Expert Premier League predictions from Mark Langdon: Have a party at the Palace

Ronald Koeman has been downplaying Barcelona's potential all season long and they have still failed to hit his meagre expectations.

"We all know what the problem is," Koeman said earlier this week, setting up the gag nicely for a reply of "yeah, you", and the Dutchman is basically a dead man walking with the club expected to replace him during the international break.

It has been a difficult summer for the cash-strapped Catalans, losing Lionel Messi on the eve of the season, and he was followed out of the door by Antoine Griezmann, who went on loan to Atletico at the last minute. But Koeman's insistence that Barca are not very good is part of his downfall.

You can't bring that attitude to the club and it's also doing a disservice to a team capable of so much more, if only they had a coach with the talent to bring it out.

Even allowing for the injuries to Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Aguero, Barca have a world-class goalkeeper in Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Sergino Dest is a right-back of big potential and experienced defenders Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba and Clement Lenglet should not be made to look like a rabble.

Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri make up a midfield of massive talent and most managers would love to have Philippe Coutinho and Ansu Fati either side of Memphis Depay.

Barca should not be getting turned over 3-0 by Benfica and they should not be slinging in 45 crosses from open play during a 1-1 draw with Granada. They can play good football without Messi, it's just the coach is hopelessly out of his depth trying to lump balls up to Luuk de Jong rather than playing through Frenkie and friends.

The reported Barca managerial shortlist - Xavi, Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Martinez - is, to put it kindly, brave. However, there is better to come once the situation is sorted and Barca could yet be a decent bet to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages at 7-4 despite their dodgy start.

Two bets are worth having in the Premier League this weekend, starting with Crystal Palace +0.25 on the Asian handicap at home to a Leicester side who are struggling to reach the heights of recent seasons.

Thursday's 1-0 loss to Legia Warsaw was the latest disappointing result and their two wins - over Wolves and Norwich - don't make for great reading.

They 'lost' the xG to Wolves and were fortunate against the pointless Canaries and Patrick Vieira's hosts have lost just twice in the Premier League in difficult away games at Chelsea and Liverpool.

Newcastle continue to be a team of no control in their play and the gung-ho Magpies could be involved in another belter at Wolves.

United's combined for-and-against xG is the third-highest total in the league, helped by a figure of 15 in the last four games alone.

That change in attitude from Steve Bruce has not been reflected in the odds, but both teams to score has landed in five of their six matches and at some stage the market will correct itself.

Best bets

Wolves v Newcastle both teams to score 3pm Saturday
1pt 17-20 Hills

Crystal Palace +0.25 Asian handicap v Leicester 2pm Sunday
1pt 4-5 bet365

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