'I think Liverpool will hammer Chelsea' – Henry Hardwicke takes a strong view in our Expert Jury

What’s your best bet for this weekend?

Aaron Ashley, Racing Post Sport: Plymouth look a tasty price at home to Wigan. It was a slow start to the League One season for the Pilgrims following relegation from the Championship but they have won three of their last four league fixtures, scoring four against Burton and Stockport and three at Luton. Wigan have taken only two points from five away games.

Warren Ashurst, Racing Post Sport: Notts County look a good price to beat Oldham at Meadow Lane in League Two. The two teams are level on points, but Martin Paterson’s men go into this clash unbeaten in their last five home games. Oldham won at bottom-club Cheltenham on their last away day, but prior to that they had scored just two goals in four away games.

Ivor Davies, Paddy Power: I rate Grimsby value away at Salford. Their underlying numbers on expected goals are excellent and they consistently exceed market expectations. Salford’s league position flatters them, while Grimsby’s trajectory is very much upward. On balance, Grimsby should probably be favourites so they appeal at the prices.

Henry Hardwicke, Racing Post Sport: It may come in the biggest match of the weekend, but I think Liverpool will hammer Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on tomorrow. The Blues are the most overrated team in the top flight and the west Londoners have won only two of their opening six Premier League games.

Who are the most vulnerable favourites?

AA: I’ll take on Cardiff at home to Leyton Orient. The Bluebirds have suffered back-to-back home league defeats to Bradford and Burton and they have had less time to prepare than opponents Orient, who need an upturn in form but are dangerous to underestimate given the quality they possess and the fact that they have scored ten goals in five games.

WA: Having watched their defeat at Brentford, Manchester United look very short against a Sunderland team who have already won at Nottingham Forest and drawn at Crystal Palace. The Black Cats have kept three clean sheets in their opening six matches and with United’s goalscoring issues, it could be another frustrating afternoon for Ruben Amorim.

ID: Manchester United look far too short against Sunderland. Ruben Amorim said himself their inconsistency makes them hard to trust and Sunderland arrive with freedom, having adapted well to Premier League demands. United are so unpredictable and Sunderland have the capacity to frustrate sides.

HH: I think Newcastle, Manchester City and Aston Villa are all runners, but I’d have to say Manchester United. The Red Devils needed a last-gasp penalty to down Burnley 3-2 in August and fellow promoted side Sunderland can make life difficult for Ruben Amorim’s struggling team.

Where’s the value in Chelsea vs Liverpool?

AA: I’d be happy to back Liverpool at around the 13-10 mark to bounce back. A lot has been made about their recent form but they have still won five of their six league games, which includes victories over Arsenal, Newcastle and Bournemouth. Chelsea have taken only one point from their last three league fixtures, they remain without talisman Cole Palmer.

WA: Alexander Isak to score. He is yet to score since his move to Anfield but he comes up against a Chelsea team who have looked unstable defensively and looks a decent price to open his account against the Blues. The Swede scored four goals in Newcastle’s last six games against Chelsea and the Reds’ record signing is 13-10 to score at Stamford Bridge.

ID: Chelsea at around 2-1 at home looks appealing. That price feels generous against a Liverpool side still settling with new signings. Both managers face pressure, but with home advantage and at the odds I’d rather side with Chelsea who look the stronger value play.

HH: I rate Liverpool as near certainties and I’ll be taking a punt on a wide-margin victory for the Reds. Perhaps Liverpool 3-0 and 3-1 can click in the correct-score market.

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Should Liverpool backers be concerned by their performances?

AA: You’d have a right to be concerned but the fact that they have 15 points on the board from six matches without being anywhere near their best could be ominous signs for the rest. The best teams find a way and, with new, big-money signings allowed time to find their feet, I doubt it will be long before they properly click into gear.

WA: Liverpool have the squad depth to change things around and find a solution to the problems. Arne Slot has already shown he can make key decisions and now looks the time to take Florian Wirtz out of the firing line. Ibrahima Konate is another who might need a break and Joe Gomez might get a run out over the next few weeks.

ID: There’s no need for panic, but caution feels wise. Two defeats on the spin, defensive errors and wasteful finishing have cast doubt, with critics questioning tactics and the impact of new signings. The next fixtures become crucial as either Liverpool bounce back quickly or this dip starts to look far more serious.

HH: I think Liverpool should be more concerned by Arsenal and Manchester City. Arne Slot’s men haven’t been completely convincing this season, but there should be plenty of improvement to come. However, the Reds face two serious title rivals.

Is Nuno the right appointment for West Ham?

AA: Yes. Given the starts that have been made by Leeds and Sunderland, a high points total could be required in order to secure survival and I expect his defensive-minded tactics to keep the Hammers up, which will now be the objective. They could be hard to beat in his favoured 4-2-3-1 system.

WA: He will steady the ship, but it’s whether the West Ham fans take to his style of football and accept it won’t always be pretty. Defensively they will be much more secure and they will look to hit teams on the break away from home. The London Stadium remains a problem though, when teams sit back and West Ham need to play on the front foot.

ID: Is anyone the right appointment for West Ham fans? He looks a logical appointment though, given his Premier League background and pragmatic, structured approach. His early choices show authority but potential problems down the line include an ill-suited squad and ongoing instability at board level.

HH: I’m not convinced. I think West Ham are in for a season of struggles and I doubt Nuno has the answers. Either way, the Hammers are still fielding the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Thomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos, which spells trouble.

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Published on 2 October 2025inSport

Last updated 15:55, 7 October 2025

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