Saturday Football Cheat Sheet: All the best bets in one place

Man Utd v Everton
Saturday, 12:45
Live on BT Sport 1

Manchester United lost to Aston Villa last weekend and Rafael Benitez will relish the opportunity to compound their problems when United visit Everton in the early kick-off.

Alex Keble says: “Manchester United’s improvised attacking patterns and lack of tactical detail during periods of possession has been a problem throughout Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time in charge, but a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa seems to have been the tipping point. The view has finally gone mainstream, with even Solskjaer’s ex-team-mates beginning to question his methods. There is every reason to believe Everton will pile on the pressure on Saturday.

“Rafael Benitez likes to sit back and play on the counter-attack, which is the ideal way to stump Man Utd. He should be able to reduce them to meandering sideways possession, as usual, and ensure Cristiano Ronaldo is frustrated, before launching counter-attacks quickly via Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend. These two, with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan winning the midfield battle and setting them away, should have the pace to get behind Man Utd’s disorganised high line and create chances.

“Villa consistently got behind United’s full-backs, as have many teams this season, which suggests Benitez’s direct approach will find success. There simply isn’t enough coaching at Man Utd to deal with a low block, and as his low-confidence players seek for gaps Everton’s aggression – not to mention tactical cohesion – should ruffle the feathers and grab the visitors at least a point.”

Alex’s bet: Back double chance Everton/draw at 2.56/4

Coventry v Fulham
12:30
Live on Sky Sports Football

Fulham are 1.51/2 for promotion and Coventry are 9.08/1 but only one place separates them in the Championship top four ahead of this televised meeting.

Mark O’Haire says: “Coventry 3.6013/5 are the early surprise package in the Championship, operating inside the top-six after 10 matches with underlying performance metrics suggesting Mark Robins’ men are good value for their strong form. The Sky Blues boast a 100% record from five fixtures at their CBS Arena base, although Saturday’s showdown will be City’s first major test.

“Pre-season favourites Fulham 2.0811/10 have produced a series of largely dominant displays. Marco Silva’s men haven’t always gotten their just deserts (W6-D2-L2) but their midweek victory snapped an indifferent run of results since the international break and the Cottagers’ supreme firepower commands maximum respect. The guests remain the team to beat.

“Coventry have conceded just once in five home fixtures, however, following their forgettable trip to Luton, confidence in the hosts’ defence is bound to have been shaken. Meanwhile, Fulham have collected only two league shutouts under Marco Silva, neither of which has been achieved on the Cottagers’ travels, suggesting goals could be on the menu.”

Mark’s bet: Back Fulham to win and Both Teams To Score at 4.2016/5

Borussia Dortmund v Augsburg
14:30
Live on Betfair Live Video

Dortmund enjoyed a 1-0 win over Sporting in the Champions League this week, a victory that included a much-needed goal for summer signing Donyell Malen.

Kevin Hatchard says: “The Dutchman Donyell Malen has been unfairly labelled as the replacement for Jadon Sancho – they are very different players, and it was always likely for Malen to take a bit of time to settle. However, Malen’s goal in midweek may just ease the pressure, and he can operate with a bit more freedom. Dortmund may be relying on Malen to deliver, as star striker Haaland is still a struggling with the thigh injury that has kept him out of the last two matches.

“Augsburg have made a dreadful start to the season, and find themselves just a point above the relegation zone. The Swabians have given Dortmund a few headaches in recent years (they beat them in September last year, and in 2019) but they have mainly been confined to Augsburg, and they tend to struggle at Signal Iduna Park. Across their last three visits, FCA have leaked 12 goals.

“Regardless of whether Haaland starts or not, Malen is likely to be part of the starting XI, so I’ll back him to score at any time here at 2.111/10 on the Sportsbook.”

Kevin’s bet: Back Donyell Malen to score for Borussia Dortmund v Augsburg at 2.111/10

Torino v Juventus
Saturday October 2, 17:00
Live on ESPN UK

Torino and Juventus sit ninth and 10th respectively in Serie A ahead of their derby meeting. After recovering from their terrible start with two wins in a row, Max Allegri’s men are 5.04/1 in the title betting.

Chloe Beresford says: “It might not get the attention of the rivalries in Milan or Rome, but the Turin Derby is a must-see clash for fans of Serie A. Given that Juve suddenly bounced back into form this week, there will be even more intrigue as the Bianconeri look to show that their win over Chelsea was the spark they needed to kickstart what has been a disappointing start to the campaign.

“The Infogol model gives them a 66% chance of winning this match, undoubtedly shaped by the fact Juve are undefeated in their last 14 matches against Torino in all competitions. It is also worth noting that while there have been under 2.5 goals scored in Torino’s last three games, they have seen over 2.5 goals in their last three matches against Juventus in all competitions.”

BTTS? Yes
Over/Under 2.5? Over

Chloe’s bet: Back the 1-3 @ 13.012/1

Brighton v Arsenal
17:30
Live on Sky Sports Premier League

Arsenal were excellent in beating Spurs last weekend but the Gunners face the season’s surprise package in Brighton in this televised clash.

Kevin Hatchard says: “Arsenal are on a high, and they beat Brighton home and away last season. If Bissouma misses out again in the Brighton midfield, the I can understand Arsenal’s price in the Match Odds market of 2.6813/8. If you want some insurance, you could back the visitors +0 on the Asian Handicap (effectively Draw No Bet) at 1.84/5, which sees your stake returned in the event of a draw.

“Alternatively you could use the Sportsbook’s Bet Builder to combine an Arsenal/Draw Double Chance bet with Under 2.5 Goals at 2.13, which covers the 0-0, 1-1 and 1-0 and 2-0 Arsenal wins.

“I like the look of backing No in the Both Teams To Score market here at 2.111/10, with Under 2.5 Goals also a runner at 1.865/6. Both teams have found the net in just one of Arsenal’s eight competitive matches this season, and the Gunners have scored multiple goals just once in the league so far. Brighton have seen a BTTS bet land in just three of their eight competitive outings, and in just three of their last nine games at the Amex.”

Kevin’s bet:Back No in the Both Teams To Score market at 2.111/10

Atlético Madrid v Barcelona
Saturday, 20:00
Watch on Betfair Live Video

After another defeat in midweek, Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman is under pressure. A trip to Atletico Madrid will be a severe test of Barca’s mettle and the result could determine whether Koeman remains in charge.

Dan Fitch says: “Benfica beat Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League during midweek. It was the second time that Barca have lost by such a scoreline in that competition this season and they now have a very difficult task to get out of the group.

“The loss means that Barcelona have now only won one of their last five games (D2 L2). There is a lot of speculation that Ronald Koeman will be sacked, with the main question being if Barcelona can actually afford to do so, rather than the Dutchman’s ability to turn things around.

“Atletico Madrid bounced back from their 1-0 defeat at Alaves last weekend, with a 2-1 win at AC Milan on Tuesday, though they did need two goals in the closing minutes against 10-men to secure victory. Though Atletico are not in the best form themselves, they look a big price at 1.981/1 to win against a Barcelona side in this state.”

Dan’s bet: Back Atletico Madrid to beat Barcelona at 1.981/1