Premier League Tips: Mighty Mitrovic might manhandle Forest defenders

The Premier League returns after a week off with an unusual Friday double-header that involves two former European champions. Here is how Greg Lea sees the matches playing out.

Aston Villa v Southampton

Kick-off: 8pm Friday

A hard-fought draw against Manchester City a fortnight ago might have eased some of the pressure on Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard, but now his side has to build on that potentially momentum-shifting result. 

Gerrard’s team head into the weekend in 17th place after winning just one of their first six matches. Given that they went into the season with European ambitions, Villa need to start climbing the table soon.

There were certainly positives from their avoidance of defeat against the Premier League champions, but facing City is a very different proposition to taking on Southampton. Villa will be compelled to play on the front foot in this game, whereas they could get away with adopting a reactive game plan against Pep Guardiola’s team.

Villa will have benefitted from extra training time over the last week, especially as Gerrard has yet to settle on a favoured line-up and system. Southampton can blow hot and cold and were disappointing in a 1-0 loss to Wolves in their last game, a result which meant they have lost seven of their last 10 away games in the Premier League and drawn two of the other three. 

Friday’s match represents an opportunity for Villa to kick-start their season. Do not expect a particularly eventful first half, though. This contest could be tight and cagey in the opening stages and only open up as time wears on. Villa have not scored a first-half goal in any of their last three outings, while the Saints have not done so away from home since the opening weekend.

Selections: Aston Villa to win @ 2.16, Second half highest-scoring @ 2.04

Nottingham Forest v Fulham

Kick-off: 8pm Friday

With nearby cricket ground Trent Bridge due to host the final of the One-Day Cup on Saturday, Nottingham Forest’s meeting with Fulham was brought forward to Friday night.

This is a meeting between two promoted teams who have made contrasting starts to the new campaign. Nottingham Forest have found things tough so far, potentially due to their record-breaking 22 summer additions.

Steve Cooper’s side threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Bournemouth in their last fixture, and now, even at this early stage of the season, Forest are under a degree of pressure to pick up their second win this term.

Meanwhile, Fulham will be delighted with how they have begun. The Championship champions held Liverpool to a 3-3 draw on matchday one and have not looked back since. Even their two defeats at the hands of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur came by slender margins. 

Fulham and Nottingham Forest have conceded 23 goals between them in 12 combined games, so this fixture should provide plenty of action. Over 2.5 looks the way to go for your first selection.

Aleksandar Mitrovic has continued his fine goalscoring form with six goals in as many matches - only Erling Haaland has more. Mitrovic has drawn a blank in just one game to date, and I fancy his chances of netting again against Forest, just as he did twice in this fixture last season. 

Selections: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.94, Aleksandar Mitrovic to score anytime @ 1.99

Recommended trades

Aston Villa v Southampton: Aston Villa to win @ 2.16
Aston Villa v Southampton: Second half higher scoring @ 2.04
Nottingham Forest v Fulham: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.94
Nottingham Forest v Fulham: Aleksandar Mitrovic to score anytime @ 1.99