Premier League Weekend Betting Preview – Week 6
Tottenham Hotspurs’ tough run continues as they face off at home against heated rivals Arsenal in the standout Premier League clash of the weekend. The North London Derby is always one of the most highly-anticipated fixtures of the season, and with both sides in a scrap for the top four, it’s another crucial one for both sides.
The men in white currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League, one point off fourth-placed Chelsea and just two behind third-placed Chelsea. The Gunners meanwhile are rank outsiders for a Champions League spot, sitting in sixth spot and four point off Saturday’s opponents. An away win for Arsene Wenger’s side, however, would catapult them within touching distance of their metaphorical holy grail – the top four.
The away side will certainly feel boosted by their winter arrivals – Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang linked up effortlessly in last weekend’s 5-1 thrashing of Everton. Whilst the Toffees put on quite a woeful display, any ill feelings among Arsenal fans after their previous loss to Swansea seem to have been replaced with optimism for what the rest of the season has in store.
Confidence is always a major boost going in to a local derby, but Spurs will also have their tails up after a couple of impressive results. Their showing against Manchester United at Wembley last week was perhaps one of the best of their season thus far – they put on an incredibly assured display against the league’s second-placed team, and a home win never looked in doubt. They then went to Anfield – a ground they traditionally struggle at – and took a point home against the odds. Two teams brimming with confidence means we could be in for a fantastic match at the national stadium.
Spurs have won four of their last six Premier League North London derbies at home, although those matches were played at White Hart Lane. At Wembley, it’s the Gunners who boast the most impressive record – they’ve won on their last nine outings there. Wenger’s men also outfoxed Spurs in their last meeting – the Gunners comfortably winning 2-0 at the Emirates. Still, a draw seems the most likely result here, and backing both teams to score seems a sensible option – there hasn’t been a goalless North London Derby in 20 games, and space is at the plenty for each side’s dangerous attacks. A draw can be found at 29/10 with Marathon Bet, whilst a draw and both teams to score is at 10/3 with Betfred.
Harry Kane is Tottenham’s all-time Premier League top scorer against Arsenal with six goals, and although he’ll likely be given some rough treatment by the away side, he’s a great option as an anytime scorer. He was scrapping at chances against United, and didn’t look overly confident against the Reds, but his injury-time penalty to bring up his 100th Premier League goal will have taken a weight off his shoulders. He’s at 3/4 as an anytime scorer with William Hill or at 3/1 as the game’s first scorer with Bet365.
Another of the weekend’s live games sees Manchester United take on Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon. Whilst the struggling Magpies earned themselves a point last weekend against Crystal Palace, United strolled to a comfortable 2-0 win against Huddersfield. Rafa Benitez, who has feuded with Jose Mourinho in the past, has typically set up very defensively when taking on the top teams at home this season. He was criticised for it against Manchester City earlier in the season, with the league leaders taking a 1-0 win but 78% of the possession.
Rafa will likely set up his side in a similar way for this match, and he might feel more confident against a side that at times has lacked the attacking impetus of rivals City. Nevertheless, we still expect the away side to manage a goal – an away win is a likelihood, but a game low on goals is also highly probable. Backing an away win and under 2.5 goals is therefore very tempting at 13/5 with Betfair.
Another match to consider for under 2.5 goals is Stoke’s encounter with Brighton – it’s happened on the Seagulls’ last eight away matches. Whilst the home side sit in the relegation zone, they’re only three point off the men in white and blue, who sit in 13th. It’s extremely tight at the bottom of the table, and this match is absolutely vital for both sides. The Potters will certainly look to take the game to their opponents at home, knowing that a win would lift them to within a point of their rivals.
A low-scoring match could be on the cards here, and with Brighton managing just six goals away from home all year – a league record – a home win is worth backing. Stoke to win and under 2.5 goals can be found at 3/1 with Coral, whilst a correct score of 1-0 is at 6/1 with Betfair.
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