CRYSTAL PALACE V SUNDERLAND: CHRISTIAN BENTEKE
After costing us over €132k on two accas on Tuesday night, Sam Allardyce will have been delighted by the fact his charges picked up their first away win in nine Premier League outings. His next challenge now is to get summer signing from Liverpool Christian Benteke firing again. He notched late to seal the victory at Bournemouth and we think he’ll be piling more misery on David Moyes’ Sunderland.
EVERTON V BOURNEMOUTH: ROMELU LUKAKU
He’s been a former king, but more often our villain. Romelu Lukaku is without a goal in a couple of weeks, but should fancy a crack at a Bournemouth defence that conceded twice at home to struggling Crystal Palace. 12 Premier League goals this season is quite a tally, especially when you consider Everton’s stuttering form. We reckon he’ll be back on the horse this weekend.
HULL V LIVERPOOL: SADIO MANÉ
It’s fair to say Liverpool fans will be praying Sadio Mané returns to the starting line-up in the same form as he possessed when he left for the African Cup of Nations, because their season has fallen apart since he left. Mané managed 15 minutes against Chelsea after almost literally stepping off a private plane, so we expect him to be fully rejuvenated to take on a Hull side fresh from an extremely creditable at Old Trafford.
SOUTHAMPTON V WEST HAM: SHANE LONG
One of the Premier League’s streakiest strikers Shane Long has found his feet again. He’s netted in three of his last five outings including that incredible winner at Anfield in the ELF Cup. The Saints fell away to relegation-threatened Swansea last time out, but Long’s name did feature on the scoresheet there so we believe the trend will continue.
WATFORD V BURNLEY: TROY DEENEY
It’s been a difficult season for Troy Deeney, but his winner at the Emirates in midweek could be the turning point of the campaign for him. He also loves playing against Saturday’s opponents Burnley, particularly at home. That’s because he’s scored in his three league appearances against The Clarets at Vicarage Road.
WEST BROM V STOKE: CHRIS BRUNT
This might seem to be the one outside shot in our picks, but hear us out. Chris Brunt may be operating at left back these days for West Brom, but he is still a lethal danger from set pieces for the Baggies. Tony Pulis has already seen his team net 21 times at home this season and we think his faith in the Northern Irishman will be repaid on Saturday.
MAN CITY V SWANSEA: GABRIEL JESUS
Gabriel Jesus wasted no time endearing himself to Man City at West Ham, scoring on debut and walking off with the Man of the Match award. The Brazilian youngster arrived in Manchester for a fee of around £27m and he’ll be looking to continue paying that back against a Swansea outfit who’ve lost all five of their last league visits to the Etihad.