Manchester City v Manchester United
🏟
Sunday 2nd October – 2:00PM KO
The blue and red of Manchester clash for the 51st time in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, with Manchester City looking to take home the bragging rights once again. In recent years it has been The Citizens who have picked up the points, winning 3 of the last 5 encounters (1D, 1L). But after picking up the Premier League Manager of the Month award, Erik Ten Haag will look to dissect Manchester City’s vicious attack and thwart any opportunities for Kevin De Bruyne to get on the ball and dictate the game.
As for United, captain Harry Maguire has been ruled out due to injury. The England international has looked shaky whenever he has started for The Red Devils, so United fans may not be too disappointed to see him missing from the starting line-up. United have conceded 8 goals so far this season, while scoring the same amount at the other end. Whereas their blue neighbours have averaged 4 goals per game this season with talisman Erling Haaland helping himself to 11 of Manchester City’s 23 goals. It seems an almost impossible task to keep the Norwegian at bay (Bournemouth the only side to do so this term).
After a disappointing start to the season, United have won their last 4 games pushing them into 5th place – 5 points behind their rivals, making this one a must win for Ten Haag’s men. This will be the Dutchman’s first taste of a Manchester derby and will look to become the first manager since Sir Alex Ferguson to be victorious in this fixture at the first time of asking.
United are currently averaging 1.33 goals conceded per game which isn’t going to reduce post Sunday, I struggle to see anything other than a Haaland win. Sorry… a Manchester City win.
⚽
Prediction: Manchester City to Win & Over 1.5 Goals, 1.50 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Leeds United v Aston Villa
🏟
Sunday 2nd October – 4:30PM KO
It’s been a long wait for Leeds fans to see their team back in Premier League action, a ball hasn’t been kicked since their 5-2 embarrassment at the hands of Brentford at the beginning of September, which saw manager Jesse March receive a touchline ban. This fixture will bring back bad memories for March after Villa were victorious in his first game in charge, winning 3-0 on the day.
Although, scoring 3 goals in a game is something Villa haven’t managed to do since beating, now relegated Burnley at the beginning of May. Steven Gerrard has been feeling the pressure recently but scraping a 1-0 victory over Southampton before the international break may have given him some extra time to turn Villa’s fortunes around.
A single point separates the two sides going into this one with both teams conceding 10 goals and only managing to keep 1 clean sheet each. Clearly defending is something both teams are struggling with at this moment in time. Leeds seemed more aggressive in the final third with an average of 1.83 chances created in comparison to Villa’s dismal 0.71. It doesn’t get much better for Villa fans, watching their side lose their last 4 Premier League games away from Villa Park.
A big boost for Leeds is the return of Spaniard Rodrigo who hit the ground running in the Premier League scoring 4 goals in 5 games before picking up an injury, he will look to push Leeds up the table starting with a victory on Sunday Afternoon.
The inconsistency of both sides makes this a hard one to decide, I slightly favour the home side given Villa’s inability to defend and poor away record. Although, Leeds high press could potentially give Villa opportunities on the counterattack with their fast attackers such as Watkins and Leon Bailey.
⚽
Prediction: Both Teams to Score, 1.60 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Leicester v Nottingham Forest
🏟
Monday 3rd October – 8:00PM KO
A huge clash at the King Power Stadium on Monday night, as Forest makes the short trip to Leicester. There’s a lot on the line in this East Midlands derby with both sides desperate to pick up all 3 points. The Foxes currently sit rock bottom of the table, having only picked up one solitary point thus far. Pressure is mounting on Brendan Rogers and he’s been installed as the Even money favourite for the next PL manager to be sacked.
Fresh from the international break, he will certainly be keen to get things back on track in this 6 pointer! In opposition, Forest arrive into this fixture in equally poor form themselves. They’ve now lost 4 on the bounce and are just one place above Leicester with three points more.
Although it’s been a disastrous start for Leicester City, one thing we’ve seen a trend in, is their ability to still find the back of the net. In 12 of their previous 13 matches in the Premier League they’ve been on the scoresheet and have also notched 4 in their last 2, both away from home. These are very encouraging numbers in relation to the pick of BTTS. I’m confident once more that the home side have the capability of scoring at least a goal in this encounter.
James Maddison is set to play a leading role once again and could be the key to unlocking the away sides defence. He currently has 3 goals and 1 assist to his name this campaign. Their opponents are yet to keep a clean sheet since their return to the top flight, so all things considered; I’m banking on Leicester scoring at least 1 goal.
Forest have been in poor form in recent weeks but have shown signs of promise in spells, especially in a goal scoring sense. Their inability to see out a win after gaining a lead has been their recent downfall. Nevertheless, all we are hoping for is for the away side to score at least once. Taiwo Awoniyi and Brennan Johnson have been the 2 men most prolific from what we’ve seen. The pair both have 2 goals apiece and will be hoping to add to their tallies in this fixture.
The fact that the Foxes have now conceded in 10 games in a row has enabled me to jump on this selection with strong belief it will land. The shaky Leicester defence has been a major issue, with 11 goals being shipped in the last 2. Forest can capitalise on this and I believe they’ll hit the onion bag within the 90 minutes.
Both teams will be looking to kick start their season and I’m expecting goals from either side with so much on the line in this derby game.
⚽
Prediction: Both Teams to Score, 1.62 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Written by an Andy verified content writer
18+ please gamble responsibly.
Back the Four and Five Star Selections as a Treble on Betfair ⬇️
🧾
Load the bet slip @ 3.88 on Betfair
*Bet link only appears when accessing from mobile.
Haven’t got a Betfair account? You’re in luck…
Sign up to Betfair and get a full refund if your first bet loses. Grab an account through the offer below and place £20 on the 3/1 Premier League Best Bets Treble. Here are the two possible outcomes:
✅
You win £78 cash if it wins
🔄
Or you get your £20 stake back as cash
