Premier League Betting Tips: Manchester United to win and James Maddison to score

The Premier League returns for matchday five following the international break - here are five tips from five top flight matches on Saturday and Sunday. 

Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday 

Manchester City have made a perfect start to their title defence, five games and 15 points, Pep Guardiola’s side have not looked that solid defensively recently though. 

Red Star Belgrade became the fourth team in as many games to find the net against the Citizens, joining Sheffield United, Fulham and West Ham.  

Unlike their opponents, Nottingham Forest were not in European action. Steve Cooper’s side have shown on multiple occasions this campaign that they can go shoulder-to-shoulder with the division's big boys. 

The Tricky Trees found the net at the Emirates, Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge which is why backing both teams to score at the Etihad appeals. 

Prediction: Both teams to score at 2.28

Burnley vs Manchester United

Kick-off: 8pm Saturday, TNT Sports 1

Can I shock you? I actually fancy Manchester United to get a result at Turf Moor. 

Vincent Kompany’s side cruised to the title in the Championship, playing expansive, possession based football. The problem is, the Belgian boss has not tweaked his tactics in the top flight. 

The Clarets are far to open and this should play into the Red Devils hands. 

Burnley have shipped an xGA of 7.8 and created an xG of 3.0, the latter comfortably the fewest in the division. Manchester City and Aston Villa put three past them, Tottenham scored five times.

Prediction: Manchester United to win at 1.8

Chelsea vs Aston Villa

Kick-off: 2pm Sunday

As far as Aston Villa are concerned, goals are the bet if the price suits and there is certainly enough juice in SBK’s odds for over 2.5 goals to be scored at Stamford Bridge. 

Under the tutelage of Unai Emery, the Spanish supremo’s unwavering loyalty to his tactics mean the Villains have developed a split personality. They are the big sides whipping boys and flat track bullies to the rest of the division. 

Overs has clicked in every single one of Villa’s seven games this campaign. Between them, Liverpool and Newcastle put eight past Villa and Villa have put 18 past the rest in their other five games. 

Prediction: Over 2.5 goals at 1.73

Arsenal vs Spurs

Kick-off: 14:00 Sunday, Sky Sports

James Maddison has been hailed as the signing of the summer, not just at Tottenham but in the Premier League. 

The creative midfielder has had a direct hand in four goals in five league appearances and seems to be relishing playing in a better team. 

Including this season, his domestic goals per 90 average has not dropped below 0.34 in four seasons and based on that average his price to score anytime at the Emirates represents value. 

It is worth noting that this will be the England international's first taste of a North London Derby and he is exactly the type of player to thrive on the occasion. 

Prediction: James Maddison to score any time at 5.1

Sheffield United vs Newcastle

Kick-off: 16:30 Sunday, Sky Sports

Selling their two best players on the dawn of the new season was a bold move by Sheffield United. Their opening two results, both defeats, can be written off in my eyes as they had not adequately replaced Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge. With Cameron Archer and Gustarvo Hamer now acclimatised, the newly promoted side look a completely different proposition.  

It took a late Rodri goal against Manchester City and two late goals at Tottenham to prevent Paul Heckingbottom’s side picking up results against the Premier League’s early leaders. 

As the two plucky displays showed, Sunday’s hosts are more than capable of frustrating  the biggest sides in the division. 

Newcastle also had the small matter of a trip to the San Siro to deal with in midweek. 

Prediction: Sheffield United win-or-draw double chance at 2.78

Recommended Bets

Back both teams to score in Manchester City v Nottingham Forest @ 2.28
Back Manchester United to beat Burnley @ 1.8
Back over 2.5 goals in Chelsea v Aston Villa @ 1.73
Back James Maddison to score anytime in the North London Derby @ 5.1
Back Sheffield United win-or-draw double chance @ 2.78