Premier League betting tips: Leeds Utd to beat Man Utd; Cherki to run rings around Chelsea
Now then, now then. 16/5 and 13/5 winners last weekend. I am not one to brag as you know but I have worked it out and I now have enough money in the bank not to have to work for the rest of 2025.
Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from the Premier League's TV games from Sports News Blitz’s punting bon vivant - The Bookie Basher – including a big clash between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest
Tuesday’s shellacking at Arsenal notwithstanding, Villa are a team who just don't know when they're beaten. I was under pressure when they played Chelsea on Saturday, ensconced at Ramside Hall with my better half who was knocking back glasses of Prosecco at £12 a throw.
Having backed them at 16/5, things looked bleak at half-time, both for Villa and my dwindling finances. Thankfully Unai Emery is a tactical genius, and the introduction of Ollie Watkins got them a priceless win and took the sting out of those rounds of fizz.
Villa should be too hot for Forest here, and I fancy the wily Emery to have an answer to 'Dyche-ball'.
Odds of 5/6 for the win looks an overreaction by the bookies to that 4-1 defeat at Arsenal, especially given the fact that on the same night the Tricky Trees lost 2-0 at home to Everton.
Suggested bet: Aston Villa to win & both teams to score at 11/4 (skybet)
Bournemouth vs Arsenal
Arsenal thumped Aston Villa on Tuesday to end the year five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The layers rate them as an 8/13 chance to go on and win the league from here, but the Cherries could make life difficult on the south coast and will be confident themselves after that 2-2 draw at Chelsea.
Yet if Arsenal are going to end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title, these are surely the games they need to be winning?
Viktor Gyokeres drew another blank in midweek, and I would not be shocked if Gabriel Jesus starts against Bournemouth.
The Brazilian is 5/1 to score first here and if he starts – stakes would be returned if he doesn’t and there is a goal – that looks a play.
Suggested bet: Jesus to score first at 5/1 (bet365 / Paddy Power / skybet)
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Leeds United vs Manchester United
The rivalry between Leeds United and Manchester United has always been fiercest in the stands and has its origins in the Wars of the Roses of the 15th century.
Leeds were great at Sunderland. They soaked up the early Black Cats pressure before controlling much of the first half.
Daniel Farke's men statistically dominated the second half and were good value for that 1-1 draw.
And what of Manchester United? That they could only manage a 1-1 draw at home against a Wolves side who had lost 11 successive league games before Tuesday - and remain on course to eclipse Derby County as the worst Premier League team ever – tells you everything you need to know about where they are right now.
They have major problems in midfield due to injury and losing players to AFCON, but how are you not beating Wolves at home?
Kobbie Mainoo could return for them on Sunday, but they look right up against it here and 9/5 about a home win looks value.
Leeds' recent exponential improvement does not look like a flash in the pan, and roared on by a partisan home crowd at HQ, I fancy them to bag three points.
Suggested bet: Leeds United to win at 9/5 (BetMGM / 888 Sport)
Fulham vs Liverpool
Liverpool have conceded more goals from set-pieces than any other side in the Premier League this season, and that’s part of the reason why they are out to 50/1 to retain their title.
It’s not much better at the other end either as prior to Thursday’s game with Leeds, Liverpool had scored just one set-piece goal from 18 league matches.
So I’m going to go rogue here and take some 11/1 that Sasa Lukic scores against the Reds. He only has one goal this season, but it was a header, and Liverpool cannot defend set plays.
"Put money in thy purse," as Billy Shakespeare's crafty villain Iago might say.
Suggested bet: Lukic to score anytime at 11/1 (Betfred)
Manchester City v Chelsea
Chelsea are laughably inconsistent and Pep’s mob are fancied to bag another three points here.
Chelsea have dropped 15 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season – more than any other side.
It’s one win in seven league matches now for Enzo Maresca’s men, and a trip to Manchester City without Moises Caicedo – suspended after his fifth booking of the season – looks a daunting start to 2026.
Full disclosure, ‘Smash Man City at 4/6’ is my first New Year's resolution.
Man City midfielder Rayan Cherki looks an absolute baller, and after taking a bit of time to settle in the Premier League is now showing us what he's all about.
He is 9/4 to register an assist in this one, and given he could open a tin of corned beef with his left peg, that’s a price that deserves attention.
Suggested bet: Cherki Over 0.5 Assists at 9/4 (bet365)
