Graham Ruthven | Something for the Weekend: Jacob to climb the ladder as goals rain at the Bernabeau

Player to score – Jacob Murphy (Aston Villa v Newcastle)

Aston Villa and Newcastle United both had midweek matches that produced very different outcomes. While Villa exited the Champions League at the hands of PSG, the Magpies put five goals past Crystal Palace to supercharge their top five challenge. Saturday’s meeting could be crucial for both sides.

Jacob Murphy scored in the 5-0 demolition of Palace and is a good bet to continue his hot streak at Villa Park this weekend. The right winger has scored or assisted in each of his last five appearances and could exploit any weariness in an Aston Villa backline still reeling from facing PSG. 

 

Over 2.5 total goals – Manchester United v Wolves

After somehow seeing off Lyon make the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday, Manchester United host Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday. Ruben Amorim’s team have conceded 10 goals in their last three games in all competitions, while Wolves put four past Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

While Manchester United have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six games against Wolves, Amorim’s team will surely have their defensive issues against the threat of players like Matheus Cunha and Jorgen Strand Larsen. This could be a classic end-of-season goal fest at Old Trafford. 

 

Match to be a draw – Brentford v Brighton

While Brentford have won just one of their last six games, last week’s 1-1 draw away to Arsenal highlighted the Bees’ ability to compete against any opponent. Brighton also enter this weekend’s match on the back of a draw, albeit a less positive one at home to Leicester City. Fabian Hurzeler will expect better.

There has been over 2.5 goals in Brighton’s last nine Premier League matches, suggesting Saturday’s match could be another goals-heavy encounter for the Seagulls. Brentford have struggled for firepower at home recently, but have drawn each of their last two.

 

Both teams to score – Real Madrid v Athletic Club

Carlo Ancelotti needs a response from his Real Madrid team after their meek exit to Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals. Los Blancos must refocus on the Spanish title race starting with Sunday’s home match against Athletic Club, who made the Europa League semi-finals during the week.

Athletic Club are chasing Champions League qualification through La Liga and are on an unbeaten run of eight matches in all competitions. They will be tricky opponents for the defending Spanish champions and will pose a threat through Nico Williams who made his mark against Rangers on Thursday.

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Graham’s Fourfold

Our red-hot tipster is back with his best bets from across Europe’s top leagues, including a La Liga cracker that just yells goals!

Think Graham’s picks have legs? Could they race into the winners’ enclosure? Why not throw all four runners into an acca? £10 potentially returns £560 if they come in!

Chomping at the bit?

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LEICESTER CITY vs LIVERPOOL BET BUILDER

Liverpool could be officially crowned Premier League champions against Leicester City on Sunday. The Reds would need a favour from Ipswich Town against Arsenal on Saturday for that to happen, but Arne Slot’s team can at least take another step closer to the title with a win over relegation-threatened opposition.

The Foxes ended their long goalless run by scoring twice against Brighton last weekend, but will find it trickier to make an impression against the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker. Luis Diaz could continue his good scoring form for the season by finding the net again. He will have opportunities.

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