Sport
Lee Phelps’ Premier League Picks: Salah to sink Red Devils
Four fixtures in 14 days will go a long way to telling us how the rest of the season will shape up and it all kicks off with this round of games. It’s time to keep a check on injuries, suspensions and fatigue before placing your bets.
Newcastle v Fulham – Saturday 15:00
There are some interesting away prices this weekend, starting with Fulham at Newcastle. The Londoners are around 3/1 to win at St James’ Park and the draw is a similar price. Eddie Howe will have to work miracles to lift his side mentally and physically after the loss to AC Milan on Wednesday night and they face a Fulham side who have just won back-to-back games 5-0! They were both at home admittedly, but confidence must be sky high and I can see them having a go at a beleaguered Newcastle side. Whichever way this goes, I’m with over 3.5 goals in the match at 13/8.
Chelsea v Sheffield United – Saturday 15:00
Sheffield United are 11/1 to win at Chelsea, who are an unbelievably short 2/9 as I write this. The two sides have exactly the same form over the last five games, with Chelsea scoring six more goals and conceding three more. That’s where the difference may end up being, the Blues may outscore the Blades, but Chris Wilder will have his players organised and disciplined and playing for a draw. The Yorkshire club are odds against with a two goal head start on the handicap and over 3/1 with a one goal advantage at kick-off.
Liverpool v Manchester United – Sunday 16:30
Let’s wrap things up with the game of the weekend, on paper – Liverpool versus Manchester United. Over the last five matches between these two at Anfield, the aggregate score is 16-1! That run includes the 7-0 last season and 4-0 in 2022. With Bruno Fernandes banned and other key players injured, I think this could be another one-sided match.
Mo Salah is the chief tormentor for United, with 12 career goals against them and he’s bagged two or more four times too. I don’t often put scorers up to get a brace, but at 4/1 I’ll play that in another comfortable Liverpool win.
