Football
Derek Bilton, ESPN.co.uk betting writer 4y

Will Tammy Abraham open the scoring for Chelsea vs. Man United?

We took down an 8/1 winner in midweek as West Brom beat Reading 2-1 in the Championship to ensure another profitable night for the column. There are some big games coming up in the Premier League over the next few days including Chelsea's crunch clash with Manchester United.

Running total: -£47.92

The Banker

There is a big game towards the top of the table on Monday night with Chelsea six points ahead of Manchester United as the battle for Champions League qualification hots up. The Blues are odds on for the win but don't have a great recent record against the Red Devils, who have picked up two wins and a draw from their last three visits to Stamford Bridge. And after thumping Chelsea 4-0 at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the season, Ole's men are hunting their first league double over Chelsea since the 1987-88 campaign.

Frank Lampard's young side have struggled defensively in recent weeks, managing just one clean sheet in their last seven league games. In Tammy Abraham, though, Chelsea have a highly effective striker, with eight of the 13 Premier League goals he has scored this season having given Chelsea the lead in games. Indeed if you are thinking about a punt on a first goal scorer, no other player's goals has put their side ahead more often than Abraham this term in England's top flight.

However for all of United's woes this season they've often raised their game against the big clubs and 13/5 about a draw here looks good value when you factor in that Chelsea have drawn three of their last five in the league and a share of the spoils would not be a complete disaster for either side at this stage of the season.

Selection: £5 on the draw at 13/5 with bet365.

The First Goal Flutter

Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in 20 league goals for Liverpool this season and while he's not the most original choice to score first against Norwich at Carrow Road, he is the most logical at 11/4. Electric pace and a fantastic dribbler, Salah looks all wrong for the Canaries who remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Selection: £4 on Salah to score first at 11/4 with bet365.

The Tasty Treble

Wolverhampton Wanderers host Leicester City on Friday night and the home side can jump from ninth to sixth place with a win at Molineux. Leicester have been erratic recently, taking just four points from their last four league games. If Adama Traore is in the mood, the powerful winger can help Wolves to a big win here and they look a bet at 6/4.

Elsewhere Tottenham (5/6) can be trusted to see off an Aston Villa side who have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last nine games. Villa are far too reliant on Jack Grealish and could be found out against the north Londoners. It doesn't hurt either that Spurs are unbeaten in their last 22 Premier League away matches against promoted sides.

Finally add in Arsenal at 2/5 to beat Newcastle. The Magpies have been tough to beat in 2020 but their squad still looks a little short on quality and the Gunners can complete the double over Steve Bruce's men after beating them 1-0 on the opening weekend of the season. The treble is paying almost 11/2 with bet365 and should give punters a run for their money.

Selection: £4 on the treble at 5.41/1 with bet365.

The Euro Wager

It's third against first in Serie A on Sunday as Lazio host Inter Milan. Both teams are in rare form and scoring goals for fun. In Ciro Immobile, Lazio have a striker who has plundered a remarkable 25 goals already this season. They know a win would take them above the Nerazzurri but Inter will be full of confidence after coming from 2-0 down last time out to stun AC Milan, eventually winning 4-2 in the Derby della Madonnina. Having won their last three before Wednesday's Coppa Italia clash with Napoli, Antonio Conte's men look a tasty price at 2/1 to make a statement in the Italian capital.

Selection: £3 on Inter to win at 2/1 with bet365.

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