Premier League: Tips for six Saturday games in match week eight

The Premier League returns with a bumper fixture list on Saturday – here is how Greg Lea sees the action playing out in match week eight.

Bournemouth v Brentford

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Caretaker boss Gary O’Neil remains in charge of Bournemouth, who were unable to bring in a permanent successor to Scott Parker over the international break. A positive result here could be enough to land the job permanently for O’Neil, who has importantly made the Cherries harder to beat. 

Bournemouth’s improved defensive solidity will be tested by Brentford, who have been outscored by only Liverpool, Manchester City and Spurs so far. Goals at both ends is my pick in this one.

Selection: Both teams to score @ 1.9

Crystal Palace v Chelsea

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Graham Potter will take charge of his first Premier League game as Chelsea manager against Crystal Palace, the arch-rivals of his former club Brighton. His debut in the Blues dugout ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw with Red Bull Salzburg, but he has had more time to work with his new charges since and that should result in an improved display here.

Palace have only won one match so far this season, although it should be noted that the fixture computer handed them a tough start. Nevertheless, another defeat beckons for Patrick Vieira’s men.

Selection: Chelsea to win @ 1.9

Fulham v Newcastle United

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Fulham fans will be delighted with the way their team have begun this campaign. Both on the pitch and off it, the Cottagers have clearly learned lessons from their two most recent attempts to stay in the Premier League.

Fulham have won the games they would hope to win, including a West London derby against Brentford and the trip to Nottingham Forest last time out. Aleksandar Mitrovic has starred with six goals so far (only Erling Haaland has netted more in the Premier League) and he will be raring to go against Newcastle, his former club.

Selection: Aleksandar Mitrovic to score anytime @ 2.46

Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Liverpool and Brighton are two of the six Premier League teams who have had four weeks off after back-to-back postponements before the international break. Jurgen Klopp will have welcomed the additional time to work with his players on the training pitch, while Brighton made use of the layoff by finalising the appointment of new manager Roberto De Zerbi.

The Italian inherits a team full of confidence after a bright start and they have the quality to cause Liverpool problems, especially as the Reds’ back line has looked far from convincing to date. Ultimately, though, Klopp’s team should prove too strong.

Selection: Liverpool to win and both teams to score @ 2.94

Southampton v Everton

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Everton finally picked up their first win of the season as Neal Maupay’s second-half strike earned them a 1-0 victory over West Ham. Although Frank Lampard has made his team tougher to beat this term, they are struggling to score goals - only the Hammers and Wolves have made the net bulge on fewer occasions.

Southampton have not exactly been free-scoring either, having drawn a blank in three of their last four outings. This clash is unlikely to be the neutral’s choice on Saturday afternoon.

Selection: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.8

West Ham United v Wolves

Kick-off: 5.30pm Saturday

Another encounter liable to be more like a chess match than a football game for a lack of goalmouth action, West Ham v Wolves is a meeting of the two lowest scorers in the Premier League. These teams have notched just three goals each up to now, which works out at less than 0.5 per game on average.

Since neither side expected to be in such a lowly position in the table, this looks set to be a cagey affair. The game might not open up until after the break, and tipping a goalless first half appears a wise selection.

Selection: 0-0 at half-time @ 2.66

Recommended Premier League match week eight trades

Bournemouth v Brentford: Both teams to score at 1.9
Palace v Chelsea: Chelsea to win at 1.9
Fulham v Newcastle: Aleksandar Mitrovic to score anytime at 2.46
Liverpool v Brighton: Liverpool to win and both teams to score at 2.94
Southampton v Everton: Under 2.5 goals at 1.8
West Ham v Wolves: 0-0 at half-time at 2.66