Premier League MD8 Tips: Favourable Matchups Bets This Weekend

Neco Williams Fouls vs Abdul Fatawu

Fatawu wins 2.15 fouls per 90 (30th in the Premier League), Williams commits 1.14 per 90.

Neco Williams Fouls Committed: 2, 0, 1, 0, 4, 0, 1, 1

The 2 fouls and 4 foul games came against players in the top 35 for fouls won in the Premier League this season.

Fatawu also commits 2.39 fouls per 90 and Williams wins 1.71 so this could become an interesting battle.

Best price 5/2 with Ladbrokes - 1pt

Timothy Castagne Fouls vs Brandon Thomas-Asante

Timothy Castagne has committed 2, 3, 2, 0, 2 and 1 fouls in his six league games this season, 10 in all with 2+ in four of the six. He's also been booked twice, against Chelsea and Manchester United, so he doesn't shy away from contact.

Brandon Thomas-Asante is Coventry's main foul-winner by a distance. He's won 2, 1, 2, 0, 4, 2 and 4 fouls this season, 15 in total and the most at the club, with 2+ in five of seven games despite three of those coming off the bench. He won 4 at Forest and another 4 at Tottenham on Monday.

He should line up on the left. On Monday he started on the left of Coventry's 4-2-3-1, which puts him directly against Castagne at right-back. He's started on both flanks and up front this season, so it's worth waiting for the teams.

If he does go right, Castagne is left with Ephron Mason-Clark, who has won 2, 1, 0, 1, 0 and 1, and Jay Dasilva, who hasn't won a foul all season. So the bet only works with Thomas-Asante on the left.

Best price 27/10 with Ladbrokes - 1pt

Jan Paul van Hecke Fouls vs João Pedro

Jan Paul van Hecke has committed 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1 fouls in his seven league games this season. That’s 10 in 630 minutes: at least one foul in every game, and 2+ in three of seven.

He’s predicted in Tottenham’s central defence, against Chelsea’s striker João Pedro. João Pedro has won 1, 4, 6, 1, 2, 0 fouls this season, 14 in 521 minutes and the most at Chelsea. That includes 4 against Brighton and 6 at Arsenal. Last season he won 55, more than anyone else at Chelsea.

Best price 12/5 with 10Bet - 1pt

Adam Smith Fouls vs Matheus Cunha & Noussair Mazraoui

Adam Smith has committed 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 0 and 1 fouls in his seven league games this season, 8 in all with 2+ in two of the seven. He's already been booked three times, against Everton, Newcastle and Brentford.

The number that stands out is from his last trip to Old Trafford. In the 4-4 draw last December he committed 5 fouls in 90 minutes and was booked. When the sides met again at the Vitality in March he came off the bench late, committed 1 and was booked again.

Smith is at right-back, so he's up against United's left, where Matheus Cunha and Noussair Mazraoui operate. Cunha is the danger man. He's won 1, 2, 1, 2, 0, 3 and 0 fouls this season, the second most at United, and won 54 last season, more than anyone else at the club. He was only a late substitute at Leeds last time out, a tactical change rather than an injury, so his start isn't guaranteed.

Best price 9/4 with Ladbrokes - 1pt

Ao Tanaka Fouls vs Granit Xhaka

Ao Tanaka has committed 0, 1, 0, 3, 2, 3 fouls in his six league games this season. That’s 9 in 410 minutes, with 2+ in each of his last three: 3 against Crystal Palace, 2 at Arsenal and 3 against Manchester United on Sunday.

Tanaka meets Granit Xhaka in the middle of the pitch. Xhaka has won 4, 3, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1 fouls this season (13 in 630 minutes), the second most at Sunderland. Last season he won 40, more than anyone else at the club.

Enzo Le Fee and Sadiki (1 and 2 for fouls won) also operate in the midfield.

Best price 15/8 with Ladbrokes - 1pt