Graham Ruthven: MD5 – Something for the Weekend: Diamonds from Cole on a weekend of pure drama

Player to score – Cole Palmer (Manchester United v Chelsea)

Chelsea might have lost to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, but Cole Palmer still managed to highlight his importance to Enzo Maresca’s team by scoring. He also did this in the 2-2 draw against Brentford, coming off the bench to give the Blues some much-needed creativity and goal threat.

While Chelsea revamped their attack in the summer transfer window, Palmer remains their best and most productive player in the final third. Manchester United have looked shaky at the back in matches so far this season (see the Manchester Derby) and Palmer could expose that this weekend.

 

Over 2.5 total goals – Hoffenheim v Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich flexed their muscle in the Champions League during the week, comfortably beating Chelsea 3-1. Vincent Kompany’s team have scored two or more goals in each of their last 11 Bundesliga matches, and that run could continue away at Hoffenheim this weekend with the Bavarians strong favourites.

Meanwhile, there have been over 2.5 goals in each of Hoffenheim’s last eight games in the league. They were involved in a six-goal thriller against Union Berlin last weekend, and there could be more goals in this weekend’s meeting against Bayern Munich and the strongest forward line in Germany.

 

Match to be a draw – Brighton v Tottenham

Brighton have endured a mixed start to the season. While the Seagulls flew high with a home win over Manchester City before the international break, they lost to Bournemouth last weekend. Tottenham Hotspur have won three of their four games so far but also lost to the Cherries, exposing some of their weaknesses.

Spurs come into Saturday’s game at the Amex Stadium on the back of a Champions League test during the week, and so Thomas Frank could rotate his squad. Brighton, meanwhile, don’t always have the cutting edge that their overall play suggests they should. This could be a cagey encounter.

 

Both teams to score – Liverpool v Everton

David Moyes has never won at Anfield as a manager, and Everton might not break that duck for him this weekend given Liverpool’s perfect start to the season so far. However, Arne Slot’s champions have been defensively vulnerable in almost every game they have played, keeping just one clean sheet in three home games.

Everton, on the other hand, have found the back of the net in all but one of their last four games. The likes of Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye will give the Toffees a significant attacking threat at the home of their closest rivals. Everton could cause some damage to Liverpool on derby day.

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Graham’s Fourfold

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ARSENAL vs MAN CITY 

Sunday’s meeting between Arsenal and Manchester City could have a big bearing on this season’s Premier League title race. The Gunners can’t afford to lose any more ground on Liverpool at the top of the table and could look to control the game against City like they attempted to at Anfield earlier this month.

Arsenal are unbeaten in each of their last five games against Manchester City in all competitions. 50% of their last six meetings with Pep Guardiola’s team have also featured under 2.5 goals. Viktor Gyokeres will be a threat for the hosts, but can Arsenal stay within touching distance of the top spot by full time?

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