Premier League Predictions: Mark O'Haire Weekend Football Tips

This week’s football tips from Mark O’Haire includes a selection for the Friday Night Football as Aston Villa play Sheffield United in a bid to go top of the Premier League table.

Cameron Archer 1+ Offside

Advised Bet: 1pt @ 6/5 Sky Bet

Aston Villa have the opportunity to go top of the Premier League table should Unai Emery’s outfit extend their club-record home winning streak on Friday by beating rock-bottom Sheffield United at Villa Park. The Villans are understandable short-priced favourites to pick up maximum points, although my interest is elsewhere.

Under Emery, Villa are the undoubted offside kings. Aston Villa are catching their opponents offside an average of 4.82 times per-game – to highlight how far ahead of the division Villa are, the next-best is Spurs with 3.29 offsides per-game. I’m therefore eager to explore the options within the Sheffield United ranks.

Blades summer signing Cameron Archer catches the eye. The pacey forward has been operating on the left-side recently but has remained consistent in the offside market, being flagged in six of his 13 starts for Sheffield United, including an away day at Tottenham. With Blades reliant on the counter here, Archer 1+ offsides appeals at 6/5 on Sky Bet (2.20).   

Cole Palmer to Score or Assist

Advised Bet: 1pt @ 13/8 Betfair

Cole Palmer has been one of the few bright lights for Chelsea this season. The 21-year-old has made an exceptional impact in Mauricio Pochettino’s misfiring side and the former Manchester City youngster looks a little too big at 13/8 on Betfair (2.63) to score or assist at Wolves on Christmas Eve.

Wolves have managed only two clean sheets across the Premier League campaign thus far and may struggle to keep the Chelsea starlet quiet. Palmer has played a key role in nine of the Blues’ 28 goals – that’s 32% - and currently ranks second in the Premier League for Chelsea goals, assists, shots and chances created despite only appearing for 964 minutes.

Break that record down further and we can see Palmer is providing a key contribution to a goal every 107 minutes, suggesting a price closer to 1/1 (2.00) would be a more accurate representation of his influence since signing for the Londoners.

Alejandro Garnacho Over 0.5 Shots on-Target

Advised Bet: 1pt @ 4/5 Unibet

Manchester United produced one of their better displays last weekend when pinching a point at old rivals Liverpool. The Red Devils had their backs to the wall for the most part yet still created moments of promise on the counter-attack; Alejandro Garnacho was lively once again in transitions and the Argentine international can make an impact again at West Ham on Saturday.

The 21-year-old has landed an attempt on-target in six of his past 10 starts, including three of four recent away Premier League appearances, a sample that includes his Goal of the Season contender at Everton. I’m eager to support Garnacho to land Over 0.5 Shots on-Target again on Saturday at an appealing 4/5 with Unibet (1.79).

Whilst Man Utd have enjoyed a full midweek to rest, recover and prepare for their trip to the capital, West Ham were involved in League Cup quarter-final action on Wednesday evening. The Hammers picked a strong side for their chastening 5-1 thrashing at Liverpool and David Moyes’ men now face a quick turnaround for the early Saturday kick-off.