Premier League Gameweek 22 Tips: 20/1 Accumulator
Such is the demanding nature of the Premier League, there is no rest for England’s top sides as they must play again over the weekend following a midweek set of fixtures.
The most elite sides will also have one eye on next week’s return of Champions League and Europa League fixtures, meaning squad rotation is essential at this stage of the season.
Things get underway with an intriguing clash between two European hopefuls as Newcastle host Bournemouth at Saturday lunchtime, with the evening game between Arsenal and Aston Villa arguably the tie of the weekend.
Tip 1 - Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score in Newcastle vs Bournemouth (Saturday, 12.30pm) @ 7/10
Expectation can often outrun reality when two top sides meet, with plenty of drab affairs playing out over the years when neither team wishes to over-commit players forward. Newcastle’s clash with Bournemouth is unlikely to be one of those drab affairs.
The Magpies have scored 26 times during a nine-match winning streak while the Cherries are unbeaten in 10 games, scoring an impressive 21 goals in their own sensational run.
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak has netted nine goals in his last six games while his teammate, Anthony Gordon, has bagged in four straight games.
Bournemouth have their own threats too, with Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert netting a combined four goals in the Cherries’ last two matches.
There will be so much attacking talent on display at St James’ Park that the goals look sure to arrive. Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score has been a winning bet in eight of Bournemouth’s last 13 matches and, with that selection landing in this fixture last term, it is worth backing again.
Tip 2 - Arsenal to win and under 3.5 goals vs Aston Villa (Saturday, 5.30pm) @ 26/25
Arsenal stopped the rot with a well-earned 2-1 win in Wednesday’s North London derby and they should build on that victory over Tottenham when Aston Villa arrive at the Emirates on Saturday.
The Villans have won their last three matches but they have looked unconvincing when beating a struggling trio of Leicester, West Ham and Everton, suggesting this weekend’s trip to the capital is unlikely to be a memorable one.
The Gunners are unbeaten in 13 Premier League home games - a run which includes 10 wins - while they won the reverse fixture 2-0, making them the only side to win at Villa Park this season.
Arsenal can secure three points in a low-scoring affair, with the Gunners’ injury crisis leaving them short of potent attacking options.
Tip 3 - Tottenham to beat Everton (Sunday, 2pm) @ 7/5
While Tottenham were not at their best on Wednesday, they held their own in a tricky derby at the Emirates and they should fare better against Everton, who are just one point clear of the bottom three.
The Toffees replaced Sean Dyche with David Moyes last week but are yet to reap the rewards, losing 1-0 to Aston Villa in the Scot’s first game in the home Goodison Park dugout since 2013.
That nought next to Everton’s name tells a familiar story, with the Toffees blanking in 10 of their last 11 league games, and a defensive manager like Moyes is unlikely to fix that glaring issue anytime soon.
Spurs, meanwhile, are anything but goal-shy, netting 15 in their last seven league games, and their superior firepower should see them snap a five-game Premier League winless run with victory on Merseyside.
Tip 4 - Phil Foden anytime goalscorer vs Ipswich (Sunday, 4.30pm) @ 33/20
A slow start to the season has now been rectified by Phil Foden, who has hit form with four goals in his last five Premier League appearances following none in his opening 11.
His ability with the ball, and without it when drifting into the box with perfect timing, can be hard for even the best defenders to cope with, so promoted Ipswich, who shipped four to Manchester City in the reverse fixture, may struggle to cope with the in-form England star on Sunday.
Foden netted both of City’s goals in their 2-2 draw with Brentford on Wednesday and he can continue his fine form by bagging at Portman Road.