Amorim revolution leaning heavy on young wing-back
PREMIER LEAGUE
Manchester United v Nottingham Forest – Amad Diallo to score or assist, 33/20 (Unibet)
RUBEN Amorim’s short tenure at the Manchester United helm has been a qualified success thus far, although the 2-0 defeat to Arsenal’s set-piece machine in midweek shows just how far they have to travel to compete with the top sides.
One player who has quickly grasped what Amorim wants is Amad Diallo, who tortured Everton last weekend, playing a key role on two goals, and the Ivorian should have a key part to play from right wing-back against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
United look like they will score more goals under Amorim and Diallo is earmarked as one of the chief creators. Back him to set one up, or even score himself, at 33/20.
London rivals can put on a second half show
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea – both teams to score in the second half, 5/4 (William Hill)
IT is probably wise to never predict the result of a game involving Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, who have hit the wall since beating Manchester City 4-0.
That said, you can almost always expect entertainment, while Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea are the top scorers in the Premier League.
And both sides have made a habit of finding the net after the interval, with 11 of Tottenham’s last 14 Premier League goals coming in the second half and Chelsea scoring six goals after the 70-minute mark in their last five league outings.
Therefore, both teams to score in the second half really does look a cracking bet in this London derby on Sunday.
Buzzing Bees to make another fast start
Brentford v Newcastle United – both teams to score in the first half, 11/4 (Bet365)
BRENTFORD did us a 9/2 favour last week by beating Leicester with both teams scoring before half-time, and while Newcastle will provide a sterner test, it could pay to follow the trend again.
It’s now four home games on the bounce for the Bees that both teams have scored before the break, with 16 goals squeezed into the first periods, and with the Toon finding their shooting boots in midweek, there could be more thrills and spills on Saturday, especially in the first 45 minutes.
Kilcoo can tough it out to rule Ulster
ULSTER CLUB SHC FINAL
Kilcoo v Errigal Ciaran – Kilcoo to win by 1-3 points, 9/4 (Paddy Power)
STORM Darragh has been wreaking havoc across Ulster, and when things die down a bit on Sunday, Errigal Ciaran will be hoping their own Darragh – Canavan – can brew up a storm and cause a bit of an upset in the provincial final.
The Ballygawley men certainly have the talent to prevail at 2/1, and have found a welcome habit of winning ugly too in their run to the decider, but Kilcoo are another step up again.
The Down champions, All-Ireland winners as recently as 2022, are the ultimate team, and may just cope with the forecast winds and heavy ground that bit better than their opponents, with their handpassing game taking the elements out of it a bit.
There won’t be much in it, but a Kilcoo victory by 1-3 points looks the play in what could be a low-scoring encounter.
Gordon Elliott to come up Trumps at Navan
HORSERACING
My Trump Card (1.42, Navan, Saturday)
IRISH National winner Intense Raffles returns to action over hurdles at Navan on Saturday, with Bryony Frost coming over to take the ride in the three-mile-one Bective Stud handicap.
It may be worth taking him on in his seasonal debut with his big aim, the Grand National, a long way down the road.
The Gordon Elliott-trained My Trump Card, gets the vote.
The Shantou gelding was last seen winning his maiden hurdle at this venue in January and he has long been well thought of.
Carl Millar takes a useful 5lb off his back and he may be able to land a nice prize before kicking on over the larger obstacles.
