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

Premier League tips and predictions

12:30 - Liverpool v Nottm Forest: Isak and Wirtz to land 4/1 Bet Builder

Dave Tindall: After paying out a fortune for Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, Liverpool have every right to expect more. The pair underwhelmed in the draw at Newcastle but I don't think Liverpool have worked out their away formula and formation yet.

It could be a different story at Anfield where, in pre-season, Isak and Wirtz looked far more connected in the 2-0 win over Como.

With more of the ball and the spaces tighter they played more like a classic No.9 and No.10 and Reds fans will hope to see a repeat of that against Forest.

Both scored - as they did against Glasner's Palace at Anfield last season - and, for this one, I'm going to back the pair to have an impact via an Isak goal and a Wirtz assist. It pays 4/1.

15:00 - Bournemouth v Everton: Back an entertaining game

Jack Critchley: Despite falling to a 91st-minute defeat at the Etihad, Bournemouth's performance was fairly unremarkable, and we didn't learn much from their 2-1 loss. The Cherries mustered just five efforts, although four of them landed on target. Marco Rose is famed for his high-energy, front-foot style of football and although it is going to take a few weeks to fully materialise, they should cause plenty of problems for Everton's defence.

Everton waltzed past PNE in the League Cup in midweek, with David Moyes naming a fairly strong XI. Iliman N'Diaye, who has been linked with Manchester City, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Harrison Armstrong all featured, and this is a reasonably quick turnaround for the Merseysiders.

The visitors still require another striker, but the form of Thierno Barry should help to fill that void for the time being. Everton should be able to land a blow, although keeping a clean sheet is likely to be beyond them.

15:00 - Coventry v Hull: Back Tigers to avoid defeat

The Opta Stat: Both matches between Coventry and Hull in the Championship ended 0-0 last season. The Sky Blues have won just one of their last nine against the Tigers.

17:30 - Tottenham v Newcastle: Back a stalemate at Spurs & 13/2 Bet Builder double

Paul Higham: Roberto Di Zerbi will put it all together at some point but there'll be teething problems as he tries to fit all his shiny new signings into a one coherent structure. That's something Brentford had and Newcastle seemed to have in Jaissle's debut.

The Magpies are 2/1 away underdogs but will look at that Brentford blueprint to try and exploit Spurs' structural shotcoming. Newcastle were compact and hardworking against Liverpool, with cutting edge from the speedy Anthony Elanga and excellent Yoane Wissa.

Newcastle turned 39% possession into 1.57 xG and looked dangerous on every break, while Spurs struggled with creativity and cutting edge with just 0.57 xG from their 59% of the ball at Brentford - that could be a dangerous combination for the hosts. And after last week it's already a big game even this early in the season, so the draw at 13/5 is very much in play.

Read Alan Shearer's predictions for every Premier League game this weekend

EFL tips and predictions

12:30 Championship - Middlesbrough v West Brom: Back goals at the Riverside

Stephen Tudor: A terrestrial TV treat awaits in the North-East with both of Boro's games so far producing 2.5+ goals, and the Baggies likewise.
Last season, Boro shaded it 2-1 at home and then four months later emerged victorious from a five-goal thriller at the Hawthorns.

In short, there should be goals, especially with Kim Hellberg's side racking up a league-high 45 shots already and the Baggie's summer signing Jimmy-Jay Morgan taking to Championship life like a duck to water.

The 20-year-old Chelsea academy star has registered five goal involvements in three starts and is a name worth remembering.

15:00 Championship - Bristol City v Portsmouth: Sloppy defences mean goals

Jack Critchley: It's impossible to judge Bristol City on their previous home performance when they went down to ten men and were easily defeated by a highly competent Millwall outfit. Last weekend, they were far more attack-minded and showed greater intent going forward, although they required a wonder goal from summer signing Dom Ballard to take a point off Birmingham.

Nevertheless, they were the better side in that contest, and Michael Skubala can take plenty of confidence from that much-improved display.

Portsmouth picked up their first victory of the season and have already displayed some moments of individual brilliance. They still look defensively vulnerable, and always look liable to concede, yet they aren't afraid to pour forward and have match-winners in their XI.

15:00 L1 - Leyon Orient v Barnsley: Back hosts at 90 mins

Alan Dudman: My take is that Orient look a better side already this season compared to the rather combustible campaign previously, and a calmer Richie Wellens suits me more than a fiery one.

Indeed, Wellens talked of progression during last weekend's 0-2 success at Wigan, and cutting out individual errors as the Achilles' heel for most teams at this level.

However, they carry a decent goal threat and have scored in both league matches so far, an area where Barnsley look short.

The Tykes created little last week in a 0-0 at Doncaster and a low xG, and though they created more shots on target in their opening 0-1 loss to Bromley, Orient carry the cutting edge for this game, especially at home.

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