Saturday’s Premier League Tips: Brentford ready to topple the Cherries

The Premier League returns this weekend with six huge clashes, including top-of-the-table battles and bona fide relegation scraps. Football expert Greg Lea provides his take on the action.

Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Liverpool and Brighton produced one of the games of the season when they met on October 1 as they shared the points after a 3-3 draw at Anfield. This promises to be another entertaining affair, especially as Liverpool regularly fail to convince defensively.

Brighton hit four goals past Everton in their last league outing, before thumping Middlesbrough 5-1 in the FA Cup. Expect another high-scoring encounter here.

Prediction: Over 3.5 goals @ 2.52

Everton v Southampton

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Southampton have had a good week as they progressed to the next rounds of the FA Cup and the EFL Cup at the expense of Crystal Palace and Manchester City respectively. Nathan Jones’ side will hope to carry that form into the Premier League as they remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

However, let’s not forget that Everton are in desperate need of points too. As a result, this could be a scrappy contest with both teams trying to stay tight at the back and under 2.5 goals could be the way to go.

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.81

Nottingham Forest v Leicester City

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Leicester belatedly kick-started their season with a 4-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest in the reverse fixture in October, but Brendan Rodgers’ side has hit another sticky patch of late. Four of their last five games have ended in defeat, while the sole exception was a narrow 1-0 triumph over Gillingham in the FA Cup.

Jamie Vardy: has scored just one goal in 18 Premier League appearances this year

Had the season started after that aforementioned 4-0 defeat by the Foxes, Forest would be 13th in the table. Unbeaten in their last five home games in the Premier League, I fancy Steve Cooper’s side to come out on top here at a nice price.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest to win @ 2.82

Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Wolves have made a promising start to life under Julen Lopetegui and have lost only one of their last six games in all competitions – even that was a slender 1-0 defeat by Manchester United. They remain in the bottom three but would climb above the dreaded dotted line with a win here.

Daniel Podence is Wolves’ new primary goal threat with two goals in his last three league appearances. It could be worth a punt on the Portuguese finding the net once againhere.

Prediction: Daniel Podence to score anytime @ 4.7

Brentford v Bournemouth

Kick-off: 5.30pm Saturday

Bournemouth were perhaps more desperate for the January transfer window to open than any other Premier League side. New owner Bill Foley has promised to spend some money this month as the Cherries look to arrest their recent slide down the table.

Since the World Cup, Bournemouth have lost three Premier League games on the bounce without scoring a goal. Meanwhile, Brentford are in good form – they have gone six top-flight matches unbeaten. This could be another tough night for Gary O’Neil’s side.

Prediction: Brentford to win to nil @ 2.76

Saturday’s Premier League Tips

Brighton v Liverpool: Over 3.5 goals @ 2.52
Everton v Southampton: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.81
Forest v Leicester: Forest to win @ 2.82
Wolves v West Ham: Daniel Podence to score anytime @ 4.7
Brentford v Bournemouth: Brentford to win to nil @ 2.76