Five matches on Saturday will have a big impact on the Premier League table, particularly in the lower half of the league. Several teams who are fretting about potential relegation are in action.
A fivefold using all the fixtures is recommended, closing with the Saturday teatime fixture between West Ham and Arsenal at the London Stadium.
- WOLVES TO BEAT BOURNEMOUTH
- CRYSTAL PALACE TO BEAT NEWCASTLE
- BRENTFORD V LEICESTER BTTS
- NOTTINGHAM FOREST V IPSWICH DRAW
- WEST HAM V ARSENAL BTTS
Bet On The Premier League
Wolves vs Bournemouth
There were glum faces all around Molineux earlier in the season as Wolves suffered at the bottom of the table after a luckless start to the campaign, but the doom and gloom has lifted in recent weeks. A four-match unbeaten run has got Wanderers supporters howling with glee.
A 2-0 victory over relegation rivals Southampton was followed by a 4-1 destruction of Fulham at Craven Cottage, so Wolves are hunting a third consecutive win when they host Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
Bournemouth are being shown huge respect by the bookmaking community for this fixture, but it does not seem warranted. The Cherries have lost to Brentford and Brighton in their last two games and could be getting sucked into the relegation mire.
Bournemouth have won just once on the road this season and Andoni Iraola's side are unfortunate to be facing a resurgent Wolves pack. Home manager Gary O'Neil will be desperate to beat his old side. He was controversially axed by the Bournemouth board and may be set for some revenge on Saturday.
WOLVES TO WIN
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle
Newcastle were humbled by West Ham at St James' Park on Monday night and could be set for further agony at the hands of a London side on Saturday. The Toon Army could not believe their eyes as the Hammers outplayed the Magpies and cruised to a 2-0 victory.
Newcastle have not enjoyed their trips to the south-east this term. A 3-1 defeat at Fulham in September was followed by a 2-1 loss at Chelsea last month. Crystal Palace are second from bottom in the table but can add to Newcastle's capital punishment.
Palace can be encouraged by how the last month or so has gone. Beating Tottenham at Selhurst Park was a huge fillip, followed by an EFL Cup success at Aston Villa and a draw at Wolves. Fulham won at Selhurst, aided by a red card for Daichi Kamada, but Palace bounced back with a Premier League draw at Villa Park last Saturday.
There has been enough quality on show from Oliver Glasner's side in recent weeks to suggest they can take all three points. They beat Newcastle 2-0 in this fixture last season and look a big price for a repeat success.
CRYSTAL PALACE TO WIN
Brentford vs Leicester
The entertainment level has been high at the GTech Community Stadium this season and it would be a surprise should Brentford fans not enjoy another humdinger on Saturday. The Bees have scored more home goals than anyone in the division, celebrating 18 times at their west London base.
Brentford have scored 13 goals in their last four home games and it would be a surprise should they fail to notch against a vulnerable Leicester defence. Both teams to score looks a solid wager, given that Leicester away games have been action-packed affairs this season.
Leicester have failed to score in only Premier League away game this term. Expect a gung-ho approach from the Foxes and another high-scoring encounter at Brentford.
BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich
Nottingham Forest had a wonderful start to the season, flirting with the top of the table after a string of fantastic away performances, but the Tricky Trees have not been quite as impressive at the City Ground. They may struggle to justify their short odds for Saturday's match against Ipswich.
Forest have scored only seven goals in six Premier League home fixtures this term, winning only twice. Ipswich have enjoyed a recent revival and the Tractor Boys should head to the Midlands feeling confident of getting something from the game.
Ipswich have lost only three of their six away games in the league this season and they have been draw specialists. Six of their 12 matches have ended all square and another could be coming on Saturday.
A three-game unbeaten run, highlighted by a 2-1 victory at Tottenham, has boosted morale in the Ipswich camp. Another point can be added to the total in Nottingham.
DRAW
West Ham vs Arsenal
The best match of Saturday is arguably the last - a 5.30pm fixture between West Ham and Arsenal. There is precious little room for error for the Gunners as they bid to keep their title challenge on track. Recent defeats at Bournemouth and Newcastle have piled pressure on Mikel Arteta's men.
Arsenal will be eyeing three points at West Ham and can be expected to adopt a positive approach from the outset. Scoring five goals against Sporting in a Champions League clash in Lisbon on Tuesday night will have encouraged Arsenal's attack, but the Gunners still shipped.
Arsenal have not kept a clean sheet in a Premier League away game since their first road trip of the season - at Villa Park. With Ben White and possibly Gabriel Magalhaes set to miss the West Ham trip, Arsenal's hopes of repelling their hosts appear slim.
The Hammers will have been buoyed by their 2-0 victory at Newcastle on Monday night - an excellent performance which fully deserved three points - and Julen Lopetegui's side should feel they can give Arsenal a searching examination.
Both teams to score is an appealing wager for this fixture. West Ham have the tools to trouble a nervous and vulnerable visiting rearguard and a ding-dong London derby seems on the cards.
BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
