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Premier League best bets: Manchester United look good value to beat Chelsea

Jose Mourinho could be celebrating an unlikely victory this weekend - PA
Jose Mourinho could be celebrating an unlikely victory this weekend - PA

The odds suggest the Premier League’s top three have relatively easy tasks this weekend.

Manchester City are a best-priced 1/12 to beat Burnley, Liverpool are a general 1/3 to win away at Huddersfield and Chelsea are 8/11 to beat Manchester United.  

The weekend’s big game is the early kick-off on Saturday and Jose Mourinho’s men are a bigger price (4/1) to win at Stamford Bridge than they were when beating Manchester City 3-2 in April.

The desire to prevent their city rivals lifting the Premier League trophy led them to pull off that surprise victory at the Etihad, whereas the desire of certain players to begin a Mourinho-less era at Old Trafford may have the opposite effect here.

Mourinho also has a poor record at Stamford Bridge since joining Manchester United in 2016, losing three games, one of which was in the FA Cup, by a combined score of 6-0, and his employment of various tactics, including attempting to man-mark Chelsea’s star man Eden Hazard, have all failed.  

Paul Pogba cups his hand to his ear after scoring against Manchester City  - Credit: AFP
Paul Pogba celebrates scoring against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in April Credit: AFP

However, should his side really be rated less likely to beat this Chelsea team than they were to come out on top against last season’s record-breaking champions?

It does not take the most vibrant of imaginations to conjure up a scenario in which any permutation of Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford cause Chelsea’s high defensive line some problems and 4/1 for a Manchester United victory is just too tempting a price.

AFC Bournemouth vs Southampton

Only two of Bournemouth’s 10 matches this season has featured fewer than three goals and there should be plenty of interest in the overs market with more than 2.5 goals in the game available at 5/6 and more than 3.5 goals priced at a general 2/1. However, the best bet could be Bournemouth to win and both teams to score at 11/4.

Cardiff vs Fulham

El Sackico could be a tense affair, with a defeat for either manager potentially costing them their job. Slavisa Jokanovic has more to fear given the huge money spent in the summer and his side will be tested by Cardiff, who were unlucky to lose their last home match against Burnley. Neil Warnock seems to be a disciple of the Tony Pulis guide to survival, so Cardiff to have most corners at evens with Sky Bet and central defender Sean Morrison to score at any time at odds of 10/1 with Unibet and 888sport appeal as potential bets.

Jurgen Klopp smiles as Pep Guardiola wraps his arm around the Liverpool manager - Credit: REUTERS
Pep Guardiola shares a moment with Jurgen Klopp in their recent meeting at Anfield Credit: REUTERS

Manchester City vs Burnley

Manchester City have played Huddersfield, Newcastle, Fulham and Brighton at home this season and the times of the first goal scored in each match make interesting reading. Pep Guardiola’s men made the breakthrough in the 25th and 29th minute against Brighton and Huddersfield, with the opening goals against Fulham and Newcastle coming in the second and eighth minutes respectively. Dutching your bets on a goal in the first ten minutes at 3/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral and the first goal to be registered between the 21st minute and 30th minute at 17/4 with the same firms could pay dividends.

Newcastle vs Brighton

It’s a shame that you can’t get a price on the number of spectators to fall asleep during this game. However, Newcastle fans should be celebrating their first win of the season in a low-scoring encounter, with outright odds of 5/4 making some appeal. Punters looking for a bigger price could do worse than to back Newcastle to win 1-0 at a general 11/2.

West Ham vs Tottenham

A case can be made for backing West Ham at 16/5 with bet365, betVictor and Paddy Power. Manuel Pellegrini’s side have already beaten Manchester United and drawn with Chelsea at the Olympic Stadium and a lively front three of Marko Arnautovic, Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko will cause Tottenham problems. With Harry Kane, Kieren Trippier, Eric Dier and Harry Winks all playing at least 85 minutes for England against Spain during the week, fatigue could play a major role.

Wolves vs Watford

Defensive solidity has been key to the fine start made by Wolves this season. They have conceded just two goals in their last six Premier League matches and could prove good value at 15/8 with Sky Bet and BetVictor to win to nil. Watford are without a win in their last four matches and will be forced to rotate their defence with Jose Holebas and Christian Kabasele ruled out with suspensions.

Virgil Van Dijk looks animated during Liverpool's game with Manchester City - Credit: AP Photo/Rui Vieira
Virgil Van Dijk's return to training is a boost for Liverpool Credit: AP Photo/Rui Vieira

Huddersfield vs Liverpool

Liverpool are a general 1/3 to win this game and have been boosted by the return to training of Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. Jurgen Klopp’s men will be the bankers of many punters’ Saturday accas and should win comfortably, but those seeking a bit more value could go for Liverpool to win the match and more than 2.5 goals to be scored at evens with Betfair.

Everton vs Crystal Palace

This is the start of a daunting run of fixtures for Crystal Palace who face Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United next. A worrying lack of goals for Roy Hodgson’s men, coupled with another injury scare for Wilfried Zaha, suggest that they may struggle to get a result against Everton who look value at a general 10/11.

Tempting accumulator

Those punters who like to combine a few teams should focus on Bournemouth, Newcastle, Liverpool and Wolves. A £20 accumulator would return £212 at best prices.

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