Paddy Says – Gameweek 26

It’s time once again to tap at Paddy Power’s door, in search of yet more variables to consider ahead of the looming Gameweek deadline.

Before we scan the odds for Anytime Goalscorer and Clean Sheets, let’s check in on Paddy’s offers for new customers over the weekend.

Their big weekend acca dangles odds of 20/1 on wins for Chelsea (vs Newcastle), Southampton (at Swansea) and Everton (vs West Brom).

Meanwhile, Sunday’s epic Emirates clash is covered by huge 15/1 odds on a Leicester victory over Arsenal. If you’d rather back the Gunners, you can also get 5/1 on a win for Arsene Wenger’s men.

Paddy are also presenting a “Super Sunday Double”, offering odds of 12/1 on wins for both Liverpool (at Villa) and Man City (at home to Spurs).

Be sure to check the terms and conditions on all those offers and, of course, we should state that all these specials are only available to those aged 18. If you’re going to wager, always gamble responsibly.

ANYTIME GOALSCORER ODDS – GAMEWEEK 26

Diego Costa tops Paddy’s goalscorer rankings for the first time this season, handed odds of 1.80 for an anytime strike against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge. Although the Spain international broke his nose in training, he’s expected to be in contention and will be aiming to build on a recent record of six goals in his last seven league starts. The Magpies have conceded five goals in their last two road clashes, with 26 shipped in 12 away ties this season; that’s prompted Paddy to hand short odds to Costa’s fellow strikers Alexandre Pato (1.90) and Loic Remy (2.10), although neither are likely to see action.

Despite Manchester City’s testing home tie against Tottenham, Sergio Aguero is handed the next shortest odds (1.83) by Paddy. The Argentine marksman has netted in his previous four starts and boasts eight goals in his past five outings against Spurs. However, Mauricio Pochettino’s side arrive at the Etihad having conceded just 10 goals away from home all season – the best record in the league.

Romelu Lukaku (1.90) is ranked second in our current Captain Poll standings and Paddy have him out as third favourite for a Gameweek goal. The Everton striker snapped a five-match losing streak last time out and will fancy his chances against a West Bromwich Albion side that’s failed to record an away clean sheet since Gameweek 10. The Baggies also arrive at Goodison with an array of injury concerns at the back, while Lukaku boasts three goals in his last three outings against his former club.

Olivier Giroud ranks next with odds of 2.00 ahead of Arsenal’s pivotal home match-up against Leicester City. Paddy’s confidence in Arsenal and the Frenchman is somewhat surprising, given that he’s failed to score in his last four home starts and is pitted against a Foxes back line that’s been breached just three times since Gameweek 19. Similary, Alexis Sanchez’ odds look a little generous out at 2.40 – the Chilean is the top ranked midfielder, along with Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino.

Firmino’s team-mates, Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge both rank above him as Jurgen Klopp’s side prepare to drop in on basement dwellers Aston Villa. That pair will likely have to settle for places on the bench, with Firmino set to be deployed in the false nine against Remi Garde’s side. Villa have lost just once in their last five, keeping shut-outs in three of those matches.

CLEAN SHEET ODDS – GAMEWEEK 26

Everton (2.00) have been handed the shortest clean-sheet odds ahead of their Goodison meeting with a West Brom outfit that has drawn blanks in three of their previous four outings. While Everton have shipped more goals at home than any other side (22), the Baggies have scored just eight goals on their travels this term, recording the lowest number of penalty box attempts in the league (100).

Despite the fact that Sunderland have tallied an impressive 11 goals over the last six Gameweeks, Manchester United are priced in line with Chelsea (both 2.10) before their journey to the Stadium of Light. Paddy’s odds seem generous to Louis van Gaal’s defence given that they have allowed 17 goals in 13 games away from home and have won just one of the last six on the road.

Chelsea, meanwhile, host a Newcastle outfit that’s carded two goals in three outings and has the worst attacking away record in the league. Steve McClaren’s men have notched on just six occasions away from home, although it should be noted that the Blues have conceded eight goals in their last four home league matches.

Liverpool are ranked fourth by Paddy (2.20) despite failing to claim a shut-out in their last six fixtures. Jurgen Klopp’s men are no doubt favoured due to Aston Villa’s inability to find the net – they have scored just 10 goals in 12 home matches – the worst record in the league.

Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are priced at 2.50 and 2.40 respectively ahead of their home ties. The Cherries entertain a Stoke City squad that hasn’t scored in four outings, while the Eagles clash with Watford: Quique Sanchez Flores’ side have posted blanks in four of the last five Gameweeks.

Arsenal and Southampton (2.50 and 2.60) round off our Gameweek table. The Gunners will attempt to record their fourth shut-out in five when Leicester arrive at the Emirates. As for Saints, they’re priced quite attractively when you consider that they’ve registered five consecutive clean sheets. To compound matters, opponents Swansea have scored just 13 goals in 13 home fixtures.