With just a couple of hours remaining until we send our boys over the line, Paddy Power are here with their view on just where the goals are going to be scored and who is likely to be scoring them.
Just before we dip into the Anytime Goalscorer and Clean Sheets odds, those of you who fancy a flutter should know about a range of specials on offer from Paddy for the weekend.
Today’s evening kick-off at the Bridge gets the first offer: new accounts can get enhanced odds of 6/1 on a Chelsea win over Southampton (regular odds are 3/4).
Sunday’s Merseyside derby is next up, with Paddy presenting 10/1 on either an Everton or Liverpool win, with 12/1 on a draw. This offer also includes the opportunity for a free £10 bet every week for the rest of the season.
Finally, new accounts can get a huge 16/1 on a United victory at the Emirates or 8/1 on an Arsenal win in Sunday’s tea-time kick-off. Again, this special this special includes the chance to get a free £10 bet every week for the remainder of the campaign.
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 8
| Player | Team | Odds |
| Aguero | MCI | 1.40 |
| Bony | MCI | 1.66 |
| Iheanacho | MCI | 1.83 |
| De Bruyne | MCI | 2.00 |
| Remy | CHE | 2.25 |
| Falcao | CHE | 2.25 |
| Murray | BOU | 2.29 |
| Toure | MCI | 2.29 |
| Gayle | CRY | 2.40 |
| Sanchez | ARS | 2.40 |
| Walcott | ARS | 2.40 |
| Giroud | ARS | 2.40 |
Manchester City dominate the anytime goalscorer leaderboard ahead of their home tie against Newcastle United, with Sergio Aguero (1.40) back on top and handed the shortest odds to net in the Gameweek once again. The Argentine frontman drew blanks in his previous five league outings yet ranks second among forwards this term for total attempts (25). Given that the Magpies carded just two clean sheets in their last 20 matches in all competitions, the likes of Wilfried Bony (1.66), Kelechi Iheanacho (1.83), Kevin De Bruyne (2.00) and Yaya Toure (2.29) all feature in the top 10; De Bruyne is the top ranked midfielder according to Paddy this morning.
With Diego Costa serving out the last match of his suspension, Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao (both 2.25) are fancied to breach Southampton’s rearguard on Saturday afternoon. Only Man City (88) and Arsenal (87) amassed more attempts than the Blues (79) across the last four Gameweeks, which bodes well for the strike duo as they gear up for the Stamford Bridge showdown.Eden Hazard is out at 2.62 for an anytime goal against the Saints.
Glenn Murray (2.29) is perhaps a surprising presence in the seventh spot. In the wake of Callum Wilson’s long-term injury, the former Crystal Palace frontman is set to take centre stage when Bournemouth play host to Watford – who’ve conceded just six goals to date. Meanwhile, current Eagles marksman Dwight Gayle (2.40) faces a home encounter against a West Bromwich Albion defence that’s yet to concede on their travels.
Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud are all tipped at 2.40 to net when they line up at home against Manchester United. The Gunners chalked up 11 more shots inside the box (64) and six more shots on target (34) than any side over the last four Gameweeks, underlining the wealth of chances they’re creating at present.
CLEAN SHEET ODDS – GAMEWEEK 8
| Team | Odds |
| Manchester City | 2.00 |
| Crystal Palace | 2.20 |
| Chelsea | 2.40 |
| Bournemouth | 2.70 |
| Arsenal | 2.87 |
| Aston Villa | 2.87 |
| West Ham | 3.10 |
| Everton | 3.30 |
| Tottenham | 3.30 |
At 2.00, Man City are the clear favourites to keep a clean sheet against a Magpies outfit that’s yet to score a single goal away from St James’ Park this campaign. Crystal Palace (2.20) will fancy their chances of securing back-to-back shut-outs as they face off against a West Brom side that bagged just four goals in the past five Gameweeks.
Despite shipping the second most goals (14) and claiming a solitary clean sheet, Chelsea are backed at 2.40 ahead of Saints’ visit. Watford rank joint-bottom for goals scored (five), which explains why Bournemouth are priced at 2.70 for their home clash against the Hornets.
Arsenal and Aston Villa are both pitched at 2.87 to establish a robust last line of defence on the weekend. The former has conceded just one big chance per game this season, while the latter surrendered the fewest big chances (five) of any team through the opening seven Gameweeks.
West Ham United (3.10) search for their fourth clean sheet in eight as they make the trip to Sunderland – who’ve failed to score since Gameweek 4. Everton and Tottenham Hotspur come in at the 3.30 mark before their challenging head-to-heads. The Toffees host a Liverpool team that’s notched just two goals across their trio of road ties, while Spurs’ clean-sheet prospects in Wales are boosted by the fact that Swansea City have tallied just a solitary goal in their previous three outings.
