Graham Ruthven: Something for the weekend

Player to score – Martin Odegaard (Bournemouth v Arsenal) 47/20

Arsenal fell another two points off the pace being set by Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table in last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby. Against Bournemouth on Saturday, though, the Gunners will be strong favourites to return to winning ways.

Martin Odegaard has started the season in strong form with the midfielder scoring two goals in the six league matches he has played so far. Bournemouth have kept just one clean sheet in six Premier League outings and will find it difficult to keep out the Arsenal attacking line even with several forwards out through injury.

Over 2.5 total goals – Aston Villa v Brighton (4/9)

Aston Villa and Brighton have both enjoyed a good start to the season with the pair currently sitting in the top six of the Premier League table. Villa have won four of their six matches while Brighton have won five. Brighton are the division’s top scorers while Unai Emery’s team are averaging two goals every game.

Villa will pose a threat to the Seagulls on the counter attack just as West Ham did when they claimed a 3-1 win at the Amex Stadium. Brighton will have Evan Ferguson fit again with Joao Pedro, Ansu Fati and Kaoru Mitoma all expected to be fit for the trip to Villa Park.

Match to be a draw – Nottingham Forest v Brentford (43/20)

Nottingham Forest head into this match on the back of a run of just one win from their last five matches in all competitions. Steve Cooper’s team lost away to Manchester City in their last outing, but this weekend’s home fixture against Brentford will be a more winnable game for the 12th place team.

Brentford are also in poor form at the moment having lost their last three matches in-a-row. Thomas Frank is missing a number of key players including Ivan Toney, Rico Henry, Josh Dasilva and Kevin Schade. The Bees would likely accept a point from Sunday’s match at the City Ground.

Both teams to score – Girona v Real Madrid (4/7)

Seven matches into the 2023/24 season, Girona currently sit top of the La Liga table. The tiny Catalan club owned by City Football Group have won six and drawn one, placing them one point ahead of Real Madrid who will visit Estadi Montilivi this weekend.

Nobody has scored more goals in La Liga this season than Girona (18 in seven matches) while Real Madrid still boast one of the most fearsome attacking lines in Europe, even after the departure of Karim Benzema in the summer. Saturday’s meeting between the two teams promises to be a goal-heavy one.

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Saturday’s match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be an important test for both Spurs and Liverpool. Just two points separate the two teams in the Premier League table with Tottenham and Liverpool both making significant strides forward since last season. They are both on an upward trajectory.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 12 of Tottenham’s last 15 matches in the Premier League while Liverpool have kept just one clean sheet in the eight matches they have played in all competitions. This has the potential to be one of the most entertaining games of the entire season.

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