Grosvenor Sport ambassador Jamie O’Hara is on hand to break down three must-watch matchups in the Premier League this weekend, including Aston Villa’s trip to an invigorated Arsenal on Saturday.
Brentford vs Liverpool – Saturday 15:00
Liverpool have started the year with a bit of a stumble and the contract situation with their key players has rumbled on throughout the January transfer window. If they can sort this contract saga out, it’ll give the rest of the squad and the club some confidence, rather than waiting for an announcement to be made. Surely, they can’t blow the title from here? I don’t think they will, but anything can happen.
Brentford are a great side when playing at home. Bryan Mbeumo has been one of the star performers this season, alongside Yoane Wissa, so much so that I think Mbeumo should be a target for Liverpool to sign. Brentford never lied down against Manchester City, and they were rewarded for their efforts in the dying minutes. I think they’ll score but I’m not convinced they’ll take all three points.
It’s a tough game, but I think Liverpool will be too strong for Brentford. Arne Slot knows that his side must kick on now; they can’t afford to give up any more ground to Arsenal or give them a sniff at the title.
Prediction: Brentford 1-2 Liverpool (7/1)
Arsenal vs Aston Villa – Saturday 17:30
After watching Arsenal in the North London Derby, they are capable of conceding goals. They lost their focus momentarily and were punished for it within the first 25 minutes. Fortunately for them, Tottenham didn’t really pose too much of a threat for the rest of the game; Arsenal held the ball and looked comfortable – they generated a lot of chances but wasted a few of them.
Watching Aston Villa at the moment, you’ve got to believe they can get a result anywhere. They’ve got a top manager, they’re free flowing and they’re organised. Most importantly, they’ve got great strikers to choose from and they’re scoring goals! They’ve taken points off Arsenal in the last couple of years, so I don’t doubt they can go to the Emirates and walk away with a point or more.
Arsenal need to stay as close as they can to Liverpool if they want to be in with a shout come the end of the season, so this will feel like a must-win game for them. But I think Villa will cause them some trouble and could prove to be a problem for them.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa (15/1)
Manchester United vs Brighton – Sunday 14:00
I don’t see this game being a goal-fest. I’m not convinced Manchester United are any better under Ruben Amorim than they were under Erik ten Hag to be honest. But they can’t keep losing games; something will change at some point, and this could be that game.
Brighton have also had a bit of a stumble; they’ve fallen down a lot compared to where they were at the start of the season when everyone was raving about Fabian Hürzeler. He’s going to need some time to get his squad together and establish his style. However, against Man United, they could take something from the game.
I’m going for a Manchester United win at home. They’ve shown that they can put up a fight and frustrate their opponents, like against Liverpool and Arsenal in the FA Cup.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Brighton (13/2)
O’Hara’s Hotspots: Arsenal vs Aston Villa Bet Builder
- Over 2.5 goals
- BTTS
- Jhon Duran anytime scorer