Saturday’s Premier League Tips: Liverpool can add another win to their tally

Football expert Greg Lea previews all five Premier League matches scheduled to take place on Saturday, starting with an early kick-off between mid-table Fulham and relegation-threatened Leeds. 

Fulham v Leeds United

Kick-off: 12.30pm Saturday

Leeds have not had a good couple of weeks. Back-to-back home thrashings by Crystal Palace (1-5) and Liverpool (1-6) have left Javi Gracia’s men just two points above the bottom three. Leeds have conceded the most goals in the division this season, and their supporters are beginning to worry about the threat of relegation.

Aleksander Mitrovic: Fulham's star striker remains out due to suspension

Fulham have no such concerns and they will be able to play with a degree of freedom for the remainder of the campaign. Marco Silva’s men remain without the suspended Aleksandar Mitrovic, but they should still be able to take advantage of a fragile Leeds backline.

Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.92

Brentford v Aston Villa 

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Aston Villa are in magnificent form, fuelling talk of an unlikely challenge for the top four. The Champions League will probably be out of reach, but there is no reason why Unai Emery’s squad can’t qualify for next season’s edition of the Europa League - a competition their manager has a fantastic record in.

Brentford have tailed off a little in recent weeks and have suffered defeat in each of their last three games. They remain a tough nut to crack on home turf, but an in-form Villa side can march on in west London.

Prediction: Aston Villa to win @ 2.9

Crystal Palace v Everton 

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday 

Crystal Palace are out of relegation trouble after a sensational run of three consecutive wins under the returning Roy Hodgson. The 75-year-old’s appointment looked like a strange choice, but Steve Parish has been entirely vindicated following victories over Leicester City, Leeds and Southampton. 

Everton, conversely, are struggling to pull clear of the drop zone, and their away form remains cause for concern. Palace will play on the front foot on Saturday and Everton must ensure they also carry a threat in the final third. 

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 2.14 

Leicester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers 

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Dean Smith will have spent the last few days telling his Leicester players that their season starts here. A 3-1 defeat by Manchester City in his first game at the helm was roughly par for the course, but the Foxes cannot afford to pass up opportunities like this one. 

Remarkably, Leicester have not kept a single clean sheet since before the World Cup. Wolves should therefore get plenty of joy up against the hosts’ back four, but the attacking talent at Smith’s disposal means Leicester will probably find the net too.

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.92 

Liverpool v Nottingham Forest

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Liverpool have suffered from numerous false dawns this term, but their display in a 6-1 shellacking of Leeds on Monday was undoubtedly impressive. Jurgen Klopp’s side was back to its electric best in attack, albeit thanks to a large helping hand from their opponents.

Diogo Jota scored twice at Elland Road and was probably his team’s standout player on the day. The Portugal international looks to have regained full match sharpness and he will fancy his chances of scoring at least one more against Nottingham Forest, the team with the worst away record in the division. 

Prediction: Diogo Jota anytime goalscorer @ 1.99

Saturday’s Premier League Tips

Fulham v Leeds: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.92
Brentford v Aston Villa: Aston Villa to win @ 2.9
Crystal Palace v Everton: Both teams to score @ 2.14
Leicester v Wolves: Both teams to score @ 1.92
Liverpool v Nottingham Forest: Diogo Jota anytime goalscorer @ 1.99