The Premier League weekend kicks off at St James’ Park where Newcastle host Arsenal and the pressure will be on Arsene Wenger, who has once again come under fire about his transfer policy, with Liverpool giving them a scare on Monday night at the Emirates they will be looking to prove the doubters wrong.
The Gunners face a Newcastle side who are chasing their first win under Steve McLaren but whom will be buoyed by their 0-0 draw at Old Trafford last weekend. The impressive Florian Thauvin made his debut following his £12m move from Marseille and starred in their win at Northampton in the league cup on Tuesday, I recommend keeping an eye on him for future first goalscorer bets.
However, I am still convinced that Arsenal are a force to be reckoned with and if they can find a spark to ignite their season they will be too much for Newcastle to handle. With the unknowns however I will not be investing in the match, but my top picks for this weekend are below.
Dave’s Premier League Betting Tips
Tottenham v Everton – No Goalscorer – 1pt win @ 11/1
Chelsea/Man City/Plymouth/Celtic/Wrexham/Barcelona – 2 pt win @ 5.28/1
Raheem Sterling 1st Goalscorer – 1 pt win @ 6/1
Eden Hazard 1st Goalscorer – 1 pt win @ 5/1
All of this week’s tips are courtesy of Coral
This weekends’ Premier League highlight is at White Hart Lane where Tottenham take on Everton in the Saturday evening kick off.
Tottenham are still awaiting their first win of the season whereas Everton’s mixed start to the campaign continued with defeat to Manchester City last weekend. Both sides play similar formations with one striker (Kane/Lukaku) and an attacking playmaker in behind (Erikssen/Barkley) but both teams also have strong defences and it looks an ideal opportunity to take advantage of the No goalscorer market at 11/1.
It’s going to take something special to break down either defence and with the way the two teams set out I can’t see many goals being scored, please ensure you do No goalscorer through the 1st goalscorer market, an own goal does not count as a goal in this market so if the only goal of the game is an own goal you will get paid out with most bookmakers.
Last season’s top two Manchester City and Chelsea have home ties against Watford and Crystal Palace respectively and although their opponents have shown good early form so far, both home teams will be expected to take all 3 points and it is both those games I am interested in for this weeks’ first goalscorer bets.
Raheem Sterling has been knocking on the door in all 3 Manchester City games so far but his finishing has let him down when it mattered, however this week could be the week for him to shine despite Watford’s defence being impressive so far this season, however neither West Brom nor Southampton have the same pace or firepower up front as City do and with the two centre backs having their hands full with Sergio Aguero, Sterling could come in very useful and I would expect him to have plenty of chances on Saturday, so at 6/1 he’s worth a crack at opening his account for his new club.
Another who is yet to score this term is Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, but he has been a little bit isolated when on the ball in the past few games, now Pedro has signed and shown he is a major force going forward for the London club, Hazard will have less attention on him and Palace will not be able to outnumber, Hazard, Pedro and Diego Costa will be tough for any defence and add to that his penalty taking and 5/1 becomes a very attractive price.
In the other games of the weekend Leicester will be looking to continue their unbeaten run away to Bournemouth who had a great result away to West Ham last week.
Aston Villa host Sunderland in a game they will be expecting to take all 3 points from with Sunderland having just one point on the board so far.
Stoke and West Brom are both looking for their first wins in the league and I will be surprised to see many goals in this one, it’s not one that I can imagine would be attractive on the eye.
Liverpool will want to maintain their unbeaten run against West Ham and although I’ve not tipped it, Phillipe Coutinho is available at 13/2 for first goalscorer with Boylesports, he still looks Liverpool’s best player and that is a huge price.
Ronald Koeman’s Southampton host new boys Norwich at St Marys, I think the home team’s experience in the Premiership may just allow them to edge this one, whilst the weekend finishes with Swansea at home to Manchester United. Both teams are unbeaten and after watching United’s first 3 games I am still not impressed with the new signings.
Memphis Depay for me is their shining light but to be able for him to shine, United need to press forward which is not a style I have seen from them so far, their defence was sat on the edge of the centre circle for most of the game last weekend against Newcastle even when attacking in the Newcastle penalty box, which says to me they are lacking confidence and despite keeping 3 clean sheets they haven’t been great going forward, the reliance on Depay and Rooney has told with just two goals in their first two games.
For me, they have quality in their defence so why play two holding midfielders? I’m not a Van Gaal fan I’ll be honest as I always think he’s a bit negative but this is Manchester United, a team that for so long have been dominating the top league with attractive football. I don’t think any United fan will enjoy what they’re seeing at the moment, even with 7 points from 9 on the board, but that is after all just my opinion.