It’s Matchweek 5 in the English Premier League, so that means it’s time for our weekly EPL betting round-up The Big Kick Off.
The Premier League action starts a little earlier this week, with Newcastle United taking on Leeds United live on live TV this Friday night.
With rumours that Steve Bruce is set to be shown the St James’ Park door starting to circulate on social media on Thursday, could defeat in this fixture be the last time the native Geordie leads his boyhood club?
Anyway, before getting onto this weekend’s football fixtures in more detail, let’s have a quick look at something that doesn’t affect Steve Bruce and Newcastle in any way.
Yes, the Premier League winner betting market!
Premier League Betting Odds Ahead of Matchweek 5
- Man City 11/10
- Chelsea 5/2
- Liverpool 9/2
- Man Utd 7/1
- Spurs 90/1
- Everton 200/1
- West Ham 225/1
- Leicester 250/1
- Arsenal 250/1
At the top of the pile, there is no real change from last weekend.
Prior to beating Leicester 1-0 at the KP Stadium, Man City was Even money favourites, they are 11/10 favourites!
As for Chelsea, they are still second favourites at odds of 5/2 – just as they were last weekend.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool come next. Before Matchweek 4 they were 5/1, they are now slightly shorter at 9/2.
The final team in the betting given a realistic chance by the bookmakers is Manchester United. Before thrashing the hapless Newcastle 4-1, Man Utd were 15/2, they are now 7/1.
So all in all, no real changes there.
So what about Matchweek 5, well let us take a look.
Premier League Matchweek 5 Fixtures
- Newcastle v Leeds – Fri
- Wolves v Brentford – Sat
- Burnley v Arsenal – Sat
- Liverpool v Crystal Palace – Sat
- Man City v Southampton – Sat
- Norwich v Watford – Sat
- Aston Villa v Everton – Sat
- Brighton v Leicester – Sun
- West Ham v Man Utd – Sun
- Tottenham v Chelsea – Sun
Starting at St James’ Park on Friday night, and this is a tricky one to call.
Neither side has won yet this season, although Leeds has had a difficult start to the season fixture-wise.
Could be a draw, but I’m expecting Leeds may well further heap misery on Steve Bruce and Newcastle.
Saturday’s Matchweek 5 Premier League Fixtures
The lunch-time fixture on Saturday sees Wolves host Brentford, and finally, last weekend Wolves got that elusive win.
Results haven’t been matching performances for the men from Molineux, so the 3 points picked up away at Watford last weekend were well overdue.
Another win against a Brentford side who suffered their first defeat (1-0 at home to Brighton) last Saturday will see Wolves heading towards the sanity of mid-table.
Burnley host Arsenal at Turf Moor in one of Saturday’s four 3pm fixtures. Although this looks like another tricky match for Arsenal, I expect them to pick up another 3 points here.
Two of the main contenders for the Premier League both also kick off at 3pm this weekend.
Liverpool host Crystal Palace at Anfield, while Man City welcome Southampton to the Etihad.
Upsets happen every weekend in football, and they are hard to predict. So with this in mind, I predict no upsets and comfortable wins for both Jurgen and Pep.
Next on Saturday, we have Norwich v Watford, two of last season’s promoted sides. Could this be the first point(s) of the season for the Canaries? Well, it certainly represents a good chance!
Watford has lost three on the bounce since their opening day win over Aston Villa. Last weekend’s defeat to Wolves would have been hard to take, as that is the sort of match the Hornets need to win if they are to have any chance of staying up.
I expect a close encounter in this match, but with home advantage, I’m going for a Norwich win.
Saturday’s final match sees in form Everton visiting the Midlands to face Dean Smith’s Aston Villa side.
Villa has had a stuttering start to the season and sits 12th on 4 points. They’re 4 points have all come at Villa Park, and this is where I think the key to this match is.
As for Everton, they’ve had a more than impressive start to the season. The Toffees currently sit in fourth place unbeaten on 10 points.
Villa has their quarantined players back, but there has been no decision made whether Martinez and Buendia are to play. Everton has no Calvert-Lewin.
Home advantage counts again with fans back in the ground. And I think that will play a factor in this match, and I’m backing Villa to pick up the 3 points.
Sunday’s Fixtures
Moving onto Sunday’s fixtures, and at 2pm it’s Brighton v Leicester, and West Ham v Man Utd.
A lot of people seem to be writing Leicester off at the moment, and it’s true they’ve had a sticky start to the season.
I have a sneaky feeling for the Foxes this Sunday, and I’m taking Leicester to beat Brighton.
The Seagulls haven’t really played anybody of any note this season. And when they did face a toughish fixture, they lost it 2-0 at home to Everton.
Moving on to the London Stadium, and West Ham v Man Utd.
Mixed fortunes in Europe for these two, with West Ham winning their Europa League tie, and Manchester losing their Champions League match.
The Premier League is a different kettle of fish for Ole and his Red Devils though. Where they struggle in Europe, they don’t in the Premier League.
I expect Manchester United to bounce back with a win.
Finally the fixture of the weekend. If only we knew which Spurs are planning to turn up this weekend?
The one that beat Manchester City at the start of the season? Or the one that was a shambles against Crystal Palace last time out?
Either way, I honestly don’t think it matters. Chelsea has looked the part this season, and I expect the Blues to leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with another 3 points on Sunday.
Whatever you are betting on this weekend, please remember to gamble sensibly, and only bet what you can afford!
This article is written by Dean Etheridge, you can check out his website for more football betting tips and news.