And breathe….the international break is over, and the Premier League is BACK!
Nothing divides football fans more than an awkwardly placed international window slap bang in the middle of the opening months of the Premier League season…but here we are. Again.
If you feeling as overworked as a top-flight midfielder as the games continue to fly, never fear, for Paddy is here to help.
Ahead of the Premier League rolling back into town this weekend, Paddy has hit the books to dig out some cracking stats to keep an eye out for Saturday because nobody wants weekend homework!
Premier League Tips
Saturday 12.30pm: Tottenham v West Ham – Spurs 6+ shots on target
Saturday 3pm: Fulham v Aston Villa – Amadou Onana to score
Saturday 3pm: Man Utd v Brentford – Brentford keeper to make 3+ saves
Saturday 3pm: Newcastle v Brighton – Joelinton to be booked
Saturday 5.30pm: Bournemouth v Arsenal – Gabriel Jesus 2+ shots on target
We start with the early kickoff on Saturday as Ange Postecoglu welcomes Julen Lopetegui for brunch at 12:30pm.
Big Ange signed off for the international, bemoaning Spurs’ 3-2 loss at Brighton as his worst result at the club. They saw a two-goal lead demolished at the AMEX Stadium.
There will be no move away from his ludicrously high defensive line, but we are focusing on the other end of the pitch and a Tottenham attack that LOVES to shoot.
Spurs have the joint-second highest Premier League shot-on-target rate per 90 minutes so far this season (6.57), level with Arsenal and narrowly behind Man City (6.86).
Given that West Ham average four shots on target against, expect Ange to rev his team up, and the Hammers’ goal to take a peppering.
We stay in the capital to ease into the 3pm games as Fulham host Aston Villa at Craven Cottage.
Fulham are enjoying a solid start to the season, with an unbeaten home record in Premier League action so far, but this will be a test for Silva’s charges.
They have not failed to keep a home clean sheet in any game and Villa are not short on firepower. Midfield star Amadou Onana has scored all three goals for Villa away from home this season.
He is also ruthlessly effective on the road, with each goal coming from his sole shot on target, and the Senegal star will fancy his chances on the banks of the Thames.
News Flash: Erik ten Hag is still Manchester United’s manager. While some expected Sir Jim and Co. to dispense with their Dutchman over the break, he remains in place as the Bees buzz up the M6.
Predicting a Man United result remains a wild ride. They are winless in five across all competitions. However, they will threaten Thomas Frank’s charges with the pressure ramped up.
Brentford give up stacks of chances, and keeper Mark Flekken has made the joint-highest number of Premier League saves this season (33). He will indeed be tested again at Old Trafford.
Whether United can overcome this remains a different question, but they are averaging 3.3 shots on target per home league game this season, and Flekken will need to be sharp.
Newcastle host Brighton in a bird-themed battle as the Magpies try to out-squawk the Seagulls on Tyneside. The hosts are unbeaten in Premier League action this season, with Brighton losing just one of their three away games.
However, Paddy is looking at the fouls and card statistics, with Joelinton being the current naughty boy in Eddie Howe’s ranks.
The Brazilian has committed 17 fouls in the Premier League this season, the second-highest tally, with an average of four per home game in league action.
He is also just one yellow card away from a one-game ban, which would see him suspended for the trip to Chelsea next weekend.
Mikel Arteta will be again cursing the international break with more injury updates from the Emirates Stadium.
Martin Odegaard is still sidelined from the September window. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are returning with knocks, and Kai Havertz is also doubtful for the Bournemouth trip.
With the travelling Gunners sweating on fitness issues, Arteta could turn to a different star in attack, enter Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazilian is battling to force his way into Arteta’s plans and looked sharp against Southampton, with three shots attempted.
Premier League Tips
Saturday 12.30pm: Tottenham v West Ham – Spurs 6+ shots on target
Saturday 3pm: Fulham v Aston Villa – Amadou Onana to score
Saturday 3pm: Man Utd v Brentford – Brentford keeper to make 3+ saves
Saturday 3pm: Newcastle v Brighton – Joelinton to be booked
Saturday 5.30pm: Bournemouth v Arsenal – Gabriel Jesus 2+ shots on target
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