WhoScored Tipster: The Weekend's Best Bets

Wigan vs Everton - Preview

It may not be the headline game from the Premier League this weekend but the one that provides the most interesting betting opportunities sees Everton make the short trip to the DW Stadium.

The hosts are currently on the worst winless streak in the league (eight games), and this is principally due to their leaky defence, having shipped over two goals per game this season, on average, and eighteen in their last six fixtures.

The mood of the visitors will be boosted by a spectacular result against Manchester City in midweek and arguably the most impressive transfer window activity of any side in the league. Usually it is advisable to think long and hard before backing the away side in a fixture but having won just one game from eleven in front of their own fans, Wigan boast the worst home record in the league. The tasty price of 2.1 for the away win looks very tempting indeed on this evidence.

In the goalscorer markets, Marouane Fellaini represents a value bet at a big price. Everton are one of the league’s strongest sides when it comes to winning aerial duels and they face a Wigan outfit that are second-worst in this respect (only Swansea being poorer). Fellaini is Everton’s best aerial threat and the second highest-ranked midfielder in the league in terms of aerial prowess. His tally of just one goal this season explains his high price but at 15.00 to open the scoring or 5.5 to net at anytime he is a well-priced pick.

Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol - Preview

It’s another case of big versus small in Spain as Athletic Bilbao take on Espanyol. No team has won a higher percentage of their aerial battles this season than the Basque side, and this is due in no small part to the talents of Fernando Llorente up front. The big forward is on red-hot form having scored seven goals in five games and up against Espanyol – only Real Madrid and Barcelona win fewer aerial duels per match but that’s because they have the ball on the ground – he should have a great chance of getting on the scoresheet and is 4.75 to open the scoring or 2.1 to net at anytime.

The subtext to this game is the relationship between the two managers. Marcelo Bielsa once knocked on Mauricio Pochettino’s door at 2am to convince the 14-year-old defender to sign for Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina. He would give Pochettino his national team debut just over ten years later and while Pochettino’s 4-2-3-1 style is distinct from Bielsa’s preference for a back three, the Espanyol boss admits he learnt a lot of his trade from ‘el loco’.

One thing that looks likely with their similarity in outlook (even if it’s not reflected in their systems) is that this game won’t see many goals. The Catalans go to Bilbao with one of the best defences in the league (3rd only behind the usual top two) so even though Athletic are favourites, a better punt than backing any result would be to go under 2.5 on the alternative goal line at 1.7.

Wolfsburg vs Borussia M. Gladbach - Preview

There is no doubt Gladbach have been this season’s surprise package in the Bundesliga and are 2.4 favourites to win at 2009 Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg on Saturday. They survived the transfer window without losing star man Marco Reus, although a deal was signed that will see him join Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.

Until then, he is still playing for the Foals and with 12 goals in 17 appearances; he is still one of the most lethal forwards in the league.

As well as Reus, Gladbach boast veteran midfielder Juan Arango. The Venezuelan is the top provider of assists in the Bundesliga from the left of midfield and his importance to the side is a large reason why the majority of the team’s attacks (39%) come down this flank. His crosses or incisive through balls tend to find the speedy Reus or Patrick Hermann at the far post. If you fancy Reus to open the scoring for the visitors then he is 5.5 to repeat what he has done five times already this season, or for Hermann to get on the scoresheet at anytime the odds are 3.25.

Given the nature of upheaval in Wolfsburg’s squad after a hectic transfer period, they’d do well to get any result from this game against a side that’s won four games on the bounce in all competitions. Due to the probability of the Wolves team containing a hotchpotch of new arrivals that barely know each other, goals could be on the cards all round and if you’re not tempted by over 2.5 goals for the match at 1.95, then maybe Gladbach to bag over 1.5 on the team goals market may suit better at 2.25.

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