The Premier League returns this weekend after another International break, with three excellent games to look forward to. Chelsea host Leicester at Stamford Bridge, with both sides enjoying a mixed start to their campaigns. Bournemouth host Hull at the Vitality with Mike Phelan recently signing a permanent contract with the Tigers. The last match sees Arsenal host Swansea, with new Swans manager Bob Bradley keen to make it a winning start.
Chelsea vs Leicester – Saturday 15th October 2016 – 12:30 - Sky Sports 1
Chelsea welcome Leicester to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, with both sides looking to register a win after the international break.
Antonio Conte's men come into this match on the back of a 2-0 win against Hull City, prior to the international break.
Two goals in six minutes from Willian (61) and Diego Costa (67) ensured Chelsea did not lose three successive Premier League games.
Hull were resolute in defence, with Chelsea struggling to break them down until the hour mark.
It was another sign of the pressure Chelsea are currently under, it has also proved that they are yet to exercise last season's demons entirely.
Back In Form
That win will have delighted Antonio Conte however, with his side enduring two successive defeats prior to that game.
Defeats at home against Liverpool and away to Arsenal have cast some doubt on Chelsea's title capabilities.
Chelsea had enjoyed an excellent start to the season, they were undefeated after their first four matches.
Their overall record is mixed this season, with four wins, one draw and two defeats but they still have plenty to play for.
Chelsea Favourites
Conte's side are 7th in the Premier League, level on points with Manchester United and five points off leaders Manchester City.
They will go above Manchester United and Everton into 5th with a win, in the process consigning Leicester to two defeats at the Bridge this season.
Their recent record against Leicester is mixed, they have drawn, lost and won in each of their last three meetings.
Chelsea are 3/5 with Diego Costa at 3/1 to score first.
Leicester travel to Stamford Bridge on the back of a goalless draw against Southampton at the King Power Stadium.
The visitors enjoyed the best of the game, reigstering the most shots on and off target and maintaining the lion share of possesion.
Claudio Ranieri's Champions have in truth struggled to maintain any level of consistency this season, in the Premier League at least.
In the Champions League they have been much more like the side of last season, registering two wins in their opening two matches.
Prior to the Southampton draw, the Foxes were torn apart 4-1 at Old Trafford, with a rampant United side scoring four first half goals.
European Boost
Leicester have enjoyed an mixed season so far, they have already lost as many games as they did throughout the whole of last season.
Their European progress has been exceptional though, with a comprehensive 3-0 win away against Club Brugge in their first ever Champions League match.
They followed that up with a hard fought 1-0 win against Porto at the King Power Stadium.
Dragon Slayer Islam Slimani scored the only goal of the game, a result that sees Leicester top the group with a perfect record thus far.
Chelsea Favourites
Chelsea come into this match as favourites, they will be looking to make it back to back wins.
This will be a tough fixture for both sides, with Leicester relishing the underdog tag, they have also proved to be unpredictable during the course of this season.
Leicester will be looking to improve their overall record against Chelsea, in 79 matches they have won 18, lost 38 and drawn 23.
Leicester are 9/2 with Jamie Vardy at 8/1 to score first.
Bournemouth vs Hull City – Saturday 15th October 2016 – 15:00
Bournemouth welcome Hull City to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with both sides looking to register a win after the international break.
Eddie Howe's men come into this match on the back of a 2-2 draw against Watford, prior to the international break.
Bournemouth took the lead twice through Callum Wilson (31) and then Joshua King (62), only to be pegged back twice.
Watford captain Troy Deeney equalised in the 50th minute and Isaac Success again levelled the scoreline for the Hornets in the 65th minute.
It was an excellent away performance from the Cherries, with Howe deeply disappointed that they were unable to take all three points.
Back In Form
That result is still an excellent one for Bournemouth however, following up on the win against Everton that is four points from their last two games.
Howe's side have tasted defeat three times this season, with losses against Manchester United, Manchester City and West Ham.
They have had a mixed start, they find themselves in 13th place level with Watford and Leicester on 8 points.
Their problems have been at both ends of the pitch but they have the second joint worst scoring record in the league, with only 6 goals in their opening seven games.
Bournemouth Favourites
Despite that damning statistic, Bournemouth do find themselves overwhelming favourites in this match.
They will go above Southampton, West Brom, Leicester and Watford into 9th with a win, in the process consigning Hull to four successive league defeats.
Their recent record against Hull is poor, with three successive defeats in their last three meetings.
Bournemouth are 4/5 with Callum Wilson at 4/1 to score first.
Hull Struggling
Hull travel to the Vitality Stadium on the back of a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea at the KC Stadium.
The visitors were resolute defensively for much of the game, two goals from Chelsea inside six minutes consigned Hull to another defeat though.
Despite their excellent start back in the top flight they have struggled recently, with three successive defeats coming into this match.
They have not been easy fixtures though, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal in four of their last five matches.
That horror run, as well as the stalemate against Burnley, have derailed Hull's excellent start.
Easier Games To Come
Hull find themselves in 15th place in the Premier League, only two places and one point behind their hosts.
Mike Phelan's side will fancy their chances of securing a much-needed win, with four successive defeats a big blow to his chances of securing the managerial position at the KC.
With games against Stoke, Watford and Bournemouth in their next three matches there should be cautious optimism amongst the squad.
A return to winning ways this weekend would be the perfect tonic for the Tigers, especially given all of the off-field turmoil they are experiencing.
Bournemouth Favourites
Hull come into this match as underdogs, they will be looking to avoid four successive defeats.
This will be a tough fixture for both sides, with Hull relishing the underdog tag, they have had an appalling fixture run of late.
Hull will be looking to continue their excellent record against Bournemouth, in 10 matches they have won 6, lost 1 and drawn 3.
Hull are 7/2 with Abel Hernandez at 17/2 to open the scoring.
Arsenal vs Swansea – Saturday 15th October 2016 – 15:00
Arsenal welcome Swansea to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with both sides looking to register a win after the international break.
Arsene Wenger's side come into this match on the back of a 1-0 win against Burnley, prior to the international break.
The Gunners left it late with a 93rd-minute winner from Laurent Koscielny enough to break Claret hearts.
Burnley put in an excellent defensive display at Turf Moor, Arsenal's late siege on the Burnley goal was enough to get them all three points.
As you'd expect Arsenal dominated in all departments, with much better possession and higher shots and shots on target registered.
Back In Form
That result is an excellent one for Arsenal, with Liverpool failing to win there earlier in the season.
It was another great example of the mental strength within this Arsenal squad, in previous years they would have lost that type of fixture.
Despite losing their first game of the season to Liverpool, Arsenal have been outstanding this season, winning their last five matches.
They are the third highest scorers in the league, with the joint fourth best defence in the division.
Gunners Favourites
Arsenal are in excellent order in all departments of the pitch, they have also registered an unbeaten start in the Champions League.
They will go above Manchester City and Tottenham to the top of the Premier League with a win, although both sides have 3pm kick offs so that is dependant on results.
Their recent record against Swansea is poor, with three defeats in their last four league meetings.
Arsenal are 2/7 with Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud at 3/1 to score first.
Bradley Era Begins
Swansea travel to the Emirates Stadium on the back of a narrow 2-1 defeat against Liverpool at the Liberty Stadium.
Bob Bradley has been appointed the new Swansea manager, after what feels like months of speculation.
They dispensed with Francesco Guidolin after the Liverpool defeat, with the Italian dispensed of on his 63rd birthday.
The hosts took the early lead through Leroy Fer in the 8th minute, to give Swansea the perfect start.
Goals from Roberto Firmino (54) and a late James Milner penalty (84), saw Liverpool record a fourth successive win.
Big Test For Bradley
Swansea find themselves in 17th place in the Premier League, 12 points and 14 places off their hosts after seven matches.
The former Le Havre coach becomes the first American to coach in the Premier League, with his first match against one of the Premier Leagues in form sides.
They have had a tough fixture list, with defeats against Manchester City, Liverpool, Southampton, Chelsea and Leicester and Arsenal now as well.
A return to winning ways this weekend would be the perfect tonic for the Swans, especially given their current predicament near the foot of the table.
Swans Underdogs
Swansea come into this match as underdogs, they will be looking to avoid their sixth defeat of this new Premier League season.
This will be a tough fixture for both sides, with Swansea looking to impress their new manager and Arsenal looking to state their title credentials.
Swansea will be looking to continue their record against Arsenal, in 16 matches they have won 7, lost 7 and drawn 2.
Swansea are 9/1 with Fernando Llorente at 11/1 to open the scoring.
Betting Tips
Tip 1 – Mahrez to score first @ 17/2 and a 2-2 draw @ 14/1
Tip 2 – Hernandez to score first @ 17/2 and a 1-1 draw @ 5/1
Tip 3 - Llorente to score first @ 11/1 and Arsenal to win 2-1 @ 8/1