Saturday Premier League predictions - best bets for the 3pm kick-offs

Aston Villa v Bournemouth

Only relegated pair Fulham and Huddersfield conceded as many away goals as Bournemouth (45) last season and the Cherries’ leaky defence should provide plenty of entertainment at Villa Park.

Eddie Howe’s men finished their 2018-19 road campaign with a 3-3 draw at Southampton before losing 5-3 at Crystal Palace and not enough has been done to address their defensive flaws.

They kickstarted the new season with a 1-1 stalemate at home to Sheffield United and that should offer Villa, who led Tottenham for 73 minutes in their opener in north London, plenty of encouragement.

Recommendation
Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals
1pt 21-20 bet365
Back this tip with bet365

Team news
Aston Villa
Douglas Luiz, Frederic Guilbert and Matt Targett may feature but Jonathan Kodjia is sidelined.

Bournemouth
Lloyd Kelly, David Brook, Dan Gosling, Simon Francis, Lewis Cook and Junior Stanislas are out.

Key stat
There were three or more goals in 13 of Bournemouth’s 19 away league games last season.

Brighton v West Ham

Brighton and West Ham made contrasting starts to the new Premier League campaign. The Seagulls sprung a 3-0 surprise at Watford, while the Londoners were on the end of a 5-0 tanking at home to Manchester City.

West Ham face a more realistic test on the south coast but they have questions to answer defensively and potential absentees in the final third leave them short of firepower, too.

Brighton, on the other hand, limited Watford to just three shots on target last weekend and they look better suited to Graham Potter’s more advanced approach.

Recommendation
Brighton
1pt 8-5 Betfred, Betway
Back this tip with bet365

Team news
Brighton
The Seagulls have no fresh injury concerns and Neil Maupay is pushing for a start.

West Ham
Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson are doubts while Mark Noble remains absent.

Key stat
Brighton are unbeaten against West Ham in four Premier League encounters, winning on three occasions.

Everton v Watford

Everton kept eight clean sheets in their final 11 Premier League games last season and it was much of the same at Selhurst Park last weekend as they held Crystal Palace to a goalless draw.

But with Idrissa Gueye a recent summer departure to PSG, Andre Gomes and Fabian Delph nursing knocks and Morgan Schneiderlin banned, Marco Silva faces a selection headache in midfield.

That could allow Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue the chance to control the tempo of the game from midfield and enhance Watford’s chances of avoiding defeat.

Recommendation
Watford or draw double chance
1pt 21-20 Ladbrokes
Back this tip with Hills

Team news
Everton
Andre Gomes a major doubt, Morgan Schneiderlin is suspended and Fabian Delph is sidelined.

Watford
Ismaila Sarr is not yet fit enough to feature but Danny Welbeck and Nathaniel Chalobah are available.

Key stat
Watford are unbeaten in three league meetings with Everton.

Norwich v Newcastle

There were positives to take from Norwich’s opening-day defeat to Liverpool at Anfield and Daniel Farke’s Canaries can build on their promise at home to Newcastle.

The Norfolk club were 4-0 down at the interval but fared far better after that – they narrowly lost the shot count 15-12 – and their never-say-die character was rewarded when Teemu Pukki grabbed a second-half consolation.

Norwich had an extraordinary habit of rescuing late points last season and their high-energy levels should eventually get the better of Newcastle, who are well-organised but lack sting in attack.

Recommendation
Norwich to win the second half
2pts 8-5 Betfair
Back this tip with bet365

Team news
Norwich
Onel Hernandez, Josip Drmic, Timm Klose and Christoph Zimmermann are out but Alex Tettey, Ibrahim Amadou and Mario Vrancic are all available.

Newcastle
Jonjo Shelvey is fit but Allan Saint-Maximin is a doubt.

Key stat
Norwich netted 31 of their 93 league goals last season after the 75th minute.

Southampton v Liverpool

Liverpool had to come from behind to get the better of Southampton at St Mary’s last season and Jurgen Klopp’s Reds may have to work hard for their rewards once again.

It has been a hectic start for Liverpool, who are already three games into their campaign having faced Manchester City in the Community Shield, hosted Norwich in the league and done battle with Chelsea in Wednesday’s Super Cup in Istanbul.

Klopp’s men conceded in each of those contests, looking less reliable at the back than last season, and with Alisson sidelined, Saints are fancied to get on the scoresheet.

Recommendation
Liverpool to win & both teams to score
1pt 2-1 general
Back this tip with bet365

Team news
Southampton
Skipper Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has recovered from illness, leaving the Saints with a fully-fit squad.

Liverpool
Alisson is out but second-choice keeper Adrian is hopeful of starting despite reports he was a doubt.

Key stat
Southampton scored in five of their home league meetings with big-six sides last season.

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