Enda McElhinney’s tips for Saturday’s Premier League fixtures include plenty of goals when Manchester City face Tottenham.
Gameweek 12 looms large in the Premier League and there are some crucial fixtures up and down the top flight this weekend.
There are seven matches on Saturday, with fourth-placed Arsenal hosting fifth-placed Nottingham Forest at 3pm, before champions Manchester City welcome Tottenham in the televised tea-time fixture.
League leaders Liverpool visit Southampton at 2pm on Sunday, while Manchester United and their new manager Ruben Amorim travel to Ipswich for the Sunday 4.30pm fixture.
We have put together an accumulator for the Saturday matches.
Saturday Premier League accumulator
Under 3.5 goals in Leicester v Chelsea
13/20
Under 2.5 goals in Arsenal v Nottingham Forest
1/1
Under 3.5 goals in Bournemouth v Brighton
3/5
Over 4.5 goals in Manchester City v Tottenham
17/10
Acca pays @ 14/1
Leicester v Chelsea (12:30)
The British weather looks set to play a significant role in Saturday’s Premier League fixtures, with some miserable conditions expected for the early games. Punters need to be on the ball and checking the forecasts.
With heavy rain and strong winds likely for large parts of the country, the quality of football can be expected to dip, with defences set to dominate. Building attacks and finding offensive rhythm seems likely to be much more difficult than normal.
Rain, with winds of 40 mph and a ‘real feel’ temperature of just four degrees, is forecast for Chelsea’s visit to Leicester. Expect three goals or fewer in the match.
Arsenal v Nottingham Forest (15:00)
Londoners appear set for a trying afternoon, with a ‘real feel’ of seven degrees, gusty winds and incessant showers due for when Arsenal host Nottingham Forest. The visitors have been magnificent away from home this season, going unbeaten through their five road trips, conceding just four goals in the process.
Forest should have ideal conditions with which to frustrate Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have scored only one goal in their last three matches across all competitions. The even-money about two goals or fewer in Arsenal versus Forest looks a bargain.
Bournemouth v Brighton (15:00)
Perhaps the worst weather of Saturday afternoon can be found in Bournemouth, where wind speeds of 57 mph are forecast, along with relentless heavy rain. The Cherries host Brighton and both sides may struggle to produce their usual brand of free-flowing football.
With the ball being blown about – and players struggling to keep their footing on a slippery pitch – a wager on three goals or fewer in the match seems sensible.
Manchester City v Tottenham (17:30)
The best game of the day may end up being the televised clash between Manchester City and Tottenham. The weather gods seem set to show mercy by then, with light rain, gentle breezes and temperatures of 12 degrees forecast for Manchester.
City, enthused by their manager Pep Guardiola extending his contract this week, should be in a vibrant mood. Tottenham, leaky at the back and gung-ho going forward, can contribute to an entertaining, high-scoring affair at the Etihad Stadium. Expect five goals or more in total.
Visit Betway’s Premier League betting page.