On paper, this looks to be a Gameweek that deals in fine margins. While Sergio Aguero should be heavily backed for the captaincy, doubts over his pitch time against West Ham and them emergence of reliable mid-price returns has dented his dominance in the race for the armband. Elsewhere, a slew of strong home fixtures suggests that clean sheet returns could be plentiful.
Where do we put our faith? Let’s get Paddy Power’s odds in the mix as another variable.
Before we examine their assessment via the Anytime Goalscorer and Clean Sheet markets, those of you hankering for a flutter this weekend should know about the special offers laid on by our bookmaker friends.
For the tasty early kick-off, new Paddy Power accounts can get Chelsea to win at 9/1 or 8/1 on an Arsenal victory at Stamford Bridge, with your cash back as a free bet if you lose out.
Paddy also have a special for Sunday’s tea-time clash at St Mary’s, with odds of 8/1 on offer for a Man United win over Southampton – plus £10 of free bets for the rest of the season.
Finally, this weekend’s accumulator special finds Paddy dangling 30/1 on wins for Man City, Leicester, Atletico Madrid and PSG with your money back as a bet if you miss out.
Be sure to check the teams 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 6
| Player | Team | Odds |
| Aguero | MCI | 1.40 |
| Bony | MCI | 1.66 |
| Iheanacho | MCI | 1.83 |
| Benteke | LIV | 1.90 |
| Wilson | BOU | 2.10 |
| Sterling | MCI | 2.10 |
| Kane | TOT | 2.10 |
| Sturridge | LIV | 2.10 |
| Costa | CHE | 2.20 | Toure | MCI | 2.29 |
| De Bruyne | MCI | 2.29 |
| Murray | BOU | 2.40 |
| King | BOU | 2.40 |
| Gomis | SWA | 2.50 |
With Manuel Pellegrini confirming that his Argentine hitman is 100% fit, it’s no surprise to see Sergio Aguero (1.40) rated as Paddy’s most fancied to score. Despite clocking just 312 minutes this campaign, the former Atletico Madrid man ranks joint-third among forwards for shots inside the box (12) and joint-fourth for shots on target (seven), statistics that help him maintain his seemingly permanent tenancy at the top of the Anytime Goalscorer odds.
With City joint-top for goals scored this campaign (11) and second for shots on target (36), back-up strikers Wilfried Bony (1.66) and Kelechi Iheanacho (1.83) round off the top three slots in Paddy’s odds. Further down, Rahem Sterling (2.10), Yaya Toure and Kevin De Bruyne (both 2.29) also occupy the top 15, illustrating the Sky Blues’ unmatched attacking depth and Paddy’s confidence that they will dish out a beating to visiting West Ham at the Etihad.
Pitched at 1.90, Christian Benteke (1.90) is fancied to build upon his Goal of the Season nominee at Old Trafford with another strike at home to Norwich City. Although the Reds have recorded just three goals so far this term, their recent record against the Canaries (21 goals in five meetings) bodes well for a high-scoring encounter. Daniel Sturridge (2.10) only just returned to full training last week but is handed short odds in case of a surprise cameo.
A quartet of Bournemouth players are handed skinny odds ahead of their home clash against Sunderland, with Callum Wilson (2.10) pinpointed as the main threat. Glenn Murray and Joshua King (both 2.40) also feature in the top 15, perhaps no surprise given that the Black Cats rank second for goals conceded (11) and shots inside the box conceded (57).
Harry Kane (2.10), Diego Costa (2.20) and Bafetimbi Gomis (2.50) round off the list of likely scorers, despite all three drawing a blank last time out. Kane is yet to record this campaign but faces an Eagles’ rearguard that’s conceded the most shots inside the box (58), while Costa netted a confidence-boosting strike in Chelsea’s Champions League opener. Gomis, meanwhile, has scored in every home match so far ahead of Everton’s trip to the Liberty Stadium.
CLEAN SHEET ODDS – GAMEWEEK 6
| Team | Odds |
| Manchester City | 2.10 |
| Liverpool | 2.10 |
| Aston Villa | 2.20 |
| Bournemouth | 2.29 |
| Tottenham | 2.62 |
| Manchester United | 2.70 |
| Newcastle | 2.87 |
| Swansea | 2.87 |
The Clean Sheet rankings are keenly contested, with Paddy’s odds suggesting that there could be ample defensive returns on offer.
Man City and Liverpool are neck-and-neck at the summit of the clean-sheet table, with Paddy offering odds of 2.10 for both sides to shut out their opposition in their respective home encounters.
The Sky Blues boast five straight clean sheets and are yet to concede a big chance at home, while the Reds have conceded just one big chance at Anfield having started the season with three straight shut-outs.
Aston Villa (2.20) come next, despite claiming just one clean sheet to their name this term. They are no doubt favoured by Paddy by virtue of the fact that opponents West Brom rank bottom for shots on target (five) in away matches. Elsewhere, Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth (2.29) play host to a Sunderland outfit that’s crafted only two big chances on their travels.
Tottenham (2.62) have not conceded in their previous two league outings and restricted Everton to just three shots on target last time out at White Hart Lane, although given Palace’s away form under Alan Pardew, these odds seem generous.
Only Leicester City (zero) have conceded fewer big chances in their away match-ups than Man United (one), who are priced at 2.70 to earn clean sheet from their trip to Southampton.
Further down, both Newcastle United and Swansea City come in at 2.87 for their respective home ties. The Swans have conceded just one big chance at home ahead of their showdown with Everton, while the Magpies square up to a Watford outfit that’s tested the opposing keeper on just five occasions in two away ties.
