GOALS are on back the menu this weekend as the Premier League returns to our screens.
We’ve got betting tips for you from four top-flight matches, starting on the South Coast with the Seagulls hosting Man Utd and finishing with a Monday Night Football treat between Liverpool and Arsenal.
Frank Lampard saw his side thrash Barnsley 6-on WednesdayCredit: AP:Associated Press
Brighton vs Man Utd, Saturday 12.30pm
We’ll admit it – we didn’t see that result at Old Trafford coming last weekend.
Man Utd were absolutely woeful against Crystal Palace, kicking off their Premier League campaign with a dismal 3-1 home defeat.
Ole’s men were miles off the pace and maybe a host of injuries combined with European involvement during pre-season was a bigger factor than we thought.
No matter though, the games come thick and fast this campaign so there’s an immediate chance to put things right in the league after getting back to winning ways in the Carabao Cup.
Sadly for the Red Devils, Brighton have started the new season looking in fine fettle.
Graham Potter has invested superbly – notably flying full-back Tariq Lamptey – and they were full value for a thumping 3-0 win over Newcastle.
During the post-lockdown period United came to the South Coast and inflicted that scoreline on a Brighton side that looked lethargic and lacking in ideas.
That won’t be the case on Saturday and we wouldn’t advise you to put your hard-earned on the visitors sauntering to a first three-points of 2020/21.
Especially at 4/5. Odds on? Not for us.
Chelsea were unconvincing winners here on opening day and Brighton were on the scoresheet that day.
David De Gea has been trusted between the sticks despite a shocking run of form at times this year.
Back Brighton to score at a very generous 1/2, which considering United’s current injury situation and defensive options is a steal.
Bruno Fernandes was the architect during that 3-0 win back in late June, netting twice after Mason Greenwood had put United in control.
While we aren’t backing the visitors to win on Saturday, we do think they will show a bit more urgency and verve than against Palace – and Fernandes unlocked the Seagulls on countless occasions in their last meeting.
As such, 21/10 on the Portuguese maestro to grab an assist is a brilliant price.
Up front, Untied fans are still clamouring for more firepower but Anthony Martial looks the man likely to be leading the line.
If Ole does go with the Frenchman, 7/4 on him netting anytime and ending a five-game goal drought for club and country is the value.
SunSport’s best bets
West Brom vs Chelsea, Saturday 5.30pm
Big Frank’s men were left Blue by the Reds – but here’s a real chance to hit back in style.
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea were stifled tactically against Liverpool and their plan to restrict the champions collapsed when Andreas Christensen saw red just before half-time for a rugby tackle on Sadio Mane.
There was frustration amongst some fans that the attacking talent on show wasn’t being allowed to run free – but we expect a reaction at the Hawthorns after Kai Havertz dismantled Barnsley in midweek.
West Brom sit bottom early on in the season and have conceded eight in their two matches so far, including five at Everton.
They played some decent stuff in that defeat regardless and Slaven Bilic’s side are a world away from the Baggies’ kick ‘n’ rush tactics of old under Tony Pulis.
But if anything, that suggests they’re in for another long afternoon as they face a Chelsea side out to make a point.
The Blues netted three times against Brighton despite their expensively assembled forward line failing to do the business – so the defenders just chipped in instead.
We see goals in this one – and lots of them.
Chelsea were prolific on the road last season, finishing the 2019/20 campaign with 16 of their 19 away games featuring three or more goals.
That was the highest percentage in the division by far and they filled their boots against teams who finished in the lower half, hitting more than three themselves past Palace, Burnley, Southampton and Brighton.
Chelsea are 2/5 to win the game and we think they will – but that’s a measly price.
Instead, back them to score over 2.5 goals on their own at a far juicier 29/20.
That’s a bet which has won on their last two visits to this ground.
We do see West Brom having a real go at the Blues, who could still have Kepa hanging around between the sticks if Edouard Mendy’s move isn’t finalised.
If they do, back a Chelsea win with both teams to score a massive 2/1.
Timo Werner is still searching for his first competitive goals in a Blues shirt and looked to be trying just a little bit too hard against Liverpool.
Should Lampard’s men play to his strength – get him running onto balls over the top and finding space in the box – then 5/2 on him grabbing the opening goal is a steal.
SunSport’s best bets
Sheff Utd vs Leeds, Sunday midday
A Sunday treat from Bramall Lane as these Yorkshire rivals meet in the top division for the first time since 1994.
Last season’s surprise package, the Blades haven’t got their new campaign off to the perfect start.
Back-to-back defeats look bad on paper, but they were a goal threat even with ten men against Aston Villa and we don’t think many of you in South Yorkshire should be too worried just yet.
Leeds meanwhile have started the season like a train, high on confidence and Marcelo Bielsa’s murderball tactics.
It looks like ‘we’re going to score one more than you’ is the mantra for the season – and it’ll be fascinating to see if they go into their shell as Norwich did when racking up a few losses.
Because in this league, that’s inevitable.
The Blades built their fine 2019/20 season on a mean defence, finishing the campaign with a better defensive record than Chelsea, Leicester, Tottenham and Arsenal.
They’re yet to score after drawing two blanks against Wolves and Villa, but we’re confident they get off the mark against a Leeds back-line which has conceded seven goals already.
Bielsa’s gung-ho, attacking outlook make the Whites an exciting watch – but wide open at the back.
Back both teams to score at a very generous 4/5, but don’t expect another seven goal thriller.
Wilder’s side are too canny for that and they only conceded more than two or more at home on FOUR occasions.
We think this will be a close run thing and so do the bookies, with some real value available on the ‘win either half’ markets.
You can get 10/11 on Sheffield United to do just that, and we’d recommend that as a play rather than the 90 minute result.
Rodrigo was the big-money signing for Leeds this summer but the former Valencia man is yet to cement his place in first-team.
Patrick Bamford – so often ridiculed for wasting chances in the Championship – has the trust of Bielsa and has repaid him with two goals in two Prem games.
You can get a hefty 12/5 on him making it three in three – don’t miss out.
SunSport’s best bets
Liverpool vs Arsenal, Monday 8pm
A cracker under the lights is in store on Merseyside as the reigning champions welcome the Gunners.
There’s already been drama with this one, as the kick-off time was moved 15 minutes earlier to ensure supporters could watch the match in the pub without it going through the new 10pm curfew.
And judging by the way the opening four matches involving these teams have panned out, fans will be in need of a drink.
Liverpool are two for two, but not without a scare against Leeds – although they were hardly troubled as ten-man Chelsea were swatted aside at Stamford Bridge.
Just a word for Thiago Alcantara as well, who came off the bench in that victory and looked the Rolls Royce he is.
At least one of these teams is losing their perfect start with Arsenal coming into the game on the back of wins over Fulham and West Ham.
You can only beat what is put in front of you, but this is the first major test of Mikel Arteta and his side this season.
And we’re not convinced they’ll be up to the job of ending Liverpool’s seemingly endless Anfield run – despite that Community Shield triumph just a few weeks ago.
Merseyside is not a happy hunting ground for the Gunners and they last won on this ground way back in 2012.
That’s seven fruitless visits in the Premier League, with Liverpool netting three or more times in SIX of those encounters.
With Jurgen Klopp’s side looking impressive in front of goal again, that’s how you play here.
Liverpool are a tempting 1/2 to win the game and we won’t stop you from backing that, especially as the final leg in a weekend accumulator.
But far more tempting is the 5/4 you can get on over 3.5 goals.
That’s been a winner the last EIGHT times Arsenal have played here, including that bonkers 5-5 draw in the Carabao Cup last season.
We don’t expect Arteta to employ the same spoiling tactics that Frank Lampard used last week, which blunted the Reds until Christensen’s red card.
And as such, back Liverpool to net often and early.
The Reds to score in BOTH halves should really be odds-on, so don’t miss out on the 11/10 you can get right now.
Mo Salah looks like a man on a mission at the moment and has started the season just like his new haircut – sharp.
He’s quite rightly priced at 5/6 to net anytime and will be popular, but we prefer Sadio Mane to score following his brace against Chelsea.
The Senegalese will get plenty of chances and 23/20 is the value pick.
SunSport’s best bets
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
