Player to score – Joao Felix (Mallorca v Atletico Madrid) – 21/10
Not so long ago, Joao Felix’s future at Atletico Madrid was the subject of much speculation with the Portuguese seen as a misfit for Diego Simeone’s team. Now, though, Felix is Atleti’s most reliable goalscorer. Indeed, the 22-year-old has found the back of the net seven times in his last nine appearances at club level.
Felix has given Atletico Madrid speed in transition and has forged a strong understanding with Antoine Griezmann in recent weeks and months. Mallorca are fighting relegation near the foot of the La Liga table and are vulnerable having lost their last seven matches in a row. Felix should have opportunities to continue his recent good form.
Player to be carded – John McGinn (Aston Villa v Tottenham) – 5/2
Only a handful of players have received more yellow cards than John McGinn (eight) in the Premier League this season and the Scotland international could add to his tally against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Antonio Conte’s team are quick in transition through the centre of the pitch and so McGinn will need to be combative to stop Villa from being overrun particularly with Harry Kane likely to drop deep. Aston Villa are on a three-game losing run in the Premier League and McGinn is the sort of character who will snap into tackles and cover a lot of ground to try and correct that.
Match to be a draw – Torino v AC Milan – 49/20
AC Milan might be leading the way at the top of Serie A, but the Rossoneri have drawn three of their last six games. Stefano Pioli’s team have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four matches. However, they are struggling for firepower in the final third, most recently drawing a blank to Bologna at home on Monday.
Torino have also drawn three of their last six Serie A matches and are fresh from taking two points off Inter in their last home outing. Ivan Juric’s team have a reasonably strong record at home in the league this season and have one of the best defensive records in Serie A when playing in front of their own fans. This doesn’t bode well for AC Milan.
Both teams to score – Brentford v West Ham – 4/5
The signing of Christian Eriksen has given Brentford another dimension with the Bees scoring 10 times in their last four Premier League matches. The Danish playmaker has struck up an understanding with Bryan Mbuemo and Ivan Toney with the trio of capable playing through a well-organised defence – see their four-goals performance against Chelsea.
West Ham also boast a strong attacking record. Only three times in their last 15 Premier League outings have West Ham failed to find the back of the net and those three times were away to Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool. Meanwhile, David Moyes’ team haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last four league matches. Plus, both teams have scored in West Ham’s last three matches.
Weekend Bet Builder – 17/1
Sunday’s Premier League match between Brentford and West Ham promises to be a compelling clash with both teams currently in good form. Thomas Frank’s team are looking up the table after a difficult winter period while the Hammers, who were in mid-week against Lyon in the Europa League, are aiming to keep their top four hopes alive.
Eriksen has scored in each of his last three games for club and country and is priced at 4/1 to continue that run with another goal this weekend. West Ham’s recent record, however, suggests they too will find the back of the net. A three-line combination of a draw, both teams to score and Eriksen anytime goalscorer is priced at 17/1.
