Premier League preview: best bets for Saturday’s action
Burnley vs Arsenal
Burnley have drawn each of their last four home games in the Prem; Sean Dyche’s side took a point against Leicester midweek, and the worm-chomping supremo of Lancashire will be hopeful of extending that run against this Arsenal team.
The Gunners went one better than Burnley in beating the Foxes at the weekend, however, putting in a robust, impressive comeback after going a goal down that, frankly, isn’t the kind of performance you really associate with Arsenal these days.
Which way should you jump here, then? Well, the Clarets landed a shock win at the Emirates back in December, but generally Burnley have not prospered against the North London club; in six meetings at Turf Moor in the Premier League, Arsenal have won four of them, with the remaining matches ending in deadlock. In fact, Burnley’s win in December is the club’s sole Premier League victory over the Gunners.
In four of Arsenal’s last five visits to Turf Moor, Burnley haven’t scored. Backing Arsenal to win to nil at 7/4 could be the smart play, then; otherwise, consider backing Willian to deliver an assist at 13/4. The former Chelsea man has had plenty of criticism this season, but he impressed against Leicester last week and may belatedly have come good for the Gunners.
Sheffield United vs Southampton
From topping the league table back in November, Southampton are now 14th in the league, just one point ahead of Burnley. The Saints are on a nine-match run without a win – a sequence that includes eight defeats.
Since drawing against Chelsea a couple of weeks back to earn a hint of respite, Southampton haven’t even been able to find the net against either Leeds or Everton. But Ralph Hasenhuttl’s beleaguered side are playing Sheffield United on Saturday; at last, a chance to turn things round?
Well, that’s the plan. But while Chris Wilder’s Blades might still be rock bottom of the league table, they did win against Aston Villa midweek, and may fancy their chances against a Southampton side seemingly in the midst of a footballing nervous breakdown. The hosts are 13/5 to win, while you can get 8/1 on a 1-0 victory for Sheffield United.
Aston Villa vs Wolves
With neither of these Midlands rivals delivering consistent results of late, maybe the Total Goals bet is the way to go.
Four of Villa’s last five games have featured one goal or fewer; Wolves’ recent results haven’t been quite so lacking in goalmouth activity, but on the road Nuno’s side still seem a good bet when it comes to low scoring games.
They might have lost 4-1 to Man City earlier this week, but it was 1-1 until the 80th minute, when the wheels fell off for Wolves. Discounting that match, three of their four most recent away games have seen two goals or fewer scored too, and each of the last two matches played between these sides have featured just one goal as well.
Which way this game goes I couldn’t tell you, but backing under 1.5 goals in the Total Goals market at 2/1 may pay off.
Brighton vs Leicester
After Brighton fans watched events unfold with all the logic of some terrible anxiety dream during the insane defeat to West Brom last weekend, can Graham Potter’s side possibly score this weekend without having it disallowed? Sorry, Brighton have done what now? A crossbar and a post? Say it ain’t so, Seagulls.
Given the south coast side’s famed difficulties finding the back of the net – five goals scored in their last nine matches – Brighton’s inability to finish makes it a thankless task backing them, even when the opposition are showing signs of weakness.
Leicester are in the middle of an injury crisis and could only take a point against Burnley last time out, and the team’s hopes of a Champions League place could be in peril. If they can’t beat Brighton, maybe they can at least earn another point here though – the draw is a 9/4 shot.
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