With three of last season’s top seven in action, we could be in for a genuinely ‘Super Sunday’ this weekend, after a few recent duds.
Here are some likely stories to look out for while you’re digging into that roast dinner:
Liverpool’s leaky backline primed for leaping Newcastle skipper
Following their wretched 3-3 draw away to Watford on the opening day of the Premier League campaign, Liverpool became the joint-highest conceders from set pieces (44 goals) of all Premier League sides since the start of 2014/15.
The problem was identified, a new centre-back was sought as the summer transfer window closed, but none arrived.
Newcastle skipper Jamaal Lascelles has headed winning goals in two of the Geordies’ past three fixtures, including last time out at home to Stoke.
Lascelles is as big as 14/1 with some bookmakers simply to bag his third of the campaign at St James’ Park, and a whopping 40/1 top price to score the last goal of the match.
There are many worse bets out there.
Do suddenly in-form Brighton stand a chance away to Arsenal?
The Gunners have certainly turned their sorry early-season form around, taking seven points from the last nine on offer and securing an impressive goalless draw at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago.
Arsene Wenger’s side are unbackably short-priced favourites to see off Chris Hughton’s plucky Seagulls, but Brighton’s recent run is eye-catching in its own way, with two top-flight wins, a draw and just one loss recorded since mid-August.
Incidentally, Arsenal have only won one of their last four league fixtures against their next visitors.
Those games may all have come more than 34 years ago, but still…
Big day for Everton, but draw specialists Burnley are no pushovers
While we’re on the subject of plucky Premier League minnows beginning with the letter B, Sean Dyche’s Clarets warrant an honourable mention.
Everton would leapfrog their ninth-placed visitors with a third domestic win on the spin, which goes to show how well Burnley are going this term given Ronald Koeman’s hosts are odds-on to collect all three points.
Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool have all failed to beat Dyche and co on their own patches since the start of term, with Burnley level after 90 minutes in four of their past five all-competition fixtures.
