This weekend’s Premier League clashes include more than a few mouthwatering fixtures that will not only entertain the masses but will also go some way to deciding who will win the title, who will make it into the top four and who is destined for relegation to the EFL Championship.
Liverpool vs Manchester City
Sunday 16th October - 16:30
While the clash between these two big guns isn’t a make-or-break one for Jurgen Klopp, it is one he can’t afford to lose, as doing so will further dent his side’s push for a top-four finish, with a Premier League title challenge seemingly already out of the question.
Anyone who placed a Premier League bet on the Merseyside outfit winning the league before it all got started in August may have to accept that such an eventuality is all but dead in the water.
Though Liverpool are just eight games into the new season, one less than their rivals, they are already 13 points behind Pep Guardiola’s team, and as such, that’s a deficit that is unlikely to be overhauled.
That doesn’t mean their season is over; there is a need for Liverpool to get the all-important top-four finish, and their thumping 7-1 win away at Rangers in the Champions League will have done Klopp’s players’ confidence a world of good.
Liverpool find themselves in the unaccustomed position of mid-table mediocrity, but they won’t stay there, and we think that with fervent home backing, they may just be able to pull off something of a surprise against unbeaten City.
For that reason, we are backing a BoyleSports price boost, with 5/1 offered on Liverpool winning and Both Teams to Score (BTTS).
Manchester United vs Newcastle United
Sunday 16th October - 14:00
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United side are motoring along nicely, and the squad the Toon Army boss now has in his armoury is one that can certainly push for a top-six finish this season and from that springboard, and the financial backing they have, who knows what they can achieve in the next season or two.
The trip to Old Trafford won’t be one that daunts the club, and with just one defeat in their opening nine games, Newcastle United may even feel they can come away with all three points.
Life under Erik ten Hag has been a bit up and down, but the Dutch boss is certainly getting more out of his Man United squad than most of the club’s recent managerial selections, and this encounter looks like a fascinating one.
United have won five of their last six Premier League games, and their sole defeat came away at Man City, so the home team are still the favourites for this one, but we feel the best bet on this one is a high-scoring draw, so we suggest backing this double from Grosvenor Sports, 9/1 on a draw with over 2.5 goals.
Leeds United vs Arsenal
Sunday 16th October - 14:00
Arsenal’s recent wins over Tottenham and Liverpool are proof of a genuine push for the Premier League title, and Mikel Arteta’s youthful side are a joy to watch. Eight victories from nine matches show a Gunners team that is full of confidence, and they go into this potentially tricky encounter with morale at an all-time high.
There are some concerns over the fitness of striker Gabriel Jesus, but there is sufficient strength in depth, all over the park, for Arteta to cope with such selection problems.
Leeds United are in something of a slump, with a run of five Premier League matches without a win, leaving Jesse Marsch’s side nearer the relegation zone than he’d like, and a lot will depend on how the home side copes with the attacking prowess Arsenal possess.
In terms of a nice bet to cover, we’d recommend a treble of Arsenal winning, Gabriel Martinelli scoring at any time, and Granit Xhaka getting a yellow card, all of which nets you a healthy 21/4 from Zet Bet. Very tempting indeed.
Elsewhere…
There are a host of interesting fixtures this week that are well worth backing with your football bets, and another match to pay close attention to sees Graham Potter’s in-form Chelsea side travel to Villa Park to face a Steven Gerrard side that is very much one that could find itself in a relegation battle.
Aston Villa may be unbeaten in four games, but when you delve deeper, you can see there are some serious issues for Gerrard to address. They’ve managed just seven goals in nine games, and we fancy the Blues to win this at a canter.
Elsewhere Antonio Conte’s Tottenham host Everton, and Brighton travels to West London to face Brentford in the Friday night game, one which will surely result in a goal-fest. Brendan Rodgers needs to get a win from the visit of Crystal Palace and newly promoted sides Fulham and Bournemouth face off at Craven Cottage.
Finally, Wolves take on Nottingham Forest, and a rejuvenated West Ham side take on Southampton at St Mary’s.
