THERE’S profit to be made as we look ahead to another bumper weekend of top-flight action.
With the Premier League table thrown wide open by Man City’s European ban, we’ve got betting tips from huge games for Chelsea and Man Utd as they continue their Euro challenge.
Olivier Giroud’s first-half strike sent the Blues on their way to victoryCredit: EPA
While we’ll also focus on the Carabao Cup final as the first major domestic honour of the season is decided at Wembley…
Bournemouth vs Chelsea, Saturday 3pm
WHICH Chelsea are going to turn up this week?
Frank Lampard’s side continue to lurch from the sublime to the ridiculous.
Last weekend they bounced back from a horrid performance against Man Utd to take the bragging rights over Spurs, beating their rivals 2-1 at the Bridge.
Olivier Giroud was brought in from the cold to lead the line in some style and Big Frank could lean on the Frenchman again for this trip to the South Coast.
Bournemouth remain very much in a relegation scrap despite two wins in their last four, with Eddie Howe’s men just two points clear of the drop zone.
They are however searching for a third straight victory here on home soil after six-pointer wins over Brighton and Aston Villa.
Chelsea are a different team on the road this season, for whatever reason.
In West London they rank tenth in the league, winning just six of their 14 home matches.
But when unleashed on their travels, they boast the fourth best record in the division, despite being winless away in 2020.
Both of these sides need the points for different reasons and we’re expecting a wide open game.
Chelsea will be out for revenge after the Cherries stunned them at the Bridge last time the sides met, leaving with all three points after a 1-0 win.
And when they came here just over a year ago, the Blues were humiliated in a 4-0 thrashing.
Goals are on the menu so leave that results market well alone – predicting which way this one will go is simply too risky.
Instead go for over 3.5 goals, a bet which would have won on three of the four occasions the two teams have met at this stadium.
While Chelsea’s away game this season have featured an average of 3.8 goals per game – get on at massive 2/1.
For all their attacking verve, there are questions marks over Chelsea at the back.
Just look at their shambolic keeper situation.
They’ve kept just two clean sheets in all competitions on their travels this campaign, so 3/4 on both teams to score is a firm recommendation.
Giroud was the star man against Spurs and if allowed to lead the line again, can get in on the goals at 23/20 – he’s netted six from 15 this season for club and country, not too shabby.
SunSport’s best bets
Over 3.5 goals at the Vitality Stadium: 2/1
Both teams to score: 3/4
Giroud to notch again: 23/20
Wilson is ready to cement his place in England’s Euro 2020 squadCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Everton vs Man Utd, Sunday 2pm
THIS is a huge game in the race for Europe.
Everton under Carlo Ancelotti have emerged from the shadows and have very quietly put an excellent run together, grinding out points both home and away.
Defeat at Arsenal last time out was unlucky and in truth the Toffees should have buried at least one of their late chances to salvage a draw.
At Goodison they’re without a defeat since late November, when Norwich turned them over 2-0, but could make up valuable ground on the visitors with three points.
United are enjoying a similarly good run with new signing Bruno Fernandes breathing some life and energy into their play.
They were great value for their win at Chelsea before dispatching Watford at home 3-0, Fernandes bagging his first Red Devils goal from the spot.
And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will remember last season’s visit here all too well.
It might have been effectively a dead rubber and late in the campaign, but Man Utd don’t forget four-goal thrashings all that quickly.
He’ll be out for revenge – but we’re not convinced his side get it.
Ancelotti was able to turn to the fit-again Andre Gomes for the first timeCredit: Reuters
United on their travels have won just four of 13 games, although their travel sickness has eased since a therapeutic 6-0 thrashing of League One Tranmere in the FA Cup.
Even so, we don’t see them breezing down the M62 and taking three points from a side who have won seven of their 13 home matches this season.
Goals have been on the menu since Ancelotti arrived, with Everton’s last four games featuring over 2.5 goals.
That’s the way you play here at 19/20 – a bet which would have won on three of the last five H2H’s.
The Toffees have proved fast starters under the Italian, with goals in the first 30 minutes of their last four matches.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a real handful against the Gunners and continues to thrive – he can net early for the home side and bag you a big payout on first goalscorer and the Blues to score before the break.
SunSport best bets
Over 2.5 goals at Goodison: 19/20
Everton to score in the first half: 23/20
Dominic Calvert-Lewin to net the opener: 16/5
Man City vs Aston Villa, Sunday 4.30pm
IT’S no easy task facing Man City in a domestic final.
Just ask Watford, who haven’t been the same since their 6-0 horror show in last season’s FA Cup.
The wounded Citizens are still reeling from the news of their two-year European ban, but must now dust themselves down as they defend the Carabao Cup at Wembley.
Pep Guardiola’s side have fallen short of their high standards this term, although it was always going to be hard following a domestic Treble.
For Aston Villa, they can forget their relegation scrap for the day and concentrate on trying to win their first major silverware since 1996.
Good news for the neutral – apart from last year’s 0-0 snooze fest against Chelsea, League Cup final’s at new Wembley almost always guarantee goals.
Since moving back to the Home of Football in 2008, eight of the 12 finals held here have seen three or more.
Pep Guardiola has reiterated in the past week that he will not be leaving Man City despite Champions League ban and lack of Premier League successCredit: AFP or licensors
And the two meetings between the sides this season in the Premier League would suggest this isn’t going to be a repeat of last year’s stalemate.
City thrashed Villa 6-1 last month on the road and swatted them aside 3-0 at the Etihad earlier in the campaign.
But taking a look at the match odds, it shows how football really has changed in the past decade.
These two operate in the same league, but Villa are massive 20/1 outsiders to win in the 90 minutes.
It’s not since League Two Bradford reached the final in 2013 that a side has been anything like that to lift the trophy – and even then with three league separating those teams you could only get 17/2 pre-match on the Bantams.
City are overwhelming favourites and there’s no point risking your hard-earned on the pitiful 2/13 odds.
Midlands pair Jack Grealish and James Maddison are the most fouled midfielders in the Prem
Villa will be roared on by a sell-out, fanatical following from the Midlands – and the 23/20 on both teams to score is far too high, especially as Guardiola’s side have conceded in 21 of their games this season.
This is neutral ground, Villa will be pumped up and that is just far too big a price for the occasion.
We do expect City to ultimately lift the trophy and if they do, it’ll likely be with two or more goals to their name.
As such, play it safe and go for City to score in both halves – that’s a very generous 8/13 and well worth backing compared to the win market.
Jack Grealish looks set to be in the red half of Manchester this summer if reports are to be believed.
He’s the heartbeat of his hometown club and can be the man who finds the City net at 9/2 anytime.
SunSport’s best bets
Both teams to score in the Carabao Cup final: 23/20
Man City to net in BOTH halves: 8/13
Jack Grealish to show his class with a goal: 9/2
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
