Saturday Football Cheat Sheet: Best bets for Premier League and more

• Gunners backed to win to nil
• Tips for Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A
• Sign up for our World Cup newsletter

Manchester City v Brentford: City to make an early mark at The Etihad

Man City 1.162/13 v Brentford 22.021/1, the Draw 10.09/1
12:30
Live on BT Sport 1

Mark O'Haire says: "Manchester City did the double over Brentford last season in the Premier League, but the Citizens weren't able to put the Bees to the sword in either encounter. The defending champions triumphed 2-0 at The Etihad before pinching a 1-0 success in the reverse contest. Meanwhile, City's only defeat in five home fixtures with the Bees came way back on Christmas Day in 1937.

Manchester City 1.162/13 have won each of their last 11 Premier League fixtures at The Etihad - it's the Citizens' longest such spell since a run of 14 in the 2017/18 campaign. Pep Guardiola's group have scored at least twice in each of their past 15 league dates as hosts and have W20-D2-L1 when welcoming bottom-half sides since the start of 2020/21.

Brentford 23.0022/1 have been one of the Premier League's draw specialists this season (W3-D7-L4), though the Bees have produced their best work in the capital. Thomas Frank's team are one of four top-tier sides yet to taste victory on their travels (W0-D4-L3), with only three sides picking up fewer away points. Brentford have W3-D1-L9 at top-half teams since promotion.

Mark's bet: Back Man City -1, Over 1.5 First-Half Goals and Erling Haaland to score @ 2.79

Hoffenheim v Wolfsburg: Goal-like Wolves

Hoffenheim 2.3211/8 v Wolfsburg 3.211/5, the Draw 3.814/5
14:30
Live on Betfair Live Video

Kevin Hatchard says: "It's hard not to respect Niko Kovac's coaching record, even if he rather unfairly became a figure of fun towards the end at Bayern Munich. The Croatian did the league and cup double with the record champions, having previously won the DFB Pokal with Eintracht Frankfurt. He also showed he can fight relegation, as he kept Frankfurt in the Bundesliga in his first campaign in charge. Without Kovac's groundwork with the Eagles, they wouldn't be enjoying the dizzying success that they currently are.

"Although Kovac's time at Wolfsburg started poorly, with no wins from the first five league matches, the club's bosses showed patience, and they were right to do so. Die Wölfe have reached the last 16 of the DFB Pokal, and in the league they have won four and drawn three of their last seven. On Tuesday they overcame Borussia Dortmund 2-0 with an excellent display."

Kevin's bet: Back Wolfsburg to score Over 1.5 Goals @ 2.26/5

Coventry v QPR: Hosts to triumph at the CBS

Coventry 2.466/4 v QPR 3.259/4, the Draw 3.412/5
15:00

Jack Critchley says: "Across their last four matches, Coventry have produced an xG of 8.1 and are completely controlling matches. Although Viktor Gyokores is likely to steal the majority of the headlines, the combination of Ben Sheaf and Gustavo Hamer is providing the perfect blend of poise and aggression in the centre of the park.

"QPR fans are looking forward to the enforced World Cup break with the three-week rest period likely to give Mick Beale's men a chance to regroup and recover from a punishing schedule. The R's have taken just a single point from their last four outings and have scored just one goal during that period."

Jack's bet: Back Coventry @ 2.42

Newcastle v Chelsea: Blues can stop the rot with a draw

Newcastle 2.427/5 v Chelsea 3.259/4, the Draw 3.5551/20
17:30
Live on Sky Sports Premier League

Dave Tindall says: "It's easy to jump into the Magpies given the two sides' contrasting fortunes but talk of Chelsea's demise may be exaggerated. And that means I'm going to play the draw.

"For starters, Newcastle's home form isn't flawless and, to pick one point of reference, they've only managed the same number of home wins this season as Aston Villa.

"True, they're unbeaten at St James' but the Magpies couldn't put away Crystal Palace and Bournemouth while Palace also forced penalties there in midweek after a goalless 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup.

"Perhaps head-to-head form isn't as relevant these days, given that this is a vastly improved iteration of Newcastle. But Chelsea have won three of their last four Premier League games at St James' Park and won seven of the last eight encounters against Newcastle."

Dave's bet: Back the Draw @ 3.6

Napoli v Udinese: Hosts need to send message

Napoli 1.538/15 v Udinese 6.86/1, the Draw 4.94/1
19:45

Chloe Beresford says: "Unbeaten after 14 rounds of the season, Napoli look like genuine title contenders, particularly after dropping just four points so far and currently on a ten-game winning streak.

"Luciano Spalletti's men boast Serie A's best attack after netting 34 goals already, while allowing their opponents to score just 10, making them the third best defence after Juventus and Lazio.

"The same cannot be said of Udinese, who started the season brightly with six wins and a draw in their opening eight games. Yet they have faded badly, winless over the last six matches and have also lost each of their last nine away trips to Naples in all competitions."

Chloe's bet: Napoli and over 2.5 goals @ 1.91

Wolves v Arsenal: Gunners to keep it tight again

Wolves 6.411/2 vs Arsenal 1.584/7, the Draw 4.57/2
19:45
Live on Sky Sports Main Event

Andy Schooler says: "It's now 11 wins from 13 for the Premier League leaders. Their five dropped points have all come away from home but five wins from seven on the road is still highly impressive.

"Those five victories have all come without conceding too with Arsenal having produced a more pragmatic approach on their travels.

"At the Emirates they've been happy to play expansively, confident of outscoring opponents in a head-to-head.

"However, newly-discovered defensive solidity has been a key component of their away form, as they showed when restricting Chelsea to few opportunities at Stamford Bridge last weekend. Given Wolves' struggles, that immediately makes the win to nil appeal."

Andy's bet: Back Arsenal to win 'to nil' @ 2.6

Rennes v Toulouse: Back hosts to win big

Rennes 1.558/15 vs Toulouse 6.25/1, the Draw 4.84/1
20:00
Live on BT Sport 5 and Betfair Live Video

James Eastham says: "Rennes are one of Ligue 1's strongest home sides and Toulouse one of Ligue 1's poorest away sides so the Breton hosts are a good selection this weekend.

"Rennes are W6-D0-L1 at their Roazhon Park home, where they have enjoyed excellent support this season. The hosts will also be keen to make up for their below-par performance last weekend: they scraped a point at Lille (1-1) but can play much better than they did in north-eastern France.

"Promoted Toulouse have adapted well to Ligue 1 and will be happy with the way top-flight life has gone so far. Yet their W1-D1-L4 away record is a reason to oppose them this weekend."

James' bet: Back Rennes -1.0 Asian Handicap at home to Toulouse @ 2.0