Premier League betting tips: Bournemouth are bankrupting bettors, Man Utd and Arsenal are striker-less - What could go wrong?
The Bookie Basher thinks with blunt attacks and VAR officials with the foresight of a defrosting lasagne, this weekend could be another rollercoaster for punters.
11/4, 2/1 and 21/20 winners last weekend. Sports News Blitz readers, are you not entertained?
You can tell the Last Outlaw of Sports Gambling is still off the drink. That said, I’ve got a week off for Cheltenham next week that will be largely spent lumping nags and carrying on in pubs.
Yet before I tell you that Majborough wins the Arkle pulling a cart, let me help you top up the Cheltenham punting fund with a few football winners this weekend.
Nottingham Forest v Manchester City
The Citizens smashed Forest 3-0 back in December, and at a shade under evens will be a popular punt in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Little known fact but Reggie Kray said to me on his death bed “Saaan, never back the early kick-off.”
Reg, I wish I had taken your advice, God rest you.
Kevin De Bruyne is a 12/1 poke to score first. That price is a little toppy.
The 33-year-old hasn’t been his usual self this season, but he remains a shrewd and malevolent baller who thinks two moves deeper into the game than any of his opponents.
Suggested Bet: De Bruyne to score first at 12/1 (bet365)
Brentford v Aston Villa
Aston Villa took a huge step towards the quarter-finals of European football's most prestigious competition as they romped to a 3-1 win on the road against Club Brugge on Tuesday night.
Will Villa finish the job in Birmingham next week and book a last-eight showdown with Liverpool or PSG?
On Leg 1’s evidence you would have to say ’f**k yeah’ but will they be rotating things against Brentford with that big UEFA Champions League night at Villa Park in mind? Probably.
Even if they don't rotate (unlikely) Villa's recent league form has been a bit iffy, truth be told.
They’ve won one of their last six, and the Bees are no mugs at home. 13/10 about Brentford winning at home looks plenty.
Suggested Bet: Brentford to win at 13/10 (Betfred/Betfair Sportsbook/Hills/Paddy Power)
MORE FOOTBALL NEWS: Newcastle United news: Now or never for Harvey Barnes after Anthony Gordon red card
Wolves v Everton
Talking of recent form, Everton are unbeaten in their last six - three wins and three draws.
One of those draws was a pulsating 2-2 at home against champions-elect Liverpool.
In the same time period Wolves have lost four from six.
Matheus Cunha - integral to his team both as a goalscorer and creative force - will be sitting this one out after he lost his head and was sent off in the FA Cup against Bournemouth last week.
The 25-year-old had to be dragged down the tunnel on the south coast.
However, his reaction was tame in comparison to mine sat at home watching the same match after realising Bournemouth’s second ‘goal’ - which would have triggered a £280 two goals ahead early payout with bet365 - had been chalked off after a record eight-minute VAR stoppage to look at it.
I mean who are these VAR idiots? I'll tell you who the f***ing are. They are people with all the forward-thinking of a defrosting lasagne.
Suggested Bet: Everton to win to nil at 15/4 (Hills)
Tottenham v Bournemouth
As stated, the Cherries have done me dirty two weekends in a row now.
They’ve also knocked me out of a £10k Last Man Standing competition when there were less than 12 people left.
Andoni Iraola was named Premier League Manager of the Month for January, but his team are on the ‘Get f***ed’ list now I’m afraid.
Spurs’ injury list is starting to look a little less ridiculous and with key men back, I’m happy to jump on them to win this at plus money.
Suggested Bet: Tottenham to win at 7/5 (bet365/Boylesports/Hills)
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Horse racing news: Cheltenham Festival 1/6 to start on ‘Good-to-Soft ground’
Manchester United v Arsenal
Poor old Ruben Amorim. Managing Manchester United in 2025 must feel like trying to sh*t out a pool table.
Rasmus Hojlund - signed for £72million in the summer of 2023 - has now gone 18 matches without a goal and looks a bag of nerves every time he plays.
Andre Onana's oft comedic errors between the sticks in recent months have also brought his future into question.
In short, it’s a sh*t show and things look like they are going to get worse before they get better as Arsenal roll into town this weekend.
The talk going into Tuesday, March 5’s Champions League match with PSV was that Arsenal have no strikers.
Yet after a scarcely believable 90 minutes Mikel Arteta's side became the first team in Champions League history to score seven goals away from home in the knockout stages of the competition.
“I can't believe it. I can't believe it. Football, bloody hell.” (In Fergie’s voice)
If Arsenal are ‘at it’ - to use a Souness-ism - this could get messy and I do actually fancy them to cover a one-goal handicap by half-time.
Suggested Bet: Arsenal (-1) to win (1st half handicap) at 13/2 (Betfair Sportsbook/Paddy Power)
READ NEXT: F1 2025 preview: Biggest winners and losers from Bahrain pre-season testing
