Three Premier League fixtures to bet on this weekend
With the title race, the scramble for the top four and the relegation fight all still wide open, this season’s Premier League is proving hugely entertaining. BestOfBets previews three of this weekend’s most intriguing games and picks out our top tips and predictions for what lies ahead…
Liverpool vs Chelsea @ 12.30pm, Saturday
Not long ago, this game would have been billed as a clash between two of the Premier League’s heavyweights, both in with a shot of the title. Yet between them, Liverpool and Chelsea have just three wins in their past 10 combined league games; it’s a game between ninth and tenth at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime.
So with the top four slipping away from both teams, and Graham Potter under considerable pressure not to lose another game at Chelsea boss, the draw seems the overwhelming favourite here. At 3/1, you’re getting good odds on it, too. The bookmakers certainly aren’t backing an away win – Chelsea are out at 16/5.
If you fancy new boy Mykhailo Mudryk to bag on his Blues’ debut, he’s 15/1 to grab the first goal, although the safe money is on Darwin Nunez or Mo Salah to break the deadlock (both 5/1).
Our tip: 1-1 draw (6/1)
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle @ 5.30pm, Saturday
Crystal Palace will be buoyed by Michael Olise’s late goal to clinch a draw against in-form Manchester United on Wednesday night, while Newcastle remain firmly in the hunt for the top four thanks to United dropping points. But it means this contest under the Selhurst Park lights on Saturday evening is a difficult one to call.
Both Patrick Vieira and Eddie Howe have made their teams tough to break down, so it’s hard to envisage a high-scoring contest in south London. There’s possibly some value in betting against Newcastle – they’ve failed to win their past two away games – given the draw is appealing, again, at 13/5.
But Palace are inconsistent and Howe’s troops keep finding ways to grind out victories. So a 1-0 win for the Magpies is probably the best bet here.
Our tip: 1-0 Newcastle (11/2)
Arsenal vs Manchester United @ 4.30pm, Sunday
This is the game everyone has been looking forward to all week – and it could have huge ramifications for the title race. United, however, aren’t coming into it with the same level of confidence that many expected following their 2-1 Manchester derby triumph. Their 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace and the loss of key man Casemiro due to suspension has put a spanner in the works for Erik ten Hag.
Arsenal are justifiable odds-on favourites at 19/20. They’ve swept aside virtually all that has been in their way this season – with their only defeat being that 3-1 reverse at Old Trafford in September.
Expect the game to follow a similar pattern: fairly open, United playing on the break, Arsenal dominating possession, with Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka likely to star. An entertaining draw is a good bet, but trying to predict the exact score might prove difficult.
Our tip: Draw (3/1)
