It's another huge weekend of Premier League football this weekend. Top of the bill is the clash of the weekend with Chelsea hosting Liverpool in a battle of two of the most animated managers in the game. High-flying Hull host Arsenal, with the Tigers looking to continue their excellent start to the season, this preview is rounded off with Champions Leicester facing Burnley at the King Power Stadium.
Chelsea vs Liverpool Odds – Friday 16th September 2016 – 20:00 - Sky Sports 1
Chelsea welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge on Friday evening, with Chelsea looking to put the disappointment of the Swansea result behind them.
Chelsea have had an excellent start to life under Conte this season, with three wins and a draw from their opening four matches.
They come into this match on the back of a 2-2 draw against Swansea, in a match that wasn't without controversy.
The Blues took the lead through Diego Costa in the 18th minute, with Swansea levelling through a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty in the 59th minute.
Thibaut Courtois was at fault for the penalty after fouling the Iceland international, after some fine counter attacking football.
Swansea then took the lead three minutes later, with one of the controversial moments of the match, with Cahill furious at an apparent foul.
Blues defender Gary Cahill was caught in possession and Leroy Fer's shot just crossed the line off the legs of Courtois.
No European Football
With the Champions League looming this week Chelsea have no European constraints this season.
This can only have a positive effect on their Premier League form, despite this huge match against Liverpool on Friday night.
David Luiz's return to Stamford Bridge raised more than a few eyebrows, with the Brazillian the surprise package on Transfer Deadline Day.
Given John Terry's injury against Swansea Luiz is likely to make his second Chelsea debut, ironically his first debut was also against Liverpool as well.
Chelsea Favourites
Chelsea will see this as an ideal opportunity to register their fourth win, however Liverpool will not be an easy side to beat.
The Blues will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start, with tough wins against West Ham and Watford followed by a convincing win against Burnley.
Antonio Conte will be looking to improve Chelsea's recent record against Liverpool, with the Blues failing to beat Liverpool in their last six attempts.
Their overall record against Liverpool is played 164, won 56, drawn 28 and lost 70, a record that Chelsea will not be happy with.
Chelsea are 5/4 with Diego Costa the favourite to open the scoring at 4/1.
The Reds won their last game 4-1 against Leicester at Anfield, with an outstanding performance that will have pleased Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool completely dominated the game against the Champions, with a double from Roberto Firmino and efforts from Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana.
It's a result that has seen Liverpool climb up to 6th in the table, sandwiched between North London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal.
Mixed Season So Far
Liverpool started the season in excellent fashion, winning a seven-goal thriller at the Emirates 4-3.
Jurgen Klopp's side took a backward step in their season in the following weekend, with a 2-0 defeat against Burnley at Turf Moor.
Andre Gray turning in a man of the match performance as Liverpool were stunned, Burnley registering two shots on target and two goals.
The performance against Tottenham will have also pleased Klopp, they took the early lead through a Milner penalty.
Despite Spurs equalising Liverpool escaped with a draw, an excellent point against a rival side.
Another Key Match For Klopp
The match against Chelsea is another key barometer for Klopp, with Liverpool looking to challenge in the Premier League.
Chelsea will be one of the sides to beat in this season's Premier League, if Liverpool can produce a result it will be another strong message to their rivals.
Liverpool will be looking to continue their overall record against Chelsea, which saw them take four points of the Blues last season.
Liverpool are 2/1 with Daniel Sturridge at 11/2 to score first.
Hull vs Arsenal Odds – Saturday 17th September 2016 – 15:00
Hull welcome Arsenal to the KC Stadium on Saturday, with Hull looking to continue their excellent start by beating the Gunners.
Despite all of the chaos surrounding the club they have made an excellent start, with wins against champions Leicester and Swansea away, they drew their last game with fellow promoted side Burnley 1-1.
Their opening day 2-1 win against Leicester shocked the football world, with the Premier League champions undone by excellent goals from Adama Diomande and Robert Snodgrass.
Hull followed that up with an excellent 2-0 win away at Swansea, with goals from Shaun Maloney and Abel Hernandez late in the game enough to take all three points.
Spirit In The Camp
They produced a spirited performance against Manchester United in their third game, remaining resolute in defence until the 92nd minute, when Marcus Rashford slotted home to resign Hull to a 1-0 loss.
Last week's result against Burnley will have disappointed the Tigers, it was the type of match that Mike Phelan would have targeted winning.
They currently sit 8th in the Premier League table, level with opponents Arsenal and Liverpool.
Which is an incredible achievement given the uncertainty around Hull City.
The main aim of the season will be to remain in the top flight, if they can maintain their early form though, they can enjoy a highly successful season.
Arsenal A Huge Challenge
Arsenal will be a huge challenge for Hull, they have only won one Premier League game against the Gunners, back in the 2008/09 season.
The last 12 fixtures between the sides have seen three draws and nine Arsenal wins, Hull will be hoping to change that overall run.
With a narrow defeat against Manchester United their only blemish, Hull will be confident of causing an upset against Arsene Wenger's side.
Hull will be fresh in comparison with Arsenal, with their midweek clash with PSG resulting in a 1-1 draw, something Hull can take advantage of.
Hull are 5/4 with Abel Hernandez to score first at 9/1.
Arsene Wenger will be delighted with his side's recent form, with a narrow 2-1 win against Southampton last weekend.
They followed that up with a backs to the wall draw against PSG in the Champions League, with that mental resolve sure to please Arsene Wenger.
It has been a disappointing start to the season for Arsenal, with a 4-3 defeat at home to Liverpool followed by a goalless draw against Leicester.
Arsenal finally got their season underway with a battling 3-1 win against Watford, ensuring they took their first three points of the season.
Recent results will have given Wenger and his men cause for optimism, this match against Hull will be another test for the Gunners.
Much More To Come
Arsenal will be looking to push on having remained unbeaten in their last four matches, along with the signings of Mustafi and Perez there will be a feel-good factor at the club.
They find themselves in 7th position, with a goal difference of +2 and will need to win this game to keep themselves in contention.
The most pleasing aspect will be the Gunners resolve, in each of the last three matches they have ground out results.
This will be a quality that Arsenal will need to possess if they are to challenge in the PL and Champions League.
Big Match For Arsenal
Arsenal make the trip to the KC Stadium, with Arsene Wenger looking to make it an unbeaten week.
Arsenal will be looking to maintain their excellent record against Hull, which has seen them defeated only once in 13 matches.
The new recruits in Mustafi and Perez will have got the fans back on Wenger's side, with the german international an excellent recruit, albeit a touch expensive.
Perez has yet to announce himself with a goal, with this fixture an ideal opportunity to do just that.
Arsenal will be looking to continue their overall record against Hull. In 13 matches, they have won 10, drawn 2 and lost 1.
Arsenal are 2/1 with Olivier Giroud to score first at 4/1.
Leicester vs Burnley Odds – Saturday 17th September 2016 – 15:00
Leicester welcome Burnley to the King Power Stadium this Saturday, with Leicester riding high after their 3-0 win against Club Brugge on Wednesday.
Leicester have had a mixed start to life this season, with two defeats from their opening four matches as Premier League Champions.
N'Golo Kante has proved to be a huge loss in midfield, with the expansive style that Leicester have been playing has been ruthlessly exposed this season.
They come into this match on the back of a 4-1 defeat against a rampant Liverpool at the weekend, with Claudio Ranieri dubbing it the perfect performance.
It was a dominant performance from Liverpool, with Roberto Firmino (2), Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana completing the scoring.
Lucas Leiva gifted Jamie Vardy a goal in the 38th minute, with the goal nothing more than a consolation.
European Progress The Target
Leicester's main challenge will be to progress in Europe, in light of the Premier League performance stuttering this season it could provide the perfect kickstart for Ranieri.
The Foxes enjoyed an outstanding opening night in the Champions League, winning 3-0 away at Club Brugge.
Marc Albrighton opened the scoring in the 5th minute, giving the Foxes the best start imaginable.
That was followed by a double from Riyad Mahrez, with the Algerian scoring from a free kick in the 29th minute.
This was followed by a goal from the penalty spot in the 61st minute, after Jamie Vardy was brought down in the box by the Brugge goalkeeper.
Foxes Favourites
Leicester come into this match as favourites despite their difficult start in the league, with Leicester yet to find top gear.
Their European exploits could be the catalyst to better form in the Premier League, although two games in the space of three days will have taken it's toll.
Burnley represent a tough side for Leicester, Sean Dyche and his men generally tend to sit back and break just like the Foxes.
Ranieri will be wanting other players in his side to step up including new signings Islam Slimani and Ahmed Musa.
Leicester are 8/15 with Jamie Vardy at 100/30 to score first.
Burnley come into this fixture having enjoyed a tough start to life back in the Premier League.
They drew their last match against fellow newcomers Hull, with a 1-1 draw a slightly disappointing result for Sean Dyches men.
Having secured what appeared to be the winning goal in the 72nd minute, through club record signing Steven Deffour, to concede in the 95th minute will feel like a loss for Dyche.
Mixed Start For Dyche
They began the season with a 1-0 defeat at home to Swansea, with a goal from Leroy Fer in the 82nd minute settling the tie.
Sean Dyche's side followed that up with an excellent 2-0 win at home against Liverpool, with goals from Sam Vokes and Andre Gray completing a miserable afternoon for Jurgen Klopp and his men.
Prior to the international fixtures, Burnley traveled to Stamford Bridge to face Antonio Conte's Chelsea, but it was an afternoon to forget for Burnley.
Goals from Eden Hazard, Willian and Victor Moses completed a 3-0 win, bringing Burnley back to down to Earth with a bang.
Big Season For Dyche
Burnley will have a very difficult season ahead, but the Championship season has given them the perfect audition for life in the Premier League.
They won an incredible 26 matches out of a possible 46, losing just five matches through the course of a highly competitive Championship.
In Leicester, the Clarets face a side who won their opening Champions League game in emphatic fashion in midweek.
Fatigue could be an issue, with the Foxes not used to European requirements and Burnley could use this to their advantage.
Burnley are 11/2 with Andre Gray at 15/2 to open the scoring.
Betting Tips
Tip 1: Firmino to score first @ 7/1 and Chelsea to win 2-1 @ 8/1
Tip 2: Sanchez to score first @ 5/1 and a 2-2 draw @ 16/1
Tip 3: Vardy to score first @ 100/30 and Leicester to win 2-1 @ 7/1