Graham Ruthven: The weekend’s best bets

Player to score – Martin Odegaard (Arsenal v Man United)

Arsenal can take another step towards the Premier League title with victory over Manchester United on Sunday. Martin Odegaard has been a key figure for Mikel Arteta’s team this season with the Norwegian boasting eight goals in just 18 league appearances. He is a good bet to notch his ninth against United.

Casemiro’s suspension will open up pockets of space in between the lines for Arsenal to exploit that will be good news for Odegaard. The Norwegian has added goals to his game this season my making late runs into the box and after his strike in the North London Derby Odegaard could be a difference maker once more.

Player to be carded – Joelinton (Crystal Palace v Newcastle United)

Newcastle United are unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League matches, but a trip to Selhurst Park will be a challenge for Eddie Howe’s team this weekend. Crystal Palace snatched a point against Manchester United during the week thanks to a late freekick equaliser by Michael Olise, giving the Eagles something to build on.

No Newcastle United player has received as many yellow cards this season as Joelinton and the Brazilian midfielder will need to get close to the likes of Olise, Wilfried Zaha and Eberechi Eze in Saturday’s match. That could potentially put Joelinton in the firing line for a seventh booking of the season.

Match to be a draw – Southampton v Aston Villa

Southampton could lift themselves off the foot of the Premier League table with a draw or victory over Aston Villa this weekend. Nathan Jones’ team have won their last three matches in all competitions and are in good shape coming into Saturday’s game at St Mary’s Stadium. They have reason to be confident.

Villa will look to keep things tight and compact in this match and there’s no guarantee that beyond the set piece threat of James Ward-Prowse that Southampton will be able to play their way through the visitors to St Mary’s Stadium. This fixture could be destined to finish in a draw.

Both teams to score – Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen

The 2022/23 Bundesliga season will resume this weekend following a three-month break due to the 2022 World Cup. Borussia Monchengladbach will host Bayer Leverkusen in Sunday’s Rhine Derby and there’s good reason goals will be the outcome such is the scoring form of both teams coming into the fixture.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Gladbach’s last nine matches in the Bundesliga while Leverkusen have scored two or more goals in their last three league games. This has been a one-sided rivalry of late, with Leverkusen winning the last five Rhine Derbies, but Gladbach will fancy their chances of a victory.

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Saturday’s headline Premier League fixture will see Liverpool host Chelsea as both teams look for form to boost their hopes of finishing in the top four. Both teams have scored in Liverpool’s last three home matches in the league while the last four meetings between these two rivals have ended in a draw.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Liverpool’s last seven matches in the Premier League. While Chelsea have struggled for firepower in recent weeks, they will almost certainly have opportunities to find the back of the net against a vulnerable defensive line at Anfield this weekend.

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