THE RETURN OF CLUB FOOTBALL Thank God club football is back! It feels like an eternity at this stage, and let’s be honest it wasn’t the most entertaining International break we have ever witnessed. England got off to a sub par start under Gareth Southgate, Wales and Scotland both dropped points as well, and although Ireland won both of their games it was very tough on the eye for the viewers. Thankfully the standard will pick up substantially this weekend. So let’s see the best bets for the weekend.
Bournemouth v Hull
3.00pm Saturday I have gone against Bournemouth a fair bit so far this season, with mixed results if I’m honest. This weekend however I’m flipping the table, I really like their chances at home against this Hull side. I always said that I think Bournemouth were a bit weak at the back and I still feel that is true, but this week they have Hull visiting and they don’t offer enough going forward for me. Bournemouth should be able to handle anything thrown at them.
Another thing I have noted this season is the brand of football that Bournemouth play. It may leave them open for a throttling every now and again, but when they play teams in or around their level it is great to watch. These are two sides around the same level, they are similarly placed in the league and there is only one point between them. However when matching them up against each other I see Bournemouth coming out on top. They have some terrific attacking players at their disposal, so goals should not be an issue for them tomorrow afternoon.
This is one of the home games Bournemouth will feel most confident about this season. They really have the better of this Hull side when going head to head, and for me even if it seems a short bet considering it is Bournemouth, they are decent value at 1.86.
TONY’S BEST BET:
Back Bournemouth at 1.86
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQBourHull
Crystal Palace v West Ham
5.30pm Saturday This is another game where I feel will be one based on the strength of the home team’s attack. Palace were really on song heading into the International break. Players like Zaha and Andros Townsend are really shining as the system allows them to use all their pace, and having an in form Benteke to deliver balls into really makes a difference. Benteke has been playing excellently the past few weeks, grabbing a few goals which is showing why Alan Pardew was willing to front up so much money for him.
Then you look at West Ham, and of course their defence. One word for it so far this season; dreadful. They have been shipping out so many goals in the opening parts of the season, and coming up against an in form attack you can certainly see them conceding a few more tomorrow. There are no partnerships in this defence that would instill any manager with any confidence. There is still plenty more goals to be conceded until West Ham inevitably try to shore things up in the January transfer window. It has not been a good start after a promising year last year, and I can’t see it getting much better any time soon.
Getting Palace at above evens at home against a struggling West Ham side is a great price for me. Especially considering where both team’s strength and weaknesses lie. Unfortunately for Payet and co. their defence will likely be their downfall for another week (and more to follow).
TONY’S BEST BET:
Back Crystal Palace at 2.14
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQPalWeHa
Liverpool v Man United
8.00pm Monday I looked at this market and was amazed with the pricing initially, but the more I look at it the more it makes sense. There is a gulf between these two teams at the moment. Man United are still figuring things out where as Liverpool look have have hit another level in the last month before the break. As well as this, one strength of Liverpool since Klopp has been in charge has been their performances in the big games. They rarely fail to get motivated and always come out with all guns blazing.
It has been a solid them this weekend, but I am going back to defence here. I don’t love Man united’s back four right now. I think there are some decent individuals here but as a unit I don’t think they are gelling well. Daley Blind is never a centre back for me, he always just looks so outmatched when he plays there. He’s not strong enough for the bigger, more physical strikers, and he hasn’t got the pace to deal with quick players. They you have Bailly, he’s a good player but I don’t think he has found his best position yet. He is a real talent but needs to find some comfort with one of the other centre backs in the team, that just hasn’t happened yet.
Liverpool’s defence looks much stronger this season. Dejan Lovren is playing to the level we know he can and is forming a solid partnership with Matip. Their midfield has been brilliant so far this season, both in covering defensively and supporting the forward players. That is a trademark of a good Klopp team. Everybody works hard for each other on and off the ball, it is very high energy and a nightmare for the opposition. Quite similar to how Pep Guardiola and his Man City side approach the game.
With the place these sides are in right now, there is only one winner for me. I definitely would have liked longer odds on it, but it is still quite reasonable to get around evens considering the gulf between the two teams right now. Expect another big win for Klopp.
TONY’S BEST BET:
Back Liverpool at 2.2
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQLivMNU
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
