Thursday's Premier League 3pm kick-offs - predictions, odds, team-news & tips

Free Premier League football tips for Thursday's 3pm matches: Aston Villa v Norwich City, Bournemouth v Arsenal, Chelsea v Southampton, Crystal Palace v West Ham, Everton v Burnley & Sheffield United v Watford.

Where to watch

Amazon Prime, 3pm Thursday

Best bets

Norwich draw no bet
2pts 7-5 general
Back this tip with Paddy PowerArsenal
1pt 21-20 Red Zone
Back this tip with William Hill
Chelsea & both teams to score
1pt 7-4 Coral
Back this tip with Coral
Under 2.5 goals in Crystal Palace v West Ham
1pt 10-11 bet365, Betfred
Back this tip with bet365
Everton
2pts 8-11 Betfair, BoyleSports, Sky Bet
Back this tip with Coral
Watford +0.5 on Asian handicap
1pt 26-25bet365
Back this tip with bet365

Aston Villa v Norwich

Team news

Aston Villa
John McGinn (ankle) has joined Tyrone Mings, Keinan Davis (both hamstring) and Jed Steer (Achilles) on the sidelines.

Norwich
Timm Klose, Ben Godfrey (both knee) and Josip Drmic (hamstring) are ruled out.

Verdict

Norwich have triumphed just once in 13 attempts since defeating Manchester City in September but they can breathe new life into their survival quest by winning at Villa Park.

The Canaries have been starting games on the front foot and have scored the opening goal in five of their last six matches.

Holding on to leads has been a major problem but they may have better luck against Aston Villa, who are on a miserable run.

The Villans have lost seven of their last nine games and look light in midfield with John McGinn injured.

Key stat

Aston Villa have kept one clean sheet in their last 13 league matches.

Bournemouth v Arsenal

Team news

Bournemouth
Diego Rico is banned and Harry Wilson (thigh), Arnaud Danjuma (foot), David Brooks and Adam Smith (both ankle), Nathan Ake and Lloyd Kelly (both hamstring), Steve Cook (hand) and Charlie Daniels (knee) are sidelined. Ryan Fraser (knock) and Simon Francis (head) will be assessed.

Arsenal
Calum Chambers serves a one-match suspension and Kieran Tierney (shoulder) misses out but Dani Ceballos (hamstring) has returned to training. Mesut Ozil missed out at Everton but has trained. Gabriel Martinelli (hamstring) is a doubt.

Verdict

Mikel Arteta has a huge task ahead of him but can get his managerial career off to the perfect start by steering Arsenal to victory at injury-hit Bournemouth.

The Gunners are having a miserable campaign and are 14 points worse off than they were at the same stage of last season.

But Arteta's arrival may lift some of the players, who have lacked leadership in recent weeks.

Addressing Arsenal's problems will take time but Arteta's side may not have to be spectacular to beat the Cherries, who have lost six of their last seven games.

Key stat

Bournemouth have lost six of their last seven fixtures.

Chelsea v Southampton

Team news

Chelsea
Mateo Kovacic is suspended and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles) is out. Cesar Azpilicueta will be monitored after being withdrawn during the 2-0 win at Tottenham.

Southampton
Yan Valery remains sidelines and Moussa Djenepo and Kevin Danso are injury doubts.

Verdict

Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 victory over out-of-sorts Tottenham on Sunday but they may have to work harder against Southampton, who have shown improvement in recent weeks.

Danny Ings has been starring for Saints and was on target in the 3-1 victory at Aston Villa on Saturday which lifted them out of the relegation zone.

Ings could add to his seasonal tally of 11 league goals against a suspect Blues defence but Saints may suffer at the other end, allowing Chelsea to chalk up back-to-back wins for the first time since October.

Key stat

Chelsea have kept one clean sheet in their last seven home games.

Crystal Palace v West Ham

Team news

Crystal Palace
Mamadou Sakho is available after suspension but Scott Dann, Joel Ward, Gary Cahill, Andros Townsend and Jeffrey Schlupp have been ruled out.

West Ham
Late checks will be made on goalkeepers Lukasz Fabianski and David Martin (both hip). Sergio Roberto stands by to deputise. Ryan Fredericks is suspended. Manuel Lanzini (fractured collarbone) and Felipe Anderson (illness) could return but Jack Wilshere (groin) is out.

Verdict

Crystal Palace remain competitive despite the absences of several injured players and they may prioritise substance over style when facing West Ham at Selhurst Park.

Eagles manager Roy Hodgson knows how to organise a defence and his team have conceded just 20 league goals.

The downside is that Palace have scored just 15 goals and they may struggle to break down West Ham, who defended diligently to win 1-0 at Southampton last time out.

A tight match is in store and under 2.5 goals looks a solid wager.

Key stat

Nine of Crystal Palace's last ten home matches have featured fewer than three goals.

Everton v Burnley

Team news

Everton
Alex Iwobi suffered a hamstring injury at the weekend. Jean-Philippe Gbamin (hamstring) and Andre Gomes (ankle) are long-term absentees and Morgan Schneiderlin and Theo Walcott (both calf) are doubts.

Burnley
Jeff Hendrick is suspended but Johann Berg Gudmundsson (hamstring) could return. Aaron Lennon (illness) is a doubt and Ben Gibson (groin) is out.

Verdict

Everton have looked a much-improved side during Duncan Ferguson's short spell as interim manager and they can make a winning start under Carlo Ancelotti.

The Toffees cannot expect an easy ride from Burnley, who will relish the opportunity to spoil the party, but a lively atmosphere is guaranteed and the home side should respond to the challenge.

Everton have worked a lot harder in recent weeks and have gone four matches without defeat.

If they can match Burnley's application their extra quality should shine through.

Key stat

Burnley have won just two of their last 11 away fixtures.

Sheffield United v Watford

Team news

Sheffield United
John Fleck is available after suspension and no fresh injuries are reported.

Watford
Abdoulaye Doucoure serves a one-game ban and Danny Welbeck (thigh), Tom Cleverley (calf), Sebastian Prodl, Daryl Janmaat (both knee) and Jose Holebas (ankle) are out.

Verdict

Watford are at the foot of table but they have not played like relegation certainties in recent games and can take at least a point from Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

The Blades are having a fantastic season and have won their last three games, propelling them to fifth in the table.

Chris Wilder's side are probably three wins away from securing their top-flight status and they can afford to play with freedom.

However, they may struggle to justify favourites status against the improving Hornets, who are scrapping for their lives.

Key stat

Sheffield United have failed to score in their last four games against Watford.

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