Exclusive:
Our betting expert provides tips for Stamford Bridge. Manchester City vs West Ham. Everton vs Brentford. Tottenham’s day at Burnley. Claudio Ranieri’s return from Leicester.
Back Reece James to flourish wherever he’s planted this afternoon.
The young Chelsea star blooms all over the park these days, and the bookies can’t agree whether to price him up as a defender, midfielder or what, as Manchester United visit (4.30pm).
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel says Reece’s best position is ‘wherever he’s being the best Reece James he can be’. Or something similar.
Pep Guardiola also waxed philosophical midweek, declaring: “results are just random”.
He could have been talking about Manchester United, who seem to have been put on this earth to irritate the nation’s punters. Now they’ve hired some old German genius I’ll have to pretend I’ve heard of, though in my defence, he’s won sod all.
And it’s in defence that Ralf Rangnick’s problems begin – 19 goals leaked in United’s last eight games.
James can be entered at a staggering 8/1 (Paddy). ‘anytime scorer’. Some firms are only 7/2. According to his club statistics, he is a 5/2 poke. Grab the 8/1 now, before it goes away.
Antonio Conte claimed that he “was not a magician”Tottenham was sawed in half on Thursday by a Europa Conference minnow. Odd, as there’s something about the loveable mop top that always makes me think of the late Paul Daniels.
They are the ‘wet night in Stoke’Burnley illusion (2pm) and can conjure a DRAW against Spurs at 13.5 (Fred).
There’ll be tears at Leicester when 5,000/1 legend Claudio Ranieri returns, with Watford (2pm). His Hornets are fierce, so bet OVER 2.5 cards at 4/5 (Betway).
At the Etihad, there are two bosses who were not on any Old Trafford shortlist. A player who has been underlining his name most weeks.
David Moyes’ West Ham go to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City (2pm). Red-hot Iron Declan Rice won’t win it on his own. NO is my favorite. ‘both teams to score’ at Evens (Paddy).
Goal-shy Everton head to Brentford (2pm) minus their biggest threats through injury or bans – the answer’s NO again at 20/21 (Mansion).
Over in Italy, get on Lazio ace Ciro Immobile ‘anytime scorer’ at 13/8 (Fred) at Napoli (7.45pm) – he’s scored in 10 of his 16 club games this season.
Last week: Winners at 6/6 and 7/4
