Premier League Matchday 8 Preview

The Premier League returns to our screens after a two-week layoff for the international break and there is plenty to look forward to as Tottenham host London rivals West Ham at Saturday lunchtime and Liverpool entertain Chelsea in Sunday’s showpiece.

Title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City both face away trips at Bournemouth and Wolves respectively, while the pressure will be on Erik ten Hag as Manchester United are paid a visit from regular fast starters Brentford.

With a number of other intriguing clashes taking place over Saturday and Sunday, we have picked out the best bets for the weekend’s Premier League action.

Tip 1 - Over 3.5 goals in Tottenham v West Ham @ 10/11

Both teams have scored in five of the last six rivalries between Tottenham and West Ham and there is everything to suggest that this showdown will follow a similar narrative.

Spurs will still be reeling after letting a 2-0 lead slip to lose 3-2 at Brighton in their final game before the international break, whereas West Ham flicked on the switch to record an easy 4-1 win over Ipswich.

Both sides look stronger going forward than they do in defence and they are two teams that are prone to being exposed on the counter-attack.

Spurs have managed only two clean sheets in seven league outings this season while West Ham, who have seen over 3.5 goals as a winning bet in seven of their last 12 league games, have managed only one.

Tip 2 - Arsenal to win to nil v Bournemouth @ 9/5

Arsenal's defence has been uncharacteristically sloppy of late but the Gunners can grind out a victory and a clean sheet at Bournemouth, who have lost three of their last four league matches to nil.

The Cherries were no match for Arsenal last season, losing 4-0 and 3-0, and they have a 1-0 defeat at Leicester prior to the international break to respond to.

Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing visitors have kept clean sheets in away victories at Aston Villa and Tottenham already this season and the Spanish tactician will be demanding his side keep things tight given the attacking flair Bournemouth inherit.

Tip 3 - Manchester City to win & both teams to score v Wolves @ 8/5

While Manchester City sit second having taken 17 points from seven matches, Wolves are rock-bottom with only a solitary point to show for their efforts.

So this Sunday showdown should go to form with City bolstering their title claims, although there may be a consolation strike in it for the hosts.

Pep Guardiola’s side have conceded in each of their last six league matches, which includes wins over Ipswich, West Ham, Brentford and Fulham, while Wolves have seen both teams score in their last six league fixtures.

Tip 4 - Liverpool to win & both teams to score v Chelsea @ 17/10

Liverpool sit atop of the Premier League standings after seven matches, having won six of those fixtures with their only setback coming in a shock reverse at home to Nottingham Forest.

Chelsea have also suffered only one defeat - going down 2-0 at home to Manchester City in their Premier League curtain-raiser - but they may struggle to live with Liverpool’s in-form forwards, especially without suspended defenders Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana.

The Reds remain super strong at Anfield and they are fancied to win a high-scoring contest with Chelsea, who were beaten 4-1 in Merseyside last season but have netted in ten successive fixtures.

*Exact dates and times for these matches are subject to change following television announcements.