Graham Ruthven | Kai’s okay: Something for the weekend special

Player to score – Kai Havertz (Aston Villa v Arsenal)

Arsenal got their Premier League title challenge up and running with a comfortable 2-0 win over Wolves in which Kai Havertz found the back of the net and the German is expected to lead the line for the Gunners at Villa Park this weekend. Havertz has 17 goal involvements in 14 starts as a striker for Arsenal and has started the new campaign strongly.

Aston Villa are also targeting a second successive victory to start the season after sweeping aside West Ham last week, but Arsenal will create opportunities in Saturday’s late kick-off and Havertz’s recent track record suggests he will be in position to convert at least one of them.

 

Over 2.5 total goals – Brighton v Manchester United

Both Brighton and Manchester United got their Premier League campaigns off to a winning start last weekend and will be aiming to follow that up with three points on Saturday. United had to wait until the 87th minute to score the winner against Fulham, but registered an Expected Goals (xG) of 2.51 that proves they created chances.

Meanwhile Brighton found the back of the net three times in an away victory over Everton that highlighted the attacking threat of Kaoru Mitoma, Yankuba Minteh and Simon Adingra with Danny Welbeck also registering in the win. The Seagulls and United could produce a goals-fest when they meet this weekend.

 

Match to be a draw – Napoli v Bologna

Antonio Conte’s Napoli career got off to the worst possible start as his new team suffered a 3-0 defeat to Verona in last weekend’s Serie A opener with the former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur boss publicly critical of the squad he’s inherited. Sunday’s match against Bologna will be another test.

Bologna started their 2024/25 campaign with a goalless draw against Udinese with Vincenzo Italiano now in charge after Thiago Motta’s departure to Juventus over the summer. Both Napoli and Bologna are struggling for attacking firepower at the moment with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia potentially sidelined through injury.

 

Both teams to score – Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt

The 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign gets under way this weekend with Nuri Sahin taking charge of his first league match as Borussia Dortmund manager. The Black and Yellows made a run to the Champions League final last season, but have rebuilt their squad over the summer and it could take some time for them to find their groove.

Eintracht Frankfurt, meanwhile, finished outside the top four in the Bundesliga table last season. Dino Toppmoller’s team, however, carried attacking threat throughout the campaign and only faltered because of their poor defensive record. Saturday’s meeting between Dortmund and Frankfurt could produce fireworks.

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Graham’s Fourfold

It’s a brand new season but our red-hot tipster is back with his best bets from across Europe’s top leagues.

Think Graham’s pick’s sound tasty? Why not throw all four ingredients into a main course? £10 on this acca potentially returns £230 if they come in!

That’ll pay for a tasty meal (or two!)

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Liverpool vs Brentford

The Arne Slot era at Liverpool started with an away win over Ipswich Town on opening weekend with the Dutchman set to take charge of his first Premier League match at Anfield. Mohamed Salah has looked dangerous throughout pre-season and scored against The Tractor Boys last weekend, also registering an assist.

Both teams have scored in Brentford’s last three league matches and demonstrated their attacking threat with an opening weekend win over Crystal Palace in which Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa both found the back of the net. They will pose a threat at Anfield as well even if Liverpool ultimately prove too strong.

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