Don’t get sucked into the hype Erly doors.
Manchester City head to West Ham (4.30pm) with the market-makers braced for Viking hordes of punters backing Erling Haaland at any price.
The Norway striker bungled two chances in the Community Shield, which I expect his mum’s told him is actually a lot better than nothing when you think about it, but try arguing that with your bookmaker.
Haaland could go on to become anything – from the greatest Prem goal-grabber ever, to a blond Andy Carroll. Right now he’s just priced too thin.
No need to waste time pondering his learning curve or the exchange rate for Bundesliga goals – 4/7 ‘anytime scorer’ is daft. If you fancy City to boss it, then Kevin De Bruyne is the far better bet. He rated roughly a 9/4 ‘anytime’ poke for them last season. The 5/2 he scores here looks bob-on.
Worldie hunters want Hammers scurrier Jarrod Bowen each-way at 14/1 (Paddy) ‘first scorer’. He got that job done in this fixture last time. It’s a fair price on his data and he’s the sort of between-the-lines handful who can catch City’s defence cold.
Erik Ten Hag has his hands full with Manchester United ’s cast of kings, queens and clod-hopping commoners. Cristiano Ronaldo ’s been giving him the right royal ball-ache for starters, ahead of Brighton ’s visit (2pm), but there are issues all over.
The Seagulls came up with seven big results against the Big Six last season – Leandro Trossard scored in four. Punt him ’anytime’ at 5/1 (Skybet, Paddy).
He’s not been busy signing players, so Brendan Rodgers will surely have had time to finally fix Leicester ’s problem with defending set-pieces? Don’t bet on it, and trying to bed in a new keeper is hardly ideal.
Visitors Brentford (2pm) specialise in tormenting flat-footed dithering from the dead-ball. Get on key Bees ‘anytime scorer’ threat Ivan Toney at 23/10 (Coral) and nibble Pontus Jansson at 16/1 (Skybet).
Over in Spain, take Real deal Karim Benzema at 9/4 (Betway) in what looks like a coin-flip with Robert Lewandowski for La Liga’s Golden Boot.
