Premier League Tips: Greg Lea predicts first Leicester win, Arsenal to roll on

Matchweek three of the 2022/23 Premier League season is upon us and there are several intriguing and enticing matches for trading purposes. Football writer Greg Lea provides five Saturday selections.

Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Crystal Palace got off the mark for the season on Monday night by holding Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Anfield. Patrick Vieira went with a three-man backline and a counter-attacking approach, but we can expect a more proactive gameplan at Selhust Park this weekend.

Palace are a tough nut to crack in front of their own fans - only Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool lost fewer matches at home last term - and Aston Villa still looked unconvincing in their 2-1 victory over Everton. This is a good opportunity for Palace to pick up their first win of the campaign.

Selection: Crystal Palace to win @ 2.6

Everton vs Nottingham Forest

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Nottingham Forest marked their first Premier League home game in 23 years with a win last Sunday. They rode their luck at times against West Ham, but that result will give Steve Cooper and his players confidence for what lies ahead.

Everton have suffered back-to-back defeats and are beginning to face up to the possibility of another relegation battle. It is too early to say definitively that the Toffees will struggle this season, but their lack of firepower without Dominic Calvert-Lewin is cause for concern. Expect a low-scoring affair at Goodison Park.

Selection: Under 0.5 first-half goals @ 2.72

Fulham vs Brentford

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Fulham will be reasonably pleased with their start to the season, but manager Marco Silva will have earmarked this West London derby as a chance to pick up all three points for the first time. Of course, Brentford will also be confident off the back of their 4-0 destruction of Manchester United on matchday two.

Positive mindsets could produce an entertaining encounter between two clubs whose rivalry has grown stronger in recent years. Goals at both ends is a distinct possibility in this one.

Selection: Both teams to score @ 1.78

Leicester City vs Southampton

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

After an underwhelming season in 2021/22 and a quiet summer in the transfer market, the mood at the King Power Stadium has turned somewhat pessimistic. Brendan Rodgers tried to take the positives from his team’s performance against Arsenal last time out, but, if anything, a 4-2 defeat flattered his side.

Southampton have also had a tricky start to the campaign, although they showed character to rescue a point against Leeds from two goals down last weekend. This feels like a game that Leicester need to win, and their superior attacking quality should help them to do so.

Selection: Leicester to win @ 1.89

Bournemouth vs Arsenal

Kick-off: 5.30pm Saturday

Arsenal were excellent in their victory over Leicester and the kindness of the fixture computer means they may well be top of the table by the end of the month. Winnable home games against Fulham and Aston Villa loom on the horizon, but first Mikel Arteta’s men must beat Bournemouth on the road.

The Cherries are favourites for relegation, but they showed that they can be competitive at this level with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa. Even so, Scott Parker’s side will struggle to deal with Arsenal’s fluid frontline, while they will also find it difficult to breach a defensive unit that looks solid with William Saliba’s inclusion.

Selection: Arsenal to win to nil @ 2.24

Recommended trades

Back Crystal Palace to win @ 2.6
Back Everton-Forest under 0.5 first-half goals @ 2.72
Back Fulham-Brentford Both teams to score @ 1.78
Back Leicester to win @ 1.89
Back Arsenal to win to nil @ 2.24