These football games offer a mixed bag

These football games offer a mixed bag

      With one notable exception, it’s largely a weekend of David versus Goliath football games in the Premier League. Betting odds are varied and so are some of the resources between opponents. But this is the Premier League and, at times, almost anything goes!

WEEK 9 SATURDAY:

Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur

It’s a year to the weekend since this fixture was played last season and it’s one Bournemouth will want to forget. Then the Cherries opened the scoring within a minute, only to be on the wrong end of a 5-1 thrashing. This time, they come into it on the back of their record Premier League win – a 6-1 success against Hull – so Spurs, missing the injured Toby Alderweireld, will not take anything for granted.

Arsenal vs Middlesbrough

Mesut Ozil has a spring in his step right now and that spells good news for the Gunners. He netted a hat-trick in their midweek Champions League romp, albeit against limited opposition, four days after notching the Premier League winner against Swansea. They can probably even defend as waywardly as they did against Swansea in this one, so long as Boro continue their woeful run which has seen them drop down the table and only remain out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Burnley vs Everton

Burnley were very much second best at Southampton last weekend but will remember their home victory over Merseyside opponents, Liverpool, in August. Everton defended doggedly and had a world-class goalkeeping performance from Maarten Stekelenburg in their draw at City – two penalty saves only telling half the story. If they repeat their stoicism, their exciting array in attack could trouble the Clarets.

Hull City vs Stoke City

How do you bounce back from a performance which newly appointed boss Mike Phelan admitted had left him ‘very embarrassed’? Bounce back of course, or it could be a long, unforgiving season for the Tigers. Stoke have also suffered some heavy defeats themselves this season but five points from their last three games suggest they are turning a corner.

Leicester City vs Crystal Palace

Getting buoyed up for the ‘bread and butter’ of domestic duties is proving tough for the champions. Their Premier League form may have faded badly but they are now within a point of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League – a competition that has given them barely a moment of trouble so far. Palace are improving but their inconsistency means they are far from fluid, a bit like their opponents at the King Power Stadium.

Swansea City vs Watford FC

A first home game for new Swans boss Bob Bradley, who was very close to marking his debut with a surprise point at the Emirates last weekend. Now they need three points here to climb out of the drop zone. Watford are developing into a streetwise side, however, and are slowly finding their feet under new manager Walter Mazzarri.

West Ham vs Sunderland

Now that they are out of the bottom three, it’s time for West Ham to build on their first victory since August 21. Rock-bottom Sunderland seem perfect opponents as already look pretty uninspired and are, in manager David Moyes’ words, in ‘must-win’ territory. Whisper it quietly but the Wearsiders look relegation certs, even at this early stage of the campaign.

WEEK 9 SUNDAY:

Liverpool vs West Brom

Liverpool got frustrated against Manchester United as they were not allowed to play their usual pressing game. Whether West Brom adopt similar tactics remains to be seen, although Tony Pulis has hardly the same talent at his disposal as Jose Mourinho. Baggies’ goalkeeper Ben Foster was terrific against Spurs and will need to be again.

Manchester City vs Southampton FC

October has largely been a month to forget for Pep Guardiola. Defeat at Spurs, a frustrating home draw with Everton, and the midweek Champions League return to Barcelona ended as a nightmare. Pep may need to evolve in England to ultimately succeed – the Saints will relish the chance of being party poopers.

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