More stories

  • in

    Gabriel having it out with Haaland and ANOTHER Arsenal red could be knockout value as Weekend Wagers reveals best bets

    SUNSPORT’S Weekend Wager uses in-depth stats and cutting-edge analysis to unearth the best value bets ahead of the sporting weekend.Joining our very own Will Pugh this week is football journalist Kweku Afari and betting expert Sam Rosbottom, who will be looking for the best value on a packed two days of action.SunSport’s Weekend Wager team are finding the best value bets for this weekendCredit: SunSportThere’s plenty at stake when Man City travel to rivals Arsenal on Sunday, with Erling Haaland and Gabriel Magalhaes set to renew their rivalry.There’s also a derby in the Midlands as Wolves host an Aston Villa side with a depleted backline.And punters can also look forward to some tasty tips for the Six Nations, as well as some horse racing.Check out all our best bets for the weekend below:READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCould there be another red card for Arsenal this weekend?Credit: GettyARSENAL VS MAN CITYKweku Afari: “My tip is Arsenal to receive a red card at 17/2.“Ill discipline has underpinned Arsenal ever since Mikel Arteta took charge.“Arsenal have received 19 red cards since he took over in December 2019, the most in the Premier League.“There’s been reds this season for Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard, William Saliba and Myles Lewis-Skelly.Most read in Football“Four reds, the most in the Premier League so far.”And I fully expect that to continue this weekend.”Erling Haaland and Gabriel Magalhaes could clash heads againCredit: GettyWill Pugh: “I have gone for Gabriel Magalhaes to be fouled two or more times in the game at 4/1. “The Gabriel/Erling Haaland battle that is going to ensue… “Gabriel has been fouled 11 times in the last 10 games.“Haaland has committed seven fouls in the last 11 matches.“They’ve got history. I just fancy them going head to head.”Josko Gvardiol is sure to be a threat for CityCredit: GettySam Rosbottom: “Looking at other markets that take my fancy, Josko Gvardiol to have two shots or more in the match at 11/4 is a tasty price for me.“It’s one of those you can throw into a bet builder, set pieces could be big in this game.“He’s had 12 shots in his last eight Premier League games. “He’s the league’s top-scoring defender at the minute with five goals.”And he’s also City’s third-top scorer.”SunSport’s best Arsenal vs Man City betsArsenal to receive a red card: 17/2Gabriel Magalhaes to be fouled 2+ times: 4/1Josko Gvardiol to have 2+ shots: 11/4Ezri Konsa will be an aerial threat for Villa at WolvesCredit: GettyWOLVES VS ASTON VILLAKweku Afari: “Huge game. Ezri Konsa to score at 12/1.“This Villa team has suffered with injuries — Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings, Amadou Onana.“Konsa is a threat in the box. He’s only scored once in 21 games but he will be their focal point at set pieces.“Wolves have conceded 303 fouls in the league — only second to Bournemouth on 309.“There’s going to be lots of balls going into Wolves’ box from Villa and I expect Konsa to be busy.“Now this stat is going to blow your mind. Wolves have shipped in 19 set-piece goals this season — excluding penalties — the most of any side.“The only side who conceded 20 in a season were Spurs in the 07/08 season and I expect Wolves to beat that this weekend.”Jorgen Strand Larsen has made the second-most runs into the opposition box this seasonCredit: GettyWill Pugh: “Talking of brave, Jorgen Strand Larsen to have 2+ shots on target in the game at 5/2.“Only Dominic Solanke, with 237, has had more runs into the opposition’s penalty area this season than Strand Larsen on 210.“And 80 of those 210 runs into the area have been targeted by passes by a Wolves player.“He’s had 10 shots on target in his last eight league matches. And he’s had at least one shot on target in six of those last eight games.“With Mings’ injury and Villa’s defensive frailties, I fancy he’ll get a lot of opportunities.”Youri Tielemans loves a shot from distanceCredit: GettySam Rosbottom: “Straight in there, Youri Tielemans to have two or more shots at 9/5.“It’s a great option to have for a bet builder. He’s had nine shots in his last five Premier League starts.“He had two blocked shots and one unblocked shot against West Ham.“When Wolves mark players, I think Tielemans will fly under the radar and he does get forward and into the box.”SunSport’s best Wolves vs Aston Villa betsEzri Konsa to score: 12/1Jorgen Strand Larsen to have 2+ shots on target: 5/2Youri Tielemans to have 2+ shots: 9/5Galopin Des Champs is favourite to win in DublinCredit: PADUBLIN RACING FESTIVALSam Rosbottom: “There’s one race that stands out for me and it’s the Irish Gold Cup.“Galopin Des Champs coming up against Fact To File.“Going into this race they’ve had two races so far this season up against each other. It’s currently 1-1.“Galopin Des Champs is the favourite in this at 4/7. While Fact to File is currently 7/2.“Whoever wins, we’re likely to see some implication for the Cheltenham anti-post Gold Cup market as well.“For the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Galopin Des Champs is favourite at 4/5, going for three in a row.“But if Fact to File wins on Saturday it could shake the market up completely.“Fact to File is 4/1 for the Gold Cup. But it’s a big ask. Galopin is a really strong horse and it would be a big surprise if it doesn’t do the business this weekend.”SunSport’s best racing betsDublin Racing Festival — Irish Gold Cup winnerGalopin des Champs: 4/7Fact to File: 7/2Cheltenham Racing Festival: Gold Cup winnerGalopin des Champs: 4/5Fact to File: 4/1England have been tipped to lose their Six Nations openerCredit: GettyIRELAND VS ENGLANDSam Rosbottom: “We’ve got the Lions tour this summer, players are going to want to play for that.“Currently France are the favourites for the Six Nations at 6/4.“Ireland could make history and become the only side to win three in a row at 7/4.“England are 4/1 to win at the minute. 10 losses against the top four sides in 11 attempts.“But the one win they did get in that time came in the Six Nations at Twickenham against Ireland, which stopped them winning the Grand Slam last year.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It’s a massive game. But it’s not very patriotic. Ireland to win with a -6 handicap at Evens.“Revenge is on the line, England have a lot to do still. Ireland look a sound bet.”SunSport’s best Six Nations betsIreland vs EnglandIreland to beat England with a -6 handicap: EvensSix Nations winner oddsFrance: 6/4Ireland: 7/4England: 4/1Scotland: 8/1Wales: 45/1Italy: 100/1Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.gambleaware.orgFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk More

  • in

    The Sun’s new betting show Weekend Wager hits the target thanks to Fulham star who delivered against Man Utd

    SUNSPORT’S Weekend Wager got off to a flying start – with a 17/2 tip that came in after just 18 minutes.In the first of our weekly shows digging out the best value bets from the sporting world, our betting experts racked their brains to preview the sporting weekend.Alex Iwobi delivered a 17/2 tip from SunSport’s Weekend WagerCredit: GettyOur new weekly betting show provides the perfect preview to the weekend’s sporting actionCredit: SunSportAnd that included a superb tip from Betfair’s guru James Mackie.Mackie’s suggestion for Fulham’s home clash with Manchester United on Sunday night was all about Alex Iwobi.On the show, he said: “I’ve just gone for a single selection here. And I think it’s actually a bit of hidden value here. It’s 17/2 for Alex Iwobi to have two shots on target.“If you look at some of the stats around Iwobi, he’s had two first shots in each of his last five matches. Including three shots on target in his last three.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“He has been absolutely superb under Silva. That front four have been absolutely brilliant and Iwobi’s been a big part of that.“If you look on the side, he’s going to play against Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui.“They give up opportunities, left, right and centre. I think it’s a cracking bet.”And so it proved.Most read in FootballBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesBecause after just 18 MINUTES at Craven Cottage, Iwobi had already registered two shots on target and the 17/2 tip had come in.That was not the only success Mackie enjoyed this weekend, either.Man Utd’s Player Ratings vs FulhamHe also had East India Dock to win the 1.15 at Cheltenham on Saturday.He caught the value as he tipped James Owen’s hurdler at evens – with the 4-year-old winning by a massive TEN LENGTHS after being backed in to 1/2.Mackie added: “The last Cheltenham meeting before the Cheltenham Festival in March. Seven unbelievable trials for that four days in March.“I’ve gone for at Cheltenham, look, it’s not going to blow anyone away. It’s even money.“It’s one to start you off for your day before the football begins at three o’clock. It’s the East India Dock to win the 1.15 at Cheltenham.“This horse, he won last time out at Cheltenham in a Grade 2 Triumph Trial in November and I personally think this should be shorter. He’s only run twice over hurdles. He’s improved from run to run.“He was a brilliant flat horse and I think he’s going places for trainer James Owen this season.”“The angle to take with him, though, if you don’t want to take the short price of even money, he’s 6/1 for the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival. I think he’ll be about three or two to one after winning.“So maybe the angle is to play the anti-post market at a bigger price and watch and have a really nice ticket when it comes to the Cheltenham Festival.”READ MORE SUN STORIESEast India Dock is indeed now 11/4 for the Triumph Hurdle, the first race on the final day of the festival.Our next episode of Weekend Wager will drop on Friday – giving you plenty of time to place your bets before another blockbuster set of sporting fixtures.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.gambleaware.orgFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.ukEast India Dock won the 1.15 at Cheltenham – as tipped on Weekend WagerCredit: PA More