It is sooooo good to be back. That three-week international break felt like six years in HMP.
Was it just me, or did the break drag on forever? Three long weeks turned football fans into lost souls staring at empty television screens.
The big story, of course, was Manchester City. Their long-running Premier League financial case has sparked plenty of debate.
Possible sanctions, then?
Relegation?
Points deductions?
Force them to re-sign Elano and play him in midfield for two seasons?
Read on for the best bets from this weekend’s televised Premier League games. Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate, The Bookie Basher, picks out four matches to watch.
Sunday’s huge clash between Liverpool and Manchester City takes centre stage.
Arsenal v Leeds United
Leeds arrive in North London determined to make a mockery of their 7/1 odds for this, armed with the intensity and resilience that have long been hallmarks of the Yorkshire club’s identity.
Daniel Farke’s side have lost just five of their 24 league games since January 1, and the Gunners certainly won’t have things all their own way.
Last season Arsenal scored nine without reply in two facile league wins against Leeds, but this time round Farke’s men were one of five Premier League clubs entering the international break unbeaten.
Senor Arteta will be desperate for his side to get back on track after that shocking 3-0 reverse to Brighton, and while I fancy them to get over the line here, it could be a close-run thing.
Suggested bet: Arsenal to win by exactly one goal at 11/4 (Sky Bet)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
“I’ve watched Manchester United since the age of five and that’s the worst 15 minutes I’ve ever seen. Absolutely pathetic.”
Keep your pantyhose on, Mr Neville.
But did he have a point? In the Premier League this season only four teams have covered less distance than the Red Devils, and just three teams have produced fewer sprints.
It comes alongside United’s joint-worst start to a Premier League season, with four points from five games.
Michael Carrick simply cannot have enjoyed his international break, and I simply cannot have them at 4/6 on here.
Spurs have been pony so far this season also, despite spending in excess of £300 in the summer.
Bryan Mbeumo has scored two in five games so far, and 7/4 to score anytime makes plenty of appeal against a wobbly Spurs defence.
Remember, it takes a big man to admit he was wrong.
But it takes an even bigger man to put a wig on a giraffe.
Suggested bet: Bryan Mbeumo to score anytime at 7/4 (Sky Bet)
Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest
Oliver Glasner should return to Crystal Palace on Sunday as a hero. But life is rarely fair and football fans are notoriously fickle.
The clubs have previous of course as Palace were demoted to the Conference League – with Forest taking their place in the more prestigious Europa League – after the Tricky Trees drew attention to the Eagles’ then relationship with fellow competitors Lyon.
Glasner’s replacement Pierre Sage has made a decent start, with his side losing only one of their five competitive games before the international break.
Tough game to predict this one and given that six of the pair’s last eight meetings have been draws, 12/5 does not feel like the worst price in the world.
Suggested bet: Draw at 12/5 (Betfred)
Liverpool v Manchester City
Oasis touring and Man City in League Two? It’s almost as if the 90s are back.
In all seriousness the latest instalment of the Liverpool vs Man City rivalry promises to be mega spicy.
Anfield provides the backdrop once again, where noise rolls down from the stands and expectation hangs in the air.
It should be extra loud on Sunday as Reds fans make a point of letting their Mancunian counterparts know exactly how they feel about the guilty verdict on those 114 charges.
The bookies cannot split them, with both available at 8/5 at time of writing.
Man City are top of the pile after a perfect start, but the unknown is how much the recent off-field controversy has affected their players.
Liverpool know three points and they are right back in the title race.
However if Jeremy Jacquet misses the game through injury, Man City could be the bet.
Down the years big Premier League games like this often flatter to deceive, but both teams to score and over 2.5 goals has landed in three of Manchester City’s five league games so far, and Liverpool will be going for the jugular at Anfield.
Suggested bet: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 3/4 (Coral / Hills / Ladbrokes)
