CHELSEA entertain Manchester City in Saturday's standout Premier League showdown. Tom Love (@TomLove_18) shares his betting thoughts.
Chelsea vs Manchester City | Saturday 25th September 2021, 12:30 | BT Sport
These two sides were right up there in the betting for the premier league title at the start of the season but the gap has closed since then and it’s now Chelsea who are a touch shorter than City for top honours. It’s a similar story in the 1X2 market here with Chelsea very slight favourites but the bookies can’t really split the pair for the titanic Stamford Bridge tussle.
Even so early in the season, neither side will want to give anything away and it could be a case of defences being on top. After all Manchester City have kept clean sheets in each of their last 4 league games as well as 50% of matches last season. Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel have been a clean sheet machine in 9 of their last 12 home league games.
With the respect on both sides of the dugout I’m not expecting a lot of gung-ho attacking. Focus will be on shape and not allowing any good chances. Under 2.5 goals looks a nice way in at 5/6 (Mansion) here with both defences so strong. It’s the draw as the biggest price of the three that makes the most appeal at 23/10 (SkyBet) and given the context and the magnitude of the game it looks like a fair runner.
One other bet I have to have an interest on is both teams to score a penalty at 42/1 on the method of goal market in the Bet Victor BetBuilder. My main reason here is the appointment of Michael Oliver. Oliver gave multiple penalties in a massive seven games last season as well as once in the Europa League this season.
I think if you’re backing this in every game that Oliver officiates this term then you’ll be in profit. I’d make it more half that price given his record of pointing to the spot. Even though I think this will be low scoring, this looks like a good value play.
Best Bets
Chelsea vs Manchester City – Under 2.5 Goals (5/6 Mansion Bet)
Chelsea vs Manchester City – Draw (23/10 SkyBet)
Chelsea vs Manchester City – Both Teams To Score A Penalty (42/1 Bet Victor)
