Weekend Premier League Tips: Expect goals in Stamford Bridge showdown

The Premier League season returns this weekend, with eight matches taking place across Saturday and Sunday. Here is our preview of five of them.

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

Kick-off: 12.30pm Saturday, TNT Sports

Arsenal won the Community Shield last weekend and they will now be looking to get their Premier League title bid off to a positive start. Nottingham Forest lost this fixture 5-0 last term, although they did beat Arsenal at the City Ground to secure survival in May.

However, Forest had the division’s worse away record in 2022/23 and they only managed to score 11 goals at opposition grounds. This should be a relatively comfortable start for the Gunners.

Prediction: Arsenal to win to nil at 2.04

Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

The cautious optimism that usually surrounds a promoted club is conspicuous by its absence at Bramall Lane. The Sheffield United team that starts this match may well be weaker than the one which ended last season.

Paul Heckingbottom is an astute coach, though, and he will set up his side to be hard to beat. Crystal Palace may find it tough to break United down, particularly without the injured Michael Olise and the departed Wilf Zaha. Goals could be in short supply here.

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals at 1.75

Newcastle United vs Aston Villa

Kick-off: 5.30pm Saturday, Sky Sports Main Event

Newcastle and Aston Villa are ambitious clubs who will be aiming to challenge towards the top of the league this season. This promises to be a fascinating game between two upwardly mobile teams.

Villa scored in all but two of Unai Emery’s 25 games at the helm in 2022/23, and they have bolstered their attack in the summer window. Meanwhile Newcastle will also fancy their chances of finding the net in front of their own fans at St James’ Park.

Prediction: Both teams to score at 1.8

Chelsea vs Liverpool

Kick-off: 4.30pm Sunday, Sky Sports Main Event

Chelsea were dealt a huge blow in the run-up to this fixture after it was revealed that Christopher Nkunku will be out for around four months with a knee injury. The Blues still have some talented attackers within the ranks, though, with new signing Nicolas Jackson set to be supported by Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk.

Liverpool also possess considerable firepower, so this is a game in which the forward lines are likely to come out on top.

Prediction: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 1.96

Recommended Bets

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest: Arsenal to win to nil at 2.04
Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace: Under 2.5 goals at 1.75
Newcastle vs Aston Villa: Both teams to score at 1.8
Chelsea vs Liverpool: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 1.96