This Premier League preview sees three 3pm kick-offs. Sunderland host West Brom looking to get over the devastating loss against Crystal Palace last weekend. Watford welcome Bournemouth to Vicarage Road, with the Hornets looking to get over their 2-0 loss against Burnley. Finally West Ham host Middlesbrough with the Hammers in appalling form and looking to avoid a fifth straight defeat.

Sunderland vs West Brom – Saturday 1st October 2016 – 15:00

Sunderland host West Brom hoping to go one better than the disappointing result against Crystal Palace
Sunderland host West Brom hoping to go one better than the disappointing result against Crystal Palace

Sunderland welcome West Brom to the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon, with Sunderland looking to bounce back after their last weeks defeat.

They come into this match on the back of a devastating 3-2 defeat, which saw them go 2-0 up and lose in the 94th minute.

Goals from Jermain Defoe (39 & 60), gave Sunderland a wonderful start and an excellent chance to win the game.

Palace didn't lie down with Joe Ledley (61), James McArthur (76) and Christian Benteke (90 +4) saw Alan Pardew's side complete an incredible victory.

Crushing Defeat For Moyes

That defeat will have been crushing for a Sunderland side yet to register a win, to go 2-0 up and to lose in the 94th minute will have had a huge impact on the players.

Sunderland need to start winning games, this is the fourth season running that they have started in such a terrible manner.

The players need to have a long look at themselves, they are very poor for 75% of the season and manage to save themselves at the last minute.

This could be the season that they finally come unstuck.

Sunderland Surprising Favourites

Sunderland will go into this match under increasing pressure to register their first win at the seventh attempt.

They face a West Brom side that have enjoyed a decent start this season, they will be looking to use home advantage.

Their record against the Baggies is even, they have played 116 times, they have won 41, lost 43 and drawn 32.

Sunderland are 11/8 with Jermain Defoe at 4/1 to score first.

The Stadium of Light hosts this crucial encounter
The Stadium of Light hosts this crucial encounter

West Brom travel to the Stadium of Light after a hard fought draw against Pulis' former employers Stoke.

The game didn't come to life until the 73rd minute, when Joe Allen opened the scoring at the Bet365 Stadium.

A goal in the 91st minute from Salomon Rondon rescued a point for the visitors, following on from their excellent win against the Hammers.

Both sides cancelled each other out, with Stoke enjoying more possession but West Brom more clinical with two shots on target.

Premier League Form Mixed

West Brom have enjoyed a mixed start to the season, they have taken 8 points from a possible 18.

They have won two matches, drawn two matches and lost two games as well and they have to find a level of consistency if they are to improve.

Tony Pulis' side have a goal difference of +1, only three sides have a better defensive record than the Baggies.

Baggies Underdogs

Despite their decent start, West Brom are the underdogs at the Stadium of Light, with struggling Sunderland the favourite with the bookies.

This will be a tough fixture for West Brom, with Sunderland expected to react strongly after last weeks agonising defeat.

The Baggies have the better recent record, they are the only side to win in their last four encounters.

West Brom are 21/10 with Salomon Rondon at 11/2 to open the scoring.

 

Watford vs Bournemouth – Saturday 1st October 2016 – 15:00

Can Watford bounce back after their defeat against Burnley?
Can Watford bounce back after their defeat against Burnley?

Watford welcome Bournemouth to Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon, with Watford looking to bounce back after their last week's defeat.

They come into this match on the back of a 2-0 loss against Burnley at Turf Moor, a result that completely undermines the wins against Manchester United and West Ham.

Goals from Jeff Hendrick (38) and Michael Keane (50) gave the Clarets the win, with record signing Steven Deffour assisting both goals.

It was a poor performance from Watford, who had recently enjoyed back to back wins under Walter Mazzarri.

Back To The Drawing Board

That defeat will have been crushing for a Watford side who were in great form, they registered only two shots on target in the match.

They will need to improve on that performance, with the seven goals in the previous two matches the kind of free-scoring football they want to produce.

Watford's previous two defeats had been against Arsenal and Chelsea, their run of games will be a lot easier having got those games out of the way.

Burnley away would have been a difficult game, but it is a match that the Hornets will have been targeting to produce at least a point.

Home Side Favourites

Despite that loss Watford will go into this match as favourites, against a Bournemouth side that have the same points total as the Hornets.

They are 11th in the Premier League, level on points with Leicester, Bournemouth, Hull City and last week's opponents Burnley.

Their record against Bournemouth in the Premier League is even, the sides couldn't be separated last season with two draws.

Watford are 13/10 with Troy Deeney at 9/2 to score first.

The Hornets are looking to bounce back at Vicarage Road
The Hornets are looking to bounce back at Vicarage Road

Bournemouth travel to Vicarage Road after a hard fought 1-0 win against Everton last weekend.

Junior Stanislas' goal in the 23rd minute resigned Everton to their first defeat of the new season.

It was an excellent performance from a Bournemouth side that have struggled with consistency this season.

Everton were in excellent form under new manager Ronald Koeman, so to end their unbeaten streak and to keep a clean sheet will do them no end of good.

Premier League Form Mixed

Bournemouth have enjoyed a mixed start to the season, they have taken 7 points from a possible 18.

They have won two matches, drawn one match and lost three games as well and they have to find a level of consistency if they are to improve.

Eddie Howe' side have a goal difference of -5, they have to drastically improve in both areas of the pitch.

Bournemouth Underdogs

Despite their mixed start, Bournemouth are the underdogs and will be looking to register back to back wins.

This will be a tough fixture for Eddie Howe's side, with Watford expected to react strongly after last week's poor performance.

The Cherries will be looking to improve their overall record against Watford, in 11 matches they have won two, lost five and drawn four.

Bournemouth are 2/1 with Callum Wilson at 13/2 to open the scoring.

 

West Ham vs Middlesbrough – Saturday 1st October 2016 – 15:00

Can the Hammers end their miserable run against Boro?
Can the Hammers end their miserable run against Boro?

West Ham welcome Middlesbrough to the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with West Ham looking to bounce back after four straight defeats.

They come into this match on the back of a 3-0 loss against Southampton at home, a result that Mark Noble suggesting it couldn't get any worse.

Goals from Charlie Austin (40), Dusan Tadic (62) and James Ward-Prowse (90 +2) sealed an emphatic win for the Saints.

It was another poor performance from West Ham, who have endured a nightmare start to the season.

Back To The Drawing Board

That defeat will have been crushing for a West Ham side who have been pretty shocking all of this season.

They have lost five of their opening six matches and look a shadow of the side that took to Upton Park last season.

The move to the London Stadium has been a huge talking point, with lacklustre performances and fan trouble marring what should be a step in the right direction.

Slaven Bilic will have to solve his team's defensive problems, with 16 goals conceded the most in the Premier League.

Home Side Favourites

Despite that loss West Ham will go into this match as favourites, against a Middlesbrough side that have also struggled of late.

West Ham are 18th in the Premier League, only above Sunderland and Stoke who have also endured wretched seasons.

Their record against Middlesbrough in the Premier League is fairly even, although West Ham have had the better of recent games, winning two of the last three.

West Ham are 23/20 with Diafra Sakho at 11/2 to open the scoring.

The London Satdium plays hosts to another Premier League game
The London Satdium plays hosts to another Premier League game

Middlesbrough travel to the London Stadium after a narrow 2-1 defeat against Tottenham at the Riverside.

Two goals from Son Heung-Min in the 7th and 23rd gave the visitors a 2-0 lead, with Ben Gibson scoring in the 65th to halve the deficit.

It was another disappointing performance from a Middlesbrough side that had an excellent start to the season.

With three successive defeats against Tottenham, Everton and Crystal Palace, Aitor Karanka has plenty to think about.

Premier League Form Mixed

Middlesbrough have failed to capitalise at home this season, with their one win coming against Sunderland.

They have won one match, drawn two matches and lost three games as well and they have to rediscover their winning touch soon.

Karanka's side have a goal difference of -3, they have to drastically improve defensively and offensively.

Middlesbrough Underdogs

Boro come into this match as underdogs, they will be looking to avoid four successive defeats.

This will be a tough fixture for Aitor Karanka's side, with West Ham eventually expected to click into gear.

Middlesbrough will be looking to maintain their overall record against West Ham, in 49 matches they have won 20, lost 19 and drawn 10.

Middlesbrough are 12/5 with Alvaro Negredo at 13/2 to score first.

 

Betting Tips

Tip 1 – Defoe to score first @ 4/1 and Sunderland to win 2-1 @ 17/2

Tip 2 – Deeney to score first @ 9/2 and a 2-2 draw @ 12/1

Tip 3 - Antonio to score first @ 11/2 and West Ham to win 2-1 @ 8/1

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