Get the best bets for Saturday’s football in the Premier League, the Championship, Serie A, La Liga, the Copa Libertadores final and more…
Arsenal 1.491/2 v Newcastle 7.26/1, the Draw 5.04/1
12:30
Live on BT Sport 1
Arsenal meet winless Newcastle in Saturday’s Premier League curtain-raiser from The Emirates. The Magpies are bottom of the table and 1.9520/21 for relegation.
Mark O’Haire says: “Arsenal have been dominant in recent head-to-head meetings with Newcastle, claiming top honours in 16 of their most recent 17 Premier League showdowns with the Magpies (W16-D0-L1). Since a 1-0 victory in November 2010, the visitors have lost each of their past nine away league trips to face the Gunners, failing to score in each of the last five.
“Arsenal 1.491/2 have never lost a Premier League home game against the side starting the day bottom of the table (W15-D6-L0), winning the last eight in a row by an aggregate score of 23-2. The improving hosts have also posted W6-D2-L1 lately in the league, conceding just four goals in eight encounters before last weekend’s unravelling at Anfield.
“Newcastle 7.206/1 remain the only side still without a win in the top four tiers of English league football this season (W0-D6-L6). The Toon have yet to keep their sheets clean, and unsurprisingly boast the worst defence in the top-flight thus far. Meanwhile, all five of the Magpies’ matches with top-eight teams have ended in defeat, leaking 16 goals in the process.”
Mark’s bet: Back Arsenal to win and Under 4.5 Goals at 1.784/5
Fulham are 1.081/12 for promotion after a run of good form put them top of the table. They travel to Lancashire on Saturday lunchtime targeting another three points.
Mark O’Haire says: “Preston 4.407/2 opened their campaign with three straight defeats but Frankie McAvoy’s men have recovered reasonably well, returning W6-D6-L4 in their following 16 fixtures to move into mid-table. The Lilywhites’ Deepdale form remains key with the hosts earning W4-D3-L1 here during that 16-game sample, avoiding defeat in five games against top-half opposition.
“Fulham 1.8910/11 have kicked into gear following October’s international break, dropping just two points from a possible 24. The Cottagers’ consistently strong performances have seen Marco Silva’s side move to the top of the Championship, and the Whites also rank as the league’s best for Expected Points (xP) and Expected Goals (xG) supremacy this term.”
Mark’s bet: Back Fulham to score Over 1.5 Goals at 1.834/5
Juventus 2.26/5 v Atalanta 3.45, the Draw 3.65
Saturday November 27, 17:00
Live on BT Sport 2
Six of the last nine Serie A games between these two has ended in a draw, but Juventus are undefeated in their last 22 home matches against Atalanta in all competitions while the Bergamaschi have won seven of their last eight away league games. There have been over 2.5 goals scored in eight of Atalanta’s last nine games and in four of Juve’s last six, so another high scoring encounter should be on the cards.
BTTS? Yes
Over/Under 2.5? Over
Chloe’s bet: Back the 2-1 @8.07/1
Brighton 2.186/5 v Leeds 3.8514/5, the Draw 3.55/2
17:30
Live on Sky Sports Main Event
Leeds are only two points above the relegation zone as they prepare to face Brighton side with their own problems in Saturday evening’s TV game…
Andy Schooler says: “At the prices, Leeds look the better bet…
“My concerns in terms of backing Leeds are two-fold. First, they rarely keep clean sheets and secondly they’ve already lost 10 points from winning positions this season – a stat the in-play punters would do well to note.
“Therefore the draw-no-bet option at 2.789/5 makes more appeal, especially when you also consider that Brighton have drawn five in their seven-game winless streak.
“In terms of goals, it’s a virtual pick ’em when it comes to the over/under 2.5 goals line.
“The unders have landed in eight of Brighton’s 12 games thus far and I’d edge towards that side of the argument given both teams have struggled in front of the target of late. Leeds’ equivalent figure is six of 12.”
Andy’s bet: 1pt Leeds to win (draw no bet) @ 2.789/5
Bayern Munich 1.11/10 v Arminia Bielefeld 36.035/1, the Draw 13.5
Saturday 27 November, 17:30
Live on Sky Sports Football
Bayern continue be affected by issues around Covid-19 and that’s one reason why they might not beat Ariminia by as emphatic a margin as the odds indicate.
Kevin Hatchard says: “Bayern won 2-1 at Dynamo Kyiv in midweek in the Champions League, and that was a draining game played a long way from home. With so many players unavailable or short of full fitness, one wonders just how intensely Bayern will approach this clash with relegation-threatened Arminia Bielefeld.
“Arminia drew 3-3 at Bayern last season, but don’t be distracted by that. Generally, they play safety-first football under Frank Kramer, and they lack firepower. The chief aim here will be to dig in and try to nick something, and according to Infogol, Arminia have the lowest Expected Goals For figure in the entire division (11.2 through 12 games). On that basis, it’s hard to see the visitors contributing much in terms of scoring goals.
“There are two ways to go here. We can either give Arminia a three-goal start on the Asian Handicap at 1.824/5, or we can back Bayern to win and Under 3.5 Goals at 2.6413/8, as I don’t think this will be as spectacular a game as many Bayern matches are. If Bayern start well, they may well look to conserve energy and avoid injury. I’ll go for the latter option here, as it gives us the 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 and 2-1 scorelines.”
Kevin’s bet: Back Bayern Munich to win and Under 3.5 Goals at 2.6413/8
Palmeiras 3.711/4 v Flamengo 3.9, the Draw 2.77/4
20:00
Our South American expert has followed the Copa Libertadores from the qualifying rounds back in February and now previews the final between the holders and the 2019 winners.
Nathan Joyes says: “The formidable partnerships Flamengo have within their attacking ranks is arguably the best in South America, with Gabriel Barbosa the clear top goalscorer in the competition with 10 goals and four assists to date, alongside Bruno Henrique who has six goals and four assists to his name.
“But with Henrique leading the line and having scored a brace in both legs against Barcelona in the semi-finals, he’s the headline act for the Bet Builder selection. He’ll no doubt be looking to find the back of the net once more and backing him to have two shots on target at 1.804/5 represents plenty of value.
“However, adding Flamengo to have four shots on target, alongside Palmeiras having three of their own creates a nice 4.03/1 bet for what should be an entertaining final.”
Villarreal 2.89/5 v Barcelona 2.6613/8, the Draw 3.55
Saturday, 20:00
Watch on Betfair Live Video
Tom Victor says: “Barcelona’s European hopes are hanging in the balance after an unconvincing draw with Benfica on Tuesday night, but Xavi will hope the best way to build up for a crunch meeting with Bayern Munich is to get a run going domestically.
“Opponents Villarreal also have a massive Champions League game on the horizon after their midweek defeat, and Barça will feel they can follow Manchester United’s lead and win at Estadio de la Cerámica.”
BTTS? Yes
Over/Under 2.5? Over
Tom’s bet: Back the 1-2 @ 10.5019/2
Source: Betfair Spanish La Liga
