham

City have won nine straight league games over Fulham, averaging three goals per game, and conceding 0.33, meaning this, rather like their last game with Burnley, looks little more than a foregone conclusion.

After scoring in his first three games this season, Gabriel Jesus has failed to score in any of his next four and with Sergio Aguero approaching full fitness will be keen to stake his claim for a regular place against a side who have shipped goals for fun this season.

Despite their surprise win at Leicester on Monday night, Fulham are still in deep trouble and having already conceded the most goals in the Premier League this season (19) might just be looking to come away from the Etihad with their pride intact.

MAN CITY WIN: 1.12
DRAW: 10.00
FULHAM WIN: 20.00

West Ham v Man Utd 17:30

David Moyes may well feel entitled to feel slightly smug as he welcomes his former club to the London Stadium with West Ham above United in the table having scored more goals and conceded fewer this season.

But The Red Devils’ 3-2 win over Southampton means they have now claimed  75% of their points this season from losing positions, it also meant the Red Devils have won eight straight away games and 12 of 14 in all competitions.

Edinson Cavani has appeared for just 128 minutes in the Premier League so far, but has still registered three goals and an assist, meaning there will inevitably be calls for the Uruguayan to start on Saturday as the visitors look to enhance their reputation as kings of the road.

WEST HAM WIN: 3.60
DRAW: 3.10
MAN UTD WIN: 2.10

Chelsea v Leeds 20:00

Frank Lampard Chelsea

Marcelo Bielsa often got the better of Lampard during his Derby reign, winning both league matches they played with Lampard triumphing in the Championship play-offs and Lampard will be keen to get one over on the manager nominated for The Best FIFA Coach Award this week.

Much of Chelsea’s good recent form has been put down to new ‘keeper Edouard Mendy who has conceded just two goals in his last 13 matches for club and country, while Chelsea have the most Premier League clean sheets (five) this season.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have immediately acclimatised to life in the top-flight and have created more chances from open play (103) than any other side in the division, though, for all their creative flair, only Fulham (19) and West Brom (18) have conceded more goals this season.

CHELSEA WIN: 1.54
DRAW: 4.45
LEEDS WIN: 6.00

 

 

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