Our football betting expert Jones Knows is back to give his Premier League insight and thinks Man Utd are a very tempting prize to beat Liverpool at Anfield.
Tottenham – Newcastle, Saturday 12.30pm
Tottenham are performing well below their top level without some of their key men at the back and the market is expecting a win at Newcastle as has been their imperious form, winning five on the rebound. However, I'm wary of jumping on board with Sky Bet at 5/4 as breaking the partnership between Fabian Schar and Dan Burn due to Schar's suspension could destabilize them, especially against such a dangerous Spurs attack who scored an average of 2.47 goals per match. at home this season.
In 2024, on the seven occasions Newcastle played without Burn or Schar, their winning percentage (52 per cent to 28 per cent), goals conceded (1.5 to 1.9) and shots faced (13.5 to 16.9) deteriorated from a per 90 perspective. .
But I don't trust Spurs at all either.
But I trust Dejan Kulusevski, maybe with my life. He has scored nine goals in his last nine starts at home and is Ange Postecoglou's go-to guy. His shoulders must be aching carrying this team.
He is ready to score another goal or provide an assist.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-2 | JONES KNOWS THE BEST BET: Dejan Kulusevski scores or assists (even with Sky Bet)
Aston Villa vs Leicester, Saturday 3pm – PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!
Leicester is doomed, but will go down swinging based on the way Ruud van Nistelrooy has proceeded. They looked a threat in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, creating 1.64 expected goals while playing in a shape that suited their two most creative players: Facundo Buonanotte and Stephy Mavididi.
Meanwhile, Villa have kept just two clean sheets in their last 24 Premier League matches, meaning Leicester look like something to add to the tally. Over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring at 11/10 with Sky Bet is steeped in potential.
SCORE PREDICTION: 3-1 | JONES KNOWS' BEST BET: Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score (11/10 with Sky Bet)
Bournemouth v Everton, Saturday 3pm
Andoni Iraola has struggled to implement his unique playing style when coming up against Sean Dyche's Everton, whose tactics of playing directly, thus bypassing the aggressive Bournemouth press, saw the Toffees put in some very eye-catching performances against the Cherries.
Dyche's boys averaged 1.85 expected goals per game in the three meetings between the two managers, with Everton scoring five goals in those matches. Despite losing 3-2 in that crazy comeback game in August and 2-1 in March, Everton actually deserved to win the last two meetings if we look at the performance data, averaging a whopping 34 touches per game 90 in the Bournemouth box.
Everton to avoid defeat or double chance at 11/10 with Sky Bet is one of the best bets of the weekend.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2 | JONES KNOWS' BEST BET: Everton double chance (11/10 with Sky Bet)
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea, Saturday 3pm – PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!
Ipswich showed exactly why Chelsea won't be winning the Premier League anytime soon. This is a team that can be caught if you press them aggressively in key areas of the pitch. Omari Hutchinson and Liam Delap executed that plan to perfection.
No team in the Premier League has lost more possession against a team press than Chelsea (113) and which team is at the forefront of pressure that leads to turnovers? Crystal Palace (578).
Despite their low position in the league, Oliver Glasner has trained his team well. He has only lost to Arsenal in the last eight games – and they are creating good chances in attack. Backing Palace to score should prove to be a profitable angle here and I have approached Jean Phillipe Mateta to score anytime at 5/2 with Sky Bet.
Delap's physicality terrorized Chelsea and Mateta is cut from the same cloth.
The Frenchman has scored 14 goals in his last 17 appearances at Selhurst Park.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-2
Manchester City vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm – PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!
The result may suggest otherwise, but Manchester City's performance against Leicester was more of the same.
After hitting the post, having a penalty denied due to the offside flag and having a shot cleared off the line, the Foxes deserved more as City's 'out of possession' structure remains so easy to break.
Although West Ham are weaker than a 99 and could collapse, they possess the attackers in transition to pose a huge threat. Mohamed Kudus should enjoy the space afforded him and the 4/1 with Sky Bet on his goals price looks big. He scored in this match last season and has looked good since returning from suspension.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-2
Southampton v Brentford, Saturday 3pm
This is an attractive place to support Southampton at Evens with Sky Bet on a no-bet draw. Brentford have lost 17 of their last 23 away games in the Premier League and remain a very one-dimensional team in terms of approach. When they don't have possession, they struggle to create sustained pressure, making it easy for opponents to enjoy a lot of territory.
Plus, this is such a tight turnaround for Thomas Frank's injury-hit side, who played against Arsenal on New Year's Day. If Saints can't get a result here, things look really bleak.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1
Brighton vs Arsenal, Saturday 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports – PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!
Arsenal's defense returns to beastly levels.
The basis of their nine-match unbeaten run is the ability to restrict opponents to limited opportunities in a manner more typical of last season. Six of the last eight teams to play Arsenal have failed to record an expected goals ratio above 0.4 and the Gunners have kept four clean sheets.
Brighton's current run of seven without a win coincides with the absence of Danny Welbeck. They miss his presence and experience, as Joao Pedro can play more effectively against a central striker like Welbeck. As long as he remains absent, Brighton could remain in the same lackluster mood. Those who put their faith in Arsenal at 3/4 with Sky Bet should become a winner with the away win to nil at 9/4 and a runner too.
SCORE PREDICTION: 0-2
Fulham vs Ipswich, Sunday 2pm, live on Sky Sports
Fulham are one of two teams to have avoided defeat against both Liverpool and Arsenal this season, but are also one of two teams to have failed to beat both Southampton and Wolves. It perfectly reflects the compressed nature of the Premier League standings, apart from Liverpool's impeccable consistency.
Ipswich have also failed to beat Leicester and Southampton this season, but have recorded wins against Chelsea and Tottenham, so all in all this is one of the toughest games of the weekend. I wouldn't be surprised if there were any results.
Omari Hutchinson making two or more tackles at 5/6 is a more predictable outcome. He runs the press for Ipswich and has made at least two tackles in five of Ipswich's eight away games in all competitions this season.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1
Liverpool vs Manchester United, Sunday 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
It is likely that Liverpool will overwhelm Manchester United at some point in the match, but every team has its price.
And at 8/1 with Sky Bet, with Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte back to strengthen the center of the pitch, United are simply too big to pass up, especially in a season where we have become accustomed to expecting the unexpected .
Yes, United have taken just seven points from eight Premier League games under Ruben Amorim – since his appointment, only Leicester (4) and Southampton (2) have taken fewer points.
But you only have to go back a few games to see the encouraging underlying statistics: they won the expected goals battle five games in a row, including winning the actual match against Manchester City. This away trip is clearly a huge step forward, but this United team is packed with great players who have won multiple trophies in their time. For the prices, they are worth a nibble for delivery.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2
Wolves vs Nottingham Forest, Monday 8pm, live on Sky Sports
Wolves gave us a little snippet of how they would fare without Matheus Cunha in the second half against Tottenham. Yes, they managed a 2-2 draw, but it was everything you'd expect without one of the league's most creative players – rather lame.
Now they must try to break through Nottingham Forest's defensive wall. It will be a big ask. Forest did not concede a goal in 297 minutes of Premier League action; only Arsenal and Liverpool (both 17) conceded fewer than Forest's 19 goals.
Despite improving results under Vitor Pereira, Wolves have shown over a long period that they are among the lesser performers in the league and Forest have taken 28 of a possible 30 points against teams currently in the bottom half. The away win to nil – a winner we found last week – has me tempted again at 3/1 with Sky Bet.
SCORE PREDICTION: 0-1 | JONES KNOWS' BEST BET: Nottingham Forest to win by nil (3/1 with Sky Bet)
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