James Buttler looks ahead to the eighth weekend of Premier League action and picks out the best bets with a treble.
Fulham v Aston Villa
Fulham’s only two Premier League defeats have come in Manchester, the last a 3-2 loss at City just before the international break. Fulham start the weekend in 8th and Craven Cottage has yielded two wins and a draw.*
But Villa have won the last four meetings (including the summer series) and took three points from London last season with a 2-1 away win.
Villa come in off successive draws against Man Utd and Ipswich and a win on Saturday afternoon would see them back into the top four, pending other results.
Fulham are a good side under Marco Silva, and I certainly wouldn’t put you off BTTS as I fancy goals in this one. Ollie Watkins has five goals against Fulham and may be worth a look at 15/8 anytime. But I’m edging towards a Villa win and they’ve scored twice in their last three away trips. Aston Villa over 1.5 goals at Fulham is the first part of our treble at 6/4.
Newcastle v Brighton
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle were winless in their three matches ahead of the international break, but they’re unbeaten at St James’ Park in their last three H2Hs with two wins and a draw. The Toon Army are also unbeaten in their last 11 home matches, winning six, and they’ve scored two-or-more goals seven times in that period.
That strong home form allied to the fact that visitors Brighton have conceded eight goals in the last three EPL matches might suggest a home win, but The Seagulls are in 6th, one place above their hosts, yet Brighton have won only once in their last nine away league matches, drawing four and losing four. There’s only been two clean sheets during that poor run. So, the home win seems likely and add in over 2.5 match goals and the price is 13/8.
Southampton v Leicester City
Southampton have been dreadful since their return to the topflight with just one point from their first seven matches, that point coming in a home 1-1 draw with fellow promoted side Ipswich Town. They take on the other promoted team in Leicester City on Saturday. But the Saints are struggling to score, with only four goals scored so far, the lowest in the division, and they’ve conceded a joint league high of 15 goals.
Leicester won the two Championship encounters last season 9-1 on aggregate and should take all three points again. They’ve not been awesome, but six points earned sees them in 15th, a position I’d dare say they’d be happy with come May.
Leicester beat Bournemouth just ahead of the international break and new boss Steve Cooper is starting to get a tune out of a Foxes side that are a tasty enough 21/10 to win.
James’ Premier League Tips
Aston Villa over 1.5 goals at Fulham at 6/4
Leicester to beat Southampton at 21/10
Over 2.5 match goals in Newcastle v Brighton at 13/8
Those three picks give is a 16/1 treble with vBet on Saturday afternoon.
However you bet, please always gamble responsibly.