James Buttler is back with a 15/1 treble across this Saturday's Premier League matches.
Ipswich v Southampton
The two teams sit in the bottom two Premier League berths, and it would take a leap of fancy to think either side won’t be in the Championship next season, but one side is making a better fist of an escape than the other. The Tractor Boys are 10 points ahead of a woeful Saints side that has taken only two draws from the last 13 league matches.
Ipswich have lost their last three matches, but those defeats came against Brighton, Liverpool and Man City, during which time they’ve leaked 12 goals, but the visit of Southampton gives them a great chance of getting back to winning ways. Southampton have taken only six points in 23 matches this season, the lowest ever at the stage of a Premier League season.
Neither side are much good, but Ipswich are the best of a poor pair and EVS with Betfair on the Tractor Boys looks a solid punt on Saturday afternoon.
Newcastle v Fulham
Newcastle’s unexpected 4-1 loss at home to Bournemouth was quickly sent from memory with a solid 3-1 away win at Southampton.
Alexander Isak bagged a brace to take his tally to 17 this season and the successful bet in Newcastle matches has been a Toon Army win and an Isak goal. There’s no reason to think that will not have a very good chance on Saturday with Newcastle having won seven of their last eight league games and Isak scoring in all seven.
Newcastle have also beaten Fulham in five of their last eight meetings with the other three drawn. The Cottagers are still in the hunt for European football and they have lost only once in their last seven away games.
I think there are two similar and solid ways into this one. Newcastle to win and Isak to score again is 2.26/1, or you could be a little more adventurous and add in BTTS to take the price to 4.44/1.
Bournemouth v Liverpool
Over the last 10 Premier League matches, Bournemouth have taken 22 points and sit level with four other sides including Liverpool. The Cherrries 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest means they are now unbeaten in 11 matches, including seven wins. Talk of European qualification for the first time has just quietly started at the Vitality Stadium.
But Liverpool are the opponents, and they sit six points clear of second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand. But Arne Slot’s team would become only the third side this season to take all three points out of Bournemouth. The two winning away teams were Arsenal and Man City, but Liverpool are certainly in their company this season.
So, I’m sure lots of people will select Liverpool to win this, and they might, but it certainly isn’t a given. Liverpool lost 3-2 at PSV in the Champions League on Wednesday, but Slot had the luxury of being able to rest many of his leading players. And Liverpool have only lost once in 13 H2Hs with Bournemouth, winning 11 and the score tally across those matches has been 42-6.
I’m taking Liverpool and BTTS at 1.6/1, but backing against Bournemouth is certainly fraught with risk this season!
James’ Premier League Treble
If you put a Liverpool win and BTTS, an Ipswich win, and a Newcastle win including an Isak goal, this week’s Saturday treble comes to 14.91/1.