Graham Ruthven: The Weekend’s Best Bets

Player to score – Rafael Leao (AC Milan v Roma)

Rafael Leao marked his return to action for AC Milan following the 2022 World Cup with a goal in the win over Salernitana with the Portuguese winger now boasting seven goals and four assists in just 15 Serie A appearances this season. Leao will be the primary goal threat for the Scudetto champions against Roma.

Roma kept a clean sheet in their 1-0 win over Bologna last weekend, but Jose Mourinho’s back three system will give Leao space to exploit in behind the wing backs. AC Milan’s game will be designed to create moments of quick transition as frequently as possible and Leao could benefit from that.

 

Player to be carded – Bruno Fernandes 4/1 (Manchester United v Everton) 

Manchester United host Everton in the FA Cup third round on Friday evening with Bruno Fernandes expected to start as Erik ten Hag’s team target a run in a cup competition this season. The Portuguese midfielder has already picked up seven yellow cards in all competitions this season and is a good bet to collect an eighth booking in this match.

Everton will be combative in the centre of the pitch with Alex Iwobi, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Amadou Onana capable of matching up against the Manchester United midfield. This could make it difficult for the home side to play their way through and Fernandes could let frustration get the better of him.

 

Match to be a draw – Atletico Madrid v Barcelona (12/5)

Barcelona returned to La Liga action with a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Espanyol last weekend and followed it up with a less-than-impressive performance against CF Intercity in the Copa del Rey in which they conceded three times to lower league opponents. Xavi Hernandez’s team have looked rusty.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid have struggled for goals in front of their own fans this season with Diego Simeone’s team only scoring more than once three times and more than twice only once. There’s nothing to suggest they will be able to find top form against Barcelona this weekend, pointing to a point for both sides.

 

Both teams to score – Liverpool v Wolves (4/5)

Liverpool enter this weekend’s FA Cup tie against Wolves on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Brentford with Jurgen Klopp’s facing questions over the strength of his team’s defence in particular. The Reds have failed to keep a single clean sheet since returning to action following the 2022 World Cup and that run could continue against a rejuvenated Wolves.

Julen Lopetegui has made at impact since his appointment at Molineux. Wolves will sit deep and absorb pressure at Anfield before hitting out on the counter-attack, and this is where they could do damage to Liverpool who will be without Virgil van Dijk due to injury. The visitors have a chance of pulling off an upset.

 

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Manchester City and Chelsea will meet again in the FA Cup just days after Pep Guardiola’s team claimed a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League. City were able to keep Chelsea at arm’s length and they stand a good chance of doing the same again on Sunday, particularly considering the Blues’ lengthy injury list.

Julian Alvarez could feature for Manchester City after winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina. Guardiola is expected to make a number of changes to his lineup, but City’s strength will still prove too much for the visitors to the Etihad Stadium. Chelsea are struggling for firepower at this moment in time.

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