Five bets you could place on Matchday Nine of Premier League
Ahead of the resumption of the Premier League on October 21, which bets should punters consider placing on matches that will be played directly after the international break?
The 2023-24 season has already reached a point where supporters are enjoying - or enduring - a second international break in relatively quick succession, the domestic calendar being disrupted to aid with Euro 2024 and 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Its place on the schedule means that some clubs would have welcomed the enforced break after a less-than-productive few weeks, with others preferring to continue to build momentum. With some of the bigger clubs seeing so many players spend time with their respective nations, it throws up the potential of some surprise results, and there are some attractive betting odds for punters ahead of Matchday Nine of the Premier League.
Just like punters can benefit from playing the book of dead slot, a hugely popular slot game, they should also be looking to capitalise on any generous odds in the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton. With the Toffees having won two of their last three league games, optimism is growing at Goodison Park, but it cannot be ignored that they have a dismal record when facing their neighbours at Anfield. Rather than going with a standard Liverpool win or scoring bet, the 5/2 on offer for Liverpool to win a penalty looks too good to turn down. Mohamed Salah's penalty record is far from impressive, but Liverpool win more penalties than most Premier League sides and that should be noted ahead of this contest.
There is an argument that the bet of the weekend comes away from the bigger clubs, with Burnley make the trip to West London to meet Brentford. Each team have won just one of their eight league matches this campaign - Burnley's only success coming at Luton Town - yet the Clarets have shown signs that they have settled into life in the top flight at a time when Brentford have struggled in front of goal and found it difficult to keep clean sheets. Thomas Frank's side have already failed to overcome Crystal Palace, Bournemouth or Everton on home territory since the beginning of the season, and Burnley's attacking threat could lead to an away triumph. Punters can get at least 7/2 for that outcome, and even a 'draw no bet' may be worth considering.
When Bournemouth replaced Gary O'Neil with Andoni Iraola, they would not have envisaged that their former boss would be in charge of a club that was sitting above them in the Premier League table a few months later. However, Wolverhampton Wanderers hold a five-point lead over the Cherries ahead of their meeting at the Vitality Stadium. O'Neil will surely receive a warm reception, as well as being confident that Wolves can extend their unbeaten league run to four matches when they have netted in seven successive games. Nevertheless, Bournemouth are sure to get a win on the board sooner rather than later, and with Wolves missing each of Nelson Semedo and Mario Lemina through suspension, a home win with both teams to score looks a solid bet at betting odds of at least 7/2.
After six matches, there appeared to be few vulnerabilities about Manchester City, yet take Rodri out of the team and defeats came against Wolves and Arsenal. However, the Spanish midfielder will be back in the fold for the showdown with Brighton & Hove Albion, and City will be heavy favourites to prevail. This is a Brighton team that are the highest goalscorers in the Premier League, though, and facing City after an international break could come at the right time. While this is a slightly adventurous bet, backing both teams to score in both halves at 7/1 could bring rewards.
There have already been three occasions this season when Man United have followed a win in the Premier League with a defeat. That said, their last-gasp comeback to see off Brentford before the international break could act as the catalyst for an improved period of the season, and a trip to Sheffield United is the ideal fixture. Erik ten Hag's team have only won once and scored twice in three away encounters this season, yet that one success was by a 1-0 scoreline at Burnley. Against a confidence-shy Sheffield United, they may have things more their own way, resulting in taking a chance on Man United winning to nil at odds of approximately 17/10 being justified.
