THERE’s not a lot better than some midweek footy under the lights.
With no European games this week, it’s a chance for the Premier League to take centre stage over a number of nights – and we’ve betting tips for you from two big top-flight clashes.
It’s been a torrid few weeks for Arsenal and Mikel ArtetaCredit: Reuters
Arsenal vs Southampton, Wednesday 6pm
We said last week that Mikel Arteta was skating on thin ice.
After defeat against Burnley – the Gunners fourth in a row – he might have just fallen through it.
The loss netted us a few winners on our Super Sunday tips, but for Arsenal fans it was a 90 minutes which summed up their season. Abject.
Never mind getting out of first gear, the Gunners have yet to put the key in the ignition – and the less said about what’s going on with highest-earner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the better.
No such worries at St Marys, with the Saints flying high and currently occupying a Champions League place.
They were ruthless against Sheffield United at the weekend, turning would could have been a potential banana skin into a straightforward victory.
Many fans on the South Coast feared the worst when top scorer Danny Ings got injured two months ago.
Granit Xhaka saw red as Arsenal suffered another defeatCredit: AFP
But they’ve gone instead from strength to strength – and the former Liverpool forward is back to help their unlikely European push.
The Saints have scored 24 times this season, the same as Spurs and noticeable FOURTEEN more than the shot-shy Gunners.
They’ve scored twice on three of their last four visits to the Emirates – and we’re backing them to do the same again.
Hasenhuttl’s fearless side netted three at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season and have drawn a blank just once on their travels.
The Gunners have been leaky at home all campaign and 17/10 on the Saints scoring over 1.5 goals is huge.
You can get 4/6 on Southampton avoiding defeat in North London and with Arsenal in this rut – and the visitors full of confidence – that’s a terrific price.
Danny Ings hasn’t scored from open play since his return from knee surgery but is slowing getting back up to speed.
This Southampton team has speed, agility and guile in attack – and he’s got all three.
At 11/10, ignore the prices on the shot-shy Arsenal forwards and instead back Ings to give you a midweek winner.
SunSport’s best bets
Sheffield United vs Man Utd, Thursday
It’s been a miserable campaign for Chris Wilder and Co.
The Blades are suffering from a huge bout of second-season syndrome, sitting bottom of the table with one point from a possible 36.
Man Utd meanwhile arrive in South Yorkshire on the back of a morale-boosting performance in the Manchester derby.
So they didn’t get all three points, but a 0-0 draw with Pep Guardiola’s City side was welcome after crashing out of the Champions League.
In the reverse fixture last season, these sides played out a terrific 3-3 draw which saw United battle back from two-down.
The last time Sheffield United scored three was back in July, when they dispatched Chelsea 3-0 on home soil.
That seems a long time ago now.
Wilder’s side are winless all season and currently on a run of seven-straight defeats.
No wonder then they are 6/1 for the victory – but even that seems a little short considering their wretched form.
Man Utd have scored three or more in EVERY one of their Premier League away matches this season.
They’ve won all of those games and goals is the way to play here.
A United away victory is just a tiny 4/9 and we’d leave that win only market alone, simply because there’s more value elsewhere.
Ole’s men are a perfect five from five on the road, the best away team in the league – but they have conceded in each of those victories.
Back them to win this at Bramall Lane, but also to concede at a huge 12/5.
Both teams to score is also evens, which is too tempting despite the Blades’ blunt forward line this term.
They found a way to score against Leicester last time out here and at that price, we’re happy to back them to do so again.
Bruno Fernandes continues to thrill as United’s midfield magician and tops the scoring ranks with seven in the league so far.
He takes the set pieces and has the eye for goal you want when trusting a player with your hard-earned.
At 6/5, the Portuguese star can come through for us again.
SunSport’s best bets
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
