Dave Tindall looks ahead to Sunday's Premier League action and picks out the best bets, including two in the showdown between Chelsea and Arsenal.
Chelsea v Arsenal
The big London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal is the glamour game on Sunday. That one’s a 4.30pm kick-off.
These two had very contrasting results in Europe in midweek, with Arsenal losing 1-0 away to Inter Milan and Chelsea racking up eight against Noah in the Conference League.
Arsenal really can’t afford to be dropping any more points after falling off the pace and the two sides go into the game locked together on 18 points.
Chelsea have been a better bet away from home this season and, despite lots of promising signs, they’ve still to win what you might call a glamour fixture, losing against both Manchester City and Liverpool and drawing at Manchester United last weekend.
Team news could be crucial with Cole Palmer a doubt for Chelsea while Declan Rice could be absent for Arsenal. Both scored in this fixture last year.
That was a 2-2 draw and the stalemate appeals again with neither side making a convincing enough case at the odds - Chelsea are 15/8 and Arsenal 13/8.
The Draw is the biggest price of the three outright results so back it at 5/2.
Martin Odegaard is set to start for Arsenal after getting a few minutes against Inter and at 9/2 he’s an attractive price to mark his return to Premier League action with a goal.
Man Utd v Leicester
There are three 2pm kick-offs as well and let’s start with Manchester United v Leicester.
These two met in the Carabao Cup a couple of weeks ago with United beating a much-changed Leicester 5-2.
This is Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final game in charge before he hands control to Ruben Amorim and the former striker will want to bow out on a bright note after guiding United to two wins and a draw since standing in for Erik ten Hag.
United are a short price at 2/5 but if we give Leicester a goal the price becomes much more palatable. Man Utd to win and Both teams to Score is 13/8.
We landed a 13/5 anytime goalscorer punt on Bruno Fernandes against Chelsea and I’m happy to play the United skipper again here. Fernandes is 2/1 to grab another.
Nottingham Forest v Newcastle
Nottingham Forest ended last weekend in the giddy heights of third place and they’ll bid to keep their tremendous start going at home to Newcastle.
The Magpies are on a high after beating Arsenal but they’re not a great side on the road and, tactically, this game should suit Forest.
Expect Newcastle to have the majority of possession but that could allow Forest to pick them off on the break.
I’m going to try a Bet Builder here and Back Callum Hudson-Odoi, a goalscorer against West Ham last week, to net in a Forest win. That pays 17/2. Hudson-Odoi, of course, also got Forest’s winner at Liverpool.
Tottenham v Ipswich
Spurs v Ipswich is the other 2pm fixture on Sunday and should be an entertaining one.
Tottenham lost 3-2 in Europe in midweek and beat Aston Villa 4-1 last weekend so their last two games have witnessed five goals.
It makes sense given Ange’s open style.
Over 4.5 goals is 9/5 which is a little short so I’ll try Ipswich to score the first goal at 14/5.
The Tractor Boys scored the first goal of the game at Manchester City and although Spurs have a good home record they keep shipping the first goal.
Spurs scored 4-1 wins over Aston Villa and West Ham and beat Brentford 3-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but they conceded the opening goal in all three of those.
Dave's Premier League Tips
Chelsea v Arsenal draw at 5/2
Martin Odegaard to score anytime at 9/2
Man Utd and BTTS v Leicester at 13/8
Bruno Fernandes to score anytime at 2/1
Callum Hudson-Odoi to score in a Forest win v Newcastle at 17/2
Ipswich to score the first goal v Tottenham at 14/5
Good luck with your bets and please gamble responsibly