What a weekend for soccer fans of the English Premier League! Manchester City at the Etihad versus Liverpool, who were held to a rare draw by Aston Villa midweek. And Arsenal, trying to close the gap, take on the Hammers. Plus, many other closely rated matches that could develop into thrillers.

As usual, we look at each game in the sequence. Starting 22h00 on Friday night where Leicester opposes Brentford and culminating with the powerhouse showdown on Sunday at 18h00 between Man City and Liverpool.

The figure next to each team is the Goal Guru Index (G.G.I.), a sophisticated metric which measures performance in the EPL. It does help of course in finding winners, but there is no single number/magic bullet in any sports that can be used to predict with total assurance. Instead, fine margins, weird decisions, a flash of individual brilliance or a brain- fade error by a goalie and, for want of a better word, luck play an oversize role in outcomes.

LEICESTER CITY 19 VS BRENTFORD 37: the visitors have an 18-point edge on the G.G.I. which may be sufficient to secure an away win. Amazing striker, Wissa is the key man for Brentford.

EVERTON 25 + VS MANCHESTER UNITED 37: again, the away side has a clear advantage but Everton are trending upwards under Moyes and are a different proposition these days compared to when Dyche was presiding over a downward slide. Let’s tick 1 – 2 – 3 and be safe, whatever happens.

ARSENAL 52 VS WEST HAM UNITED 31: 2nd on the Log, Arsenal can be singled with assurance, as the weekend’s shortest priced favourites at 1/3 odds on, with a 21-point edge, playing at their home ground. {1} is the solution versus the blundering, Hammers who are languishing at 16th on the table.

SOUTHAMPTON 19 VS BRIGHTON 40: Another banker {3} is advised as the Seagulls nip down the coast to take on struggling Saints who have only won two and drawn three of 25 matches. Southampton are way bottom of the log with just nine points and unlikely to change things here.

FULHAM 43 VS CRYSTAL PALACE 32: The temptation is to row in with the home side who are ahead on the G.G.I. and 8th in League position as opposed to Palace in 13th. Realistically, all three results are quite possible, hence. {1} {2} {3}.

IPSWICH 15 VS TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 46: Spurs have let us down a few times this season when their defense has gone M.I.A. But instead of losing faith they are tipped to continue with their attacking, mini revival under Kulusevski and, at 9/10 odds, see off relegation threatened, Ipswich.

BOURNEMOUTH 46 VS WOLVES 25: The Cherries have been one of the surprise packages of the 2024/25 season. By no means a mere flash in the pan, sustained good performances see them perched in 5th spot. Kluivert is the talisman for the 6/10 faves that can send Wolves packing. {1}

ASTON VILLA 36 VS CHELSEA 48: Whilst Chelsea has the edge on the G.G.I. they are only a few places above Villa on the table and have been in an awful slump. This is too close to call. Mark {1} {2} {3} on your betting slip and be sure to advance.

NEWCASTLE UNITED 46 VS NOTTINGHAM FOREST 31: Notts are respected. Their retro style of play has garnered 14 wins from 25 matches. Yet signs of frailty are emerging with two losses from the last three games. Newcastle were considered one of the league’s most reliable sides, but they are wobbling through a current losing patch of three defeats from the last four matches. In a decision born of compromise we go {1) & 2} - Newcastle to win at 8/10 or the draw to boost dividends.

MANCHESTER CITY 56 VS LIVERPOOL 65: The top two sides as judged by the G.G.I. City were mauled by Real Madrid in the Champions League midweek. They could conceivably strike back but the percentage call is to go for Liverpool or the draw and savor a skillful showdown.

Suggested perm of 108 combinations, taken at the minimum ten cent unit for R10.80.

3 x 1 2 3 x 1 x 3 x 1 2 3 x 3 x 1 x 1 2 3 x 1 2 x 2 3.

Enjoy watching these great games of soccer over the weekend!