Toffees’ back five are sticking together
You would have gotten decent odds on Everton being the only side who kept back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League so far.
A hard-fought 0-0 at Selhurst Park was followed up by another clean sheet at home to Watford, though in truth the Hornets did everything but score in that game.
But maybe their defensive solidity shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise when you look at its members.
Jordan Pickford is England’s number one keeper, Seamus Coleman (below, on international duty) a highly experienced player at this level and Ireland’s skipper, no less. Yerri Mina is an ever-present in Colombia’s defence these days and was deemed good enough to attract the interest of Barcelona, the club who sold him to Everton.
Michael Keane, once a Manchester United player, has over 150 Premier League appearances to his name and is currently part of the England set-up. Then there’s Lucas Digne: admittedly more famous for his attacking play than defensive capabilities, he’s nonetheless one of the most complete left-backs in European football at the moment.
Last season they kept 14 clean sheets, the fourth best return in the division. If they can keep doing just that, they’ll have every chance of finishing in the Top Six because they certainly have enough attacking talent to be a threat at the other end of the pitch.
They play Aston Villa away on Friday night and at first glance, the 5/2 they keep a third consecutive clean sheet against a promoted side, looks pretty good value.
Putting Rashford and Pogba on the spot
Everyone had plenty to say about Paul Pogba’s penalty miss on Monday night at Wolves and not many had much to say that was very nice about Pogba.
Apparently, he and Marcus Rashford share penalty duties and it’s up to them to sort it out based on who feels more confident on the day. So says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, though many were quick to question why the manager himself isn’t making these decisions.
Given Pogba’s never short of confidence, one has to wonder what will happen the next time Manchester United get one.
It’s a question worth asking because no-one was awarded more than United’s 12 penalties last season and no-one else was awarded one in each of their first two games of the season this time round.
It’s 16/5 Man Utd score a penalty against Crystal Palace and 9/1 that they miss one.
Teemu on target again?
If the odds on Everton being the only side to keep consecutive clean sheets were good, they would have been even better about Teemu Pukki having four goals to his name so far.
The Finnish striker became the first-ever player to score four across his first two Premier League appearances and has caught the attention of plenty of Fantasy Football managers at a value-for-money price.
His goals shouldn’t come a too much a surprise. He was The Championship’s top goalscorer last season, the division’s Player of the Year and my own strong tip to score last weekend, by the way!
And he may well fancy his chances against Chelsea. Frank Lampard’s men have conceded seven goals in three matches so far this season, including that 2-2 in the European Super Cup so are hardly watertight at the back.
It’s a very fair 17/10 that he scores again.
Walker-Peters to enjoy extended run in the team
Following the recent tradition of your name having to start with a ‘K’ to be Spurs’ first-choice right-back, Kyle Walker-Peters will be pretty pleased about life at the moment, having started the first two games of the season.
He will have learnt plenty from Kyle Walker a few years back and will have watched Kieran Trippier’s performances last season with interest, in particular his runs and crosses down that right wing. With Walker having left a few years ago, Trippier sold to Atletico Madrid in the summer, Serge Aurier currently out of favour and possibly joining Milan on loan and Juan Foyth injured for about another month, it presents Walker-Peters with a fantastic opportunity to make the position his own.
It’s 10/11 Spurs win to nil against Newcastle on Sunday.
Clash of the table-toppers at Anfield
Only two teams are on six points so far this season and they’ll face each other on Saturday afternoon.
Liverpool host Arsenal and recent results suggest that Liverpool have had the upper hand with four wins and two draws. Whatever happens, this should be a pretty entertaining game. Scorelines over the past three seasons have been (home team first): 5-1, 1-1, 3-3, 4-0, 3-1, 3-4.
One man who’s particularly enjoyed the fixture is Roberto Firmino, who has six goals in his last five games against the Gunners and is evens to get another on Saturday.
In terms of the bigger picture, something’s gotta give as regards one of those 100% records coming to an end. It’s 8/15 about Liverpool, 18/5 the draw and 9/2 on the Arsenal win.
Source: Betfair Premier League
