The weekend’s domestic Premier League and EFL footy action kicks tonight with the traditional Championship fixture and tonight’s encounter is a potential cracker between two unbeaten teams, leaders Leeds and second place on goal difference Middlesbrough at Elland Road. Historically, Leeds have a good record in this corresponding fixture winning the last thirteen corresponding encounters in the Premier League and Championship, and the last seven corresponding meetings were in the Championship and Leeds won four, including last season’s meeting 2-1.
Saturday’s Premier League actions kicks-off with the traditional lunchtime kick-off and today’s feature is between Leicester City and Liverpool at the King Power Stadium. Historically, there’s not much between the two in this corresponding fixture and Leicester won four and Liverpool three, including last seasons pulsating 3-2 win when Vardy missed a second half penalty that would have drawn Leicester level.
Vardy is missing for this one due to suspension and they’ve won both their home games this season in the league and League Cup against Wolves 2-0 and Rotherham 1-0. Liverpool are unbeaten so far this season winning all three of their league games against West Ham 4-0, Palace 2-0 away and Brighton 1-0 at home. With Mahrez now gone and Vary missing, Leicester are without two of their best forwards so scoring goals could be an issue for them, but they are defensively sound so the Reds will need their forwards to be on top-form if they are going to win this one.
The traditional Premier League tea-time kick-off is between reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, who are unbeaten in the league this season winning two and drawing one. Newcastle United are in dire straits already having failed to win any of their three competitive games so far this season and a trip to the Etihad is not going to increase their confidence much as City have won thirteen of the fifteen corresponding league fixtures and the last six had more than 4 or more goals scored in the match.
From a betting perspective on Saturday there should be goals in the Brighton game if past statistics are anything to go by and Fulham’s defence is still suspect at this level having already conceded seven goals in the league. Bournemouth have experienced success at Stamford Bridge in the past and they beat them 3-0 last season. I think giving them a two goal start is generous as while they already look like a better team under new manager Sarri, they will still have a lot of possession, and thus be vulnerable on the counter attack which Bournemouth are very effective at exploiting.
Birmingham look vulnerable at home to a resurgent QPR as Birmingham have failed to win a game so far this season drawing three and losing twice, while QPR are on a roll winning their last two in all competitions and they have a god record at St Andrews winning three of the last four corresponding Championship matches. Derby thrashed Hull 4-0 midweek in the League Cup so it’s a surprise to see them priced up so generously to repeat that win tomorrow. Hull have been well beaten in all three competitive home games this season, Derby won two of their three competitive away games, drawing the other, and as they have a good record at the KCOM stadium and are starting to hit form, so I can’t see any glaring reason not to back the Rams tomorrow.
Selections:
Double (2.20)
Bolton +2 Handicap vs Preston
Sunderland Win vs Oxford Utd
QPR Win vs. Birmingham (31/10)
Derby Win vs Hull (17/10)
Win Treble Bolton +2 Handicap, Sunderland and QPR both to win
