Graham Ruthven | Weekend Betting Preview

Player to score – Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal v Leeds) 11/8

Arsenal can take another step towards a top-four finish by beating Leeds United at home on Sunday. Eddie Nketiah has been given an opportunity to lead the line for the Gunners in recent week and has impressed, meaning he is likely to start again this weekend. At 11/8, there is value in backing Nketiah to find the back of the net.

Nketiah has drawn a blank in his last two matches since bagging a brace in the win over Chelsea last month, but the 22-year-old ended last weekend’s away victory at West Ham United with a higher Expected Goals (xG) than any other player – 0.36. He also finished with an xG value of 0.46 in the win over Manchester United.

Player to be carded – Tomasso Pobega (Torino v Napoli)

Torino have earned themselves a reputation for being a physical team under Ivan Juric with Il Toro averaging more fouls per 90 minutes (16.9) than any other side in Serie A this season. This weekend will see Torino host Napoli who are fresh from an eye-catching 6-1 victory over Sassuolo, highlighting the threat the home team will face.

With Sasa Lukic suspended, Tomasso Pobega will be expected to do more work in the centre of the pitch against a Napoli side that will boast a great deal of quality in this area. Pobega has already picked up 10 yellow cards in Serie A this season and is a good bet to pick up another one on Saturday.

Match to be a draw – Leicester v Everton (23/10)

It was only three weeks ago that Everton and Leicester City drew 1-1 at Goodison Park. The Toffees used that result as a platform, staying competitive against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby and beating Chelsea in the two matches that followed. Leicester, however, have drawn three of their last four fixtures (in all competitions).

The Foxes might still be feeling the effects of Thursday’s Europa Conference League semi-final against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. Frank Lampard has changed focus in recent matches, prioritising defence over attack. If Everton stick to this approach, they won’t create many chances, but could still stay tight at the back.

Both teams to score – Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid (7/10)

Real Madrid secured the La Liga title last weekend with a win over Espanyol, but Carlo Ancelotti’s team will still be eager to assert their dominance over their city rivals on Sunday. Los Blancos have scored three or more goals in each of their last three La Liga outings and are fresh from putting three past Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

However, Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in 35 of their last 38 La Liga games at home. On top of this, Real Madrid have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last three league matches away from home. Ancelotti’s team are one of the best attacking units in Europe, but their defence can be vulnerable.

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The Madrid is one of the standout fixtures in European football this weekend with Atletico Madrid welcoming rivals Real Madrid to the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday. It should be a compelling spectacle even if Diego Simeone’s side have struggled for form of late and are winless in their last two games.

Much of the individual focus will be on Karim Benzema, the French striker who has 43 goals to his name this season, but Vinicius Junior should find space in behind the Atleti full backs. The Brazilian winger has scored 14 times in La Liga this season and could pick off Atletico Madrid when they stride forward and leave space in behind.