Seven matches on Saturday afternoon will have a big impact on the Premier League table, with Manchester City looking to retain their status as league leaders.
City can be used in a five-fold, which concludes when Wolves host Crystal Palace in the Saturday teatime fixture.
We have picked out five tips for the day’s slate.
- MANCHESTER CITY TO BEAT BOURNEMOUTH
- LIVERPOOL TO BEAT BRIGHTON
- IPSWICH VS LEICESTER BTTS
- SOUTHAMPTON VS EVERTON BTTS
- WOLVES TO BEAT CRYSTAL PALACE
Bournemouth vs Manchester City
Pep Guardiola explained last weekend how much more important the Bournemouth Premier League trip was when compared to City's EFL Cup mission to Tottenham - and his team selection in London on Wednesday night underlined those thoughts.
Guardiola shuffled his pack at Tottenham, unconcerned about the danger of elimination from the EFL Cup, and Spurs took advantage with a 2-1 victory. City are sure to field a stronger side at Bournemouth - and that spells bad news for the Cherries.
City hit the Premier League summit last weekend and the fact that Guardiola's champions have gone first so early in the campaign will send shockwaves through their title rivals. City have been known to make slow starts to the season, but they are unbeaten through nine Premier League games this term and their grip on the division remains tight.
City have won six of the last seven Premier League titles, including the last four, and the only season in the last seven that they have failed was when Covid meant stadiums were empty. Guardiola has been moaning about the length of his squad's injury list, but City should have more than enough quality to take three points from the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
MANCHESTER CITY TO WIN
Liverpool vs Brighton
Liverpool defeated Brighton in the EFL Cup at the AmEx Stadium on Wednesday night and the Reds get another chance to crush the Seagulls on Saturday afternoon. This time, the meeting takes place at Anfield, where Liverpool have been exceptional this season.
Manchester United are in the process of recruiting a new manager, but their rivals Liverpool can be thrilled with the way their new boss has settled into life in the Anfield hotseat. There would have been trepidation in Liverpool about how the club would handle the loss of Jurgen Klopp, who guided the Reds to the title in 2020, but Arne Slot has quickly proved an excellent replacement.
Slot's team have won seven of their nine Premier League fixtures, conceding just five goals in total. They have let in only two league goals at home. That security at the back makes Liverpool strong favourites to defeat Brighton again.
Liverpool were not at their brilliant best against Arsenal last Sunday, but still managed to take a point away at one of their main title rivals. Slot is quickly becoming revered at Anfield, Mo Salah continues to be a legendary wizard pulling the strings in attack, and the Reds may emerge as the most serious title threats to Manchester City this season.
LIVERPOOL TO WIN
Ipswich vs Leicester
Leicester fans have seen their team involved in some hugely entertaining away fixtures in the Premier League this season - and another one could be coming at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon.
In four away games this term, Steve Cooper's side have scored a total of eight goals and conceded 10. Cooper will probably approach this trip to Ipswich in positive fashion and another high-scoring encounter seems likely for the Foxes.
Leicester scored three goals at Southampton in their last Premier League away game and the chances of both Ipswich and Leicester getting on the scoresheet in their East Anglia dust-up appear high. Both teams to score is an appealing wager.
Leicester had another typical away day on Wednesday, losing 5-2 to Manchester United at Old Trafford in the EFL Cup. The evergreen Jamie Vardy will almost certainly lead the attack at Ipswich, seeking to score in his third consecutive Premier League game.
BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Southampton vs Everton
Morale has lifted sharply at Southampton in the last week or so - and the Saints can get among the goals when Everton arrive at St Mary's Stadium.
Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Southampton and their manager Russell Martin in the wake of City's 1-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday. The south-coast side kept possession well and made City work hard for the three points.
Saints then went on EFL Cup duty on Tuesday night and beat Stoke City 3-2 to advance to the quarter-finals of that competition. Martin's side can start on the front foot against Everton and be expected to get on the scoresheet.
Both teams to score looks a solid wager. Everton have not played since last Saturday and can trouble their hosts with fresher legs in the second half.
BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Wolves vs Crystal Palace
With two minutes to go at Brighton last Saturday, Wolves were 2-0 down, before they snatched an incredible 2-2 draw at the AmEx Stadium. The celebrations were understandably manic and Wolves enjoyed a surge of self-belief.
The confidence gained from that amazing comeback can help Wolves climb the table. They are arguably a better side than their league position indicates and they have an energy advantage over Crystal Palace.
While Palace were involved in a tense EFL Cup fixture at Aston Villa on Wednesday night, Wolves have not been in action since their draw at Brighton. Expect a leggy Palace to be overwhelmed by Wolves in the second half at Molineux Stadium.
Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton are injury doubts for Palace, so two of their best players may arrive in Wolverhampton short of fitness.
The Londoners have been badly struggling for goals all season. Wolves have scored in their last 10 games in all competitions and can claim their first Premier League victory of the season on Saturday evening.
WOLVES TO WIN
