Premier League Predictions: Mark O'Haire Weekend Football Tips

Ben Brereton-Diaz Over 0.5 Shots On Target

Advised Bet: 1pt @ 2.12 Unibet

Sheffield United’s 3-1 success at fellow basement battlers Luton last weekend has reignited the Blades feint survival hopes. Chris Wilder’s rock-bottom troops sit seven points from safety ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Brighton at Bramall Lane as the hosts chase back-to-back victories for the very first time this term.

The Blades have certainly offered more in forward areas since January following the smart addition of on-loan forward Ben Brereton-Diaz from Villarreal. The Chilean international has scored in two of his three Premier League starts for Sheffield United, firing in four shots on-target across his 177 minutes of EPL action, and looks undervalued for a repeat.

Brereton-Diaz can be backed at 2.12 with Unibet to land 1+ Shot on-Target against Brighton with the wager already landing in each of his three starts since returning to English football. Considering their perilous position, Wilder will undoubtedly be employing a front-foot approach and Brighton’s own aggressive style should see plenty of goalmouth opportunity.

Ben Johnson 1+ Shot

Advised Bet: 1pt @ 17/10 Betway

Ordinarily a full-back, versatile Ben Johnson has lined up on the wing for West Ham in their last two outings, racking up three shots against Man Utd, as well as a single effort against Arsenal last weekend. Should the Irons again start with the 24-year-old in a more advanced position at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Johnson is overpriced in the shot market.

Ben Johnson can be backed at a bulbous 17/10 on Betway to simply attempt 1+ shot at the City Ground, a play that will hold big value should David Moyes continue to push the homegrown Hammer further forward. 

Declan Rice To Assist A Goal

Advised Bet: 1pt @ 13/2 William Hill

As highlighted in my Long Shot column, Arsenal have made a change to their set-piece approach since their warm weather training camp in Dubai last month. The Gunners have promoted Declan Rice as their primary dead-ball taker, and the results have been immediate with the England ace assisting three goals in four Premier League games.

Mikel Arteta’s men are league leaders for set-piece proficiency this season, striking 16 times from dead-ball situations, and should have plenty of joy from similar positions when they travel to lowly Burnley on Saturday. The Clarets have conceded 12 times from set-pieces, giving up a divisional-high 0.44 Expected Goals (xG) per-game from dead-ball situations.

With that in-mind, I’m more than happy to chance Declan Rice To Assist A Goal at a chunky 13/2 with William Hill. The odds imply just a 13% chance of success, suggesting the market has clearly overlooked the aforementioned change in the Gunners approach.