Mark O'Haire's Premier League predictions for this weekend's fixtures featuring a goal for Tottenham's in-form forward.
15:00 Saturday
Diogo Jota Anytime Goalscorer
Advised Bet 1pt @ 5/4 Paddy Power/Betfair
Liverpool are understandably strong favourites to bounce back from last weekend’s damaging defeat at Arsenal by putting lowly Burnley to the sword at Anfield on Saturday. The Reds tend to be rampant in front of their home supporters, averaging an enormous 2.73 goals per-game and striking three times or more in eight of their 11 Anfield league outings.
The chaotic Darwin Nunez is odds-on favourite in the Anytime Goalscorer market but 5/4 (2.25) shot Diogo Jota makes much more appeal. Only Erling Haaland and Richarlison boast a better minutes-per-goal return than the Portuguese forward with Jota striking every 115 minutes this season, netting eight EPL goals (five of which arrived at Anfield).
Jota is averaging 2.75 shots per-90 and should be given ample opportunity against a Burnley defence that’s shipped three goals in all three of their previous trips to the top-six and leaked multiple goals in four of their last five Premier League fixtures across all venues.
15:00 Saturday
Richarlison Anytime Goalscorer
Advised Bet 1pt @ 6/4 Paddy Power/Betfair
The aforementioned Richarlison is the Premier League’s form striker heading into the weekend. Last weekend’s sumptuous double at Everton saw Tottenham’s centre-forward take his league tally to 10 goals this term – nine of which have been scored in only eight EPL outings since the start of December.
Spurs’ striker has gotten on the scoresheet in seven of those eight recent league matches and looks well worth supporting again at 6/4 (2.50) with Betfair/Paddy Power ahead of Saturday’s mouthwatering match-up against Brighton. Richarlison is averaging a goal every 110 minutes in 2023/24 and averages an impressive 0.61 Expected Goals (xG) per-90.
Brighton are allowing 2.09 goals per-game when playing away, conceding twice or more in all three trips to the top-five this term and look unlikely to be capable of keeping Ange Postecoglou’s front-foot side quiet on Saturday afternoon.
16:30 Sunday
Ollie Watkins To Score Or Assist
Advised Bet 1pt @ 10/11 Paddy Power/Betfair
Aston Villa suffered a disheartening FA Cup exit in midweek against Chelsea, the Villains second successive poor performance in front of their home supporters. Unai Emery is confident his side can bounce back this weekend when Manchester United pitch up at Villa Park and I’m expecting an entertaining affair on Sunday afternoon.
With goals potentially on the agenda, I’m eager to support Ollie Watkins in the Score or Assist market at 10/11 (1.91). The Villa ace has enjoyed remarkable success under Emery’s tutorship, being directly involved in 38 goals in 47 Premier League appearances under the Spaniard (24 goals, 14 assists), averaging a goal or assist every 107 minutes.
Watkins has already reached double figures for goals and assists in the Premier League this season, the first player to do so. Incredibly, he’s also the first Villa player to achieve that feat in a single season since Dwight Yorke in 1995/96. Our proposed play has paid-out in 13 of his 23 league starts this season with Watkins averaging a strong 0.61 xG + xA per-90 return.
