THE 2021/22 SEASON is up and running, and with it we are delighted to bring you a brand new weekly series.
Every Friday, football writer John Brewin – who has clocked up countless air miles covering the European game over the past decade – looks ahead to five key fixtures from the Premier League, the Championship and around the continent.
As well as explaining why you need to know about these matches, he’ll also pick out a tip for each one along with the latest William Hill prices.
This week, he previews the meeting of two former colleagues as under-pressure Arsenal travel to Manchester.
Manchester City v Arsenal, Saturday 12.30pm
Oh, Arsenal. Oh no. Not Manchester City, not now. Granted the status of the Premier League’s crisis club after two performances of rank ineptitude, beating West Brom 6-0 in the Carabao Cup has only slightly lifted the pervading sense of doom.
One thing no bookmaker will be taking odds on this weekend is the likelihood of Pep Guardiola garlanding former assistant Mikel Arteta with a praise that borders on the patronising. Since Arteta forged out alone and took the Arsenal job, the apprentice has met his former master six times and lost five of them, the exception being the 2020 FA Cup semi-final. Aside from that one occasion, Arteta has been unable to get much from his inside track on the Pep machine.
Both goals that day at Wembley were scored by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Recovered from Covid, the club captain came on against Chelsea and was almost as invisible as Gabriel Martinelli, who he had replaced, but did score a hat-trick at West Brom, and as a confidence player that’s good news for Arsenal’s hopes of getting something, anything from the Etihad.
What might the route to victory over Manchester City be for Arsenal? There is a blueprint, one used by Chelsea in the Champions League final, Leicester in the Community Shield and Tottenham on the opening weekend. First, the opposition must ride out the dizzying interplay of City forwards that comes in the first few minutes. Once that’s weathered, step forward to take control over a midfield not especially blessed with pace, with Fernandinho on the wane. Next, score a goal. And then, to complete the job, defend like demons as wave after wave of attack comes in and Pep brings on more attacking talent from the bench. See, it’s that easy.
So, are Arsenal capable of pulling off such a heist? It would probably register as one of the shocks of the entire season were they to do so.
John’s bet: Manchester City to win and both teams to score at 19/10
Liverpool v Chelsea, Saturday 5.30pm
A teatime blockbuster and one to test the mettle of the team attempting to regain the title in Liverpool and the second-favourites to win it.
The key battle can only be Virgil van Dijk versus Romelu Lukaku. Van Dijk has been able to ease himself in so far, give or take some rough stuff from Burnley while Lukaku made short work of Arsenal on his second Chelsea debut.
The prodigal son’s record against Liverpool is 17 matches played and five scored, though the last of those came for Everton in 2015. In four matches for Manchester United against Liverpool, he didn’t manage to score but the Lukaku of 2021 is a far more confident, potent striker than those dog days under Jose Mourinho.
John’s bet: Romelu Lukaku to score a header at 6/1.
Real Betis v Real Madrid, Saturday 9pm
As happens on an annual basis, the final round of matches before the transfer window slams shut sees the talk in Madrid of someone who still plays for someone else. There will be more machinations doubtless to come after PSG rejected the bid for Kylian Mbappe.
So far in La Liga, goals have not been been a problem for Madrid, with Vinicius Jr having scored three times in two games, and with also Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema on the scoresheet. But in defence, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane seemed sorely missed in a chaotic 3-3 draw with Levante last week.
Betis, coached by former Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini, may fancy their chances against opposition they have only lost to once in their last five meetings.
John’s bet: Real Betis and Real Madrid to draw at 29/10
Reims v Paris Saint-Germain, Sunday 7.45pm
At last, it’s time for Lionel Messi to make his PSG bow, after a false alarm last week. The entire 21,000 capacity of Reims’ Stade Auguste-Delaune has been sold out, and media requests for accreditation have hit record levels.
It seems likely Mbappe may sit this one out but even that is a sideshow to the great man’s arrival. It is a long time since he made a debut for anyone, but on his Barcelona debut he failed to score – he was just 17 – and on his Argentina bow at 18 was sent off after just two minutes against Hungary. Against opposition without a win this season, neither outcome seems likely.
John’s bet: Messi to score first or last goal at 11/10
Wolfsburg v RB Leipzig, Sunday 4.30pm
With Bayern Munich looking a tad vulnerable this season after a summer of overhaul, the question is who might be their Bundesliga challengers. Borussia Dortmund’s phalanx of young stars exhibited their shortcomings in losing last week to Freiburg, while RB Leipzig opened with a loss to Mainz.
That leaves Wolfsburg, top after two matches, including last week’s late-arriving win at Hertha Berlin. Leipzig are the opponents this week, and have a potential star on their hands in Dominik Szoboszlai, whose Bundesliga debut was delayed by the injury that denied him to Hungary at the Euros. He waited 224 days to take Stuttgart apart last week, scoring twice. Can he continue making up for lost time?
John’s bet: Leipzig to win and Dominik Szoboszlai score anytime at 10/3.
William Hill odds above correct at the time of writing. New online customers get €30 in free bets when they bet €10 with William Hill. Just use the promo code H30. For all the latest prices, visit williamhill.com. 18+, always gamble responsibly. For more information, see gamblingtherapy.org
