It is another packed weekend of Premier League football, in a rare weekend when football will play second fiddle to the Ryder Cup coverage. Everton host Crystal Palace on Friday night, looking to avenge the two successive defeats against Norwich and Bournemouth. Swansea face Liverpool at the Liberty, with widespread speculation continuing to grow over boss Francesco Guidolin. Finally Hull host Chelsea at the KC Stadium, with both sides looking to avoid a run of three successive defeats in the Premier League.
Everton vs Crystal Palace – Friday 30th September 2016 – 20:00 - Sky Sports 2
Everton welcome Crystal Palace to Goodison Park on Friday evening, with Everton looking to bounce back after their recent defeat.
Ronald Koeman's side lost their first Premier League match of the season last weekend, with a 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth.
Junior Stanislas' effort in the 23rd minute was enough for Eddie Howe's men to take all three points at the Vitality.
It compounded a miserable week for Koeman after his side were also knocked out of the EFL Cup, with a surprise 2-0 defeat against Norwich.
Given their excellent start to the season it was a surprise, with goals from Steven Naismith and Josh Murphy with an excellent strike from distance.
Much More To Come
This fixture will represent the first real struggle for Ronald Koeman in his Everton career.
Everton had been outstanding up until the last two matches and the Dutchman will be looking for an instant response.
Despite that loss they still find themselves in 5th position in the Premier League, level on points with bitter rivals Liverpool.
The most pleasing aspect this season has been their defensive record, which has seen them concede just four goals.
Big Match For Everton
Palace are the visitors in this fixture and the response from the Everton players will need to be emphatic.
Neither side could fashion in a win in the two fixtures last season, with a 0-0 and 1-1 draw.
Another win could see Everton rise to second in the table, depending on the other weekend results.
Everton are 7/10 with Romelu Lukaku at 100/3o to score first
Crystal Palace travel to Goodison Park after an epic performance against Sunderland, which saw them complete a thrilling 3-2 win.
It was the perfect comeback, with goals from Jermain Defoe in the 39th and 60th minute leaving the visitors 2-0 down.
But Palace halved the deficit in the 61st minute after great work from Joe Ledley, with a left-footed finish from the Wales International.
Substitute James McArthur levelled the score in the 76th minute, then club record signing Christian Benteke completed the comeback in the 94th minute.
David Moyes could hardly believe what he had seen, it was an incredible comeback by Palace and they are a side in great form.
Premier League Form Great
Palace came into that match under something of a cloud, after the 2-0 midweek loss to Southampton in the EFL Cup.
Goals from Charlie Austin in the 33rd minute gave the Saints the lead, that advantage was doubled by Jake Hesketh just after the hour mark.
Alan Pardew's side could easily have crumbled after that defeat, especially in the face of a 2-0 deficit at the Stadium of Light.
Their great recent form and the confidence gained in the wins against Stoke and Middlesbrough, have given Palace a spring in their step.
Home Side Favourites
Crystal Palace have risen up to seventh in the Premier League after their three straight wins, their momentum has changed completely.
This will be another tough fixture for the Eagles, with Everton still smarting from back to back defeats in the EFL Cup and Premier League.
Everton are just ahead in the head to heads, with 12 wins, 10 draws and 10 defeats from 32 meetings.
Crystal Palace are 18/5 with Christian Benteke at 13/2 to open the scoring.
Swansea vs Liverpool – Saturday 1st October 2016 – 12:30 - Sky Sports 2
Swansea welcome Liverpool to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday lunchtime, with Swansea looking to bounce back after their recent defeat.
Francesco Guidolin's side lost their match against Manchester City last weekend, with Guardiola's men winning 3-1.
A double from Sergio Agüero in the 9th and 65th minute put City 1-0 and 2-1 up, with a Fernando Llorente goal in the 13th sandwiched in between.
Raheem Sterling completed the win for City in the 77th minute, with the young winger enjoying a fine season under the Spaniard.
It compounded a miserable week for Guidolin after his side were also knocked out of the EFL Cup, with a 2-1 defeat against the same opponents Manchester City.
Much More To Come
This fixture will be another tough match for under fire Guidolin, with Liverpool looking very impressive this season under Jurgen Klopp.
Swansea have failed to register a win since the opening day of the season, with a 1-0 against Burnley their only success.
They are hovering above the relegation zone in 17th place, with just four points from their opening six games.
There has been intense speculation over the future of Guidolin, with reports suggesting that both Bob Bradley and Ryan Giggs have met with Huw Jenkins.
Final Chance For Guidolin
This could be the last chance for Guidolin, with the vultures hovering after four defeats in their last five and an EFL Cup exit against Manchester City.
Their best performance of the season has come against Chelsea in the 2-2 draw, if they can replicate that level of performance they have a chance at home.
Liverpool have been in excellent form, Swansea did have the better of them in this fixture last season, with a 3-1 win at the Liberty in May.
Swansea are 5/1 with Fernando Llorente at 17/2 to open the scoring.
Liverpool travel to the Liberty Stadium after an excellent performance at home against Hull City.
The home side made the most of hapless Hull defending and the sending off of Mohammed Elmohamady.
Goals from Adam Lallana (17), James Milner (30 & 71), Sadio Mané (36) and Philippe Coutinho (52) made it an emphatic afternoon for Jurgen Klopp.
Hull did grab a consolation goal from David Meyler in the 51st minute, by that stage Liverpool were 3-1 up and cruising.
The fourth from Coutinho completed the win, with the second James Milner penalty of the afternoon resulting in another heavy defeat for Hull.
Premier League Form Great
Liverpool have been in scintillating form in all competitions, they have won their last three consecutive matches in fine style.
Wins against Hull, Chelsea and Leicester have complimented the opening day win against Arsenal.
Their only blemish was the defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor, they did follow that up with a spirited draw against Tottenham.
Sadio Mane has been outstanding for the Red's this season and he extended his goal tally at the weekend as well.
They are the second top scorers in the division, only trailing Manchester City, they do have the joint worst defence in the top ten though.
Red's Favourites
Liverpool have risen up to fourth in the Premier League after their three straight wins, level on points with Everton and Arsenal.
This will be another tough fixture for the Reds, with Swansea looking to produce a win for their under-fire manager.
The Liberty Stadium hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Liverpool recently, they do edge the head to head with 8 wins, 4 draws and 4 defeats from their 16 meetings.
Liverpool are 4/9 with Daniel Sturridge at 7/2 to score first.
Hull vs Chelsea Odds – Saturday 1st October 2016 – 15:00
Hull welcome Chelsea to the KC Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Hull looking to bounce back after their recent defeat.
Mike Phelan's side were given a footballing lesson at Anfield, losing 5-1 against Klopp's rampant Reds.
The home side made the most of hapless Hull defending and the sending off of Mohammed Elmohamady.
Goals from Adam Lallana (17), James Milner (30 & 71), Sadio Mané (36) and Philippe Coutinho (52) made it an emphatic afternoon for Jurgen Klopp.
Hull did grab a consolation goal from David Meyler in the 51st minute, by that stage Liverpool were 3-1 up and cruising.
The fourth from Coutinho completed the win, with the second James Milner penalty of the afternoon resulting in another heavy defeat for Hull.
Much More To Come
This fixture will be another tough match for Hull, with Chelsea looking to get their season back on track after two successive defeats.
Hull are also looking to get back to winning ways, after tough defeats to Arsenal and Liverpool over the last two games.
They have lost three matches this season but they were against United, Arsenal and Liverpool and there is no disgrace in that.
Phelan's side did enjoy an excellent start to life in the Premier League but facing four tough sides in their last five matches hasn't helped.
Conte Under Pressure
Hull will go into this match looking to increase the pressure on new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
The Blues have also lost their last two matches against top opposition in the defeats to Arsenal and Liverpool.
They will look to use this to their advantage, they will have to make history if they are to beat Chelsea, they have failed to beat them in 9 games so far.
Hull are 6/1 with Robert Snodgrass at 9/1 to open the scoring.
Chelsea travel to the KC Stadium after another underwhelming defeat against rivals Arsenal.
Antonio Conte will be bemoaning a lack of leadership in defence, with mistakes from Gary Cahill and poor performances throughout contributing to the defeat.
Three first half goals from Alexis Sánchez (11), Theo Walcott (14) and Mesut Özil (40) were enough to give Arsenal a crushing 3-0 victory.
Chelsea struggled to create any clear-cut chances, with a late effort from Michy Batshuayi the best Chelsea could muster.
This is the second defeat against top class opposition in successive weeks, with Conte's side already behind in the title race.
Premier League Form Poor
Chelsea will have been devastated to lose two successive matches after their excellent start, to lose to two title rivals will have hurt them as well.
It is vital for the Blues to beat the sides in and around them if they are to have any chance of competing for the Premier League title.
Defensively they have been poor in their last three games, with the lack of leadership provided by John Terry evident.
Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic have been poor in the last few weeks, with N'Golo Kante looking short of his best in the Arsenal game as well.
The Blues have the 5th best scoring record in the Premier League, they do have the joint worst defence in the top ten though.
Chelsea Favourites
Despite their poor recent form Chelsea are the favourites against Hull, they have yet to be beaten by the Tigers.
This will be another tough fixture for Chelsea, with Hull also looking to avoid three straight defeats, although it will be more disastrous for Conte than it would be for Hull.
Chelsea are 4/9 with Diego Costa at 11/4 to score first.
Betting Tips
Tip 1 – Lukaku to score first @ 100/30 and Everton to win 2-1 @ 7/1
Tip 2 – Llorente to score first @ 17/2 and Swansea to win 2-1 @ 18/1
Tip 3 - Costa to score first @ 11/4 and Chelsea to win 2-1 @ 7/1