Premier League Tips: Will tenacious Fulham pull off an upset against Spurs?

We have a bumper day of Premier League action in store on Saturday with 16 teams in action, including defending champions Manchester City and potential title challengers Tottenham Hotspur.

Here are Greg Lea's tips and picks for the games kicking off at 3pm or later.

Brentford v Leeds United

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Brentford are starting to make a habit of mounting comebacks. The Bees conceded the first goal for the fourth time this season against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night, before Yoane Wissa’s late leveller earned them a point at Selhurst Park.

With the notable exception of that stunning 4-0 thrashing of Manchester United, Brentford have started games slowly so far. With Leeds likely to be content to keep things tight early on at the Gtech Community Stadium, this match could be a slow burner.

Selection: Highest scoring half: second half @ 2.02

Chelsea v West Ham United

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Chelsea are in desperate need of a pick-me-up after a 2-1 defeat by Southampton on Tuesday left them mired in mid-table. It is still too early to draw conclusions from the Premier League standings, but anyone who has watched Chelsea play this season will have been able to decipher that all is not well at Stamford Bridge.

Raheem Sterling has been a rare bright spot up to now. The England international has scored Chelsea’s last three goals and is one of the only Blues players to be in good form so far this season. He can continue his scoring streak against West Ham.

Selection: Raheem Sterling to score anytime @ 2.88

Newcastle United v Crystal Palace

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Newcastle and Crystal Palace both suffered late heartbreak in the midweek round of fixtures. The Magpies conceded in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time to lose 2-1 to Liverpool, while Palace were pegged back in the closing stages by Brentford.

Both teams will be looking to get back on track here, but it is hard to ignore Newcastle’s superb home record throughout this calendar year: Eddie Howe’s side have won eight of their 11 Premier League encounters at St James’ Park so far.

Selection: Newcastle to win @ 2.12

Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Bournemouth ended a run of three consecutive defeats when they drew 0-0 with Wolves last time out. The Cherries are still searching for a permanent successor to Scott Parker, so caretaker boss Gary O’Neil will remain in charge for this weekend’s trip to the City Ground.

This is a crunch clash for both of the promoted sides, with Nottingham Forest needing to bounce back from a 6-0 shellacking by Manchester City on Wednesday. Home advantage could give Steve Cooper’s charges the edge.

Selection: Nottingham Forest to win @ 2.06

Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

A disappointing second-half performance from Tottenham allowed West Ham back into their game on Wednesday. Spurs could even have lost the London derby, with the Hammers creating the better chances after the break.

Fulham have shown themselves to be dogged opponents so far this term, and they could cause their city rivals one or two problems on Saturday. The Cottagers have scored in four of their first five matches, so goals at both ends would be a smart selection.

Selection: Both teams to score @ 1.89

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Southampton

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

A lack of cutting edge in the final third once again proved to be Wolves’ undoing on Wednesday, as they were held to a goalless draw by Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Bruno Lage is struggling to solve a problem that has plagued his team from the very start of his tenure.

Southampton will arrive at Molineux in confident mood after their defeat of Chelsea, and Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side could frustrate the hosts here. Do not expect a thriller, although the game could open up in the second half.

Selection: Under 0.5 goals first half @ 2.7

Aston Villa v Manchester City

Kick-off: 5.30pm Saturday

Nottingham Forest were Manchester City’s and Erling Haaland’s latest victims, with the Norwegian notching his second hat-trick in five days as the champions ran out 6-0 winners at the Etihad Stadium.

Confidence is in short supply at Villa Park right now, with Steven Gerrard starting to come under significant pressure after his team’s poor start to the campaign. City look set to inflict further misery on Villa in the late kick-off.  

Selection: Man City to score in both halves @ 1.95

Recommended bets

Brentford v Leeds: Highest scoring half: second half @ 2.02
Chelsea v West Ham: Sterling to score anytime @ 2.88
Newcastle v Crystal Palace: Newcastle to win @ 2.12
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth: Forest to win @ 2.06
Spurs v Fulham: Both teams to score @ 1.89
Wolves v Southampton: Under 0.5 goals in the first half @ 2.7
Aston Villa v Manchester City: City to score in both halves @ 1.95