It's another big weekend of fixtures in the Premier League, with all of these sides looking for a huge three points, in the battle of the 3pm kick offs. Everton host Stoke at Goodison Park, Champions Leicester host Swansea and Southampton take on Sunderland at St.Mary's with both sides looking for a crucial three points.
Everton vs Stoke – Saturday 27th August 2016 – 15:00
Everton welcome Stoke to Goodison Park this Saturday, with new manager Ronald Koeman looking to continue their excellent start to the season.
The Dutchman will be delighted with his sides start to the season, with an unbeaten start and the knowledge that they can still improve.
They come into this match on the back of a 2-1 win against West Brom last Saturday, with Gareth Barry's goal in the 60th minute enough to settle the tie in the Toffee's favour.
It was a good performance away from home, with the stats proving that Everton were the better side on the day.
They dominated possession and capitalised on it, with 7 shots on target from 13 shots overall from 66.4% of the ball.
This was despite going behind to Gareth McAuley's towering header, giving the Baggies an early 9th minute lead.
Goals from Kevin Mirallas on the stroke of half time ensured the hosts went into the break level, then Gareth Barry made it 2-1 on the hour to ensure all three points went back to Merseyside.
Good Start For The Toffees
They began the season with a tough match against Tottenham, with a 1-1 draw a deserved result and ensured Koeman started unbeaten.
The 2-1 result in their last game ensured that they remain in 5th place on four points, with a goal difference of +1.
This is a match that sees Stoke travel to Goodison Park, the visitors will still be reeling after their 4-1 thumping against Manchester City last Saturday.
Koeman will be confident of victory at home, with his side yet to really hit their straps against Tottenham and West Brom.
Everton will be wary of improving their home record from last term, with the level of performances at Goodison Park largely responsible for their abysmal finish last term.
They lost 8 games at home last year and that is a statistic that Ronald Koeman and his staff cannot allow, particularly if they are looking to progress beyond their 11th place finish of last year.
Everton will be looking to continue their excellent overall record against Stoke. In 92 matches they have won 37, drawn 27 and lost 28.
Everton are the favourites at 8/11 with Romelu Lukaku to open the scoring at 7/2.
Stoke come into this match on the back of a 4-1 drubbing at home, with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City dispatching them with ease.
Mark Hughes and his men were thoroughly out performed at the bet 365 Stadium and with goals from Sergio Aguero (27 and 36), and a brace from new singing Nolito (86 and 90+5) ensured it was a big defeat at home for Hughes.
They did manage to pull one back through a Bojan penalty and up until the 86th minute Stoke had every chance, the clinical finish from City ensured that fightback never materialised.
Manchester City enjoyed the better of the possession, with Stoke producing half of the shots on target.
To go with their opening day draw at Middlesbrough they have at least got off the mark, Hughes will want a much improved performance in this match though.
Everton Present Good Marker
Stoke travel to Goodison Park to face Everton, knowing that Ronald Koeman's men will be just as big a threat as Manchester City, particularly at home.
This will be a good yardstick for Mark Hughes as well, if they are to progress further from last year it is the likes of Everton that they will have to beat.
Everton under Koeman will be hovering below the top four, competing with the likes of Liverpool, West Ham and potentially Tottenham in the battle for Champions League.
Stoke will be looking to make it two wins in two seasons at Goodison Park, with the Potters recording an excellent 4-3 last season, in a result that summed up Everton's season.
Stoke are the underdogs at 4/1 with Marko Arnautovic to open the scoring at 15/2.
Leicester vs Swansea – Saturday 27th August 2016 – 15:00
Leicester welcome Swansea to King Power Stadium this Saturday, with manager Claudio Ranieri looking to secure his first win of the season, at the third time of asking.
Tinkerman Ranieri will not be happy with his sides start to the season, they lost their first fixture against Hull and drew against Arsenal.
They come into this match on the back of a 0-0 draw against Arsenal last Saturday, with both sides failing to create any concrete chances.
The draw was a fair result in the end, as was the case for much of last season Leicester spent large periods of the game without the ball.
Arsenal dominated possession but failed to capitalise on it, with 4 shots on target from 13 shots overall, they enjoyed 60.5% of the ball.
During the 90 minutes Leicester had only one shot on target, they will be looking to be far more clinical and creative against Swansea.
Leicester did end the game well, with Musa going down in the box late on and Riyad Mahrez was denied by Cech.
Kick Start Needed
They began the season with a underwhelming result and performance, with a 2-1 defeat at Hull the surprise result of the opening weekend.
Leicester find themselves in 15th place at this early stage of the season, with a goal difference of -1.
This is a match that sees Swansea travel to the King Power, the visitors will still be reeling after their 2-0 defeat at home to Hull.
Leicester did the double over Swansea last season, recording winning margins of 4-0 and 3-0 and will be targeting a fourth successive win in the Premier League.
Jamie Vardy will be looking to register his first goal of the season, likewise the Foxes will be targeting their first win to get them up and running.
The Foxes will be wary of of another loss at this stage of the season, they have already lost one game, in comparison with the three during the whole of their title winning season.
With a tough fixture in the form of Liverpool coming and the Champions League looming, Ranieri and co will be looking to get a much needed three points in this fixture.
Leicester will be looking to continue their excellent overall record against Swansea. In 9 matches they have won 6 and lost 3.
Leicester are the favourites at 3/4 with Jamie Vardy to open the scoring at 4/1.
Swansea come into this match on the back of a 2-0 defeat at home, with Mike Phelan's Hull City completing a comprehensive win at the Liberty Stadium.
The Swans will be thoroughly disappointed to lose their opening fixture at home, to compound that defeat they also failed to score as well.
They had defended well up until the 79th minute, enjoying the lion share of possession and nearly double the number of shots, their conversion to shots on target was terrible though.
Mike Phelan's inspired substitution of Shaun Maloney in the 73rd minute ensured Hull left with two goals and maximum points.
Shaun Maloney opened the scoring for the Tigers just 6 minutes after coming on, chesting home from close ranger after great work from Curtis Davies.
Maloney then turned provider for Abel Hernandez in the second minute of injury time, slotting a ball through to the striker who slotted past Fabianski with ease.
After their opening 1-0 against Burnley this will be a setback for the club, with consistency the key for Guidolin if they are to avoid last seasons troubles.
Leicester A Huge Challenge
Swansea travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester, knowing that the Premier League Champions will be itching to get a result.
Guidolin will be wanting a much improved performance than the previous three encounters, with Swansea failing to score in any of those matches and conceding 9 goals.
The main aim for Swansea this season will be to break into the top ten, if they are to do that then consistency in performance will be absolutely vital.
Swansea will be looking for their second win of the new season, they currently find themselves in 12th place on three points, with a -1 goal difference.
Swansea are the underdogs at 4/1 with Fernando Llorente to open the scoring at 7/1.
Southampton vs Sunderland – Saturday 27th August 2016 – 15:00
Southampton welcome Sunderland to St.Mary's this Saturday, with new manager Claude Puel looking to secure his first win of the season, at the third time of asking.
Frenchman Puel will not be happy with his sides start to the season, they drew their first fixture against Watford and lost against Manchester United on Friday night.
They come into this match on the back of a 2-0 defeat against Manchester Untied, with the Saints putting in a decent first half performance.
Manchester United were unable to create any real chances for the first 35 minutes, until poor defending allowed Wayne Rooney to pick out Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The ball was inch perfect from the captain with the Swede beating Fonte in the air, heading past goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
Zlatan made it 2-0 in the second half after Luke Shaw was brought down in the box, with a clumsy challenge from Jordi Clasie enough to send the former Saints defender down.
Ibrahimovic took the spot kick to double his and United's tally, that was the end of the match as a contest.
One Change Too Many
They began the season with a underwhelming result and performance, with a 1-1 draw at at home against Watford.
It is too soon to tell but this could be one season of transition too far for Southampton, with the constant managerial changes and selling of players taking their toll.
They have lost the services of manager Koeman to rivals Everton, key forward Sadio Mane has also made the trip to Merseyside, albeit the Red side.
Along with former manager Pochettino stealing Victor Wanyama, could this be a season too far for Southampton as they look to progress up the table again.
This is a match that sees Sunderland travel to the St.Mary's, with the visitors struggling themselves after defeats against Manchester City and Middlesbrough.
Southampton were unbeaten against Sunderland last season and they will be looking to continue that record in this encounter.
Nathan Redmond has scored their only goal in two games so far, if Southampton are to start climbing up the table he will need help, the sale of Graziano Pelle looking questiobanle at this stage.
The Saints will be wary of of another loss at this stage of the season, they have already lost one game, and the new manager Puel will be looking for his opening win sooner rather than later.
Southampton will be looking to continue their excellent overall record against Sunderland. In 42 matches they have won 18, drawn 11 and lost 13.
Southampton are the favourites at 8/13 with Shane Long to open the scoring at 4/1.
Sunderland come into this match on the back of a 2-1 defeat at home, with rivals Middlesbrough delivering a huge blow to the David Moyes era.
The Black Cats will be thoroughly disappointed to lose their opening fixture at home, in a narrow defeat against Manchester City.
They had defended really well up until the 87th minute, more than holding their own against a City side that had been restricted to long range shots.
Paddy McNair's unfortunate own goal cost them the points, it was a performance that was at least worthy of a draw and the defeat against Middlesbrough followed.
It was a game that saw Sunderland enjoy more shots and shots on target, with main marksman Jermaine Defoe seemingly having an off game.
Christian Stuani was the chief tormentor for David Moyes, with two first half goals to ensure a second defeat in as many games.
Moyes has failed to help his cause with comments that they are in a relegation fight already, after two games this seems both defeatist and pessimistic.
Signings Key
The Scot is experienced, he will be hoping that those comments are enough to gee up the board into making new signings.
Javier Manquillo, of Atletico Madrid and formerly of Liverpool has been announced today, there is hope that he will be the first of many.
The trip to Southampton will be a long one, given how their season has gone Sunderland will be hoping they can register a much needed three points.
Sunderland will be looking for their first win of the new season, they currently find themselves in 18th place with no points and with a -2 goal difference.
Sunderland are the underdogs at 19/4 with Jermaine Defoe to open the scoring at 7/1.
Betting Tips
Bolasie to score first @ 5/1 and Everton to win 3-1 @ 12/1
Vardy to score first @ 4/1 and Leicester to win 3-1 @ 14/1
Defoe to score first @ 7/1 and Southampton to win 2-1 @ 15/2