THE Premier League returns from the international break and Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) shares his best bets.
Tottenham v Liverpool | Saturday 12:45 | BT Sport 1
Well this is exciting isn’t it? It feels like a decade ago since Liverpool’s last game against Everton but of course it’s only two weeks. A lot has happened since then. Brendan Rodgers was quickly removed from his post after the Merseyside Derby and within days Jurgen Klopp had replaced him.
It’s incredibly hard not to fall for Klopp, he’s charismatic, charming, successful and wears the kind of gear I do. As a neutral you hope he succeeds.
Sadly his opening match in charge of Liverpool isn’t at Anfield (that would have been a sight) but at White Hart Lane against Tottenham on Saturday lunchtime.
I’m expecting goals in this game as there will be an air of positivity about both sides. Liverpool are entering a new era under an exciting new manager while things are pretty positive at Spurs with an unbeaten run of seven in the league featuring a storming 4-1 win over Man City.
Tottenham have scored six in their last two matches while Liverpool have leaked 10 goals in their last five Premier League encounters. I’m expecting the Reds’ new era to kick off with a flurry of goalmouth action. It’s Over 2.5 Goals for me at 17/20 with BetVictor, a bet that’s paid out in the last six match-ups between these sides.
Manchester City v Bournemouth | Saturday 15:00
Right then Man City, let’s see what you’re all about. The loss of Sergio Aguero for “a month” is sure to hamper their attacking prowess in the next few games and it will be intriguing to see how they cope.
This team have had some extraordinary results already this season. A 6-1 thrashing of Newcastle followed a 4-1 loss at Tottenham. Erratic? You bet!
The tragedy for City is that it looked like Aguero was finding his feet after an average start to the season. A goal against Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League was followed by five against Newcastle before the international break.
Without his goals before these games City have floundered with defeats to Juventus, Tottenham and West Ham in the last month. Worrying times.
To make matters worse for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, David Silva looks to be out the game too after spraining his ankle when playing for Spain midweek.
Opponents Bournemouth know all about bad injuries as they’ve had wretched luck in recent weeks with long term ouch. Striker Callum Wilson joined Tyrone Mings and Max Gradel in the Cruciate Ligament Injury Club at the Vitality Stadium and fears of relegation must have increased in recent weeks.
Wilson has scored 50% of Bournemouth’s goals this season in the Premier League and since he was injured the Cherries have taken just one point out of six. This is a real test for Eddie Howe now.
So with injuries in key areas for both sides and, umm, Wilfried Bony leading the line for City I simply have to go under. Bet365 have chalked up Under 3 Goals at Evens on their Asian Goal Line. This means that if exactly three are notched I get my cash back.
Newcastle v Norwich | Sunday 16:00
Tough card this weekend I thought. The live game on Sunday offers some interest though as bottom of the table Newcastle host 13th place Norwich City.
The Magpies looked like they were making a wee bit of progress after drawing with Chelsea and going in level against Man City at half-time two weeks ago but of course that was quickly destroyed in the second half.
That 6-1 loss to Man City was pitiful and while you’re inclined to believe it may act as a wake up call to the club you have to remember they’ve already had a few of those this season.
Steve McClaren – if you’re reading this pal, a wee bit of advice. Stop smirking and smiling during post-match interviews, it’s not a good look when your team have just been destroyed!
As for Norwich, wonderful. The 2-1 home loss to Leicester was in my view their only poor result of the season and how refreshing was it to see Sir Alex Neil come out in interviews after the game and make no excuses.
My only gripe with Norwich is that they’re too short every week! It’s a real pain as I’d love to back them and get behind Alex and his boys on a financial level but there’s no value there.
They’re vying for favouritism in this match which to me seems a little too much. Instead I’ll take a view on the Total Goals market and get involved with 21/20 quotes with BetVictor that we say 2-3 goals at St James Park.
I certainly expect the Canaries to score as they’ve notched in seven of their eight Premier League matches this season but as for Newcastle you’re really not sure what to get.
Norwich Draw No Bet and Norwich Over 1.5 Goals also appeal but my preference goes to the 2-3 goal bracket. My faith in Norwich makes me feel they can push this bet in the right winning direction single-handedly or by forcing Newcastle to be more offensive.
Best Bets
Tottenham v Liverpool – Over 2.5 Goals (17/20 BetVictor)
Manchester City v Bournemouth – Under 3 Goals Asian Handicap Goal Line (Evens Bet365)
Newcastle v Norwich – Exactly 2-3 Goals (21/20 BetVictor)
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TOPICS English Football Tips Football Premier League Tips
