SOCCER

Premier League Betting Guide for Matchweek 8

Manchester City travel to Liverpool this weekend in a matchup of the Premier League's top two teams. Who should you bet on?

Matchweek 8 brings us what perhaps will be the most important fixture of the season, as first-place Manchester City matches up with second-place Liverpool. If Liverpool want to be considered a legitimate challenger to Pep Guardiola's side, then they need to get a result in this matchup.

Using Paddy Power as the source for lines, let's take a look at some bets you should zero in on this week.

Please note that lines are subject to change after this article is published, which impacts betting advice. All betting lines were taken from Paddy Power, and you cancheck here to see their most updated numbers.

Burnley vs Huddersfield

Burnley to Win (Evens)

Burnley got off to a slow start this season, but they have come into form over their last two games with victories against Bournemouth and Cardiff City. Burnley now rank 12th in the league standings and 10th in the WhoScored.com team rankings following their mini hot streak.

On the other side, Huddersfield hold a horrendous 0W-2D-5L record, with their two ties coming against 19th-place Cardiff and an Everton team that was missing their star player and leading goal scorer in Richarlison. Huddersfield have a -13 goal difference and rank in a distant last place in WhoScored.com’s team rankings. David Wagner’s side appear to be overmatched so far this season, and Burnley ought to be able to earn a win on their home turf.

Watford vs Bournemouth

Watford to Win (Evens)

Watford have dropped points in their last three matches after winning their first four league games. Despite dropping points, Watford have continued to play well as they had more shots on target than both Fulham (6-3) and Arsenal (5-2) in their last two matches, and they were outshot only 6-5 in their defeat to Manchester United. So again, Watford are still playing well, even if the results have dissipated a tad, and they should be expected to win at home against a lesser Bournemouth team.

Bournemouth currently have an identical record as Watford (4-1-2), but they have greatly benefited from a soft schedule (four home games, five total games against teams in the bottom half of the table). Despite their easier schedule, Bournemouth have a mediocre goal difference (even), and they rank 12th in the WhoScored.com team ratings. Watford has been the superior team so far this season, and as the hosts, they should be expected to win this match.

Liverpool vs Man City

Man City to Win- Draw No Bet (19/20)

So far this season, Liverpool have been able to match Manchester City’s record as they are both tied atop the standings at 6-1-0. However, Manchester City lead by a sizable margin in many other key categories, including goal difference (+18 to +12), shots per game (24.0 to 15.4), shots on target (9.0 to 6.6) and shots conceded per game (6.1 to 8.4).

In fact, Manchester City currently lead the league in all the above categories and also lead the league in passing accuracy, possession per game and dribbles completed per game. City are playing every bit as well as they played in their record breaking campaign from last season, so it is tough to bet against them, even considering how well Liverpool have played this season thus far and how well Liverpool played City a year ago.