Sports
Premier League Fans Must Consider Palmer & Merino Bets
All eyes are back on the Premier League after nine English sides were involved in European competition mid-week – and Chelsea and Arsenal are set to lock horns in a blockbuster clash this weekend. Mikel Arteta’s men have stolen a march at the top of the table and Chelsea, largely without Cole Palmer, have managed to find themselves behind them, in second place, on six fewer points.
What’s at stake sets this weekend’s encounter as one to watch as it could see Arsenal extend their lead at the summit, while a Chelsea victory could close the gap between two of London’s biggest sides.
The beauty of such a fixture, especially with both sides in their respective forms, is that nothing is guaranteed, but what are the stand-out odds surrounding the all-London match-up? Below, GIVEMESPORT – courtesy of odds from Oddschecker – have picked out the two bets that every Premier League fan should consider this weekend.
Every Player Who Played for Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League (Ranked)
Players who have moved between the two London clubs have experienced mixed fortunes…
Cole Palmer to Score Against the Table-Toppers – 3/1
Could Palmer – considered one of the best players in the Premier League – return to action in what could be Chelsea’s toughest match thus far? “He’s available for both,” Maresca said in his pre-match press conference when asked if he could start Sunday’s encounter.
“Everyone is happy. The team-mates are happy. We are all happy and the most important thing is that Cole is happy because at the end, a football player, they want to play games and make sessions every day.”
With the Englishman fit and raring to go, he’d offer a different challenge for Arsenal’s typically-resolute back line. Since his arrival in west London, the playmaker has plundered 45 goals in 101 outings and when you combine that with the fact that he’s scored twice in two matches against Arsenal, having Palmer down to score at any time at 3/1 is a brilliant option.
Mikel Merino to Score Against Maresca’s Men – 3/1
Although their full-backs have risen to the challenge this season, there are still questions over Chelsea’s heart of the backline, specifically whether they are too vulnerable when it comes to dealing with intelligent strikers. Albeit not a centre-forward by trade, Mikel Merino is all-but guaranteed to start at the sharp end of the pitch for Arteta and his off-the-shoulder movement could cause a ton of problems.
That’s because Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz both remain unavailable for Arteta. “We have another day tomorrow, so let’s see how everybody has come on,” the Spaniard said. “Clear, not yet, but they are getting closer and closer. So, we are very positive with both of them – and let’s see.”
Since the start of the campaign, Merino has scored three goals in 998 minutes – but his wonderfully-taken brace against Slavia Prague in the Champions League proves that he has an instinctive nature about his play. A strike in the Premier League is long overdue for Arsenal’s makeshift talisman and the odds of him bagging at 3/1 are very good value.
Another Good Value Bet, Plus One to Avoid
Leandro Trossard, having bagged in his latest two Premier League outings, is also on a rich goalscoring run – but there are no guarantees that he starts on the left flank amid competition for places in north London. Gabriel Martinelli scoring mid-week could see the Brazilian regain his place in the side; but the Belgian to score has been given odds of 7/2, which could turn out to be a shrewd selection.
Watch Trossard’s goal against Chelsea from 2023:
For Chelsea, though, there are question marks over whether Liam Delap – son of throw-in merchant, Rory – will start. Joao Pedro is all-but nailed-on, whether that be up front or in the No.10 role, but Palmer’s return to action could thrust his compatriot out of contention. A goal from the former Ipswich Town marksman has odds of 7/1, the second-best of any Blues player, but it’s one better off swerving given the uncertainty over his place in the pecking order.
