Matchday 4 continued to build intriguing storylines for several clubs in the 2018-19 Premier League. Manchester United continued their struggles against comparatively lowly teams after their thumping 4-0 win over Chelsea in the opening fixture.
Liverpool and Manchester City won their respective fixtures while the North London derby saw Arsenal and Tottenham share the spoils. Watford and Wolves remain the only side without a win so far in the league. The Hornets have moved quickly to replace their manager, with Quique Sanchez Flores returning to the Premier League.
Matchday 5 is the first gameweek in the 2019-20 season wherein we do not have a ‘Big Six’ matchup to look forward to. Still, there are compelling storylines in Manchester United’s home game against Leicester and Newcastle’s attempt to shock another ‘Big Six’ side away from home as they visit Liverpool.
There’s Watford hosting Arsenal in search of their first win while Crystal Palace look to be the next club to shave points off Tottenham. Norwich and Manchester City should play out an entertaining encounter at Carrow Road and Wolves will look to register their first win of the season as they host Chelsea.
Before we move on to the fourth matchday and the tips for the matches, let us look at how our tips for Matchday 4 fared.
Probables Result: 9/14 (Total: 34/56)
Total Buckshot Result: 3/3
Outside Chance Result: 1/7
Liverpool vs Newcastle
Much of the impending sense of gloom that surrounded Newcastle after the departure of Rafa Benitez has been lifted by the win over Tottenham. But, Steve Bruce will have another giant to face when they travel to Anfield to face Liverpool in a Saturday early kickoff.
Liverpool kept their first clean sheet of the season against Burnley. But, there are still questions on their defence so far, with the Reds allowing uncharacteristically more shots at goal than before. Newcastle will look to sit deep and absorb pressure while looking for odd chances to hit Liverpool.
Liverpool’s attack though, is the one that has bailed them out so far this season and is likely to come up trumps on Saturday again. Expect the home side to continue their perfect start to the 2019-20 Premier League season.
Probables:
1. Liverpool Clean Sheet – YES @ 1.66
2. Sadio Mane to score anytime @ 1.72
Outside Chance:
1. Under 1.5 Match Goals @ 5.50
Manchester United vs Leicester
One of the two teams come into the game undefeated in the Premier League so far; and interestingly, it is the away side that is yet to suffer a loss this season. Leicester have had a slow start to the season but have picked up pace. Manchester United in contrast, started with a bang but have since whimpered out, amassing just 2 points from the last 3 games.
Still, United are creating considerably high number of chances and letting fewer chances at goal than any other side in the Premier League so far. A bit of this is down to the individual errors at the back, including a lack of form that has been seen in David de Gea over the last year or so.
Up against a creatively driven side like Leicester, with many of the key stars on the sidelines, this will be a huge test for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The result might be too difficult to call because it will depend on either side’s finishing. But, the match should have goals on both ends.
Probables:
1. Both Teams to Score – YES @ 1.70
2. Marcus Rashford to score anytime @ 2.10
Outside Chance:
1. Leicester to win @ 4.00
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace
A match that looks one-sided, but only on paper. Tottenham have struggled to put away teams like Crystal Palace so far this season and have looked unconvincing overall. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are off to one of their best starts in recent years, sitting fourth on the table with 7 points from 4 games so far.
Defence has been the highlight for the away side, with Palace conceding just 2 goals so far, the fewest in the league at this point. Tottenham have already found it impossible to unlock Newcastle in 90 minutes and found it hard to get by Aston Villa before a late flurry of goals.
Palace could be in with a good chance of an upset in this all London fixture, especially with Tottenham conceding in all of their games so far.
Probables:
1. Tottenham Clean Sheet – NO @ 1.66
2. Over 2.5 Match Goals @ 1.61
Outside Chance:
1. Wilfried Zaha to score anytime @ 5.50
Wolves vs Chelsea
Chelsea have managed to surprise a lot of people with their bodacious style of play, in stark contrast to how they have played in recent years. But, that has also seen them leak a lot of goals at the back, which makes this an intriguing fixture. We saw last season just how dangerous Wolves can be when it is an open game.
Saturday might be Wolves’ day to open their account for wins in the 2019-20 Premier League. Expect a scoring game nonetheless.
Probables:
1. Both Teams to Score – YES @ 1.70
2. Over 2.5 Cards @ 1.57
Outside Chance:
1. Wolves to win @ 3.00
Norwich vs Manchester City
Aymeric Laporte’s injury will be a huge blow to Manchester City, especially with Pep Guardiola already having highlighted that they are thin at centre-back. With Laporte out, John Stones should partner Nicolas Otamendi at the back.
City though, have been on a tear upfront and with Norwich likely to play their own brand of football, like they did against Liverpool, we could have a goal fest on our hands on Saturday.
Probables:
1. Over 3.5 Match Goals @ 1.61
Outside Chance:
1. Teemu Pukki to score anytime @ 3.40
Watford vs Arsenal
This could go either way, honestly. Form tells us to side with Arsenal. But, teams often get a morale boost and a push when a new manager comes in. Watford’s squad is not ordinary by any means and could compete against the best of teams on their day. Something tells us Matchday 5 will be just that.
Expect Arsenal to score and the Gunners could run away with the game if they score in succession. But, we somehow envisage Watford to somehow snatch a point or maybe three. The odds though, are just too meaty to resist going for an Arsenal win.
Probables:
1. Arsenal to win @ 2.00
Outside Chance:
1. Arsenal Clean Sheet – YES @ 3.50
Miscellaneous Tips
All of Bournemouth’s matches have seen both the teams score so far and we should see the same happen against Everton on Sunday. Sheffield United could look to add more points in their early season form to aid their survival this season when they host Southampton. West Ham are on a roll and could inflict some more damage on Aston Villa as part of Monday Night Football.
Probables:
1. Bournemouth vs Everton – Both Teams to Score – YES @ 1.61
2. Richarlison to score anytime @ 2.40
Outside Chance:
1. Sheffield United vs Southampton – Full Time Result – Draw @ 3.20
