Salah stats show he’s ready to get Anfield rocking but Maddison could be in a foul mood – Weekend Wager’s best bets
SUNSPORT’S Weekend Wager uses in-depth stats and detailed analysis to find the best value bets this weekend.
And it could be a party for our experts, as well as at Anfield, if their tips come off – as Liverpool bid to seal the Premier League title.
SunSport‘s Will Pugh was joined by football broadcaster Kweku Afari and Betfair expert Sam Rosbottom to give their verdicts on this weekend’s most enticing selections.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa, FA Cup, Saturday 5.15pm
Kweku: Rashford three or more shots 7/5
“It’s hard to gauge Villa because that was a really good win against Newcastle but against Man City they failed to really capitalise.
“If you look at Marcus Rashford, a player rejuvenated at Villa and Unai Emery seems to be getting the best out of him, and the stats back that up as well.
“Rashford has had at least three shots on target in both of his FA Cup starts for Villa this season which suggests he’s going to be heavily involved if he does start.
“I expect Villa to win and Rashford to have a very, very good game.”
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Will: Game to be decided via a penalty shootout 9/2
“Villa are having a brilliant season and this presents that opportunity to go that one step further and lift the cup that their fans are longing for.
“Villa have won none of their last four matches against Palace in all competitions, drawn one and lost three, conceded 13 goals and Palace knocked them out of the League Cup.
“Everyone’s going for a Villa win but I just can’t see it.
“I think Palace are a bit more switched on than people give them credit for.
“A bit of a sluggish start to the season but coming into their own – a great performance, very much deserved that point at Arsenal. And I just think it will be a cagey one that goes to pens.”
Sam: Konsa to have one or more shots at 5/4
“Villa have got an unbelievable squad – one of the best in the Premier League. On Tuesday night they brought on Ollie Watkins and Marco Asensio!
“It’s a semi-final at Wembley. These games are always cagey and tight. But I do think Villa will have just enough to get over the line with that squad depth.
“With it being cagey and tight I can see set-pieces being absolutely crucial in this one and Villa have a good couple of threats in their team.
“Looking at the centre-halfs, Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa – I am going to side with Konsa to have a shot at 5/4.
“I think that’s a really nice bit of value, especially when we’re looking at corners. He’s had four shots in his last four games, four shots on target in his last nine matches.
“It could be one of those (games) where a defender pops up and makes the difference.”
Liverpool vs Tottenham, Prem, 4.30pm Sunday
Kweku: Liverpool to score 3 or more goals 4/6
“For Spurs forget about progressing or getting decent results in the league – it’s all about the Europa league, so I’m very much backing Liverpool in this one.
“Liverpool have been by far the best team in the Premier League this season. Arne Slot has done a fantastic job since coming in.
“Liverpool have scored at least one goal in each of their last 29 Premier League games – stretching back to September, when they lost 1-0 against Nottingham Forest, their only home defeat this season.
“Spurs have conceded 10 goals against Liverpool this season, losing 6-3 in the league and 4-0 in the League Cup semi-final second leg.
“We expect Liverpool to be in celebratory mood and I expect them to score a few goals as well.”
Sam: Salah, three or more shots on target 2/1
“My bet’s not much braver, to be fair!
“Mo Salah‘s had seven shots in his last Premier League game, that 1-0 win over Leicester.
“And he had four shots on target the last time Liverpool played Spurs, that 4-0 victory in the League Cup. I really fancy this bet.”
Sam: Maddison to commit two or more fouls at 6/4
“Anfield is going to be in jovial, celebratory mood.
“Spurs, while their eggs are very much in the Europa League basket, are going to want to spoil a little bit of the party, so they might want to stink the place out a little.
“I’m thinking fouls here and there, and if there’s a player who absolutely loves a little niggly foul it is James Maddison!
“And for him to commit two or more fouls at 6/4 is something that I really like.
“Maddison has committed seven fouls in his last three Premier League appearances, so again he could be the one for the fouls.”
Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn, middleweight boxing, Saturday. from 10pm
Sam: Eubank Jr to win by a ninth-round stoppage 13/1
“There’s a hydration clause. This is something that’s a little bit new for him (Eubank Jr.)
“We have odds boosted of him to win by TKO or KO at 23/10.
“When you look at the records, these guys do love knockouts.
“Conor Benn has got a record of 23 wins, 14 knockouts, no losses, so he’s in good form.
“Looking at that family history, Eubank Jr to win by a ninth-round stoppage 13/1, which would replicate Eubank Senior (against Nigel Benn) in 1990.”
Kweku fight verdict:
“If Conor Benn gets it done, he gets it done early… but I think Eubank has got too much experience, and it’s been at a higher level than Benn.
“And we don’t know what Conor Benn would look like if he’s dragged into deep waters with Eubank, so I’ve got Eubank to win on points.”