Premier League Tipsheet: The best bets for Saturday's seven showdowns

Southampton v Manchester United (12:30) - Optimism in the air

Both teams go into this lunchtime kick-off on a rare high after posting desperately needed results and that adds an extra layer of intrigue to their clash. Who will thrive best now that the pressure has been lifted and the shackles are off?

Casemiro will very likely make his debut on the South Coast and don't be surprised either to see Ronaldo reinstated, with less labour-intensive demands made of United's front three to last Monday. Our Betfair ambassador Patrice Evra thinks it could well be a farewell appearance.

For the Saints, Che Adams stands out following his brace from the bench at Leicester's expense. The 26-year-old has always been a streaky striker, as evidenced by seven in 14 last term, firing blanks elsewhere. The season before that ended with five in nine after a sustained drought.

United's 9-0 demolition of the Saints early in 2021 will no doubt be mentioned in commentary but of more interest is the six draws in their last nine meetings.

Brentford v Everton (15:00) - Toffees lack end product

A last-minute concession at Fulham should not detract from Brentford's otherwise bright start, nor that twice now they have clawed back a two-goal deficit.

It is doubtful however that such fortitude will be required in West London this Saturday, not when it feels so fanciful that Everton could score more than once. With Richarlison gone and Calvert-Lewin injured, the Toffees are having to make do with Salomon Rondon badly imitating a centre-forward and presently their joint-leading goal-scorer is that ubiquitous journeyman Own Goal.

What Frank Lampard wouldn't give to have Ivan Toney in his ranks, a prolific frontman who boasts two in three for the season, and two in three against Everton from previous meetings.

Brighton v Leeds (15:00) - A tough call

The trickiest fixture to predict this weekend takes place at the Amex with both teams unbeaten and off to flyers.

The Seagulls have yet to go behind and that is especially pertinent, being one of only four teams to not lose last season after taking a lead. Compact and disciplined, they are extremely difficult to break down when protecting an advantage.

In Rodrigo though, Leeds possess a striker in the form of his life, and if four goals and an assist isn't impressive enough let's not forget the Brazilian banged in five pre-season. Brenden Aaronson is also deserving of a mention, the 'Medford Messi' covering every square inch of Elland Road last Sunday and brilliant with it. At £24.7m he already looks like a steal.

Chelsea v Leicester (15:00) - Blunt at both ends

Deprived of Koulibaly, Kante and Kovacic - who at least might make the sub's bench - Chelsea are duty-bound to bounce back from a chastising loss in Yorkshire while missing some key personnel. Up front there are also problems with Havertz, Sterling and Mount all misfiring to this point, despite the latter two racking up a high shot-count. Sterling in particular is in dire need of a goal to settle into his new surroundings.

Leicester too have serious woes at the sharp end. Last week, Jamie Vardy recorded just 11 touches vs Southampton, suggesting his 35-year-old legs are not haring into the channels anymore and making things happen. It also matters that Vardy typically struggles against Chelsea, the only 'top six' club he hasn't historically terrorised.

On the plus side for the visitors, they have only failed to score once in their last 15 Premier League games, even if wins have been hard to come by.

A disparity in corners cannot be overlooked here. No team have won more than Chelsea this term, averaging 10 per game, while no team have won fewer than Leicester. Indeed, at this current rate, Brendan Rodgers' men will be awarded 38% less this season, to last.

Liverpool v Bournemouth (15:00) - Crisis averted

He would never publicly say so, but if Jurgen Klopp could have picked any opponent to expunge last Monday's horror-show at Old Trafford, it would be Bournemouth at Anfield, ideally with a live TV audience absent for good measure.

Even with a long injury-list to contend with it was shocking to see them out-hustled and out-ran by a United side they have previously blitzed into submission and what must worry Reds most is the complacency that appears to have set in this season, in evidence too at Fulham on the opening day.

Still, this is Bournemouth, a team who have taken on the fewest shots in the top-flight this term, just 16. A team who may already have enjoyed their zenith in beating Aston Villa.

All talk of Liverpool being in crisis can be put on hold for the time being, and Klopp will be thankful for that.

Manchester City v Crystal Palace (15:00) - Gundo and goals

Palace have only lost once in their last four visits to the Etihad while a goalless stalemate in South London last March was another example of the Eagles making City mortal, ordinary. Few other teams do this better which is why Alex Keble believes another shock could be on the cards.

Wilfried Zaha has been pivotal to these successes, and the flying winger is clearly relishing having Eberechi Eze as a creative cohort right now, scoring three in three. The duo will pose a major threat on the counter this weekend.

Palace all told have been great to date though in truth it could be a lot better, with Patrick Vieira's side missing the most big chances in the top-flight (8). City meanwhile have unsurprisingly ratcheted up the most shots.

Which very much implies that goals await us and determining who might be behind them leads us not to Haaland, or De Bruyne, but Ilkay Gundogan, so often under-rated in blue. Only three other players have committed more shot creating actions in 2022/23.

Arsenal v Fulham (15:00) - A spell broken

Something has to give at the Emirates, with both teams kicking off their campaigns with a purple patch. Granted, a draw may satisfy both parties, but a draw feels unlikely with the Gunners not sharing honours for 20 games now, a run that is approaching a club record.

And if not a stalemate, then a spell will be broken, that has seen Fulham widely tipped to finish highest of the promoted clubs and Arsenal to secure top four. Both sides have been excellent to this juncture.

Aleksandar Mitrovic is an obvious danger for the visitors, but the Gunners have been impressive at the back while their forward-line grabs the plaudits. They have conceded the fewest number of shots on target in the top-flight, a meagre five.

At the other end, their two Gabriels - Martinelli and Jesus - have ran riot, scoring four and assisting three times between them.

A couple more details worthy of note: Arsenal have started all three of their games brightly, scoring inside 25 minutes on each occasion. But only Bournemouth have committed more fouls.