Stoppage of play: Saturday 1 October, at 15:59
1. West Ham – Wolves, 1X
West Ham and Wolves have both underperformed in the season opener, and here a loss would make things look really tough for both teams. We believe that both teams will prioritize the defensive here, and that we will get a tentative match picture where the tied result is close at hand. However, if there is a team that will manage to take the victory, we think it is West Ham, and we half-guard by playing 1X.
2. Crystal Palace – Chelsea, X2
London derby! Graham Potter’s first league game as Chelsea manager, and after receiving some criticism for the draw and the way he shaped the team against Salzburg in the Champions League, a win would be nice for his peace of mind.
Chelsea have an important Champions League game against Milan this week, and also Benjamin Mendy and N’Golo Kanté are uncertain cards for the game. We choose to protect ourselves by playing X2.
3. Liverpool – Brighton, 1X
Roberto De Zerbi’s first game as Brighton manager, having left Sassuolo to replace Potter. Not a thankless task to begin with, but Liverpool have hardly praised the market during the start of the season. Brighton is currently in fourth place in the table, and Liverpool in seventh.
Despite the league position, we find it hard to see Brighton going for a win here, but a draw is not completely unthinkable and there is also good value in X. We are betting 1X and hope Brighton get a pin.
4. Fulham – Newcastle. 2
Newcastle appear to be missing Alexander Isak, and possibly Callum Wilson and Saint-Maximim as well. However, the team is well-oiled and not so dependent on individual players, and against newcomers Fulham, we believe they will win even without their offensive stars. We leave the 2, which is available at really good value, alone.
5. Southampton – Everton, 1
Southampton and Everton are on the same number of points in the table, but in terms of play we think Southampton has a clear advantage. Everton have certainly got their defensive back in order, but going forward it looks really weak. Away from home, they have also shown themselves to be weak, and have been missing several important defensive players. We single the 1st.
6. Bournemouth – Brentford, 2
Bournemouth have had a good effect from the change of manager, and Gary O’Neil has given the team five points in his three games. Here you meet a Brentford that mixed and gave during the opening of the season, but that on the whole did well.
Although Bournemouth have picked up points since they changed managers, they have had quite a few posts in. Brentford are undeniably looking more “ready”, and we think O’Neil will suffer his first loss as Bournemouth coach here. 2nd in a row.
7. Bristol City – Queens Park Rangers, 1
Both Bristol City and Queens Park Rangers have started the season well, but QPR in particular have had the margins on their side with results. Bristol have won three straight at home at Ashton Gate, and we believe it will be a fourth here. The 1st singles.
8. Blackburn Rovers – Millwall, 12
Blackburn has a 5-0-5 record so far, and Millwall 4-1-5. Two teams where it’s all or nothing, and it’s hard to know which team will wake up on the right side this day. In fairness, we think Millwall looked better overall, but as I said, they are uneven and not a team to dare to fully trust.
We think the “fork” fits perfectly in this match, and play 12.
9. Blackpool – Norwich, 2
Norwich are just flying ahead at the moment, sitting second in the Championship at 6-1-0 in their last seven. It is different in Blackpool, which comes from two straight losses and is in 19th place. When a worse team that is also weak in form meets a strong one, it is easy for us to choose a side. We play the 2nd.
10. Cardiff – Burnley, 2
Burnley look solid, and have only lost one game so far. In the last seven league matches, the score line is 3-4-0. Cardiff have won just one of their last seven.
We are impressed by Vincent Kompany’s coaching performance at Burnley, and play the 2nd.
11. Coventry – Middlesbrough, 2
In the match between Coventry and Middlesbrough, we think that the Swedish people got something wrong. Both teams are going weakly, but Coventry have not won a single victory while Middlesbrough have still won two. The line-up is completely even, but we consider “Boro” to be a better team, and think they should count as favorites despite the away game. Good value on the 2, which is left alone.
12. Rotherham – Wigan, 1X2
Two newcomers make up in Rotherham. Both teams have done well initially, and are in the middle of the table. However, Rotherham has received more than it should, and the team’s Swedish goalkeeper Viktor Johansson has saved several points. We are surprised that Rotherham are made such big favourites, although they do have home advantage. WE choose to sanctify this match. 1X2!
13. Sunderland – Preston, 1X
After ten rounds, Preston have a 3-4 goal difference, and it’s not exactly rock n’ roll football being run by coach Ryan Lowe. Here you meet a newcomer in the form of Sunderland, but we still think they will retain their defensive approach. With so few goals both forward and backward, and the score line 2-6-2, of course the draw is always close at hand. However, Sunderland have looked sharp and we are not ruling out a home win. 1X is played.