THE excellent Daniel McCulloch (@danmcc84) believes he's spotted a slice of value in the Anytime Goalscorer market for Saturday evening's Premier League contest between Brighton and Manchester City.
Brighton v Manchester City | Saturday 12th August 2017, 17:30 | BT Sport
As a football-obsessed child, I found Brighton rather fascinating. Their continued flirting with the Conference intrigued me (their great escape in 1996-97 lives long in the memory) but it was their rivalry with Crystal Palace that I found particularly captivating.
As someone born and brought up in South London, I could never understand why they had such a fierce rivalry with Palace when there must be 20 clubs nearer (as the crow flies) to where the Eagles play.
Twenty years on and the Premier League dream is now a reality and more than 30,000 fans are expected at The Amex this weekend.
Supporters are no doubt going more in hope than expectation, knowing that their season will not be judged by how they perform against a side as expensively-assembled as Pepe Guardiola’s.
Value hunting
As stated in my Correct Score piece, I think the Citizens will win the game and I struggle to see Brighton scoring from open play. Looking at the Anytime Goalscorer market however, I did find what I believe to be a little bit of value.
The 6/4 Bet365 are offering on Patrick Roberts to score for City tempted me a little (a genuine price!) but Paddy Power’s 14/1 on Brighton defender Shane Duffy to find the net was more appealing.
City have struggled from set-pieces under a succession of managers and whilst there are defenders with better scoring rates than the Irishman, whenever I have watched him for Brighton, Blackburn or Ireland he has often looked like scoring for either his side or the opposition!
There may be a bigger price on the exchange on Saturday afternoon so browse before you stake.
Best Bets
Brighton v Manchester City – Shane Duffy to score at anytime (14/1 Paddy Power)
