James Buttler looks ahead to the 16th round of Premier League action and picks out the best bets with a treble.
Liverpool v Fulham
Storm Darragh prevented last week’s Merseyside Derby, but both Manchester City and Arsenal failed to haul back Liverpool by dropping points. Liverpool remain top of the table with Chelsea in second, four points behind. Liverpool showed plenty of resolve in their 3-3 away draw at Newcastle last time out and have since beaten Girona 1-0 in the Champions League.
Arne Slot’s team have won 12 of their last 13 home games. They’ve kept eight clean sheets in that time and Fulham won’t relish this trip to Anfield, despite securing a 1-1 draw with Arsenal last weekend. The Cottagers won at Anfield in March 2021, but other than that there are 10 defeats and three draws in the last 14 H2Hs.
Liverpool are unbeaten in 18 matches across all competitions and should have more than enough to win this weekend, but the 1/3 on a home win isn’t particularly appealing. Liverpool to be ahead by half-time, as they have been in four of their last five home league games, is far more attractive at 4/5.
Trent Alexander Arnold score in both league matches against Fulham last season, and he’s bang in form. Salah and company are short prices, whereas TAA is a standout price of 15/2 with SkyBet.
Newcastle v Leicester
Newcastle have no wins in four league matches and are down in 12th but they must fancy their chances against Leicester City despite their inconsistent form at St James’ Park. Newcastle have won two and drawn one of their last three home H2Hs with the Foxes. Alexander Isak has five goals in the last seven league matches, despite the Magpies not being in top gear.
Leicester have responded to the appointment of Ruud van Nistelrooy as boss and have taken a win and a comeback 2-2 draw at home to Brighton under his management. But just one win in seven away trips this season I’d guard against backing the Dutchman’s new manager bounce to continue. Newcastle to win and Isak to score is 11/10.
Wolves v Ipswich Town
Gary O’Neil is holding onto his job by the skin of his teeth. The defeat to West Ham on Monday hasn’t helped and defeat to Ipswich surely sends him packing with Wolves down in 19th, level on points with the visitors who have lost their last three Premier League matches.
Wolves are unbeaten in seven H2Hs, winning two, but I think Ipswich are showing a little more fight and have a real chance of notching a second league win of the season at 29/10. A safer play, and the one I’m putting into our treble is Both Teams To Score at 7/10 with William Hill, as has happened in eight of the last nine league matches at Molineux.
James’ Premier League Tips
Liverpool to be leading against Fulham at HT at 4/5
Newcastle to win and Aleksander Isak to score is 11/10
BTTS in Wolves v Ipswich Town at 7/10
As a treble that comes to 5.5/1.
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