Our leading tipster, Lewis Jones—known online as Jones Knows—was in scorching form last weekend. The big question now is whether he can replicate that brilliance in the coming fixtures.
Chelsea may well possess the most potent attack in the Premier League at the moment. Their 3-2 victory over Fulham on Monday night sparked a flurry of commentary praising their offensive firepower. The performance was marked by relentless pressure, vertical movement, and a touch of controlled chaos. Manager Xabi Alonso deployed Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers in advanced roles behind the front‑man João Pedro.
The trio were directly involved in all three of Chelsea’s goals, and Alonso later hailed them as the cornerstone of the playing style he is trying to cement. Their energy was palpable.
Nevertheless, the Blues also leaked two goals, largely because goalkeeper Robert Sánchez committed a costly mistake. Fulham capitalised on the moments when Chelsea’s high‑pressing shape left gaps in the back line. The defensive frailties exposed in those phases can be traced back to a lack of authority from the keeper, who struggled to organise the defence under pressure.
Can Chelsea evolve into a side that consistently delivers such high‑scoring, open‑play spectacles? I am confident the answer is yes. If they can tighten up at the back while retaining their attacking verve, there will be genuine value in backing their matches to exceed the goal line before the betting markets fully adjust. Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score should become staple selections on Chelsea’s upcoming games, with odds currently around 4/5 at Sky Bet.
In other news, Brentford unleashed a barrage of 26 attempts last weekend, generating an expected‑goals (xG) tally of 3.87—the highest of the opening round. Despite this, the Bees have struggled to replicate that potency away from home, averaging just 1.15 goals per match under manager Keith Andrews.
Their previous encounter with the same opponent ended in a dull 0‑0 stalemate, with a combined xG of only 0.98, offering little excitement for spectators. The nature of that fixture suggests a repeat scenario may be on the cards: both managers could adopt a cautious approach, prioritising the avoidance of defeat over reckless attacking.
Accordingly, a draw with under 2.5 goals is priced at 100/30 by Sky Bet, a price that warrants serious consideration. While many pundits have been quick to laud Cole Palmer after Fulham’s 3‑2 loss to Chelsea, another young talent deserves attention—Josh King. The Fulham teenager opened the scoring at Craven Cottage and finished with three shots, two on target, constantly threatening a side that looked dangerous on the break. King’s influence went beyond a single moment; he was the fulcrum of Fulham’s attack, showing a willingness to carry the ball, take responsibility, and unleash shots.
The market still treats him as a developing prospect rather than a primary offensive outlet, making the 9/2 price for him to score with Sky Bet an intriguing proposition in what promises to be a tightly contested match. Turning to Manchester United, the Red Devils managed to win just 42 % of their duels in a 2‑0 defeat to Hull— the lowest duel‑win percentage recorded by any Premier League side on the opening weekend.
This lack of physical dominance raises concerns in a competition where basic battles often dictate outcomes. Since Michael Carrick assumed the managerial reins, United have conceded 20 league goals in 18 games, ten of which have come from set‑piece situations. That represents an alarming proportion; only Bournemouth and Leeds have allowed a higher share of goals from dead‑ball scenarios during the same period. Hull’s victory at Old Trafford perfectly illustrated how to exploit this weakness, as both of their goals originated from set‑piece play.
Given this trend, why should we anticipate a different story when United face Ipswich? Dara O’Shea, Ipswich’s first‑contact defender on set pieces, has averaged 0.95 shots per 90 minutes over the past year—a remarkable figure for a defender and a clear indicator of how aggressively the club targets him in dead‑ball situations. He is currently priced at Evens for at least one shot and 18/1 to find the net with Sky Bet, offering a potential value bet.
On the opposite side of the pitch, Arsenal’s new signing Christos Tzolis has made an immediate impact. The former Club Brugge winger delivered a fearless debut against Coventry, constantly pressing his marker, driving into dangerous zones, and taking shots. He recorded four attempts and eight touches inside the opposition box—more than any Arsenal player in that match.
With odds of 15/8 to score for Arsenal in a game they are expected to win, Tzolis is a player worth watching. Additionally, Manchester United’s left‑back Matty Cash is listed at 11/4 to receive a booking with Sky Bet. This is a compelling wager because Cash is likely to be tasked with containing Tzolis, a player who amassed a card every 206 minutes during his time in Belgium—a strikingly high rate. Cash himself was shown a red card twelve times last season, suggesting a propensity for disciplinary trouble.
In summary, the data points to set‑piece vulnerability as a recurring theme for Manchester United, while Chelsea’s offensive dynamism and Brentford’s high xG figures provide fertile ground for goal‑heavy betting opportunities. Meanwhile, emerging talents like Josh King and Christos Tzolis present value bets that the market may undervalue.
As the season unfolds, keeping an eye on dead‑ball situations, duel statistics, and the evolving roles of young attackers will be essential for identifying profitable wagers. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1 million! Enter for free. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1 million!
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