Free betting tips: KDB to shine in Man City v Arsenal, West Ham’s Antonio to score first

The Bookie Basher is back and licking his lips at the prospect of this weekend’s huge heavyweight showdown - not the one at Wembley, the one up in Manchester.

It looks like Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will be the main contender tussling with Pep Guardiola’s defending champions Manchester City, and the two giants step into the ring on Sunday.

Man City have already got their noses ahead, opening up a two-point lead after four games which does not bode well for their rivals.

But the Gunners proved they are up for the fight with that gritty win at Tottenham, so our gambling guru has given his guidance on the best betting tip for the game, while also looking at a selection of other mouth-watering games this weekend.

Let’s go…

Sunderland v Middlesbrough

The Wear-Tees derby is always worth a watch, a feisty fixture historically and this Saturday lunchtime’s early TV game should be no different.

Sunderland are a massive club, FA Cup winners in 1973 no less, but in more recent times hit the headlines when a fan allegedly defecated on his seat in the stands at the Stadium of Light.

The ‘poo-gate' scandal caused a storm, and even made it onto Gary Lineker’s Twitter/X feed at the time.

The defence - 'I necked 12 beers and 6 ciders and all I'd eaten were two chocolates from my advent calendar' - is something I think about at least once a month.

The Black Cats have a few significant injury worries going into this one, and might still be rattled after that shock defeat to Plymouth last weekend.

Boro boss Michael Carrick, meanwhile, is blessed with quality options throughout his squad and the Smoggies look a decent price to build on their steady start to the season.

Suggested Bet: Middlesbrough to win at 15/8 (Hills)

West Ham United v Chelsea

Chelsea have made an OK start but that 1-0 win at Bournemouth f***ing flattered them a bit didn’t it?

The Hammers beat the Blues 3-1 at the London Stadium last term, and are not a bad side. I’m tempted to get stuck into the home win here at odds north of 2/1.

I do rate Michail Antonio up top. Bags of experience - and definitely not over the hill, but knocking on a bit (like the best of us - Editor).

In fact, I’m not saying Antonio is getting on but when he first started his Premier League career the Dead Sea was only slightly ill.

Suggested Bet: Michail Antonio to score first at 9/1 (LiveScoreBet/Unibet)

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Crystal Palace v Manchester United

Crystal Palace did the double over Manchester United in the Premier League last season, the first time they have ever beaten them in consecutive league matches.

Anyone who watched the Red Devils v Southampton will surely concur the football was a bit pedestrian and lacking in passion.

It sounds weird given they won 3-0 but at times they looked like a relegation team.

Midweek was weird too.

Alejandro Garnacho getting excited in terms of his celebration after scoring against Barnsley in the EFL Cup while their biggest rivals were beating AC Milan in the San Siro was perplexing to say the least.

Erik ten Hag's men have won just two of their last 16 Premier League away games against London sides (D4 L10), and this screams draw.

Suggested Bet: Draw at 11/4 (bet365)

Brighton v Nottingham Forest

I bizarrely picked up a groin strain last weekend. I’m not a doctor, obviously, but remain puzzled how you can get a groin strain laying on the couch eating Maltesers and losing chunks on Tottenham v Arsenal?

Anyway Brighton have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four home league games against Nottingham Forest.

However as the late, great Mark Twain once mused ‘There are 3 kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics’.

Forest can show that win at Anfield was no fluke. 15/4? Yes please.

Suggested Bet: Nottingham Forest to win at 15/4 (bet365)

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Manchester City v Arsenal

We are only in September but it’s first versus second here and Pep’s mob are a 5/6 chance for victory.

The Citizens are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League home games against Arsenal (W7 D2). That said, Arsenal kept a clean sheet in both Premier League meetings with Man City last season, taking four points. You just can’t overstate how big this game is.

It reeks of a classic, and while the heart says lump the home win, I’m taking Kevin De Bruyne to score first purely for the vibes and chaos.

Suggested Bet: De Bruyne to score first at 10/1 (bet365)