THE BATTLE OF THE BRIDGE
The fixture of the weekend is undoubtedly the clash between Chelsea and Tottenham and with both teams eyeing up top spot come the end of it, sparks look set to fly in what is always a feisty London derby.
A derby, that in league terms, has seen Chelsea come out on top in the last two occasions under Frank Lampard and with the apprentice getting the better of the master in recent times, Jose Mourinho will be looking to restore order to this managerial hierarchy once more.
Which when you consider the way Tottenham have been playing as of late, is not the most outlandish statement to make and with Spurs straddling the highest rung of the league ladder, that is not something that they will want to cede by the end of the weekend.
It was nothing short of a Mourinho masterclass last Saturday, as he masterminded a 2-0 win over old foe Pep Guardiola and with Manchester City starting to be left behind in the Premier League table, the objective is to do the same to Chelsea on Sunday.
However, that is easier said than done and when you consider that the Blues have not lost any of their last seven Premier League outings, the form guide certainly bodes well. Then again, one must also account for Tottenham not tasting defeat in their last eight showings.
Which means this encounter is as tight as it comes and with no roar of the crowd at Stamford Bridge, it may just lessen the vitriol ever so slightly, which means backing a share of points might prove to be the shrewdest bet of all.
Summary: Back the draw at 3.50
STUBBORN SAINTS HOLD THE RED DEVILS
Southampton missed the chance to enter the top three of the Premier League table on Monday, as they were held away at Wolves and although it can be construed as two points dropped, nothing should take away from their impressive start to the campaign.
With the Saints also unbeaten in their last seven league outings, they have quickly become one of the tougher nuts to crack in the division and when you also consider their form at the end of 2019/20, not many outfits are getting the better of the St Mary's side.
Which is a feat that Manchester United will look to achieve this weekend and with back to back wins under their belt, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can at least remove his head from the chopping block.
Whether his players have afforded him another temporary stay of execution remains to be seen and although they have earned maximum points from the last six on offer, there was an element of fortune in their win over West Brom last Saturday.
While they will need more than fortune this weekend, as even without Danny Ings among their attacking ranks, Southampton have displayed plenty of firepower in recent times and they should prove to be a test for United's sometimes hapless backline.
With all things considered, this should be an entertaining fixture on the South Coast and in all honesty a difficult one to call. With that in mind, backing a draw here as well, could prove to be good business.
Summary: Also back the draw at 3.50
THE SACK RACE HAS A WINNER (OR LOSER)
The Premier League's bottom two go head to head on Saturday, as West Brom play host to Sheffield United and with both sides having a torrid start to the season, their respective managers might just be drinking in the last chance saloon.
For West Brom, it is six defeats from the first nine and although Slaven Bilic's men have not disgraced themselves, they have looked rather blunt where it really matters and the Baggies board may have to make a difficult decision soon.
While talking of blunt, that is exactly how you can describe Sheffield United this season, as not only have they only picked up a solitary point from the first 27 on offer, but they also have not won any of their last 12 league outings across last season and this.
Things are starting to get desperately bleak for Chris Wilder and with a severe lack of quality for either side, it is difficult to pick who come out on top. Therefore, backing a miserly amount of overall goals, seems the better way to go.
Summary: Back Under 2.5 total goals at 1.66
