ASTON VILLA meet Leeds on Friday night. Ben Ragg (@Punters_Corner_) is on-hand to deliver his favourite fancies.
Aston Villa vs Leeds | Friday 23rd October 2020, 20:00 | BT Sport Box Office
The in-form Aston Villa play host to Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds in the first Friday night game of the Premier League season. This match has the potential to be an absolute cracker with Leeds often an entertaining watch and Villa boasting a 100% record whilst playing some very good stuff.
The loan signing of Ross Barkley has looked a very shrewd one and has helped Villa create more and become less reliant on talisman Jack Grealish. They also have a more reliable striker in Ollie Watkins, who they hope will be able to hit the 15-20 goal mark this season.
Leeds paid the price for not finishing their chances against Wolves and came out 1-0 losers in a game where they should have been one or two up at half time.
The first angle I like is a price boost on Betfair or Paddy Power which represents really good value. Barkley and Bamford 1+ shot on target each at 23/10.
Barkley has played in the number 10 role in his two games for Villa and has scored in both games, looking like he is really enjoying his football again. He is also pushing for a spot in the Euros squad next year and will be doing everything he can to impress Gareth Southgate.
Bamford has managed seven shots on-target in five games this season, managing at least one in each game. I expect there to be plenty of chances for both teams like there is in most Leeds games so at 23/10 this price looks very appealing.
I also expect this to be a feisty side to this game as this two teams have previous history from the last match. Bielsa famously instructed his team to allow Villa to stick the ball in the back of the net after his team pretended to kick the ball out of play for an injury only to carry on playing and score. Tensions rose quickly and there was plenty of cards shown.
One player I like for a card is Leeds skipper Luke Ayling. Ayling will be up against Grealish – the third-most fouled player this season – he has been fouled 3.8 times per-game. He looked very sharp last week versus Leicester and I expect him to be a handful for Ayling.
Ayling played in that controversial game a couple of years ago and I expect him to be aggressive right from the off. So, I’m happy to back him to be carded at 10/3 with bet365.
The final bet I like is also with Ayling but on tackles. Ayling averages 3.8 tackles this term. Up against Grealish and Barkley he will be involved in many duels. I expect him to be aggressive and get tight to whoever he is marking so 11/8 for 3 tackles on SkyBet is good value considering the way he defends and his tackle average so far this season.
Best Bets
Aston Villa vs Leeds – Ross Barkley and Patrick Bamford 1+ shot on target (23/10 Paddy Power)
Aston Villa vs Leeds – Luke Ayling to be carded (10/3 bet365)
Aston Villa vs Leeds – Luke Ayling 3+ tackles (11/8 SkyBet)
