Born in the south east of Ireland, Simon put his life-long love of football to good use when he started a successful independent blog in 2010. That opened up an alternative route to a career in journalism, and having had work published across a number of sites and publications, Simon joined the staff at Spotlight Sports Group in 2018.
With the number of points left to play for this season down to single figures, tensions are reaching breaking point in the Premier League ahead of the division’s latest set of fixtures this weekend.
As always, bet365 have a range of potentially lucrative individual player specials and markets available for Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s televised games, and as usual FST have been poring over the statistics to find you the best selections from each.
Check out selection of player special betting tips for the weekend’s televised Premier League fixtures below:
Read our Request a Bet (RAB) Stat Pack for this weekend’s live Premier League fixtures here.
Sadio Mane – over 1.5 shots on target – 1/1 (LIVERPOOL vs Huddersfield Town)
With 9 goals in his last 8 Premier League appearances at Anfield, Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane is a Merseyside man on fire.
The Senegalese international is just 1 goal shy of the club’s leading scorer in the league Mohamed Salah, and Mane will be backing himself to register in Liverpool’s home clash with relegated Huddersfield this evening.
Mane has averaged 2.4 attempts on goal per Premier League game this season, a figure that jumps to 3 for his matches at Anfield alone. 1.4 of those 3 attempts have hit their mark on average, though we expect Mane’s shots on target numbers to be even higher than that against Huddersfield.
It’s imperative that Liverpool secure 3 points against the Terriers to maintain their title tilt, and Jurgen Klopp’s charges should find sweeping aside Town a relatively comfortable task.
Mane will once again be at the business end of the home attack, making him great value at 1/1 with bet365 to register over 1.5 shots on target.
Jan Vertonghen – under 1.5 tackles – 1/1 (TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs West Ham)
Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed an impeccable start at their new North London home since moving in earlier this month.
Spurs have a 100% win record after 4 matches in their fresh surroundings, scoring 8 times and keeping an impressive 4 clean sheets along the way.
Veteran Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen was an ever-present rock at the heart of Spurs’ defence in each of their recent home victories, though the versatile 32-year old was forced to make just 1 tackle in each contest.
Against West Ham on Saturday, Vertonghen will likely play the role of spectator in a fixture that Spurs are expected to dominate and win at a canter.
With that considered, Vertonghen is priced incredibly generously at 1/1 with bet365 to make under 1.5 tackles against the Irons.
Read our Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham match preview, predictions and betting tips here.
Glenn Murray under 1.5 shots – 13/8 (BRIGHTON vs Newcastle United)
In a Premier League contest that promises be one of the least exciting fixtures of the weekend, Brighton and Newcastle meet at the Amex Stadium in Saturday’s Premier League evening kick-off.
The Seagulls were unable to score a single goal in any of their last 7 games in all competitions, while Newcastle United found a successful route to goal just 6 times in their last 9 Premier League away fixtures.
Brighton’s battle-hardened centre forward Glenn Murray remains the club’s leading scorer in the league this season with 11 goal, however the 35-year old has scored only once in his last 11 league games.
Murray had 1 shot or less in 7 of those games and it looks increasingly like the rigours of a long Premier League campaign have taken their toll on the ageing frontman.
With Murray’s productivity visibly waning, we think he looks a great bet at 13/8 with be365 to have under 1.5 shots against Newcastle this weekend.
Read our Brighton vs Newcastle match preview for more predictions and FREE betting tips.
Sergio Aguero under 4.5 shots – 4/5 (Burnley vs MANCHESTER CITY)
Manchester City’s relentless pursuit of Premier League glory has been characterised by a noticeable economy of effort in recent months.
The current champions are on an incredible 11-game winning streak in the league, though the usually free scoring Citizens have only averaged 1.85 goals per game over their last 8 Premier League fixtures.
City’s leading scorer Sergio Aguero started 7 of those games, and his team’s overall reduction in attacking output has been reflected in the Argentine’s individual statistics.
Aguero’s shots per game average in the Premier League this season stands at 3.4, though it has dropped considerably to 2.7 over his most recent 7 appearances.
On Saturday, Aguero and City travel to take on a Burnley team that has conceded just 8 goals in their last 9 league matches at Turf Moor.
While City are heavy favourites to win, we don’t expect a huge amount of goal-scoring opportunities to be created by the visitors – that makes bet365’s 4/5 odds for Aguero to register under 4.5 shots against the Clarets a brilliant looking price.
Jamie Vardy to score anytime vs Arsenal – 11/8 (LEICESTER CITY vs Arsenal)
Jamie Vardy’s superb goalscoring record against the Premier League’s Big 6 is well documented, and the England international generally saves some of his best work for games against Arsenal.
Vardy has scored 6 goals in his last 7 Premier League games against the Gunners, and the 32-year old, who has been in terrific form over the past 2 months, will have Arsenal in his sights again on Sunday.
Vardy has notched 9 goals in his last 10 Premier League appearances for the Foxes, and we think the hard-working hitman has a great chance to net again against an Arsenal team that are notoriously poor away from home.
Arsenal’s 1-3 reverse at Wolves in mid-week was their 6th loss in 10 Premier League away matches, and they should find life tough against a Leicester outfit on a run of 3 wins from 4 at the King Power Stadium.
With his superb track record against Arsenal considered, Vardy looks great value at 11/8 with bet365 to score anytime against the ailing Gunners on Sunday.
