Thierno Barry’s shot volume offers plus-money value as Everton tests Manchester United’s unsettled defence in Sunday’s early match
Just two remaining games on the English Premier League docket this weekend, both today – Everton versus Manchester United (9 a.m. EST), followed by Arsenal versus Chelsea (11:30 a.m. EST).
Both offer strong betting storylines.
Everton has started strong, at 1-1-0, opening with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace and a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
Manchester United? They opened with a 2-0 loss at Hull, but then responded by defeating Ipswich at home, 5-2.
Chelsea versus Arsenal, in front of 60,000 at Emirates Stadium in London, Arsenal’s home turf, is an early title-race test.
Both teams enter with six points. Defending champion Arsenal has recorded consecutive clean sheets. Chelsea has scored seven, while giving up five, under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Chelsea is dealing with midfield injuries, which might affect where bettors place their money.
Moises Caicedo is listed as doubtful, with an unspecified injury, and Alonso wasn’t sure up to yesterday whether one of his most important midfielders would be available for today.
Caicedo returned in the game against Brighton, played 14 minutes, then left after feeling pain again.
In soccer betting at Betway, Manchester United is the -110 favourite, while Everton is a +260 underdog. A draw is priced at +280.
In the later game, Arsenal is the -150 favourite, with Chelsea the +375 underdog, and the draw priced at +280.
United has 54 shots in their opening two matches, compared to Everton’s 29. Bryan Mbeumo had nine attempts, while Bruno Fernandes had three goals and an assist against Ipswich.
Manchester United has issues, though – defensive depth, since they entered the season with questions at centre-back, and injuries have only made that situation more precarious. Harry Maguire’s age, Leny Yoro’s inexperience and Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez’s fitness issues have raised questions about Man United’s durability there over a full season.
An overreliance on Fernandes to create, unconvincing away form, and an easy opening schedule, including the match against promoted Hull, have clouded accurate evaluation of where they sit.
For Everton, Thierno Barry has replaced Beto as primary striker, with four goals across all competitions this season. He has had five shots in two EPL appearances.
Best bets today include taking Barry on shot total. Betway has 2+ shots at -250, and 3+ shots at +120. Rather than laying -250 for two attempts, I’ll take the plus-money price on him reaching three against a vulnerable Manchester United defence. That’s a reasonable target since Barry is Everton’s central striker.
I’ll take the Arsenal moneyline at -150, assuming Caicedo is unavailable. They’re the more settled team.
I’ll also go Arsenal-Chelsea over 2.5 goals at -138. Chelsea’s first two matches produced 12 combined goals. They’ll get contributions from their attacking talent, but their defensive and midfield vulnerabilities will open the door to Arsenal opportunities.
Both teams to score (yes) at Betway is -138, another lean. Chelsea should create enough to score, seeing as they are more dangerous than Villa or Coventry, even though I’m going with Arsenal to win.
Enjoy the matches today.
