After midweek action concluded on Thursday night, the relentless run of fixtures continues this weekend for Premier League Gameweek 13, but for whom will it be unlucky?
Starting with GW13’s main attraction, Chelsea host Manchester at Stamford Bridge. Having not conceded a goal since the start of the month, the Blues dropped their first points in five against Brentford only days ago. United meanwhile, arrive in the capital fresh from toppling Tottenham and are unbeaten since their own derby mauling. With just a point now separating these two sides we anticipate a tight contest, not least given the fact that perhaps remarkably, the last four meetings between these two have ended in a draw. How about another? 13/5 odds with QuinnBet may suit.
At the top and now with a four-point advantage, leader Arsenal travel to Southampton with St. Mary’s in the past an unhappy hunting ground for the Gunners. Having got out of Elland Road with all three points in GW11, they face a Saints side who upset the odds with victory across the coast at Bournemouth on Wednesday evening. This is a far sterner test of course and the visitors could get back in the goals after back-to-back 1-0 wins. A scorer double of Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka therefore, at 15/2 with SkyBet should be noted.
In a side punt, the sharper punter might be aware that Nottingham Forest at home are next on the Arsenal agenda, before a trip to Chelsea hovers in GW15. Two of their key men in Jesus and Saliba now both sit on four yellow cards and are a game away from suspension. That has led to conspiracy theorists to conclude that both might ‘elect’ to find their way into the referee’s notebook here and miss the Forest clash but return for Chelsea. Prices for either to be booked are decent; for Jesus to be carded a 4/1 shot with PaddyPower awaits, or Saliba, 9/2 with SportingIndex.
Having tasted defeat, Manchester City, meanwhile, might be in the mood for a show at home to Brighton and the Seagulls should be wary of a serious riposte. Having now failed to score in consecutive games, Pep Guardiola will have his men charged up and Erling Haaland will surely be poised. Backing a Norwegian hat-trick is worth a punt at 9/1, whilst the in-form Phil Foden at 9/4 to score anytime is also worthy of a decent flutter, both prices with SkyBet.
At the City Ground, bottom side Nottingham Forest welcome a Liverpool side looking to record a fourth win on the bounce in all comps after taking full spoils over West Ham in midweek, coupled of course by last weekend’s sensational beating of City.
The Reds’ league record away from home this season, however, is not clever, indeed, Jurgen Klopp’s men are yet to taste victory away from Anfield this term. If we consider that Forest have netted six goals at home in the last three, can, therefore, Liverpool be trusted to win on the banks of the Trent and to do so at evens with William Hill? Food for thought. Alternatively, on the subject of the river that runs through Nottingham, it would be churlish not to examine Alexander Arnold’s most appealing punts and for Trent to grab an assist on the Trent can be snagged at 15/8 with SkyBet.
Finally, back in the capital on Sunday, a somewhat wounded Spurs face another tricky test in the shape of a Newcastle United side buoyant in sixth spot and with just one defeat this season. This will see the return of Kieran Trippier to north London and the full-back has been a driving force for the Magpies in recent weeks. It is perhaps too romantic that Trippier could find the net with one of his trademark free-kicks from the edge of the area but given he will be on set-piece duties, for Trippier to have 1+ SOT from outside the box, 3/1 odds with Betfair merit consideration. Should that come in, a Trippier goal itself can be backed for a pretty sizeable 13/1 with PaddyPower.
