Saturday’s Premier League Tips: Southampton can cause a shock result

Football expert Greg Lea pinpoints the best Premier League bets on Saturday as league leaders Arsenal and nearest challengers Manchester City are back in action. 

Everton v Aston Villa

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Everton boosted their survival chances with recent victories over Arsenal and Leeds United at Goodison Park. Home form will be vital to their hopes of staying up, and another win in front of their own fans this weekend would see Sean Dyche’s team pull further clear of the drop zone.

Aston Villa have lost three games on the bounce and this will be another tough assignment for Unai Emery and co. 

Prediction: Everton to win @ 2.64

Leeds United v Southampton 

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday 

Leeds have appointed Javi Gracia as their new manager, but the former Watford head coach has had very little time to work with his new players ahead of this fixture. As for Southampton, they have now handed the reins to Ruben Selles until the end of the campaign after an impressive 1-0 triumph over Chelsea last time out.

Leeds have gone 10 matches without a victory in the Premier League, which makes the odds on an away win look very attractive indeed.

Prediction: Southampton to win @ 4.1

Leicester City v Arsenal

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday 

Arsenal have the chance to move five points clear at the summit of the standings - at least temporarily - when they take on Leicester. It can be difficult to predict the outcome of matches involving Brendan Rodgers’ side, who have been inconsistent all season long.

Arsenal are still without star striker Gabriel Jesus

Leicester games tend to be high-scoring, though, and Arsenal’s attackers will be afforded plenty of space in which to operate. This promises to be an entertaining encounter in the East Midlands. 

Prediction: Both teams to score and Over 2.5 goals @ 1.92

West Ham United v Nottingham Forest 

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

A 2-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur last weekend means West Ham head into this crunch clash at the London Stadium inside the relegation zone. David Moyes is under pressure again, and a negative result on Saturday could spell the end of his tenure.

Nottingham Forest have pulled clear of the bottom three in recent weeks, but they have a poor away record: Steve Cooper’s side has only scored three goals on the road all season. Opt for a West Ham clean sheet.

Prediction: West Ham clean sheet @ 2.16 

Bournemouth v Manchester City

Kick-off: 5.30pm Saturday

After back-to-back 1-1 draws with Nottingham Forest and RB Leipzig, Manchester City will be looking to return to winning ways on the south coast. If Arsenal overcome Leicester earlier on Saturday, it will be vital that Pep Guardiola’s men come out on top here.

Pep Guardiola: needs his team to secure three points on Saturday

Bournemouth beat Wolves 1-0 last weekend, but this will be a tricky encounter for a team that has gone three home games without a win. I anticipate a reasonably comfortable evening for the champions.

Prediction: Man City/Man City half-time/full-time result @ 1.92

Crystal Palace v Liverpool

Kick-off: 7.45pm Saturday

The mood at Liverpool is gloomy again after that remarkable 5-2 shellacking by Real Madrid in midweek. It will be tough for the Reds to get that defeat out of their system, but it is important that they quickly recover for the sake of their top-four bid.

Crystal Palace are on a seven-match winless streak, yet they have drawn four of their last five games. With Liverpool’s defence in disarray, the home team could have some joy. 

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.85

Saturday’s Premier League Tips 

Everton v Villa: Everton to win @ 2.64
Leeds v Southampton: Southampton to win @ 4.1
Leicester v Arsenal: Both teams to score and Over 2.5 goals @ 1.92
West Ham v Forest: West Ham clean sheet @ 2.16
Bournemouth v Man City: Man City/Man City half-time/full-time result @ 1.92
Palace v Liverpool: Both teams to score @ 1.85