Saturday’s Premier League Tips: Limited goalmouth action expected at Chelsea

After a set of midweek FA Cup fixtures, the Premier League returns on Saturday as Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham are among the teams looking for a valuable three points. 

Arsenal v Bournemouth

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday 

Arsenal opened up a five-point lead at the summit of the standings when they thumped Everton 4-0 on Wednesday. It was an accomplished performance from the Gunners, who made a slow start before turning on the style when Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock in the 40th minute. 

Gabriel Martinelli scored twice against Sean Dyche’s side, having also netted the winner against Leicester City a few days earlier. The Brazilian was recently dropped from the starting XI, but he has responded to that decision brilliantly. Back Martinelli to maintain his fine form when Bournemouth visit the Emirates Stadium.

Prediction: Gabriel Martinelli anytime goalscorer @ 2.48 

Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

No team in the Premier League has a longer active winless streak than Crystal Palace, who have gone eight games without a victory. 

Patrick Viera: desperately seeking a victory for his Crystal Palace side

Despite that slump, Patrick Vieira’s side has only lost one of their last six top-flight matches - and that was a slender and respectable 2-1 defeat by high-flying Manchester United. 

Palace are proving hard to beat, but Aston Villa should succeed on Saturday. They have lost just once to a team below them in the table since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard in the dugout.

Prediction: Aston Villa to win @ 2.1

Brighton & Hove Albion v West Ham United 

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday 

West Ham’s miserable record at rival Premier League stadiums continued in midweek, as they went down 3-1 to Manchester United in the FA Cup. The Hammers have won once away from home in the top flight this term - and that victory came way back in August. 

Only Everton and Nottingham Forest have scored fewer goals on the road than the Hammers, who are just two points above the dreaded dotted line. This could be another frustrating trip for David Moyes’ men. 

Prediction: Brighton clean sheet @ 2.3

Chelsea v Leeds United 

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Graham Potter is clinging onto his job at Chelsea. The problems at the club are by no means entirely of the manager’s making, but it is increasingly hard to envisage a situation where Potter leads the Blues to long-term success. 

A defeat by Leeds could spell the end for the former Brighton boss, who must now be wondering whether he made a mistake in swapping the Amex Stadium for Stamford Bridge. 

Graham Potter: is facing pressure already due to a lack of disappointing results

Incredibly, 14 of Chelsea’s last 16 matches in all competitions have featured two goals or fewer, so that looks like a wise choice for the visit of Javi Gracia’s group. 

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.99

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday 

Tottenham seem incapable of building any sort of momentum. After back-to-back Premier League wins against West Ham United and Chelsea, confidence was growing in the Spurs camp as they prepared to take on Sheffield United in the FA Cup on Wednesday. 

However, a 1-0 defeat at Bramall Lane means this will be another season without silverware for the north Londoners unless they can upset the odds by plundering the Champions League.

Tottenham are slow starters: their last three games have been level at the interval. Wolves also regularly fail to find the back of the net, so there is unlikely to be much separating these teams after 45 minutes. 

Prediction: Draw at half-time @ 1.93 

Southampton v Leicester City 

Kick-off: 5.30pm Saturday 

Leicester’s miserable season continued in midweek as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Blackburn Rovers. There is now very little that Brendan Rodgers’ team can salvage from this campaign, but the Foxes still have something to play for: avoiding relegation to the Championship. 

Southampton are desperate for a victory and they will have earmarked this match as one in which they could feasibly come out on top. Leicester are better going forward than they are at the back, so attacks could win out here. 

Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @ 2.08 

Saturday’s Premier League Tips 

Arsenal v Bournemouth: Gabriel Martinelli anytime goalscorer @ 2.48
Aston Villa v Crystal Palace: Villa to win @ 2.1
Brighton v West Ham: Brighton clean sheet @ 2.3
Chelsea v Leeds: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.99
Wolves v Tottenham: Draw at half-time @ 1.93
Southampton v Leicester: Over 2.5 goals @ 2.08