IN A BREAK from tradition, there is only one match taking place on St Stephen’s Day this year, which means there’s all the more incentive to make the most of the pre-Christmas weekend’s offerings. 

We’re looking at some of the best bets, paired with some of the best welcome bonuses, available to Irish football fans this weekend. 

Newcastle vs Chelsea (Saturday, 12pm)

Two physically imposing teams go head-to-head at St James’ Park in the early kick-off this weekend. Both teams sealed progression to the semi-finals of the League Cup midweek and will be playing for three points on Saturday, but it would take a brave bettor to go for an outright win for either side here. 

Both teams have scored in eight of Newcastle’s last nine games, and with Newcastle in serious need of a win to get back into the top half of the table, one can see this being an open, combative affair with plenty of chances at both ends.

Best bet: Both teams to score @ 8/15 (Midnite)

Welcome bonus: Bet €20 and get 100 free spins.

Man City vs West Ham (Saturday, 3pm)

Though it might sound like famous last words, if there is one match this weekend with ‘foregone conclusion’ written all over it, it’s this one. City might not be the indomitable force they’ve been for most of the last decade, but they seem to have found another gear in recent weeks and have set their title charge in motion.

Crucially, Erling Haaland is in unstoppable form, while West Ham are shipping an average of two goals per game. Haaland has just two fewer league goals than the entire West Ham squad combined this season, so if you’re looking to make money this weekend, you could do worse than backing the Norwegian phenomenon. Haaland is far and away City’s main source of goals this season, with only Phil Foden having scored more than two for the Cityzens.

Best bet: Erling Haaland to score first @ 7/4 (Boylesports)

Welcome bonus: Bet €10 and get €60 in free bets + 10 casino bonus.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Have Liverpool finally stopped the rot? Having recorded impressive back-to-back wins against Inter Milan and Brighton, it seems that Arne Slot’s side are no longer in freefall. Mo Salah is off to AFCON, meaning there is yet another chance for Hugo Ekitike to position himself as the focal point of Liverpool’s attack. Spurs, on the other hand, continue to look vulnerable, and will remember the 6-3 defeat in this fixture around the same time last year.

Ekitike has seven goals this season, including four in his last two Premier League appearances. With Alexander Isak still looking unfit, Liverpool will be looking to the young Frenchman for firepower again this Saturday.

Best bet: Hugo Ekitike anytime goalscorer @ 27/20 (NetBet)

Welcome bonus: Bet €10 and get €40 free bet.

Aston Villa vs Man United (Sunday, 4.30pm)

United’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth last gameweek simply reaffirmed that the only constant for Ruben Amorim’s side is chaos. Aston Villa, by contrast, have won their last six games in a row — including a massive statement win over Arsenal. 

With United still struggling to put together anything like a consistent run of form and Aston Villa looking lethal, the smart money is only on one team for this Sunday afternoon showdown.

Best bet: Aston Villa to win outright @ 2.14/1 (Tonybet)

Welcome bonus: 100% matched first deposit up to €100.

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