A look at the top fixtures, kit matchups and Best Bets for Matchweek Four in The Best League There Is.
EPL MW4 Fixtures with American TV/Streaming listings in Pacific Standard Time courtesy of http://www.premierleague.com (image edited)
LAS VEGAS — With early September’s international break firmly in the rearview mirror, it is now Matchweek Four in England’s Premier League. There are 8 fixtures on the Saturday schedule and two fixtures on the Sunday schedule including one of the Premiership’s most notorious and intense rivalries in the North London Derby when Spurs play host to Arsenal.
“The message is clear. You don’t need any motivation or to tell them anything more than that.
— Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta on the North London Derby
Will Arteta and the Gunners be jubilant at the final whistle Sunday? Photo Credit: Getty Images
PL AT A GLANCE
Gallery Credit: Opta Analyst on X
KEY FIXTURES
Tottenham v Arsenal — TOTARS
The aforementioned NLD takes center stage Sunday as the Premier League’s signature fixture for MW4. The Gunners have earned 7 points in three matches whilst scoring 5 goals to conceding merely one. Arsenal surely looks the part of a preseason title contender and the club added players in the summer transfer window. Tottenham meanwhile, have been shoddy in early Premier League play. Spurs have earned four points in three matches whilst scoring 6 goals to conceding three. Pundits and fan alike believe there are now questions to be asked of Ange Postecoglou’s project in total as we sit here today.
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou could use all three points Sunday. Photo Credit: Getty Images
NLD DATA
NLD HISTORICAL DATA
Basic TOTARS H2H historical data courtesy of FB REF.
For a comprehensive view of the TOTARS fixture from a historical perspective, go to https://fbref.com/en/stathead/matchup/teams/361ca564/18bb7c10/North-London-Derby-Tottenham-Hotspur-vs-Arsenal-History
Upon researching TOTARS, I came across this reading from World Soccer Shop, circa 2020 (with graphics updated), where the astute PL history buff may find it informative and interesting: https://www.worldsoccershop.com/guide/history-of-the-north-london-derby-arsenal-tottenham
RANDOM MW4 STATBUSTER
KIT MATCHUP OF THE WEEK
Right then, down to business. The MW4 KMOTW brings us to Vitality Stadium on England’s south coast when Bournemouth hosts Chelsea. I expect The Cherries to wear its classic red and black, obviously. Chelsea should be in its away whites. The Blues could wear its home blue but hopefully not. Either or, this will be a fine kit watch for the viewer and this fixture gets my vote for KMOTW.
MW4 POSITIONS PL
Best Bet Record: 2-1
2024-25 EPL Published Bet Record: 6-2
MW3 Positions: 1-1
CRYSTAL PALACE -0.5 (-60)
- It’s The Eagles for me Saturday. I don’t think much of The Foxes. Palace hasn’t been great thus far, but I’ll back CRY below 70 cents. In three of the last four meetings in this fixture Palace has achieved an xG of 1.5, 1.4 and 2.3. LEI xGA so far this PL term is 4.3. Whilst a small sample, not great. I have this a 2-1 match. The key for The Eagles is to not fall behind early as in 7 instances under manager Oliver Glasner CRY has lost 5 and drawn two in said scenario. Palace should have a plethora of summer signings debut in Matt Turner, Maxence Lacroix, Eddie Nketiah and Trevor Chalobah all available for selection. Good spot for CRY to build on earning an away point in MW3, I believe.
Not much separating Leicester and Palace. Image Credit (edited): FB Ref
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR +0.5 (-60)
- I’ll hold my nose, challenge mighty Arsenal and try Spurs here. I’m getting the half goal. It’s a home pitch affair. I have to believe TOT is in Desperation Mode for a result. No BS tactical theories or xG speculations for this NLD match. Don’t need them. I’ll take the more desperate side at home with a half goal.
Spurs could use Son’s greatness Sunday in the NLD. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Lean/Pass: AVL 90+ (-200), TOTARS BTTS (-90), WOLNEW BTTS (-200), CRYLEI BTTS (-20)…maybe stances to keep on the tip of your forehead in PAR/ALT PAR markets?
BEST BET MW4
SOUMUN Under 2.5 Goals (+20)
When Manchester United travels way down south to St. Mary’s Stadium to face Southampton, I’m not expecting many goals here. I think shops have it wrong. I don’t care each club has conceded 5 goals. These — so far this PL term — are two inept, impotent scoring clubs. Where are the goals coming from? The Saints have only scored one goal in league play. Man Utd has scored two goals in league play. Two…by far the lowest amongst Big 6 clubs. Red Devils football has been terrible under ten Hag lately. Until I am handed different results, I see no reason to expect something different. We all know the early Saturday fixture has been known for slow burns. At plus money? Even better. SOUMUN ⬇️2.5 is my PL Best Bet for MW4.
LATE ADDS (via my X page): SOUMUN Under 3.5 (-90).
The PL Table heading into MW4. Image Credit (edited): http://www.premierleague.com
REFERENCES
- Premier League dot com
- FB Ref dot com
- X
- Opta Analyst on X
- Premier League on X
- CFC & AFCB on X
- NBC Sports Soccer on X
- Opta Joe on X
- Sports Mole
- CBS Sports App
- William Hill
- Fanduel
- Bet Rivers
- Optus Sport
- The Athletic Football
- Getty Images
ALTERNATE READINGS
In the spirit of objective, unbiased journalism, there are other Premier League matters making headlines as of this writing. If these are things you fancy as relevant and thought-provoking, by all means, proceed. And if not, that’s fine too and you can carry on.
Creator’s Note: The purveyor of Darkseid Sports has no affiliation, whatsoever, with any of the above entities, either in written form or depicted in corresponding images. The author of this writing is a passionate and very serious Manchester United and Premier League fan.
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