The Premier League is back for another action-packed weekend and in the final round of fixtures before the international break, it could be make or break for a number of teams.

Ahead of the weekend, the Racing Post released the latest episode of The Assist. Hosted by Warren Ashurst, tipsters Mark Langdon and Dan Childs offered up their best bets for all the games taking place.

Last chance saloon for Ten Hag

Perhaps the manager most under pressure early on in the season is Erik Ten Hag.

It has been another poor start to the season for Manchester United, who were thrashed 3-0 by Tottenham Hotspur last weekend before dramatically rescuing a point midweek against Porto in the UEFA Europa League. 

Unfortunately for the Dutchman, it doesn’t get much easier as Manchester United are slated to take on an Aston Villa side fresh from a Champions League win over Bayern Munich. 

“There are no excuses now for this team, what they served up against Tottenham last week was an absolute shambles,” said Langdon.

“United are three and a half years into Ten Haag’s tenure and there are still the same question marks as to what they’re trying to and what they’re trying to be. If Aston Villa are at it and play to the levels that they can, it’s going to be a very difficult afternoon for United.”

Both Langdon and fellow tipster Childs sided with a home win for the Sunday afternoon clash. Aston Villa are currently 13/10 to win, with that rising to 2/1 if you go with Langdon’s pick of an Aston Villa win and over 2.5 goals to be scored in the match.

‘Patient’ Liverpool

Elsewhere in the Premier League, the game week gets underway at Selhurst Park where table-toppers Liverpool are looking to continue their strong start under Arne Slot against Crystal Palace – a side yet to record a win this season.

Unfortunately for Palace fans, Langdon can’t look past another win for Liverpool and his bet for the game is Liverpool to win and under 3.5 match goals at 13/8.

“All of Liverpool’s league wins this season have been achieved with under three and a half goals,” explained the tipster. “They are just being quite patient under Arne Slot and the current table-toppers I think can maintain their position at the summit.”

Arsenal to nil

Another side who have made a strong start to the season is Arsenal and on Saturday afternoon they will be welcoming newly-promoted Southampton to the Emirates Stadium.

It has been a tough return to the top flight for Southampton. Russel Martin’s men have picked up just one point in their opening six games and, according to the tipsters, this run will extend to seven as they both predict a win and a clean sheet for Arsenal, currently priced at 4-5.

“Southampton I not only see finishing in the bottom three, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they finished bottom of the pile,” said Childs. “I think they’ve got a big problem in both boxes. They don’t carry much threat up front and they look wide open at the back.”

West Ham to break their home duck

West Ham are also under pressure following a slow start to the season. The Hammers currently sit 14th in the Premier League after registering just one win and two draws in their opening six games. 

They have also failed to win any of their first three home games, however, they have a chance to make amends on Saturday against Premier League new boys Ipswich Town.

On the game, Childs said:  “You can imagine if they start slowly or fall behind the crowd will be on their back but they are a shade over odds-on against a team that I would expect them to finish quite a bit above in the league this season so I’m going to tip a West Ham win. 

“I think they played better at Brentford last week. They won the shot count 19 to eight and probably should have won the game.”

West Ham are currently 4-5 to pick up their first win of the season at the London Stadium. 

Back-to-back Everton wins?

The final kick-off on Saturday is taking place on Merseyside where Everton will be welcoming Newcastle United to Goodison Park.

Following a first win of the season against Crystal Palace last week, the Toffees will be hoping to carry on their momentum against a Newcastle side that have struggled away from home this season.

“Everton’s results have been hard to predict but their performances have been fairly solid and consistent,” said Langdon.

“I was quite surprised by the dismissive quotes about Everton for this game, Newcastle aren’t amazing away from home by any stretch of the imagination so I’m going to go for Everton or draw double chance [8/11]. If they play like they have been I think this is quite a difficult game for Newcastle.”

Childs is even more optimistic, predicting a win for Everton at an “overpriced” 11/5.