MOVE over international week, the Premier League is back – and so is Jose Mourinho!
After another dramatic set of Euro 2020 qualifiers, we’re back with tips for Arsenal against Saints, Man City versus Chelsea and Man Utd’s trip to Bramall Lane as proper football returns with a bang.
Jose Mourinho has signed a three-and-a-half-year dealCredit: Getty – Contributor
But before all that, we’ve a host of Special One specials to point you in the direction of…
Jose Mourinho to Spurs
He’s back and we don’t have to wait long to see if there’s still something special about him.
Mourinho takes charge of his first game as Tottenham manager for the trip to West Ham on Saturday lunchtime.
To mark the return of the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss, Ladbrokes have issued a number of tempting special bets.
Special bets
To win first three games (West Ham, Olympiakos, Bournemouth) : 5/2
Spurs to qualify for 20/21 Champions League: 7/2
Mourinho to win Premier League manager of the month December 2019: 9/2
Spurs to beat Real Madrid or Inter Milan on aggregate in the Champions Leagye 19/20: 10/1
Mourinho to leave spurs before the last match of the 19/20 Premier League season: 16/1
Mourinho to win LMA manager of the season 19/20: 16/1
Mourinho to win every game against former clubs: 50/1
Arsenal vs Southampton – Saturday, 3pm
THE GUNNERS are fast becoming the punters new best friend.
Not because they’re consistent, but because they’re easy to back against.
Unai Emery desperately needed the international break after his side went on a dismal run of five without a win, culminating in the 2-0 surrender against Leicester at the King Power.
It feels like the fanbase is starting turn on Arsene Wenger’s successor, with Arsenal 17 points off top-spot after just twelve games of the season.
As revealed by SunSport, the Spaniard has been given a month to save his job, starting with this clash against Southampton at the Emirates.
On paper, the Spaniard couldn’t have asked for a better game to kick-start both his reign and the season.
Saints sit second bottom of the table with eight points from their 12 matches and without a Premier League win since September 14.
Their three games since the embarrassing nine-goal surrender against Leicester have at least shown the squad has some guts.
But unfortunately for Southampton fans, it doesn’t look like that will be enough to save them this term.
They might have scored in all three of those matches, but they’ve also garnered a grand total of zero points.
Everything points towards an Arsenal victory, despite their recent troubles.
But are you mad enough – seriously – to back the Gunners at a pitiful 1/2 to win the game?
If you are, good luck. But we want better value if we’re going to trust this Arsenal side with our hard-earned cash.
They’ve conceded in six of their nine home matches this term, with Saints netting on all but one of their games on the road.
6/10 on both teams to score is short, but easy to back with this shambolic Gunners defence.
As is the impressive 17/10 on Arsenal to end their losing run, but let one in at the other end. There’s your value.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted eight in his first eight of the season, but has just one in his last six.
The 13/5 on him to open the scoring is long as a result – well worth a Saturday afternoon flutter.
SunSport’s best bets
Both teams to score at the Emirates: 6/10
Arsenal to win with both teams netting: 17/10
Aubameyang to score first: 13/5
Aubameyang lost his first game as Gunners captain at LeicesterCredit: AFP or licensors
Man City vs Chelsea – Saturday, 5.30pm
PEP GUARDIOLA’s men simply can’t afford another slip up.
Their clash before the international break was billed as a title decider – and they blew it, blown away at Anfield by Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal football.
They’re back to Eastlands this week and this one looks set to be a cracker.
Chelsea on the road this season have been a joy to watch, with Frank Lampard happy to loosen the leash on his talented, attacking young squad.
That’s resulted in goals – and plenty of them – as the Blues have propelled themselves up to third-place on the back of six consecutive Premier League wins.
City are in unfamiliar territory, languishing back in fourth with Leicester and today’s visitors sauntering past them a fortnight ago.
When Guardiola calls for a response, usually he gets one.
But we really like what Lampard is doing with this Chelsea side – and all the value is with the visitors.
Pep Guardiola fumes after seeing his side fall behind to two controversial goals at LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
City are just 2/5 to win the game, which is incredibly short and will net you just £4 profit from a tenner.
Chelsea though? Well they’re paying 6/1 for the win and we love the double chance on the Blues at a juicy 15/8.
That covers either a draw or a shock win for Lampard’s free-scoring side.
If you want to play another way and ignore the result entirely, goals look on the agenda.
These two have contributed 62 in their combined 24 Premier League games this campaign, with Chelsea the top away goalscorers with eighteen and City the top home scorers with nineteen.
Over 2.5 goals is our banker at 2/5, but have a little play on a frantic first-half.
You can get 23/20 on over 1.5 goals in the first half at the Etihad – that’s overpriced for two sides who will want to race out of the blocks.
SunSport’s best bets
Chelsea double chance (draw or win): 15/8
Over 2.5 goals at the Etihad: 2/5
Two goals or more in the first half: 23/20
Sheff Utd vs Man Utd – Sunday, 4.30pm
THE Chris Wilder revolution continues at Bramall Lane.
It’s been some return to the big-time for the Blades, who occupy a European spot as they welcome Man Utd to South Yorkshire.
Wilder has built this team from the ground up to be hard-working, disciplined and above all, effective.
So basically everything that this current Man Utd team aren’t.
There are signs that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are turning a little corner, with five wins from their last six matches.
But that non-performance at Bournemouth – which saw them fall to a dismal 1-0 defeat – still rings the alarm bells if you’re thinking of having a play on the away win.
Away from Old Trafford this season, United have taken just FIVE points a possible 18.
And you only have to look at their dreadful return of five goals from those games to see why.
The Blades have carved out three vital home victories already, all of them to nil over Burnley, Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
Sheffield United snatch their deserved leveller as a cross from George Baldock goes in off Eric Dier at SpursCredit: AFP or licensors
They’re strong in defence and clinical when they get their chances – this is another big test for the Red Devils on the road.
It says a lot that Man Utd are 6/5 to beat a newly-promoted side. How the mighty have fallen.
That’s a big price and we’ve absolutely no problem with you backing that – £22 back from a tenner on a Man Utd victory is well worth a go.
But we reckon the safer play is the 6/10 on under 2.5 goals.
Out of their combined 24 games in this season’s Premier League, these two teams have only played in seven matches which have featured three or more goals.
Wilder will have his side well drilled defensively and if they’re to spring another shock – if we can even call it that – they’re likely to take it 1-0 or hold Ole’s men to yet another 1-1.
John Lundstram is the heartbeat of this side and is a massive 5/1 to net anytime. Not first, at ANY time. Lump on.
He bagged two here against Burnley and you should be all over that for a Sunday afternoon money maker.
SunSport’s best bets
Under 2.5 goals at Bramall Lane: 6/10
Match to finish 1-1: 24/10
John Lundstram to net fourth goal of the season: 5/1
*All odds correct at time of publication
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
