EPL best bets for the weekend of August 25th-27th
It was another winning week for me on Matchday 2 to continue with our great start to the new Premier League season, and I am looking to keep cashing tickets for this week’s slate of matches.
Bournemouth vs. Tottenham
Saturday, 7:30 a.m. ET
My first pick of the weekend comes in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off which sees Bournemouth host Tottenham at the Vitality Stadium.
Harry Kane may have departed in pursuit of almost guaranteed trophies with Bayern Munich but I’m keeping it simple here and taking Tottenham to win at +104.
I think the departure of Kane may actually help Ange Postecoglou. The Spurs faithful know what a huge player their all-time record scorer was for the club and will have sympathy for their new Australian manager.
They certainly look right behind him and the team if the scenes after their impressive 2-0 victory over Manchester United last weekend are anything to go by. The supporters like him and the style he has brought to the club, and he seems to be getting the best out of his players who look ready to step out of the shadow of their former skipper.
Yves Bissouma looks back to his Brighton best in partnership with Pape Sarr in Spurs’ new-look midfield but is the third member of that trio that really caught my eye. New vice-captain James Maddison could be the signing of the season if he keeps up his early form.
Thriving in the faith shown in him by his new manager the former Leicester playmaker already has two assists to his name. The England international shows so much composure on the ball and will create so many chances in this attack-minded setup. Especially against a Bournemouth side that has already conceded a whopping 42 shots at their goal across the first two games.
The Cherries may have made a dream start at Anfield last weekend taking the lead in the 3rd minute but looked fearful after that. Liverpool took them to the cleaners and ran out comfortable 3-1 winners despite having Alexis Mac Allister sent off with over 30 minutes still left to play. In fact, they were lucky not to lose by a wider margin.
Tottenham have the momentum and are playing with dangerous freedom and scoring goals. That looks like a recipe for success against the wide-open hosts, and they are great value on the moneyline.
Pick: Tottenham to beat Bournemouth at +104.
Everton vs. Wolves
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. ET
Two of my favorite sides to fade for goals come face-to-face at Goodison Park on Saturday, and I just can’t get away from under 2.5 goals here. In fact, it is my banker bet of the week.
As a result of more added-on time the Premier League is averaging nearly three goals per game. So, you need to be brave to be an Unders backer but as they say, “Scared money don’t make money”.
Regardless of how much time you have if you don’t have players to put the ball in the back of the net you don’t score goals. Neither of these teams has anyone who can do that.
Wolves created a huge number of chances against Manchester United on the opening weekend, had 23 shots but scored with none of them. They had another 16 at home to Brighton last weekend and only managed a consolation when they were already 4-0 down.
As for Everton, they were dreadful at Villa Park in their last match. They lost 4-0, but it could easily have been six or seven. They were that bad.
Sean Dyche is without two of his biggest threats as Alex Iwobi and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are out injured. They really are down to the bare bones and have nothing off the bench as it is filled with kids. Anyone holding a ticket for goals and sees Neal Maupay in the starting line-up you may as well rip it up. He has scored once in 31 appearances for the Toffees.
It may be early days in the season, but this is a huge clash for both sides after awful starts. It’s bottom vs. second from bottom, and we could see scared football here.
Both managers are already thinking of damage limitation, and they will be desperate not to lose. I think they would sign for a point right now and look to build on it.
Pick: Everton vs. Wolves Under 2.5 goals at -125.
Sheffield United vs. Manchester City
Sunday, 9:00 a.m. ET
Manchester City were supposed to be vulnerable last weekend. Missing several key players including Kevin De Bruyne. Pep Guardiola named a very inexperienced bench unable to freshen things up after a midweek trip to Athens to claim their first Super Cup.
The money certainly came for opponents Newcastle who were off the back of an impressive 5-1 thrashing of Aston Villa on the opening weekend. The treble winners had other ideas. They controlled the game, keeping possession and winning it back quickly when they did lose it. City allowed the visitors just one shot on target which came 20 minutes from time and were able to see the contest out with minimal fuss.
Phil Foden thrived in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne and created seven open-play chances, his best in a Premier League game. World Cup winner Julián Álvarez also started, and it was his name on the scoresheet at the Etihad rather than the usual Erling Haaland.
Injuries and illness have eased ahead of this trip to Bramall Lane, and the Cityzens will be boosted by the midweek news Bernardo Silva has signed a new contract with the club.
Of course, backing Manchester City to win comes at a premium but taking them to win to nil looks an outstanding price.
Newly promoted Sheffield United have lost their opening two fixtures to Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest scoring just once. They have sold top scorer Iliman Ndiaye and key man Sander Berge leaving manager Paul Heckingbottom "hugely disappointed" feeling his side is “way short”. There is no doubt the current side is weaker than the one that was promoted in May.
The Blades finished 10 points behind Burnley in last season’s Championship with Vincent Kompany adding his 11th new signing of the summer this week. That’s a Burnley side who Manchester City visited on the opening night of the season and dispatched 3-0.
Two of United’s better players from last season are likely to be sitting on the visitor’s bench for this one having returned from their loan demonstrating the gulf in class. Pep will not be there to see it as he is recovering from back surgery in Spain, but I’m sure he will be watching as his men keep up their 100% start to the season without conceding a goal.
Pick: Manchester City to win to nil at -133.
