Premier League Betting Tips: Newcastle to hold Man City, Duran to carry on scoring

The Bookie Basher is back and among chatting about the price of Freddos, Duran Duran and Eye of the Tiger, he has also picked out some Premier League betting tips for you.

The top-flight table is shaping up nicely after five games, with only three points separating league leaders Man City from sixth-placed Newcastle United, who happen to be locking horns at St James’ Park this weekend.

Let’s start there shall we…

Newcastle United v Manchester City

Before the tips, a question. Is it worth bending down for 20p anymore?

I did on Tuesday. However, almost immediately I had a bit of an existential crisis and questioned whether it is even worth the effort given inflation and the current price of Freddos?

Any A Level Philosophy or Further Maths examiners reading this column feel free to use my question as an exam topic in the 2024/25 campaign.

To business then. It felt like Manchester City got out of jail a bit against Arsenal. How significant John Stones’ last-gasp leveller will ultimately be in the title race remains to be seen. The game was a fascinating watch nonetheless.

“Stay humble,” Erling Haaland snarled at Mikel Arteta at the end of a game that had oozed low-key ferocity from the first minute.

Haaland scored a fine first goal, but had a face like a smacked arse at the end due to Arsenal’s second-half defensive display, which was a juxtaposition of exquisite barbarism and sh**housery.

In recent times, this fixture has produced goals, with Man City’s last five meetings with the Geordies in the North East ending 2-2, 3-4, 0-4, 3-3 and 2-3.

Pep Guardiola’s men have not kept a clean sheet in the league since the 2-0 win against Chelsea on the opening weekend, so you would think Eddie Howe’s men will get on the scoresheet.

In fact I am willing to throw a few shekels on a 2-2 result at 14/1. The champions losing Rodri for the season is a huge blow and they look a little fragile defensively at the moment.

Suggested Bet: 2-2 draw at 14/1 (bet365)

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Wolves v Liverpool

Wolves are currently rock bottom of the table with just one point alongside Everton. They probably do not need to be facing Liverpool in Saturday’s late kick-off, a team they’ve lost 14 of their last 15 against in the league.

It was a disappointing transfer window overall for Wolves, who lost defender Max Kilman and winger Pedro Neto to London clubs.

In the cut-throat world of the Premier League, Wanderers boss Gary O’Neil must be feeling a bit of pressure right now?

Indeed Wolves have lost 10 of their last 12 Premier League matches, so odds wise Liverpool at 2/5 here feels about right.

But I didn't become the doyen of sports betting by tipping f***ing 2/5 shots.

Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in 65% of their Premier League games against Wolves (13/20), so the smart play here is backing Arne Slot’s men to win to nil.

Suggested Bet: Liverpool to win to nil at 9/5 (Hills)

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Ipswich Town v Aston Villa

Villa have won five of their six matches so far this season and are a real threat up top with Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran (who is not to be confused with Hall-of-Fame boxer Roberto Duran or irascible 80s pop band Duran Duran).

The Aston Villa forward has scored four goals in five Premier League matches this season, all of them as a substitute.

He was at it again on Tuesday in the EFL Cup, and is a player at the very top of his game.

The Colombian is fast becoming the ultimate impact sub, and 12/5 with bet365 that he scores against an Ipswich side struggling for clean sheets looks like a play (especially when you factor in the same bet is as short as 7/5 with some firms).

If you are the type who puts ‘Eye of Tiger’ on Spotify before going for a run and refers to yourself as a ‘Top G’ after six pints, you really need to be backing Duran anytime here.

Suggested Bet: Duran to score anytime at 12/5 (bet365)

Manchester United v Tottenham

This should be vibrant. It could be a blockbuster, and I kind of get why Manchester United are betting favourites given the fact that Spurs have only won twice so far in the league this season and sit 10th in the table.

Ange Postecoglou must be starting to feel a bit of pressure, especially given the cocksure and vainglorious interviews he has been banging out this term.

In case you missed it, Big Ange was adamant after Tottenham’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal the other week that he “always wins” trophies in his second year - emphasis on the word always.

They looked OK beating Brentford last time out, and are still in the EFL Cup I suppose after beating Coventry 2-1.

That said, a heavy defeat at Old Trafford would obviously heap more pressure on the egotistical Aussie.

Both teams are blessed with an abundance of attacking talent and both have form for being a bit sh*t defensively.

The Red Devils have won two and drawn one of their opening five matches, but were massacred by Liverpool at home and lost 2-1 to Brighton.

The fact that they are as big as 4/1 just to finish in the top four this season rather tells its own story, and both managers are under the microscope here.

I do fancy Erik ten Hag’s men to get over the line though, in a game that should feature goals.

Suggested Bet: Manchester United to win & both teams to score at 5/2 (Skybet)

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