Premier League tips: Ian Wright’s betting preview featuring Liverpool vs Man City, Crystal Palace vs Burnley and Huddersfield vs West Ham
- Sam Vokes to score first - 7/1
- Raheem Sterling to score first - 13/2
- Marko Arnautovic to score first - 6/1
AFTER a week of thrilling cup action to whet the appetite the Premier League is back with a bang this weekend.
Liverpool host Manchester City in what IAN WRIGHT has dubbed the “most exciting” match of the season so far.
Here, the form Arsenal and England ace gives his verdict for the Anfield clash, as well as a few tips for some other juicy top flight ties.
Crystal Palace vs Burnley – Sam Vokes to score first, 7/1
This will be a tough game for Palace but the news is Wilfried Zaha will be fit so the hosts will be confident of getting a positive result in front of an expectant Selhurst Park.
However, Burnley will also be sure of themselves and I’m afraid I have to go against my old side on this occasion.
The Clarets’ results haven’t been all that impressive of late but from what I’ve seen there’s been an individual mistake here or a questionable refereeing decision there rather than a dip in form for Sean Dyche’s side.
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Top pundits IAN WRIGHT and DANNY HIGGINBOTHAM have made their picks for this week if you need a steer.
And remember, you can claim a free £30 bet with Sun Bets when you sign up put a tenner on this weekend's football .
It was a while ago now but the win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge has set Burnley up for the season. They are now fearless on the road and will believe they can beat anyone on their own patch.
Dyche’s men will need to be at peak concentration, however, with Palace well equipped to regroup if they do go behind. Only two teams have more points from losing positions and with Zaha and James Tarkowski on the pitch anything could happen.
Zaha has won more penalties than any other player in the league and Tarkowski has given the most away so a penalty to be scored is a bet worth considering.
I don’t think it will be enough, however, and can see Burnley winning this one 2-1 at 12/1 with Sam Vokes netting first at 7/1. The Welshman has three goals to his name this term and all three have come away from Turf Moor so I fancy him to do the business in south London.
Huddersfield vs West Ham – Marko Arnautovic to score first, 13/2
Huddersfield baffle me at times. From what I’ve seen they get a great atmosphere against the bigger teams in the league and that seems to inspire the players to play out of their skins. When it comes to games they probably should be winning, however, that same intensity just isn’t there.
It’s baffling because these are the sort of games that will keep you up and the Terriers simply have to treat these games as just as important, if not more, than when the big boys come to town.
I think it’s unwise to look at the Shrewsbury game for clues if you’re thinking of having a punt on this game as David Moyes will make some changes and knows this is a vital three points up for grabs.
He only has a six-month deal at the London Stadium and survival is a minimum requirement if he’s to prolong his stay in the capital.
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As such I think the Hammers will be very resolute as Moyes won’t want to concede.
You can see that West Ham are covering more ground since Moyes came on board and I think the Scot has concentrated on fitness knowing that it will allow his side to win the ball by applying more pressure.
With the likes of Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini in the team I think the Irons have a recipe to hit Huddersfield on the break with some success.
I can see West Ham winning this one 2-0 at 10/1 and I fancy Arnautovic to continue his away run. The Austrian has scored in his last road trips and one more will see him equal a Hammers record. He’s my pick for first goal scorer at 13/2.
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Liverpool vs Man City – Raheem Sterling to score first, 6/1
Wow. This is the one I’ve been looking forward to. This will be an open game with loads of goals. I can see four or five being scored here and in terms of excitement and anticipation this is the game I’ve been looking forward to most this season.
We have two very attack-minded teams with fragile defences too so you have to say this scoreline could be anything but I’m going to go for 3-2 to City at 16/1.
Neither side knows any other way to play other than all-out attack but I think City will edge it because they will win the midfield battle. They are better at retaining the ball so the onus will be on Jurgen Klopp’s men to apply pressure and win the ball from City, leaving them open at the back.
A lot is being made about the chance for City to go unbeaten all season but to be honest I think everyone else is making a bigger deal about than anyone at the Etihad.
Pep’s side are just focusing on the next win with a view to winning the Premier League.
I don’t think they care about going unbeaten. If they lost games but won the league and maybe the Champions League the last thing they’ll be worried about is missing out on an unbeaten record.
Conversely it’s the only thing the Arsenal can talk about. They barely even talk about the two league titles they won in that era and that’s the difference. City are focused purely on winning and tangible rewards where Arsenal are more interested in the credence.
City have plenty of attractive options when it comes to first goalscorer but I fancy Raheem Sterling to carry on his rich vein of form and bag the opener at 13/2.
Be Lucky,
Wrighty