Most of the English sides involved in the Champions and Europa Leagues sent out their strongest squads, and so theoretically there could be some tired legs around.
It’s the Europa League boys you feel most sorry for, with a fixture on Thursday and then Sunday it really is difficult to maintain intensity for two games in less than 72 hours. At least Tuesday evening’s Champions League contestants have plenty of time to recover ahead of their Saturday league dates!
With all of the above in mind, who represents the best value in this Saturday’s Premier League betting tips?
Crystal Palace vs Southampton (Saturday, 12:30pm)
Of all the debut fixtures that Roy Hodgson could have landed in his first game in charge at Crystal Palace, Southampton at home is a bit of a blinder.
The Saints are failing to march on under Mauricio Pellegrino, and they have thus far failed to find the net in three of their four Premier League outings. Indeed, at home against Watford last time out they failed to register a single shot on target from within the 18-yard box.
So Hodgson may well enjoy a charmed start to life at the Eagles, although he has plenty of hard work to put in on the training ground. His new employers have failed to find the net in 360 minutes of football this season, and it is unlikely that the former England boss will be able to wave a magic wand and turn Palace into a free-flowing, cosmopolitan attacking force.
This one is on the telly on Saturday afternoon, but it may well be one to avoid.
Recommended Bet
Both Teams to Score – No (20/21 with PaddyPower)
Liverpool vs Burnley (Saturday, 3pm)
There is something of a creative shortage at Liverpool at the moment, and we wonder how that will manifest itself against a Burnley side that has already shown this season that they must not be taken lightly.
Sadio Mane will miss this game through suspension following his ‘was it or wasn’t it?’ red card, and he really has been Liverpool’s talisman this term – without him in the second half at Manchester City on Saturday you could see how limited the Reds were going forward.
Add into the mix that Adam Lallana is still out injured and Philippe Coutinho has played less than 15 minutes in a Liverpool shirt this term, and there’s every reason to suspect the Merseysiders’ usual attacking spark may be lacking.
The bad news for Burnley fans is that Tom Heaton is a long-term injury absentee after dislocating his shoulder. The good news is that in front of him central defenders James Tarkowski and Ben Mee are performing like giants at the moment.
Recommended Bet
Burnley +1.75 Asian Handicap (91/100 with bet365)
Tottenham vs Swansea (Saturday, 5.30pm)
Whisper it, but it appears as though Tottenham’s Wembley hoodoo ca be well and truly put to bed. Their 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday evening was the perfect tonic for Harry Kane and co, and they can surely move forward with confidence when playing in front of their own fans.
The fact that Spurs played at home in midweek makes us less wary of backing them here – particularly against a Swansea ide lacking any real attacking potency at present.
They have failed to find the net in three of their four outings this term, and it could be a long old season for the Welsh side with an inexperience front pairing of Jordan Ayew and Tammy Abraham unlikely to provide a deluge of goals.
Recommended Bet
Tottenham to Win to Nil (20/21 with Betfred)
