Friday Night Football and Premier League Preview: Jones Knows’ Expert Insights

The Premier League is heating up, and our betting expert, Jones Knows, is here to break down the key fixtures, predict potential title race shifts, and provide shrewd betting tips. Let’s dive into the action-packed schedule ahead.

Friday Night Football: A Title Race Twist?

The weekend kicks off with a massive clash as Leicester host Arsenal on Saturday at 12:30pm. The big talking point is Arsenal’s season-ending injury to Kai Havertz, a blow that has sparked concern among fans. However, the stats tell a different story. Without Havertz, Arsenal have lost just once in 17 games across all competitions, boasting an impressive 77% win ratio. With him on the field, that figure drops to 62%. This suggests Arsenal’s results may not suffer as drastically as feared.

Jones Knows recommends backing Arsenal to win to nil at 11/10 with Sky Bet, especially given their strong defensive stability. A clean sheet victory could heap pressure on Liverpool, who face a tough test against Wolves on Sunday. SCORE PREDICTION: 0-1.

Mid-Table Battles: Opportunities for Value

Saturday’s 3pm kickoffs offer plenty of intrigue. Aston Villa host Ipswich, and Jones Knows highlights a compelling trend: Villa’s strong record when well-rested. With six or more days’ rest, they’ve won 12 of 16 games under Unai Emery, drawing three and losing just once. Ipswich’s defensive struggles make this a comfortable outing for Villa.

For added value, consider backing Morgan Rogers to score in a Villa win at 5/2 with Sky Bet. The attacker has been in sensational form, bagging eight goals in his last eight games. SCORE PREDICTION: 3-1.

Meanwhile, Fulham vs Nottingham Forest is a tough one to call, with both sides evenly matched. Jones Knows suggests looking to the shots-on-target market, where Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga is a standout bet. He’s recorded a shot on target in seven of his last eight starts. Back Elanga for +1 shot on target at 11/10 with Sky Bet. SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1.

Manchester City vs Newcastle: A Test of Strategy

Newcastle’s resilience against top-tier teams continues to impress. Eddie Howe’s side has lost just one of 13 games against European qualifiers and high-flyers, scoring two or more goals in nine of those matches. Their ability to thrive as underdogs, combined with the pace of Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, and Jacob Murphy, makes them a dangerous counterattacking threat.

Isak’s record against elite teams is particularly noteworthy—he’s scored in 10 of 12 games. Jones Knows rates Newcastle to win with Isak on the scoresheet at 9/2 with Sky Bet as a cracking bet. SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2.

Relegation Battles and Defensive Struggles

At the other end of the table, Southampton vs Bournemouth promises a scrappy affair. Under Ivan Juric, Southampton have embraced a more combative style, disrupting opponents’ rhythm with high foul counts. Jan Bednarek’s consistent fouling makes him a strong candidate to commit two or more fouls at 5/4 with Sky Bet.

Meanwhile, West Ham vs Brentford sees Graham Potter aiming to extend his dominance over Thomas Frank. Potter has won five of their six previous meetings, and West Ham’s recent performances suggest they’re due a win. Back West Ham to triumph at 11/8 with Sky Bet. SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1.

Crystal Palace vs Everton: A Historic Opportunity

Crystal Palace have a chance to make history by securing their best points total after 25 Premier League games. However, their dreadful record against Everton—just one win in 20 meetings since 2015—could haunt them. Oliver Glasner’s side needs to capitalize on Everton’s injury crisis, with five key attackers sidelined.

Jones Knows favors Palace to win with under 4.5 goals at 11/10 with Sky Bet, given Everton’s attacking limitations. SCORE PREDICTION: 2-0.

Liverpool vs Wolves: A Potential Slip-Up for the Reds?

Sunday’s standout fixture is Liverpool vs Wolves, with the Reds’ recent struggles in attack raising eyebrows. Over two games, they’ve managed just 1.05 total expected goals, their lowest under Arne Slot. Wolves, meanwhile, have tightened defensively under Vitor Pereira, conceding just 1.5 goals per game compared to 2.5 under Gary O’Neil.

This defensive improvement makes Wolves to avoid defeat on the double chance at 4/1 with Sky Bet an attractive bet. SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1.

Jones Knows’ Best Bets and Key Takeaways

Jones Knows has outlined his top bets for the weekend, including:

• Alexander Isak to score and Newcastle to win at 9/2 with Sky Bet.
• Morgan Rogers to score and Aston Villa to win at 5/2 with Sky Bet.
• A treble on Isak, Rogers, and Anthony Elanga +1 shot on target at 12/1 with Sky Bet.

As always, Jones Knows’ Profit & Loss record for the season makes for encouraging reading, with a small profit overall. Stay tuned for more expert insights as the Premier League drama unfolds!