British Summer Time ends on Sunday, October 25. That means an extra hour in bed for football fans across the UK.
The Premier League continues to deliver surprises as Matchweek 8 approaches. Who expected Hull City and Ipswich Town to sit in the top half before Halloween?
Predicting results in this league is never easy. Even the most sensible betting slips can quickly fall apart.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s betting columnist, The Bookie Basher, shares his best bets for the weekend’s televised Premier League games. His selections include Sunday’s clash between Manchester United and Bournemouth.
Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest
Ipswich Town will be delighted with their start to the season. However, bookmakers remain cautious about their chances against Nottingham Forest.
Forest showed plenty of fight in their recent defeat to Arsenal. That performance suggests they could make this a close contest.
Ipswich have played nine matches across all competitions without recording a draw. That run could end this weekend.
Suggested bet: Draw at 13/5 (Betfred)
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Aston Villa face a major test against Manchester City. I have backed Villa at 14/1 to finish in the top four for several weeks.
City have made a perfect start in the league, winning their first seven matches. They also recorded a 5-1 victory over AEK Athens in midweek.
Villa, though, have reasons to feel confident. They have won their last three home meetings with City.
The hosts could make life difficult for Pep Guardiola’s side. At around 4/1, a Villa victory could appeal to punters looking for a bigger price.
And one question remains: how is Tammy Abraham still only 29?
Suggested bet: Aston Villa to win at 17/5 (Bet Victor / Coral)
Chelsea vs Tottenham
Chelsea have been purring since the international break, having picked up a pair of impressive wins.
Their frontline is as good as anything in the division, and that weekend win at Everton will have pleased Senor Alonso too, given it was Chelsea’s first clean sheet in nine months.
The Blues have won the last six meetings between these two London rivals, and I cannot see a scenario where Tottenham get something here.
That 100/30 price on Spurs is filthier than a tramp’s ballbag. Tomorrow may not be promised. But Chelsea to beat Spurs here pretty much is.
Suggested bet: Chelsea to win & Under 3.5 goals at 7/4 (Betfred)
Manchester United vs Bournemouth
The Red Devils have been inconsistency personified so far.
Poor decisions on and off the pitch, and an Old Trafford stadium that frequently leaks water during heavy downpours.
Critics will swear they are rudderless right now. As an aside, has anyone actually met someone who has organised a piss up in a brewery?
Michael Carrick knows his side have to win matches at some point.
Manchester United’s draw with Leeds on Sunday made it six without a victory now, the worst run since 2018/19, when their form fell off a cliff after a certain Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was confirmed as permanent manager.
Bournemouth’s Evanilson – who has four assists and two goals in the league so far – is 6/4 to score or assist. Truthfully, what’s not to like?
Suggested bet: Evanilson to score or assist at 6/4 (Betway)
Sunderland vs Leeds United
The raw data suggested Sunderland’s seventh-place finish last term was a hefty over-achievement, but the Black Cats are bottom of the table at the time of writing and fans must be worried.
It must feel great to be back in Europe, but the truth is the extra demands of the Europa League this season could prove a hindrance in their quest for survival.
Leeds are flying, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored four in seven games. He’s underrated, Calvert-Lewin. Looks like the type of fella who brews his own vinegar, but at the age of 29 he’s at the very peak of his powers.
5/1 to score first on Sunday? Wallop.
Suggested bet: Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score first at 5/1 (Coral / Ladbrokes)
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