Chelsea v Brighton

Chelsea v Brighton has generally been a dull, attack v defence drill in recent years, but it won’t be so dull this time around.

Frank Lampard’s Chelsea still have a tinge of unpredictability about them, but 19 goals in their last five domestic encounters cannot be sniffed at; the side has a young and hungry streak about them which hasn’t been seen at Stamford Bridge for years.

As for Albion, despite slightly mixed results, they’ve played some brilliant football. Graham Potter’s side play some cracking football, and they’ve shown they aren’t afraid to have a real go at the big boys.

Their 4-0 defeat at The Etihad was brave and fraught with opportunity creation – which left Pep Guardiola purring.

However, this bravery is often rewarded with a hammering—as we’ve so often seen with enterprising sides having a go against the top six behemoths—and 13/10 looks a good price for a Chelsea victory with a -1 handicap.

So while this Albion side could trouble the Blues, it’s hard to see them keeping the back door closed for too long.

Chelsea -1 - 1pt @ 13/10

Crystal Palace v Norwich

Crystal Palace home games are often painfully dull, and I’m expecting their match with Norwich to see under 2.5 goals.

We’ve seen under 2.5 goals in all three of Palace’s home games this season, while Norwich have also seen under 2.5 goals in their away games against West Ham and Burnley.

Roy Hodgson’s men are very solid at Selhurst Park, but they also have real problems finding the net, which is why 6/5 looks a tad long in this market.

Under 2.5 goals - 1pt @ 6/5

Tottenham v Southampton

Finally, I have both teams to score when Spurs welcome Southampton.

There’s clearly something a little wrong at Spurs this season, and this Southampton side are primed to cause them issues and take full advantage.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have kept just one clean sheet this season (conceding home goals to Aston Villa and Newcastle along the way), while the Saints have only failed to score once, despite facing Liverpool and Manchester United – both of whom they scored against.

The EFL Cup exit to Colchester on Tuesday has compounded Spurs’ woes, and Southampton will surely back themselves to at least find the net this weekend.  

Follow @RyanEJourno

BTTS - 1pt @ 3/4