Premier League
Premier League weekend preview: Derby Day Delight
It’s derby day(s) in the Premier League! This weekend features three derbies across the country, with big implications at the top and the bottom of the table.
We preview all three fixtures below.
West Ham v Chelsea – Saturday 12:30
We start our derby weekend in London as East faces West at the London Stadium. West Ham seemed to have stopped the rot somewhat and are unbeaten in their last three games in all competitions – with the FA Cup providing some respite for their dire league form.
A commendable 1-1 draw against Newcastle in their most recent fixture was just their second point on the road in seven league games, a run that has seen them slowly gravitate towards the relegation zone. The hosts find themselves as 23/10 underdogs for this one – although Chelsea’s price of above Evens (5/4) suggests this will be far from a straightforward task for Graham Potter’s men.
A dour 0-0 draw against Fulham was not the homecoming Chelsea and their cavalry of new signings expected, although the general consensus is that Todd Boehly has purchased the ingredients but has yet to start cooking the meal. The result means the Blues have won a meagre two of their last 14 league games, with a top-four finish now proving to be increasingly out of reach for this star-studded squad.
Chelsea have seen under 2.5 goals in eight of their last nine league games, which can be backed at 4/6 for Saturday’s encounter, whilst a draw at 11/5 probably isn’t the worst punt possible either.
Choosing goalscorers is difficult given the low-scoring nature of both sides, but look out for Joao Felix, now available after his three-match suspension, as he attempts to be the spark that galvanises this Chelsea squad. The Portuguese midfielder is 29/10 to score anytime, with Kai Havertz (23/10) leading the market.
Crystal Palace v Brighton – Saturday 15:00
The second M23 derby of the season sees two sides on the opposite end of the form spectrum. Crystal Palace are now winless in five following their 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday, with the Eagles scoring just two goals since the start of 2023. Whilst a relegation scrap still seems unlikely, Patrick Viera will undoubtedly demand a better second half of the season from his side, who are certainly missing their usual spark in the absence of Wilfried Zaha. The South Londoners start as 27/10 outsiders for this one.
Brighton continue to fly high under Roberto de Zerbi, with Saturday’s late 1-0 win against Bournemouth tightening their grip on sixth place. The Seagulls are unbeaten in their last four league games away from home, scoring 12 goals in the process, making them one of the most potent teams on the road this season. Victory on Saturday is by no means a given, but they nonetheless seem quite generously priced at EVS to take all three points at Selhurst Park.
Japanese sensation Kaoru Mitoma has been in blistering form since the resumption of domestic football, scoring five goals in his last seven games in all competitions, and is a 19/10 punt to add to his tally against an injury-hit Palace backline. We especially like his price of 9/2 to be the last goalscorer of the game – a feat he’s achieved in each of his last two games.
Liverpool v Everton – Monday 20:00
Our weekend finishes under the lights at Anfield as Liverpool lock horns with fierce rivals Everton. This game would have perhaps been a procession for the hosts a few weeks ago, but their inability to shake off their dire post-World Cup form, alongside an outstanding result for Sean Dyche in his first game as Toffees boss, has suddenly ramped up the stakes for both sides.
Liverpool are winless in four league games – their worst run in what has been a rather forgetful season for the Reds – with last weekend’s dire 3-0 loss to Wolves meaning Jurgen Klopp’s men have conceded nine league goals since the start of 2023, scoring just one. They start as heavy 1/2 favourites to secure three points at the expense of their rivals on Monday night, but you feel Sean Dyche has something prepared for Klopp’s misfiring side.
Everton’s brilliant 1-0 win over Arsenal was their first victory in nine league games – their worst run since December 2021. Sean Dyche seems to have breathed new life into what was already a perfectly competent side. Avoiding the drop is by no means a certainty, but with so many teams failing to break free from the relegation zone, you feel they just need a few decent games to pull away from the pack. They start as 5/1 underdogs for a second win at Anfield in three attempts, with a draw priced at 10/3.
