Premier League Betting Tips: Five picks for a fantastic weekend of football

Last time out, Andy Schooler landed a 4/1 winner and now he’s back to preview this weekend’s Premier League action.

Arsenal v Brighton

Saturday August 31
Kick Off: 12:30
TNT Sports

Both of these sides look like they will be full of goals this season and both teams to score certainly looks tempting at 1.84.

However, there’s a tried-and-tested method of bumping that up to 2.92 and that’s by backing Arsenal to win.

Across the last two seasons, 19 of Arsenal’s 38 home games have seen this bet win, with 19 of their 29 victories at the Emirates seeing the other team find the net.

OK, they are yet to concede this season but they’ve needed a truly world-class save from David Raya in both matches to keep their clean sheet, not to mention some wasteful finishing last week from Ollie Watkins.

Brighton lost all six games away to the top six last season, scoring in five of those matches, and something similar can unfold here given their attack-minded approach.

Prediction: Arsenal to win and both teams to score @ 2.88

Everton v Bournemouth

Saturday August 31
Kick Off: 15:00

Troy Deeney has taken over from the legendary Garth Crooks in producing the BBC’s team of the week but the omissions remain notable.

Deeney is yet to pick Antoine Semenyo despite the Bournemouth star shining brightly during the first couple of games.

No-one has had more shots so far this season than the Ghanaian’s 12, while he’s now scored six times in his last 14 league games.

He threw in an assist when playing on the right-hand side last week and looks likely to give Vitaliy Mykolenko a tough time – the Ukrainian was taken to the cleaners by Yankuba Minteh in Everton’s last home game.

The Toffees have shipped seven goals already and while they managed a response in midweek with a 3-0 win over Doncaster, it was still alarming to see how often they gave the ball away.

Bournemouth can punish that sort of play and Semenyo looks good at 2.76 in the ‘to score or assist’ market.

Prediction: Antoine Semenyo to score or assist @ 2.76

West Ham v Manchester City

Saturday August 31
Kick Off:17:30
Sky Sports

A couple of angles immediately came to mind for this TV clash.

The first was Tomas Soucek in the shots markets.

He’s had eight in two Premier League games so far, seemingly given a bit more licence to get forward by Julen Lopetegui. Always a threat in the air, he scored at Crystal Palace last Saturday and then added three more shots in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

The problem is, Manchester City are notoriously stingy when it comes to conceding shots so I’m instead switching attention to the likely battle down the left between Mohammed Kudus and Manuel Akanji.

Only City’s own Jeremy Doku had more dribbles per 90 minutes last season than Kudus, who won just under three fouls per game.

Akanji has played on the right side of City’s defence and while Rico Lewis has tended to drift between right-back and midfield, it’s the Swiss who can expect to be in Kudus’ firing line, especially with the Ghana international liking to cut inside.

Akanji isn’t a particularly high fouler but this looks set to be a tough assignment and the City man looks a decent price for 2+ fouls.

Prediction: Manuel Akanji 2+ fouls @ 3.6

Newcastle v Tottenham

Sunday September 1
Kick Off: 13:30
Sky Sports

Tottenham have had the most shots from set pieces across the first two matchdays, while Newcastle have conceded more shots than anyone else.

That leads me straight to Cristian Romero for 1+ shot on target.

The Argentine World Cup winner has had four shots in his two games so far, scoring from a corner against Everton last week.

He’s a real handful from set plays and Newcastle will again be fielding a makeshift defence with Fabian Schar still suspended and Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles both injured.

Romero can take advantage and is worth backing at 4.6 for a shot on target.

Prediction: Cristian Romero 1+ shot on target @ 4.6

Manchester United v Liverpool

Sunday September 1
Kick Off: 16:00
Sky Sports

When it comes to this fixture, there’s always one bet worth following – Mo Salah to score.

United have been Salah’s best opponents over the year in terms of scoring goals.

He’s now got 14 in 15 games against the Red Devils, including 13 in his last nine. He has scored in eight of those.

The Egyptian has started life under Arne Slot well too, scoring in both matches so far. Neither has been a penalty but he’s sure to take one of those soon.

It’s a new season but United’s ability to commit basic errors clearly remains – Joshua Zirkzee’s personal greed and some truly dreadful defending saw them lose at Brighton last week and Liverpool have often had a field day against them in recent years.

In Jurgen Klopp’s last eight games against United, Liverpool scored 26 times.

Slot has a great chance to get some early credit in the bank here and, if it’s to happen, Salah looks highly likely to be involved

Prediction: Mo Salah anytime scorer @ 2.22

Recommended Bets

Arsenal to win and both teams to score v Brighton @ 2.88
Antoine Semenyo to score or assist in Everton v Bournemouth @ 2.76
Manuel Akanji 2+ fouls in West Ham v Manchester City @ 3.6
Cristian Romero 1+ shot on target in Newcastle v Tottenham @ 4.6
Mo Salah anytime scorer in Manchester United v Liverpool @ 2.22