Six Value Bets To Take For This Weekend

, upsets tend to happen as some of the biggest football clubs around the world take a bit longer than others to hit their stride. With so much international football also taking place during the off-season, many teams are not at full strength as some of their key players enjoy their much-needed extended holiday. Here, we look at six matches that could spring an upset.

The Lab – Stats Centre

Brentford vs Arsenal (Friday)

To some, Brentford beating Arsenal would come at a very little surprise. After all, it would be the most Arsenal thing to do on the opening day of the season. This Friday the 13th couldn’t get any scarier for Mikel Arteta’s men who face a Brentford side playing top-flight football for the first time in 74 years. The Gunners will also be without Thomas Partey and Gabriel Magalhaes in the spine of the team, while they also haven’t replaced the creativity that Martin Odegaard used to bring.

Alaves vs Real Madrid (Saturday)

With Lionel Messi departing Barcelona, competing in the Spanish La Liga is supposed to be easier. Instead, Real Madrid let go of their two best defenders in the form of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane. They’ll also be relying on players returning from loan who don’t exactly have a future at Real Madrid, like Gareth Bale, Martin Odegaard, Dani Ceballos and Luka Jovic. Alaves beat Real Madrid last season, and if Los Blancos are not up for it on day one, another upset could be on the cards for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

Mainz vs RB Leipzig (Sunday)

It remains to be seen what type of RB Leipzig side we will see this season. The Red Bulls lost arguably two of their best defenders in Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate, who left to join Bayern Munich and Liverpool respectively. Leipzig also lost one of their most prized assets in Julian Nagelsmann, who joined up with Bayern Munich as well. As much of a great coach Jesse Marsch is and will prove to be, his side could take a while before they get used to his tactics, while also keeping in mind that the likes of Dani Olmo and Emil Forsberg could be given fewer minutes, due to their involvements in the Euros with their national teams.

Angers vs Lyon (Sunday)

Whenever the French Ligue 1 is mentioned, it’s hard not to imagine Lionel Messi. It’s a bit unpleasant to preview other matches in France, however, there looks to be some great value on offer in the tie between Angers and Lyon. The hosts were one of the division’s most impressive teams last weekend, claiming a resounding 2-0 victory away from home against Strasbourg, while Lyon drew their first match at home to Brest.

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Kaizer Chiefs (Sunday)

This weekend’s blockbuster MTN8 clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs could be worth keeping an eye on. For years, Sundowns haven’t taken this tournament as serious as they should have, while Kaizer Chiefs will have plenty to prove under Stuart Baxter after the Glamour Boys finished last season in eighth spot. The new signings of Cole Alexander and Phathutshedzo Nange will bring something new to the Amakhosi midfield and will be a massive upgrade on the previous players who held those positions. Njabulo Ngcobo and Brandon Peterson will also be working extra hard to ensure Chiefs are tight at the back.

Value bet: Kaizer Chiefs to win

Tottenham vs Manchester City (Sunday)

Whenever two big clubs meet, the odds should be evenly stacked against each other. However, looking at Manchester City and what they’ve done in the English game suggests that Tottenham beating the champions on the opening day would somewhat be considered as an upset – at least that is what the price betting suggests. Pep Guardiola’s side have been known to be slow starters in the Premier League, while they also have a host of key players missing, notably Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, while new signing Jack Grealish also may be a doubt to play the full 90 minutes.