The Premier League preview is back with another bumper Saturday. The first match sees Bournemouth host Sunderland in a huge match for both sides. Bournemouth will be looking to banish last weekend's defeat against Middlesbrough and get another much needed three home points on the board. Sunderland are in desperate need of a win with David Moyes' future in the balance, just two points from their opening ten matches is an appalling return.
Bournemouth vs Sunderland – Saturday 5th November 2016 – 15:00
Bournemouth welcome Sunderland to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with both sides looking to recover from last weekend's defeats.
Eddie Howe's side come into this match on the back of a 2-0 defeat against Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
It was Boro's first home win this season, with goals from Gaston Ramirez (39) and Stewart Downing (56) giving Aitor Karanka's side all three points.
An injury to Andrew Surman added injury to insult, with all three substitutes used the Cherries had to end the game with ten men.
Cherries In Mixed Form
Bournemouth come into this match in mixed recent form, the defeat against Boro ending a run of four games unbeaten.
They had seemingly turned the corner after a tough start, with excellent results against Hull, Everton and Tottenham prior to the Middlesbrough result.
Howe's side had been in excellent form, they have only been beaten twice in their last six, with defeats against Boro and Manchester City.
They are still well placed and have enjoyed a great start in their bid for survival, a home win against struggling Sunderland will be a priority though.
Bournemouth Favourites
Despite this poor result in their last match, Bournemouth go into this match as favourites, they have never lost a game against Sunderland in the Premier League.
They will be looking to register their fourth win of the season, they will be looking to register a third win in seven.
Bournemouth will be looking to avoid a fifth defeat of the season, a win could take them level with Manchester United on points.
Bournemouth are 8/13 with Callum Wilson at 7/2 to score first.
Sunderland Still Winless
Sunderland travel to the Vitality Stadium in appalling form, with no wins this season and just two points from ten matches.
They lost their last fixture against Arsenal 4-1, a result that left manager David Moyes in a precarious position.
Goals from Alexis Sanchez (19, 78) and Olivier Giroud with his first two touches (71, 76) were enough for the Gunners to complete a comfortable victory.
Jermain Defoe's 65th-minute penalty had drawn Sunderland level, the defense capitulated completely though, conceding three goals in seven minutes.
Worst Ever Start
Sunderland have had their worst ever start to a Premier League season, with two points from ten matches a league and club record low.
David Moyes is under increasing pressure to produce results, with this Sunderland side one of the worst in the league and the results are beginning to show.
The Weirsiders come into this match on a run of five defeats in their last six matches, they are rock bottom but a win could draw them level with fellow strugglers Swansea.
Black Cats Underdogs
Sunderland come into this match as underdogs, with the club yet to register a win they will be desperate to get their first win of the season at the Vitality.
This will be a tough fixture for the Black Cats, with their last visit to Bournemouth resulting in a 2-0 defeat.
David Moyes' side will be looking to make history, with the club yet to win a fixture against Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Sunderland are 17/4 with Jermain Defoe at 13/2 to open the scoring.
The second match sees Burnley take on Crystal Palace at Turf Moor, with Burnley looking to build on their excellent away point at Old Trafford, with goalkeeper Tom Heaton putting in an incredible solo display with 11 saves. Crystal Palace will be looking to end another dismal run of form with a win against the Clarets, Pardew's side are on a run of three successive defeats.
Burnley vs Crystal Palace – Saturday 5th November 2016 – 15:00
Burnley welcome Crystal Palace to Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon, with both sides looking for a much needed three points.
Sean Dyche's side come into this match on the back of a 0-0 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Tom Heaton had the game of his life, with the man of the match pulling off a string of incredible saves, eleven in counting, to deny United a home win.
Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands and Ander Herrera undeservedly sent off, in a match that saw United dominate with 37 shots.
Clarets In Great Form
Burnley come into this match in great recent form, taking four points from their last two matches against Everton and Manchester United.
Along with the victory against Watford, Burnley have registered seven points from 18 available and Dyche will be happy with that return.
Both Burnley and Palace are level on points in the Premier League, with eleven points from their opening ten matches.
They have identical records, winning three, drawing two and losing five of their ten fixtures, with Burnley the side far happier with that return.
Burnley Underdogs
Despite their excellent recent form Burnley go into this match as underdogs, they have never beaten Palace in the Premier League.
They will be looking to register their fourth win of the season, they will also be looking to register a third win in seven.
Sean Dyche's men will be looking to avoid a sixth defeat of the season, a win could take them up to 9th place in the Premier League.
Burnley are 21/10 with Andre Gray at 6/1 to open the scoring.
Palace Under Pressure
Crystal Palace travel to Turf Moor in appalling form, with three successive defeats and no wins in their last four Premier League games.
They lost their last fixture against Liverpool 4-2, a result that will have disappointed manager Alan Pardew.
Goals from Emre Can (16), Dejan Lovren (21), Joel Matip (44) and Roberto Firmino (71) gave Liverpool four goals away from home and three points.
James McArthur's rare double (18, 33) pegged Liverpool back twice but ultimately Palace failed to defend properly and it has cost them dear.
Palace Looking For Upturn In Fortunes
Crystal Palace are in another poor run of form, having suffered a slow start this season and they are in another tough run of form.
Alan Pardew will be looking to end their poor run of form as soon as possible, with the investment made in the squad this summer meaning there is a pressure on results.
The Eagles have conceded 8 goals in three matches, with no clean sheets in their last six matches, they have conceded the 6th most goals this season.
Eagles Favourites
Crystal Palace come into this match as favourites, despite the clubs recent dismal record, the bookies have them as favourites to overturn their recent poor form.
This will be a tough fixture for the Alan Pardew's side, their recent record against the Clarets is excellent, losing just once in their last six meetings.
A win will get Crystal Palace back on track and they will potentially move into the top ten for the first time this season.
Crystal Palace are 13/10 with Christian Benteke at 9/2 to open the scoring.
The final match of this preview sees Manchester City take on Middlesbrough at the Etihad. The Blues will be flying high after dismantling Barcelona 3-1 at home, with the win seen as a massive boost for Guardiola and his vision for Manchester City. Middlesbrough will be looking to build on their excellent win against Bournemouth, it was their first home win of the season and they will be looking to push on albeit against an inform Manchester City.
Manchester City vs Middlesbrough – Saturday 5th November 2016 – 15:00
Manchester City welcome Middlesbrough to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with both sides looking to capitalise on excellent recent results.
The hosts come into this match on the back of a 3-1 win against Barcelona at the Etihad on Tuesday evening.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring for the visitors in the 21st minute, taking his tally to four goals in two games against Guardiola's men.
City responded with a double from Ilkay Gundogan (39, 74) with Kevin De Bruyne's excellent free kick in the 51st minute beating Marc Andre Ter Stegen.
City Have Rediscovered Spark
That result will have given Manchester City incredible confidence coming into this match, it will also give them an excellent chance of Champions League progression.
Along with the victory against West Brom last weekend, Manchester City have registered back to back wins for the first time since late September.
They are still top of the Premier League as well, ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool on goal difference, with seven wins from their opening ten matches.
Despite their recent blip in form they have still only been beaten once in the Premier League this season, in the 2-0 defeat against Spurs.
City Favourites
Unsurprisingly Manchester City head into this fixture as the favourites, with home advantage and recent form taken into account.
They will be looking to register their 8th win of the season, they will also be looking to register a third successive win.
Pep Guardiola's men will be looking to better their recent record against Middlesbrough, with City losing three of their last five meetings.
Man City are 2/9 with Sergio Aguero at 11/4 to open the scoring.
Boro Finally Wrestle Home Demons
Middlesbrough travel to Etihad Stadium in good form, they are unbeaten in successive matches for only the second time this season.
They won their last fixture against Bournemouth 2-0, a result that has finally ended Middlesbrough's poor run of results at home this season.
Goals from Gaston Ramirez (39) and Stewart Downing (56) were enough to give Boro all three points.
With Ramirez' goal an absolute stunner to break the deadlock, collecting the ball in his own half and cooly slotting home with his right foot for a superb solo goal.
Back To Back Wins
Middlesbrough ended a poor run of eight games without a win, with the home win against Bournemouth very important in the context of their season.
Aitor Karanka will be looking for another solid performance from his side, with their performance against Arsenal the exact template he will look to follow.
Boro will also be looking to continue their excellent run of two clean sheets, with Victor Valdes unbeaten in their last two games.
Boro Underdogs
Middlesbrough come into this match as underdogs, despite the clubs recent excellent form, they are in for a tough afternoon at the Etihad.
This will be a tough fixture for the Aitor Karanka's side, their clean sheets record will be under threat against a side that have scored seven in their last two games.
Middlesbrough will be looking to slightly better their record against Manchester City, with 40 wins, 20 draws and 42 defeats in 102 meetings.
Middlesbrough are 12/1 with Alvaro Negredo at 11/1 to score first.
Betting Tips
Tip 1 – Afobe to score first @ 9/2 and Sunderland to win 2-1 @ 16/1
Tip 2 –Benteke to score first @ 9/2 and Crystal Palace to win 2-1 @ 17/2
Tip 3 – Aguero to score first @ 11/4 and Manchester City to win 3-1 @ 10/1