Paddy Says – Gameweek 4

It’s time to add the bookmaker odds to our Saturday morning thinking, assessing the current state of play when it comes to clean sheets and the reckoning on anytime goalscorers.

Before that, we bring you news of their specials this weekend that allow new customers to get big odds on four title contenders.

First up, Paddy are allowing new accounts to back heavyweights – Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City – for wins against Palace, West Ham and Watford with odds of 8/1. That market is available until 3pm today with a £10 maximum bet.

If you’re firmly in Man United’s camp ahead of their Sunday trip to Swansea, you can get 7/1 on a win for Louis van Gaal’s men and get £300 in free bets for the rest of the season.

Be sure to check Paddy Power’s terms and conditions on all those bets.

ANYTIME GOALSCORER ODDS – GAMEWEEK 4

Tipped at 1.44 to score anytime against Watford at the Etihad, the bookies have reinforced the thinking displayed in our Captain Poll. Despite sitting out the majority of the Sky Blues’ Gameweek 1 clash against West Bromwich Albion, the Argentinian marksman ranks top among forwards for shots on target (seven) this term. Given that Man City top the goal charts (eight) at present, Paddy have also offered short odds on reserve striker Kelechi Iheanacho (1.80), Raheem Sterling (2.10) and Yaya Toure (2.20).

Having scored the solitary goal in Liverpool’s previous home tie against Bournemouth, Christian Benteke has been backed at 1.66 to further his tally when West Ham United visit Anfield; behind Aguero, that makes him the most likely starter to get amongst the goals according to Paddy. The Reds frontman placed second among forwards for attempts (four) and shots inside the box (three) last Gameweek, which should serve as encouragement for his hefty 40% ownership.

There are a bevy of Chelsea attackers occupying the top 15 this week ahead of a home encounter against Crystal Palace. Diego Costa – who opened his account last time out against the Baggies – is the bookies favourite to breach the Eagles’ defence at 1.83, but the likes of Radamel Falcao (2.00), Loic Remy (2.00), Pedro (2.10) and Eden Hazard (2.29) are hot on the heels of the Spain international. It’s perhaps significant that Paddy has kept on Pedro’s goalscoring ability, ranking him above Hazard, despite the Belgian boasting spot-kick duties: Pedro is the most fancied midfielder to notch in the Gameweek according to the bookies. Such a view certainly supports the heavy investment that has gone Pedro’s way in the Fantasy Premier League this week.

North London rivals Harry Kane (2.00) and Olivier Giroud (2.20) round off the leaderboard, with the former enjoying a visit from Everton and the latter travelling to Newcastle. Kane is yet to trouble scoreboard this term and will be looking to improve on his two shots on target. As for Giroud, no striker has tallied more attempts (13) or shots inside the box (12) and his record against the Magpies is exemplary: the Frenchman has netted eight goals against Steve McClaren’s side during his Arsenal tenure.

CLEAN SHEET ODDS – GAMEWEEK 4

Although Chelsea have conceded the third most shots inside the box and the most big chances (nine), Paddy are backing the Blues as joint favourites – alongside Liverpool and Manchester City – to record a clean sheet at 1.90. Jose Mourinho’s troops allowed Swansea to fashion five big chances in their last Stamford Bridge showdown, so they’ll need to improve drastically in that regard if they are to shut-out an efferverscent Palace.

Liverpool have registered three shut-outs on the trot but will be wary of a Hammers outfit that’s ranked third for goals scored (six) so far this campaign. Likewise, Man City could make it four consecutive clean sheets with a resilient display against the Hornets, who’ve notched just ten shots on target so far this term.

Stoke have climbed in Paddy’s thinking overnight, now priced at (2.25) they are fancied for a shut-out as they play host to a Baggies team that ranks third-bottom for shots inside the box (16). Aston Villa come next: they limited Manchester United to just five shots inside the box in their last home match and will be confident at keeping out a struggling Sunderland outfit.

Arsenal will lock horns with a Magpies side that’s racked up fewer attempts (20) and shots inside the box (12) than any in the Premier League but Paddy don’t seem that confident that the Gunners can find their defensive form, no doubt influenced by the possible absence of both Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.

Southampton are another side looking to find defensive stability but aren’t particularly fancied (2.60) to claim back-to-back shutouts when they face Norwich at St Mary’s. Paddy also doesn’t appear confident on Manchester United (2.62) maintaining their flawless defensive record as they travel to Swansea on Sunday.

Tottenham (2.70) will be encouraged in their quest for a first clean sheet this term by the fact that Everton are positioned in the bottom five for shots inside the box (18). At the foot of the rankings, Bournemouth (3.00) will do well to quell a Leicester City attack that’s chalked up one fewer goal (seven) than Man City (eight).