The race for the Premier League title resumes this weekend, as Manchester City and Arsenal will both be in action on Saturday.
City take to the field first, as they kick off the first weekend after the international break at the Etihad against Liverpool. These two sides have clashed with the title hanging in the balance in recent seasons, but the best that the Reds can hope for this term is a place in the top four.
Tip: Riyad Mahrez To Score Or Assist
Manchester City appears to be the standout selection in the match result market, but there is little value in the selection at 4/7 with SkyBet. City’s record against Liverpool is exceptionally strong at the Etihad, as they have won seven of the previous 13, and have lost one just one occasion.
Liverpool may have won the previous meeting this term, but it looks an unlikely feat that they can achieve that again after failing to score in their previous two matches since a 7-0 win over Manchester City.
Scoring goals hasn’t been such an issue for Pep Guardiola’s side, as they have smashed in 13 in their previous two matches in all competitions since reverting to a 3-2-4-1 formation. A key player for City this weekend looks set to be Riyad Mahrez.
The winger looks set to be a guaranteed starter with Phil Foden missing through injury, and he has low-key been one of their best performers this term.
The Algerian has scored five in 19 Premier League matches, and has added four assists for good measure. His battle against Trent Alexander-Arnold this weekend looks to be key, with questions still hanging over the Liverpool full back’s defensive ability.
He was given a torrid afternoon by the Algerian in City’s 4-1 win at Anfield in February 2021, and we expect to see more of the same this weekend.
Mahrez has been a key player in previous fixtures against Liverpool, having scored once and registered three assists in 12 meetings. It could make for an intriguing value selection in the betting on Saturday.
Odds
Bet365 doesn’t offer the insurance market of a player scoring or assisting, but the bookmaker offers 5/2 for the Algerian to score anytime, or 4/1 for an anytime assist. Alternatively, Mahrez to score from outside the box at 11/1 is a very intriguing price, given how many of his efforts come from outside the 18-yard area.
SkyBet offers the Mahrez to score or assist selection at 4/5, while Paddy Power offers 5/6, meaning that the latter offers the most value.
However, we would use their Bet Builder feature to add the selection to a Manchester City win in 90 minutes, which would bump up the odds to 1.36/1. Therefore, a £20 stake would return £47.32.
The same selections at SkyBet would see returns of £47.50 based on the 11/8 odds available, given that SkyBet offers a better price on the City win.
Football Betting Tips Tomorrow
- Manchester City to win and Riyad Mahrez to score or assist (Best Price 11/8 at SkyBet)
Based on the given odds, here are the potential returns for a £100 bet on each of the scenarios:
- Bet365 odds for the Algerian player to score anytime: 5/2 A £100 bet would return £100 * (5/2) = £250 + £100 (initial stake) = £350
- Bet365 odds for an anytime assist by the Algerian player: 4/1 A £100 bet would return £100 * (4/1) = £400 + £100 (initial stake) = £500
- Bet365 odds for Mahrez to score from outside the box: 11/1 A £100 bet would return £100 * (11/1) = £1,100 + £100 (initial stake) = £1,200
- SkyBet odds for Mahrez to score or assist: 4/5 A £100 bet would return £100 * (4/5) = £80 + £100 (initial stake) = £180
- Paddy Power odds for Mahrez to score or assist: 5/6 A £100 bet would return £100 * (5/6) = £83.33 + £100 (initial stake) = £183.33
- Paddy Power Bet Builder odds for Mahrez to score or assist and Manchester City win in 90 minutes: 1.36/1 A £100 bet would return £100 * (1.36/1) = £136 + £100 (initial stake) = £236
- SkyBet odds for Mahrez to score or assist and Manchester City win in 90 minutes: 11/8 A £100 bet would return £100 * (11/8) = £137.50 + £100 (initial stake) = £237.50
These calculations provide you with the return on a £100 bet for each scenario, assuming that the specific condition is met.
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