IT was a special weekend for Spurs as Jose Mourinho came up trumps in his first game in charge.
We’re heading into the winter period, so the games come thick and fast – and this week we’ve got selections from four huge games in the Premier League including Man Utd, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal.
Mourinho was delighted as Spurs raced to a three-goal lead at the London StadiumCredit: Richard Pelham/News Group Newspapers Ltd
Spurs vs Bournemouth, Saturday 3pm
HOWE do you solve a problem like Mourinho?
That’ll be the question facing Eddie and his Bournemouth side as they travel to face a rejuvenated Spurs this weekend.
It wasn’t without a hiccup, but Tottenham saw off Olympiacos in midweek – with a little help from a ball boy – to notch up the Portuguese’ first home win.
We were all over Tottenham last week at West Ham, tipping them to take the three points even before they decided enough was enough for Mauricio Pochettino.
And with that change now made in the dugout, we’re confident they bag another three points this Saturday.
Bournemouth are winless on the road since a 3-1 triumph over South Coast rivals Southampton back in September, drawing a blank at Watford, Arsenal and Burton in the Carabao Cup.
Dele Alli was back to his best in Jose Mourinho’s first game in chargeCredit: PA:Press Association
Clean sheets aren’t very Eddie Howe – and neither is failing to score.
But we’ll happily take the short 4/11 on Spurs all day long and reckon the Cherries could be set for another long afternoon in North London.
They have an atrocious record against Tottenham, having lost an aggregate of 13-0 on their last four visits.
With that in mind, Spurs to keep a clean sheet is far too high at 5/4 and is well worth a nibble with a defensive-minded boss now on the touchline.
Mourinho will have given them the hairdryer treatment for their sluggish start against Olympiacos – and 5/4 is a big enough price to trust they can hold off what has been a limp Cherries attack on the road.
Most of you will be backing Harry Kane to continue his sweeping progress up the Tottenham top-scorer list.
But on Saturday our cash is heading firmly the way of a certain South Korean.
Son Heung-min has scored first in Spurs’ last two Premier League games – so why is he 4/1 to net the opener here? We don’t know either.
You take that all day long.
SunSport’s best bets
Mourinho to make it three from three: 4/11
Tottenham to keep a clean sheet: 5/4
Son Heung-min to score the opener: 4/1
Chelsea vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
IT could be last chance saloon for Manuel Pellegrini.
Two months without a win and Hammers fans are nearing the end of their tether with the likeable Argentine, who has won just three of thirteen League matches this term.
After a summer splurge, it was expected that West Ham would be chasing sixth spot this season.
How many of you in East London would take fourth from bottom right about now?
This is a must not lose for Pellegrini – or at the very least, his side need to show more bottle than they displayed against Spurs for 70 minutes last week.
Chelsea’s run of six-straight wins was ended by the champions last week.
But we’re massive fans of how they played at the Etihad, with Frank Lampard instilling a confidence and swagger into his young team.
The bookies have taken note and you can only get a tiny 2/7 on Chelsea winning.
If you throw a tenner on that, you won’t be able to buy a pint with the profit. Maybe not even a half if you’re paying those London prices.
Value is there though – if you look for it.
Leave the 10/1 on West Ham winning this one well alone, they’re in rotten form and haven’t won at this ground since 2002. That price is short when you look at the big picture.
Chelsea have won three on the bounce here in the league, without conceding a goal against Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Brighton.
The Blues to win to nil is 5/4 and represents excellent value, especially as the Hammers have drawn a blank on the road in three of their last four away games.
Of those three Chelsea wins mentioned above, all of them have seen the away side hold onto until half-time – before wilting under pressure following the break.
Have a tentative play on the draw at half-time, Chelsea to win at full time. That’s excellent value at 29/10.
Christian Pulisic is fast becoming a key man in this side and has five goals to his name already this term, despite a slow start.
Now he’s in the groove, the 21/20 on him to score at anytime is a Saturday afternoon steal.
SunSport’s best bets
Chelsea to win to nil: 5/4
Draw at HT/Chelsea win at FT: 29/10
Christian Pulisic to score again: 21/20
Despite defeat at City, there were positive for Chelsea to take
Norwich vs Arsenal, Sunday 2pm
UNAI EMERY is gone – and now the Gunners have Freddie at the helm.
Six without a win and now Arsenal head to a rejuvenated Norwich, with Daniel Farke’s side on a high from their 2-0 win at Goodison Park last week.
That will prove a huge boost to everyone at Carrow Road and could be the catalyst to kick-start their relegation scrap.
For the hapless Gunners though, this season is already spiralling out of control.
If it wasn’t for Alexandre Lacazette’s late equaliser against Saints, the Spaniard may have been handed his P45 earlier than Friday.
When it comes to betting on Norwich City games, you only need to look at the goal markets.
Which end they rain in at doesn’t really matter.
You’ve got a Canaries side who showed Man City what they can do as an attacking unit when on song earlier in the season.
At the other end they’re still decimated by injuries – and we all know that the main strength of this unbalanced Arsenal side is their front-four.
Teemu Pukki celebrates firing the goal that ensured qualification to Euro 2020 for FinlandCredit: Lehtikuva
Back both teams to score with everything you’ve got this week, it’s our banker – even if 2/5 is a bit stingy.
Arsenal are odds-on to win the game, which is absolutely mad.
Don’t you even think about touching that, because we have a feeling we’ll be saying we told you so by 4pm.
If you want a goalscorer, it might be like find a needle in a haystack with both teams defences proving so brittle.
Regardless, we like Teemu Pukki to finally restart the party.
The Finn doesn’t have a Premier League goal since September 14 when he looked like a potential Golden Boot winner.
He helped fire Finland to their first major championships over the international break and we reckon back on home soil could spark a resurgence.
SunSport’s best bets
Both teams to score: 2/5
Draw at Carrow Road: 29/10
Teemu Pukki to end Premier League goal drought: 6/5
Man Utd vs Aston Villa, Sunday 4.30pm
BRACE yourself. We’re actually going to tip a Man Utd victory this weekend.
Yep. Honestly.
After telling you for the last three months to avoid placing your hard earned on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s hapless side, we’re now doing a complete U-turn.
Why? Well, once we lay out the stats it won’t look like a completely mad decision.
Ole’s men have a severe case of travel sickness and have been beyond awful away from the comfy surroundings of their home ground.
Back at the Theatre of Dreams though, their young guns seem to find a little extra and are unbeaten here in all competitions since the shock 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace in August.
Utd are a healthy 1/2 to win this game and you should be taking them at those odds.
Villa will be hardworking and industrious, just as Sheffield United were last week in the terrific 3-3 draw at Bramall Lane.
Mason Greenwood scored as soon as he was subbed on against Sheff UtdCredit: PA:Empics Sport
That was one of the games of the season so far, but we’re not expecting a similar goal-fest here.
Dean Smith’s side are currently the worst away side in the division. Fact.
They prop up the away league with just three points from a possible 18 on their travels, posting just one win and losing their other five matches.
That one victory was a 5-1 thumping of fellow new-boys Norwich – and even Utd beat them at Carrow Road.
Villa also have an absolutely atrocious record at Old Trafford.
Of their last 14 visits since 2003, they’ve lost THIRTEEN of them – with the sole anomaly a 1-0 win in 2009 when Gabby Agbonlahor nicked the winner.
We think United will race out of the blocks and there’s value to be had on there to be a goal – by either side – in each half at 8/13.
That’s a bet which has won in each of their last three home Premier League games.
Youth bailed out Ole in South Yorkshire and we like the 7/4 on Mason Greenwood to net anytime.
He’s pushing for a start and has proven a real hit off the bench – that’s a big price for a youngster who is dynamite in the box.
SunSport’s best bets
Man Utd to beat Aston Villa: 1/2
A goal to be scored in each half: 8/13
Mason Greenwood to net again at anytime: 7/4
*All odds correct at time of publication
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
