This weekend’s Premier League coupon offers up a thrilling reminder of how far the campaign has strayed from the script. Bournemouth vs Liverpool is the undisputed game of the weekend, while Arsenal vs Manchester City a day later has lost much of its pre-season significance.
Weekend EPL best bets
Bournemouth vs Liverpool – Under 2.5 @ 6/4
Brentford to beat Tottenham @ 21/20
Arsenal vs Man City – Draw @ 12/5
Bet on the latest English football odds at Betzone
Back underrated Cherries’ strong suit for Liverpool visit
Bournemouth have earned high praise in recent weeks after extending their unbeaten run in league and cup to 12 games with consecutive demolitions of Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.
However, a statistic that’s gained relatively little traction so far is that Andoni Iraola’s men have conceded less EPL goals at home than any other side this term – just seven in 11 matches.
It could be that this lesser heralded strong suit comes to the fore when Liverpool visit the Vitality Stadium and under 2.5 total goals looks worth serious consideration at 6/4.
The Cherries’ home league games average just 2.2 total goals per fixture so far this season and that number would be significantly lower if not for the five they put past Forest last weekend.
Liverpool’s last two away games in the division both rewarded under 2.5 goals backers and that sequence could continue in the wake of their midweek Champions League trip to Eindhoven.
Tip: Bournemouth vs Liverpool – Under 2.5 @ 6/4
Brentford a great price to see off spiralling Spurs at the Gtech
The 21/20 about Brentford to beat Tottenham has to go down as one of the more double-take-inducing prices of the weekend.
Brentford may have lost their three and drawn one of their last four league games at the Gtech Stadium, but in fairness they played every team in the top four during that sequence.
In spite of that sobering recent run they’ve still amassed more home points to date this term than any other team in the division bar Liverpool and Arsenal.
Tottenham should be easier prey on recent evidence, having lost eight of their last 10 EPL outings, including each of their last four, culminating in a home loss to second bottom Leicester most recently. Midweek Europa League duties could fatigue them too.
Tip: Brentford to beat Tottenham @ 21/20
Difficult to see a winner emerging from pre-season ‘title decider’
Arsenal are tentative even money favourites for three points when they entertain Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday, but in truth it’s difficult to have confidence that either side are in the kind of form to emerge victorious from a fixture robbed of the significance of recent seasons.
The Gunners can’t be trusted to take the chances that will inevitably come their way in the absence of Bukayo Saka and a reliable number nine. City, meanwhile, are improving but remain inconsistent and played at full strength for their Champions League survival sealer in midweek.
A price of 12/5 looks more than fair about a fourth draw in the sides’ past five clashes.
