Previews of Sunday’s two Premier League games

Brighton vs. Southampton 

Time: 13:30 

So far, most of both Brighton’s and Southampton’s matches have been relatively low scoring affairs. The Saints 1-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion was a drab affair. However, it ensured they stayed in 10th place (on 12 points), with goal difference putting them ahead of Huddersfield Town at 11th place and Brighton in 12th (11 points).  

Brighton have made a great start to their first-ever Premier League campaign. Despite winning only three matches so far (against Newcastle, West Brom and West Ham), this is more than many expected – at the start of this season, they were facing short odds of 5/4 for the drop.  

Neither team has played the other in the Premier League, but they battled hard for the League One title back in 2010-11 and many Southampton fans are still bitter about losing out by three points.  

Yet this is the Premier League and there’s very little to choose between the two teams. Southampton have the upper hand in terms of points, but Brighton have a resolute defence that the low-scoring Saints will find it hard to break through.  

Before Brighton’s dominant performance against West Ham, this fixture has all the makings of 1-1 draw. But after the Seagulls’ commanding 3-0 win against struggling West Ham, we reckon Southampton will lose this. Brighton are underdogs for this one with most of the favoured list of bookies at Bethut; Bet365 offer odds of 21/10 for a Brighton win, so it may be worth a punt.  

Prediction: Brighton 2 – 1 Southampton 

Leicester City vs. Everton 

Time: 16:00 

Again, while not exactly a classic Sunday match, not much separates Leicester or Everton either.  

The East Midlands club recently sacked manager Craig Shakespeare after a run of poor results. Yet the 2015-16 champions made a winning start to life under Michael Appleton with a 2-1 away win at Swansea. The visitors created a host of chances and got the winner when Swansea’s Federico Fernandez headed Riyad Mahrez’s cross into his own net. 

Meanwhile, Everton continue to struggle after a 2-5 home defeat to Arsenal gave the Merseyside club their fifth loss of the season. The Toffees currently sit in the relegation zone in 18th place. Despite this, only a single point separates Everton (8) and Leicester (9). City are favourites to win the match at odds of 11/10 and we agree they’ll win.  

Everton look the better team on paper, but they’re playing so badly at the moment. On the other hand, Leicester’s caretaker manager Michael Appleton may have no Premier League experience, but he proved himself a great tactician while manager of Oxford United. 

Prediction: Leicester City 2-0 Everton