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Mixed martial arts Jimmy’s Longshot Punt: A 99.00 Long Shot for Saturday’s Early Kick-Offs
The punt pot is currently at +19pts (0.5pt stake per bet) for James Cantrill from when it began at the beginning of 2023, but it should be bolstered heavily after this weekend’s selections click.
There is a beautiful synergy about this weekend’s picks. Both are away from home and kick off at 12:30, with one in the Premier League and the other in the Championship.
The advised double pays out at 99.00, but if you’re even braver, there is a 754.00 punt available, which might be worth a bit of loose change.
Acca odds: 99.00
Odds via Unibet as at 14:00 26th September 2023. Odds may now differ.
Aston Villa vs Brighton: Beaky Blinders
United Kingdom, Premier League, Saturday, September 30th, 12:30 (UK)
We’ll start in the Premier League, where Aston Villa welcomes Brighton.
Two of the division’s darlings have charmed the pants of neutrals up and down the country with swashbuckling football.
Brighton have paved the way for lesser clubs to rise up the divisions and compete with the very best. It is under Roberto De Zerbi that the South Coast side has gone from a Premier League staple to a genuine top-four candidate, though.
Led by their Italian supremo, the Seagulls frequently shrug off some of the division’s biggest and best sides.
De Zerbi’s tenure started with honours shared even at Anfield, as six goals were split evenly.
Including that fixture, Brighton played 11 fixtures in all competitions against sides that ultimately finished above them in the top flight: Man City, Newcastle, Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool. The Seagulls only lost three.
More noticeable results were 3-0 at home to Liverpool and a 1-1 with Man City. They also scored six across two games at the Emirates, conceding only once.
It has not proved to be a flash in the pan either, as Brighton have already put Newcastle (3-1) and Man Utd (3-1) to the sword this season.
In fact, Brighton have only failed to score at least three goals once this season. They only managed two (I know) in their Europa League debut defeat against AEK Athens.
Anybody who has watched the Seagulls will note they can struggle to break down a low block but relish a clash with a side that wants to take them on toe-to-toe. Saturday’s fixture should see Villa do the latter.
Unai Emery’s side are fast developing a reputation as flat-track bullies.
In fixtures against Everton, Hibernian (2), Burnley, Crystal Palace and Chelsea, the Villans have scored 19 goals.
Against Newcastle and Liverpool, Villa have shipped eight goals. Brighton are certainly of the ilk of those two teams, which is why the Seagulls could hit a cricket score at Villa Park.
- Selection: Brighton Over 3.5 Goals (TRACKED)
- Best Odds: 9.00
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 5/10
Southampton vs Leeds: Oh when the goals, go flying in
United Kingdom, Championship, Saturday, September 30th, 12:30 (UK)
It was not so long ago that Leeds looked to be in a spot of bother.
Daniel Farke’s side had picked up just two points from their opening three league games, and two of their best players were on strike to add to the mass exodus that had taken place over the summer transfer window.
The front four, which started in the draw with West Brom, looked a long way short of that of an attack that was going to fire Leeds to an instant return to the top flight. Fortunately, Farke’s attack looked completely different for the next game, a 4-3 victory at Portman Road.
Luis Sinnisterra has since departed. Leeds started the last game with Crysencio Summerville, Joel Piroe and Daniel James in behind Georginio Rutter. The latter had to be told at full-time by his manager to stop taking the piss out of defenders.
As if that was not enough, Ian Poveda and Jaidon Anthony had cameos from the bench, with Anthony grabbing a goal.
With the new look offensive, Leeds have played five games and scored three or more on three occasions.
No side in the division has conceded more goals than Southampton (19), who are yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
Gillingham put three past them, Leicester and Norwich hit them for four, and Sunderland thumped them 5-0.
Saints supremo Russell Martin would rather die before he stops playing out from the back, and long may it continue, the visitors should have a field day at St Mary’s.
If you want to be greedy, you can combine over 4.5 goals in each game at 754.00 with Coral and Ladbrokes.
- Selection: Leeds Over 3.5 Goals (TRACKED)
- Best Odds: 11.00
- Bookmaker: Unibet
- Stake: 5/10
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