
The Premier League’s leading sides continued to set the pace on matchday seven, with Manchester City maintaining their perfect start and Arsenal finding a way to keep the pressure on despite a difficult outing.
City made it a maximum 21 points from seven outings by seeing off Ipswich Town 3-2, although the narrow scoreline offered another reminder that even the frontrunners are being made to work for their rewards.
Arsenal certainly discovered that against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. The Gunners had to wait until the 80th minute for their first and only shot on target, with Noni Madueke making it count to secure a hard-earned victory and keep them within three points of the summit.
Brighton remain within touching distance too, and nobody has matched their attacking output. The Seagulls became the first side to pass the 20-goal mark by putting five past rivals Crystal Palace, taking their tally to 23.
Sterner examinations now await, however, starting with Liverpool this weekend. The Reds secured an important three points against Brentford on Saturday, recovering from a goal down thanks to Victor Munoz and Alexander Isak.
Chelsea, meanwhile, appear to have moved beyond their recent blip after winning 2-0 at Everton. Next comes a London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, who finally claimed their first league victory of the campaign against Coventry City on Monday night.
Elsewhere, problems are mounting for Manchester United and Michael Carrick. Sunday’s point at Leeds United offered something to build on, but a bruising 4-1 defeat at Como in midweek has stripped away that optimism and left his job under serious threat. Bournemouth will look to pile on the misery at Old Trafford on Sunday, with the Cherries’ superb recent record there giving them every reason to believe they can push Carrick closer to the exit.
Premier League tipster Ben Smith has picked out five selections across the weekend’s Premier League odds, combining them into a 19/1 accumulator with BetMGM.
Ipswich have made an encouraging start, but their failure to keep a clean sheet in nine competitive matches suggests Forest will get chances, particularly with Morgan Gibbs-White expected back.
The visitors have already won at Aston Villa and drawn at Liverpool, showing greater promise on their travels. Seven of Ipswich’s last eight home games have featured over 2.5 goals, making both teams to score and over 2.5 goals an appealing combination.
Enzo Maresca is expected to recall several regulars after rotating against AEK Athens, with Josko Gvardiol likely to be available. Villa should welcome back Ian Maatsen, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka is sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury at Newcastle.
City face a stern test at Villa Park, but Jeremy Doku looks a good price to score or assist as they chase an eighth successive league victory.
The winger has created 2.91 shots per 90 minutes in 2026, more than any teammate, yielding 0.42 assists per 90. He also averages 1.97 shots himself, offering another route to a return.
Tottenham’s win over Coventry offers some relief, but Chelsea’s attacking firepower offers a much tougher proposition.
The Blues have scored seven goals across back-to-back league victories and have been particularly rampant at Stamford Bridge, making a home win and over 1.5 goals an appealing combination.
Spurs’ lengthy injury list adds to their problems, while their record in this fixture inspires little confidence. Chelsea have won the last six league meetings and look well placed to extend that sequence on Sunday.
Liverpool have picked up important wins over Brentford and Villarreal, but elements of their performances, particularly against the Spanish side, still leave cause for concern.
Injuries continue to stretch the Reds, with Munoz required at right-back for part of the Brentford game, Hugo Ekitike’s absence limiting their attacking options and Dominik Szoboszlai another significant loss.
Brighton arrive as one of the league’s form teams and look a more settled outfit, making them worth backing to take at least a point.
United’s problems deepened with Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat at Como, with Bruno Fernandes criticising Michael Carrick and his coaches just a week after Lisandro Martinez questioned the summer recruitment.
There’s little sign of a settled structure, making Bournemouth awkward opponents on Sunday. The Cherries are missing Alex Scott and have Thursday’s European meeting with AC Milan to consider, but they remain comfortably the more coherent side and can capitalise on United’s growing turmoil at Old Trafford.
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