LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea controls the ball during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Aston Villa FC at Stamford Bridge on December 01, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Nicolas Jackson is making great strides with Chelsea
Trust maximum-action Nicolas Jackson to put his dabs all over today’s London derby.
In a crowded field of Chelsea attacking talent he’s leading the way ahead of the trip to Tottenham (4.30pm).
Chelsea’s rebirth as a serious Prem force has spoiled the “billion pound bottle jobs” fun a bit, but the compensation for punters has been lumpy.
The Blues score fistfuls of goals, and Spurs clean sheets are an occasional treat, so the angles look straightforward.
If this one finishes 0-0, I’ll buy a hat and eat it.
Back Jackson to put another feather in his cap this afternoon – 9/5 (Unibet) ‘anytime scorer’ is a must-have when he’s an Evens shout for that on his raw numbers.
Jackson ‘OVER 0.5 assists’ at 6/1 (Bet365) is too big as well on what we’ve seen so far this season.
The last time today’s whistler Anthony Taylor reffed a Blues game he booked everyone and the groundsman’s cat.
Yes, he can blow hot and cold – Taylor, not the cat – but Noni Madueke is a value shout at 13/2 (Skybet) ‘to be shown a card’, assuming he starts.
You would back the bookies to have learned how to defend against Arsenal corners even if no one else has – but the prices at Fulham (2pm) say otherwise.
The Gunners were Stoke-ing it up again in midweek, notching twice from corners with what we might fairly record as 1.9 headed goals. That’s a hefty 10.9 headed goals already this season.
Take Thomas Partey at 80/1 and Gabriel – if he starts – at 14/1 (both Bet365) ‘scores a header’, plus ‘OVER 0.5 assists’ for main corner kickers 11/4 Bukayo Saka and 13/2 Declan Rice (both Hills).
Bournemouth can be our pot of gold at the end of the rainbow armband at Sam Morsy’s Ipswich.
The hosts (2pm) are top-six for conceding Prem pens – punt the 10/3 (Unibet) for spot king Justin Kluivert ‘anytime scorer’ and 11/2 (Bet365) ‘Bournemouth score pen’.
Brighton dazzler Joao Pedro is fair at 11/10 (Unibet) ‘score or assist’ for the trip to Leicester (2pm).
Over in Spain, take UNDER 2.5 goals at 11/10 (Unibet) when goal-shy Sevilla visit Atletico Madrid (8pm), who have Champions League looming
Last week: Winners at 10/11, 7/4 and 15/2