Everton vs Liverpool
Looking ahead to the Merseyside derby, Everton have the edge in terms of derby experience, with every one of last week's line-up having played in this fixture before. Should Liverpool be unchanged they'd have six players experiencing it for the first time - although none of the newcomers are strangers to big local rivalries. Charlie Adam played in eight Old Firm games, whilst Jordan Henderson, Andy Carroll and Jose Enrique are all Tyne & Wear veterans.
It has been a while since these two teams drew at Goodison Park but with neither holding outstanding claims currently, this fixture promises nothing but a feisty encounter. Specifically, this Premier League fixture saw more red cards than any other - 19 to be exact, with 11 in the last 15 meetings between the blue and red of Merseyside.
Liverpool have shown flashes this season to suggest they are top four material but it has been sporadic and mostly centered around Luis Suarez as they try and integrate their summer signings. The striker looks a special player despite his little strop after being substituted last week in the win over Wolves, thus suggesting that he is only going to improve as he adapts to the English game. This will be a good test for him as Everton dealt pretty well with the similar Sergio Aguero although they eventually buckled against Manchester City in their last outing.
With Everton having won just one of their last nine Premier League encounters against Liverpool with a 2-0 victory at Goodison Park last season, and Liverpool having won three of their last four Premier League games at Goodison Park, this fixture appears more favorable to the Reds. As such, a small wager on Liverpool to win this encounter or on Dirk Kuyt to score anytime sounds reasonable.
Sunderland vs West Brom
What a difference a good start makes - and that's exactly what both these clubs were looking for after their comfortable mid-table finishes of last season. Both had added new faces and expectation was high, but that has been replaced by frustration just six games in. Both sides will be looking at this fixture as an ideal opportunity to record a second win of the season and increase the feel-good factor ahead of the international break.
That's particularly the case for Sunderland. However, there seems to be an over-reaction by some on Wearside with all of their defeats have been by a single goal. The failure to convert chances has been a source of annoyance for Steve Bruce so far and someone needs to take responsibility in front of goal.
West Brom's return of four points needs to be put into context too. Only the real optimists felt opening games against Manchester United and Chelsea would provide points, but just one goal since will be a slight concern. Having finished last season so well, they'll be keen to start finding consistency as soon as possible and provide the service to the likes of Long and Odemwingie to help them up the table.
Steve Bruce has yet to beat a team managed by Roy Hodgson in the Premier League: he has three draws and three defeats from their six previous meetings. Sunderland has won just one of their last five home league games, a 4-0 victory against Stoke City. On the contrast, Roy Hodgson's side has only won one of their last six Premier League away games. Nonetheless, Roy Hodgson's side did the double over Sunderland last season so will arrive knowing they have what it takes to heap more misery on the home side.
In addition, a feature of recent meetings has been goals, with 13 in the last four games between the sides, and with West Brom having almost a full complement to pick from and Sunderland without Bramble, this trend looks set to continue this week. Thus, a bet on over 2.25 goals appears promising.
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