Shay Says - Episode 2
Welcome to Shay Says, the second weekly football betting blog from LeoVegas’ new Irish ambassador, Shay Given.
This week, the Republic of Ireland and Premier League legend previews a huge match at the top of the table as leaders Arsenal host Manchester United, while there’s an unlikely mid-table clash as Chelsea travel to Anfield.
We’ve also got his thoughts on a crucial match tonight between Manchester City and Tottenham.
Let’s see what Shay Says!
Manchester City v Tottenham
It’s mad how in the Premier League a great club like Manchester City can still have these ‘bogey teams’ and sides against whom they just can’t get the job done.
Even going back to my time at Manchester City, I remember Peter Crouch scoring a late goal against us and them pipping us to a spot in the Champions League.
This will be an interesting fixture because both teams are coming off the back of a defeat.
It’s massive for both clubs; Spurs are going for the Champions League and City are trying to chase down Arsenal at the top of the table, which seems to be getting tougher and tougher as last week’s results have displayed.
I’m going for a Manchester City victory here by two goals to one. I can see Riyad Mahrez netting for City – he’s full of goals and I think we’ll see a spark from him this game.
From a Tottenham point of view, I’m going to go for Dejan Kulusevski for anytime goalscorer. I reckon there’s a good chance he can get on the scoresheet – I like him a lot and he’s just beginning to regain his fitness.
SHAY SAYS: MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 TOTTENHAM
Liverpool v Chelsea
This game certainly doesn’t have the magnitude it did last season. Liverpool and Chelsea are struggling in the league and seem to have their own problems.
You’d say both clubs are challenging for the Champions League places, but the longer the season goes on, the more of a struggle it’s turning out to be for them to make it.
Chelsea managed to sneak a 1-0 win last week, but it was another disaster for Liverpool as they lost 3-0 at Brighton, so there’s clearly lots of issues in both camps.
It’s a difficult one to call, so I’m going to go for a score draw, potentially a 2-2. I definitely think there will be goals.
With Liverpool at home, I can see Mohamed Salah scoring against his former club.
For Chelsea, I’m going to put my neck on the line and say Mason Mount will pop up with a goal.
It’s a tricky one to call, with both clubs trying and struggling to get Champions League at the minute. The pressure is on both managers to get a result.
SHAY SAYS: LIVERPOOL 2-2 CHELSEA
Arsenal v Manchester United
What a massive game this is! Of course, Arsenal are top of the league, but Manchester United are chasing really hard and find themselves in a seriously impressive vein of form.
Six weeks ago, nobody would have given United a prayer to be challenging for the title, so great credit to Erik ten Haag and his squad for the way they’ve turned their season round and got results.
It’s another difficult game to call, but I’m going to go 2-2 again.
I’m backing Bukayo Saka to get on the scoresheet. He was brilliant against Tottenham last week and I like him a lot; he’s a phenomenal player and I could even see him sneaking a couple of goals here.
Then Marcus Rashford as an anytime goalscorer for United. His confidence is sky-high at the minute; he’s a brilliant player and looks back to his best.
I can imagine Arsenal having a lot of the ball at the Emirates and with Rashford’s pace on the counter-attack, United could be very dangerous when they break.
SHAY SAYS: ARSENAL 2-2 MANCHESTER UNITED
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