Aston Villa v Manchester United: Best bets for Sunday’s Premier League games and AFCON Final
Our betting expert with punts for Villa Park, Arsenal against West Ham, and Africa Cup of Nations on BBC PLUS La Liga angle
Go against the crowd at Aston Villa today.
Manchester United allowed West Ham 22 shots last Sunday, which would be a dangerous game to play at Villa Park (4.30pm). Far greater caution from Erik ten Hag’s visitors seems likely.
Even last week, keeper Andre Onana was only called on for three actual saves from all the Hammers’ efforts – and he made them.
Onana’s stats for Prem saves outshine the No.1s at the Emirates, Etihad and Stamford Bridge for example. You’d hardly guess that from his public image as a semi-flop.
But perception trumps reality. See Roy Keane’s close-up verdict on Peter Schmeichel. “Overrated.”
True, Roy has possibly been just as unimpressed by the merits of Springtime, sunshine, puppies’ ears and such... but going against the popular wisdom is a good instinct for pundits and punters.
Onana is no busted flush. And ‘free-scoring’ Villa have netted a single goal or none in five of their past six games.
An 11th ‘United clean sheet’ for Onana is more likely than 9/2 says. And ‘no scorer’ is underrated at 16/1 (Bet365, Fred).
West Ham have beaten today’s visitors Arsenal (2pm) twice already this season, and the general 1/2 about a Gunners WIN looks iffy with the Hammers W9 D5 L2 at home.
They’ve conceded 1.9 a pop all told against Big Six attacks though, so a familiar Gunners angle recommends itself. Have Bukayo Saka ‘score or assist’ at Evens (Paddy) – his raw stats rate a genuine 1/2 quote.
The Africa Cup of Nations concludes with Nigeria against Ivory Coast (8pm, BBCiPlayer). And if you boldly followed the advice here in December – perhaps you were disorientated after a particularly wet Christmas? – you’ll already be on the Nigerians at 10/1 to be crowned AFCON champions.
Six of the 12 finals this century have gone to a shoot-out. Have 4/1 (Skybet) tonight’s ‘goes to pens’.
Worldie fans want Nigeria’s ex-Watford defender William Troost-Ekong at 28/1 (90mins, Betway) ‘first scorer’ – he’s on regular spot-kicks.
Punt Barcelona pot-shotter Ilkay Gundogan to have ‘three or more shots’ (of any sort) at 4/5 (Hills) when Granada roll up (8pm).
Last week: Winners at 13/10 and 10/11
