After a promising start to the season, Bournemouth have careered down the table at an alarming rate, with four defeats and a draw their return from the last five games, conceding thirteen goals in the process. After the departures of Huijsen and Zabarnyi in the Summer, they have struggled to find a consistent centre back partnership, with 18 year old Serb Veljko Milosavljevic given a start in midweek.

Chelsea come to town after being outbattled at Elland Road on Wednesday night with a rotated side, but Enzo Marseca was keen to highlight the impact made by second half sub Pedro Neto, who scored and is quickly turn into The Blues most consistent and robust attacking player. He has five goals and two assists so far, with three goals and one assist in his last five Premier League games. Sunderland aside, all of Neto’s goals or assist have come against the bottom five teams, and whilst Bournemouth are currently 14th, they are 18th in the form table of the last five.

The bookmakers price Man City at 1.05 to score in this game, which translates to a 95% chance of the Citizens finding the net. Initially this seems a bit harsh on a Sunderland side who have conceded the third fewest goals in the Premier League this season, but it is easier to understand when you realise Pep Guardiola’s side have scored 15 goals in their last five games.

Phil Foden is the man in form, staking his claim for a key role in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, having scored a brace in his last two outings. He looks back to somewhere near his best levels, hit during the 2023/24 season. His tally of six league goal contributions is only three shy of the total he managed in a poor season last term. He has landed this bet in five of his eight starts at home this term.

The Toon Army are averaging two goals scored per game over their last five, and a visit from Burnley cannot be ignored as a chance for them to continue their scoring streak.

I am hoping Eddie Howe will be keeping faith with Harvey Barnes from the start, despite his blank on Tuesday coinciding with an Anthony Gordon penalty goal after replacing him. Barnes has scored four goals in his last five games, after having remain patient for his chance in the side. His scoring record has always been excellent, over the last three seasons he averages 0.47 goals per 90, but his issue has always been avoiding injury.

With Barnes in a good run of form, it makes sense for Eddie Howe to try and keep that going, and eek as much out of him as possible before fitness issues raise their head again.

This is perhaps a bit of a surprising one, but Spurs look an absolute mess at the back. They have conceded 15 goals in their last five games in all competitions, with at least two goals let in in each of them.

Having been only used from the bench in midweek, presumably the intention is to release Igor Thiago on Spurs’ shoddy defence on Saturday afternoon. The 24 year old Brazilian has five goals in his last five games, three of which have come from the penalty spot. He offers plenty to the Bees out of possession too, acting as the first line of defence and making the game a physical battle for defenders. It should be an interesting tussle between him and Argentinian centre back Cristian Romero.

Brentford have scored seven goals in their last five, and always seem to carry a threat, with the 7th best xG in the Premier League