Looking ahead to Matchweek 8 of the 2023/24 EPL season, we break down the five best bets for the weekend of Premier League action.
1. Tottenham -1.0 vs Luton @ $2.25
Where else to start in Matchweek 8 than with Big Ange’s Spurs side, who are performing well beyond expectation to date this EPL season. And after two big games in the past fortnight against Arsenal and Liverpool respectively, a trip to relegation favourites Luton Town should pose few threats. Postecoglou has employed the system he promised he would at Tottenham, and the high tempo, high press game is paying dividends. His team have benefitted from a week off, while Luton are coming off a disappointing late loss midweek at home to fellow relegation chances Burnley. Spurs skipper Son Heung-Min scored three goals in those two huge clashes in the last fortnight, and is a big chance to continue his goal-scoring form ($2.05 anytime goalscorer).
Who needs Harry Kane? 😉
Son Heung-min has stepped up and is already scoring for fun this season.
He won the Golden Boot two seasons ago. Now he’s helped Spurs up to second on the table.#PL #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/fBpUmCqfMN
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) October 3, 2023
2. Manchester City H2H vs Arsenal @ $2.30
It’s the big one, as champions Manchester City travel to North London to face their biggest challenger last season (and, likely this campaign too) in Arsenal. Neither go in chock full of confidence, with City losing last weekend to Wolves (combined with the League Cup loss to Newcastle, the first time they’ve lost back-to-back games in almost two years) while the Gunners’ Champions League return midweek went belly-up, going down to Lens. Even worse for Mikel Arteta, star Bukayo Saka went off after 34 minutes in that clash and remains a doubt for Monday morning’s blockbuster. At their best, City remain a class above Arsenal who are yet to show they can take the next step and usurp Pep Guardiola’s all conquering side, and should prove too strong here.
🚨 Mikel Arteta on Bukayo Saka injury: “It doesn’t look good”, told @arilasos. pic.twitter.com/ip25zsLLgS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 3, 2023
3. Aston Villa H2H vs Wolverhampton @ $2.05
Sure, Wolves were brilliant last week in taking three points from the previously undefeated Manchester City as $8.50 underdogs. But it was a performance that sprung from nowhere in an otherwise lacklustre start to the EPL season. Villa, on the other hand, are flying. Facing a Brighton side (who’ve caused almost ever side issues in the last 12 months) last week, Unai Emery’s men incredibly walked away 6-1 victors in a performance that’s made everyone sit up. Just seven games into this campaign, Ollie Watkins has already become the first Villa player to score two hat-tricks in a season since Andy Gray in 1976-77.
Aston Villa have won 10 consecutive home games in the Premier League for the first time ever.
Only Manchester City have more league wins than the Villains in 2023.
Life under Unai Emery is good 😎
📸: @AVFCOfficial#PL #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/bIRMxPAA4K
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) October 3, 2023
4. Liverpool H2H vs Brighton @ $2.10
A third head-to-head bet for this weekend, and it’s backing Liverpool to take three points away to the aforementioned Seagulls. Brighton were head-scratchingly poor against Villa last weekend in a result that could leave serious mental scars on Roberto De Zerbi’s side. Of course they’ll bounce back, and should feature heavily in top six conversations this season. But Liverpool are a rejuvenated side, and only missed out on points against Tottenham last week due to exceptionally unlucky circumstances with VAR. In fact, Jurgen Klopp’s men almost held out for 25+ minutes with nine men. They’re a big chance to get back on track here.
🗣 “I think the only outcome should be a replay… Something like that has never happened.”
Jurgen Klopp discusses the VAR audio that has been released since Liverpool’s incorrectly disallowed goal against Tottenham 🎙🔴 pic.twitter.com/LanJACtB6j
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 4, 2023
5. Jarrod Bowen (WHU) anytime goalscorer vs Newcastle @ $3.70
We backed him to score last week against Sheffield United, and he did exactly that. In fact, Bowen has hit the back of the net in four of his last five EPL matches. The Hammers winger is fast turning into one of the trickiest prospects for league defenders, and represents good value to continue his incredible form and get on the scoresheet in this one. Newcastle’s last three wins have all come against sides 14th or lower, and this clash looms as a far tougher task for Eddie Howe’s men.
🗣️ “You do kind of second guess now. It’s almost am I celebrating for nothing here? You never know what’s going to get pulled up.”
Jarrod Bowen on the controversy surrounding VAR. 🎥 pic.twitter.com/XEda3VsnOS
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 3, 2023