Saturday Football Cheat Sheet: Premier League and much more

• Liverpool backed to win at Brentford

• De Bruyne key in Man City v Chelsea Bet Builder

• 3 bets for Championship starting Friday night

• Bets for Bundesliga, La Liga and more of Europe's best

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*Matches are played on Saturday unless otherwise stated.

Premier League Tips and Predictions

12:30 - Brentford v Liverpool: Reds to relish capital clash

Mark O'Haire: "Nine defeats in 11 plunged Brentford into relegation trouble, though last Saturday's success at Wolves has given the Bees much-needed breathing space in their battle to retain their top-flight status. Thomas Frank's team have underachieved against their reasonable underlying metrics, though their record versus top-seven teams is a concerning W0-D1-L7.

"Liverpool haven't always convinced on their travels, but with Alisson, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley due back, as well as enjoying a welcome midweek off, the Reds will be eager to extend their excellent record against sides outside of the top-four (W16-D4-L0). That includes an impressive W6-D3-L0 when visiting sides in fifth and below.

"Interestingly, none of Liverpool's road trips have featured five goals or more this season, whilst 10 of Brentford's 12 overall league losses have also arrived alongside a maximum of four strikes. With that in-mind, I'm happy to support Liverpool to win and Under 4.5 Goals at 1/1 with the Merseysiders difficult to dismiss when facing bottom-half opposition."

15:00 - Newcastle v Bournemouth: Back goals at 3/1

Mike Norman: "Newcastle United have shipped 10 goals in their last three home Premier League games, conceding at least three times in each game. Newcastle have scored 51 Premier League goals in 24 matches this season - the earliest into a top-flight season they've hit 50+ goals since 1960-61."

15:00 - Burnley v Arsenal: Norwegian shots bet to come good

Stephen Tudor: "The Gunners have faced the second-lowest volume of shots per 90 this term while Burnley have committed to the second-lowest number of shots. For all that the Clarets have improved in the final third since the new year - with the joint-best return over a five-game sequence that they've managed all season - chances will likely be at a premium for Vincent Kompany's men.

"At the other end, the very opposite may apply, with Arsenal back on the goal trail after enduring a torrid December. Sixteen goals in four is testament to that and Martin Odegaard has especially stood out, putting in a masterclass in their demolition of West Ham last weekend.

"Seven chances created, 107 passes completed, and two assists are numbers that speak of a player in pristine form. The Norwegian schemer has taken on at least one shot from outside the box in each of his last six league appearances."

17:30 - Man City v Chelsea : Back KDB in 7/2 Bet Builder

Tom Victor: "They've netted in each of their last 44 home league games - the longest such run in England's top flight, last drawing a blank against Crystal Palace in October 2021.

"Chelsea have improved throughout the season when it comes to scoring goals, and have drawn a blank just once since failing to put away any of their 17 shots against Brentford in October. Against City, though, one goal might not be enough.

"De Bruyne looks to be the danger man right now, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the midfielder put his old club to the sword. We have our eye on a Bet Builder: Man City to lead at half-time, with Kevin De Bruyne 1+ shot on target and Kevin De Bruyne anytime assist, can be backed at 7/2."

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EFL Tips and Predictions

Friday 20:00 Championship - West Brom v Southampton: Baggies appeal as Asian Handicap underdogs

Mark O'Haire: "Only the top two in the Championship - Leicester and Leeds - can better West Brom's home points return. Albion have posted W11-D3-L2 at The Hawthorns with the Baggies boasting the second-best defensive record as hosts, recording nine clean sheets in those 16 matches at their Black Country base. WBA are W4-D0-L1 when welcoming top-half teams.

"Southampton suffered their first league defeat since September in midweek and Saints have now managed only a solitary success when travelling to teams inside the top-13 (W1-D4-L3). Include encounters at St Mary's and Russell Martin's men have therefore pocketed only four victories against the same standard of opposition across all venues.

"Such numbers make Southampton unappealing 2.46 favourites at West Brom on Friday night. Instead, we can support West Brom 0 & +0.5 on the Asian Handicap at 1.86, a selection that sees us make money should the Baggies avoid defeat - we'll earn a half-stakes profit should the match end all-square, and a full pay-out if Albion take top honours."

12:30 Championship - Plymouth Argyle v Leeds United: 6/4 way to back Whites

NTT20 Podcast: "Leeds do seem to have sorted their form out on their travels, with three wins to nil on the bounce to follow three defeats. By the time this kicks off we will know if Southampton have bounced back from their midweek defeat when travelling to West Brom on Friday night, but either way this is an opportunity for Leeds to capitalise on that mistake and, dare I say it, even put the pressure on Leicester ahead of their clash on Friday night next week.

"All three games between these sides have followed a similar pattern, with Argyle laying a cleaner glove on Leeds that many manage, but eventual pressure telling. Given Argyle's home form this will likely be no different, so the Leeds win and BTTS at 6/4 looks the best way to side with the away side."

15:00 Championship - Birmingham v Sunderland: Back Brum

Jack Critchley: "Birmingham were deserved winners in midweek with Tony Mowbray guiding his side to a much-needed victory over one of his former clubs. It was just Brum's second victory since mid-December, although they had played pretty well against both Sheffield Wednesday and West Brom...

"Sunderland have had less time to prepare for this clash and Mick Beale will be looking for a response to his side's 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield. The Black Cats have won just once on the road since the end of October and the majority of their away matches are very tight. There is unlikely to be much between these sides, yet the hosts have looked sharper going forward and the visitors' away form isn't convincing enough to make them favourites."

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European Football Tips and Predictions

13:30 La Liga - Atletico Madrid v Las Palmas: Back U2.5

Jamie Kemp: "Las Palmas will be no mere warm-up ahead of Atletico's Champions League duties. The newly-promoted side sit eighth in La Liga heading into the weekend, and only leaders Real Madrid (15) have conceded fewer goals than them (20) so far. In fact, their three first half goals conceded are the fewest of any team in Europe's big five leagues in 2023-24.

"If Atletico are a little undercooked and managing some rotations ahead of next week, Las Palmas certainly won't invite them into the game. The islanders are averaging 59% possession in La Liga - second only to Barcelona (65%) - and use the ball as much to protect their own net as they do to threaten the opposition's. Keeping goals at a premium has been their formula all season."

14:30 Bundesliga - Heidenheim v Leverkusen: Wing-backs key for leaders

Kevin Hatchard: "It was no surprise that the wing-backs once again shone for Leverkusen in their win over Bayern Munich last weekend. Alex Grimaldo scored his eighth league goal of the season, while Frimpong played the role of supersub top score a late empty-net goal after Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer had inexplicably come up for a corner at 2-0 down.

"Frimpong and Grimaldo now have 14 goals and 15 assists between them in the league this term, and they are my focus ahead of this trip to Heidenheim. We can back them at half a point each to score at 11/4 and 10/3 respectively. If either player scores, we make a profit, and if they both score it's a significant payout."

"Newly promoted Heidenheim deserve respect after an unbeaten run of eight games, but they lost the reverse fixture 4-1, and they have conceded 36 goals in 21 league games. I do actually think this might be a tough game for Leverkusen, but don't be surprised if their wing wizards have a say."

20:00 Ligue 1 - Nantes v PSG: Back Andy Robson's 7/5 three-fold

Andy Robson: "Nantes have lost their last four home matches without facing particularly strong opponents in that time. Relegation-threatened Clermont, Ligue 2 side Laval and a Lens side that does not travel well are among the teams to have overcome Jocelyn Gourvennec's men in that period.

"Some recent improvement has come off the back of Mostafa Mohamed's return from AFCON duty with Egypt. But Nantes will be depleted by injuries in their defence for this match and that spells trouble against a PSG side that is laced with dangerous offensive players.

"Les Parisiens, meanwhile, have won nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions as well as seven of their 10 away matches in Ligue 1. On Wednesday, they overcame Real Sociedad 2-0 in the Champions League, and even if the performance was not the most fluid, the individual talent that flows through this side should be sufficient to overcome Nantes.

"PSG have won their last four matches against Nantes, scoring 13 goals in the process, including a 2-1 success in early December. Home boss Gourvennec has lost 13 of his 17 career matches against PSG. The league leaders offer strong value to take the points at Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday."

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