Best Weekend Footy Bets: Ste Tudor identifies the early value with tips on Gakpo and Larin and an 11/2 Newcastle Bet Builder

Ipswich v Liverpool Tip - Gakpo to take the headlines

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Friday, 20:00 kick-off
Live on Sky Sports Main Event

There are elements to like about Liverpool's attack at present. The less said about their defence, the better.

The hosts to score over 1.5 goals under the lights at 2/13.00 tempts given that the Reds have conceded two goals apiece in their opening brace of games while Ipswich have converted twice consecutively.

That though, of course, overlooks the bigger picture, one that highlights a disparity in quality, a thumping endured by the hosts at Old Trafford, and a possible debut for Bradley Barcola.

With Alexander Isak showing positive signs up front a frightening combination awaits.

Neither of these players are tipped here, but instead a forward who nearly left this week. Cody Gakpo scored twice when these sides last met and boasts two goal involvements in two.

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Newcastle v Bournemouth Tip - 11/2 Bet Builder

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Saturday, 12:30 kick-off
Live on TNT Sports 1

Results may not have gone their way but Bournemouth have started the season brightly under Marco Rose. They are sure to give a good account of themselves at St James' Park, just like they did last season, triumphing 2-1.

They will encounter a very different Magpies this time out though, the hosts vibrant to date. They're industrious in midfield and ruthlessly breaking on teams, with Wissa and Elanga enjoying themselves.

This could well be the second Saturday lunchtime running we're treated to multiple goals.

It would not surprise either if there is a high volume of cautions because this fixture tends to get spicy.

An average of 5.2 yellow cards per 90 across their last five meetings tells us that and the Cherries take most of the blame picking up 19 of the 26 brandished.

Rose's men have been booked in each half in both of their games so far and that trend could continue here.

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Lincoln v Southampton Tip - Larin tipped

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Saturday, 12:30 kick-off
Live on Sky Sports+

The Imps secured their first home Championship point on Tuesday but face much stiffer opposition here.

The Saints were decent vs Stoke, superb vs Millwall and resilient away to Birmingham. No second-tier team have taken on more shots and only West Ham have completed more accurate passes.

Tonda Eckert's men are going through the gears and climbing the table.

It's an ascent precipitated by Cyle Larin's goals, the Canadian firing four in four. Indeed, since heading to the South Coast he's been in prolific form, converting every 56.5 minutes from mid-March.

Back Larin to score anytime when odds become available

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Wigan v Stockport Tip - Visitors to strike quickly

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Saturday, 12:30 kick-off
Live on Sky Sports+

Pointless and propping up League One, the Latics are better than their league position suggests. Still, they're in for a tough Saturday against a side who have registered 18.3 shots per 90.

County have been rewarded for their ambition too. No team with three games or less on the board have scored more goals across the league pyramid.

Over 2.5 goals for the visitors is good value at 7/24.50

The punishment may be inflicted early as well. Wigan have been breached inside 15 minutes twice already this term. Stockport converted inside 16 minutes against Plymouth and Wycombe.

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Brentford v Sunderland Tip - Bees to buzz from the off

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Saturday, 15:00 kick-off

A narrow loss followed by a narrow win doesn't tell us a great deal about the Mackems aside that a pattern is emerging, one that follows on from last season.

Then, 14 of their first 20 Premier League fixtures produced under 2.5 goals.

A similar outcome at the Gtech offers up 10/111.91 but in truth the visitors will struggle to make it to half-time intact.

Keith Andrews' Bees took on 11 first-half shots in each of their two outings to date. Seven were on target. Three went in. Against Spurs on the opening weekend they racked up four big chances before the break.

This is not a side that stands on ceremony or feels their way into contests.

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Bristol Rovers v Rotherham Tip - Gas to turn on the gas

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Saturday, 15:00 kick-off

Rovers were seemingly doomed last season until Steve Evans took charge, impressively transforming them in a matter of weeks.

They finished 2025/26 winning 11 of their last 14.

Committing to a big squad overhaul in the summer they're now looking to mount a promotion charge, which is all well and good but that's not why they stand out this weekend. It's because the Gas are a gas to back.

A league-high 90 shots highlights their attacking intentions and Evans' side are making them count too, converting every 32 minutes to this juncture.

At the back, meanwhile, even consecutive clean sheets can't dissuade of the notion that their attacking ways has consequences. Their 5-3 thriller against Newport is proof enough of that.

All four of Rotherham's outings so far have seen both teams scoring and backing a goal in each half at 4/71.57 is a decent builder add.

The simpler alternative is to simply plump for goals.

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Everton v Man United Tip - Advantage Reds

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Sunday, 14:00 kick-off
Live on Sky Sports Main Event

Bruno Fernandes boasts six goal involvements in eight on Merseyside and will obviously be in high spirits after his hat-trick at the weekend.

United meanwhile have lost only one of their last eight visits to the Toffees.

Everton for their part are now minus their best source of creativity, Iliman Ndiaye heading to the Etihad, but Jack Grealish comes in to make his second debut for the Blues.

You wouldn't put it past him to make an impact.

Just don't expect it to happen quickly. The last time the Toffees scored inside half an hour at home was way back in January.

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Arsenal v Chelsea Tip - Blues are a team to back

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Sunday, 16:30 kick-off
Live on Sky Sports Main Event

Typically edgy, with a card or three thrown into the mix, the last six encounters between these capital rivals have either been drawn or won by a single goal margin. It's logical therefore to expect this one to be tight.

Chelsea last won at the Emirates in 2021 but victory here is well within reason given how strongly they have started under Xabi Alonso.

Both Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer have been sensationally good in their first two outings, accruing nine shots apiece. Only Bruno Fernandes and Erling Haaland can better that tally.

Can they, however, keep a clean sheet as they adapt to a three-man rearguard? Five goals against suggests not and both teams to score at 3/41.75 is a shout for sure.

A brave option is to go with Chelsea winning 2-1, 3-1 or 4-1 at 10/111.00

Much preferred though is a more conservative approach.

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