Arsenal strikers could hit Liverpool where it hurts

What's your best bet of the weekend?
I don’t think Newcastle are far away from getting it right and a first win of the season at home to Watford would be a massive step. The Magpies played five of the big six in their opening ten matches and they aren’t shipping goals. Rafa Benitez knows they need to be positive against a side like Watford, who will give them chances.

Which favourites are most vulnerable?
Chelsea are too short against Crystal Palace, a side who know how to trouble the top teams. Sunday’s draw with Arsenal was a perfect illustration of that. Palace are dangerous because of the quality they boast on the counter attack and I don’t see them rolling over in the same way that Burnley did when Chelsea visited Turf Moor last weekend.

Where does the value lie in the Arsenal v Liverpool game?
Probably Arsenal draw no bet. Liverpool are the better side and are playing well but this is not an easy trip. Unai Emery has got Arsenal playing. They look uncertain at the back but they’ve got a strike force to strike fear again. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a goalscorer, and I hear everyone’s pleased with Alexandre Lacazette.

Who should replace Julen Lopetegui at Real Madrid?
Santiago Solari is in the box seat and should be given his chance. Comparisons have been drawn with Zinedine Zidane, who was promoted from the youth set-up and became one of the club’s most decorated bosses. Solari has that chance and I can see him taking it. The one name of the front-runners I would throw into the ring is Mauricio Pochettino.

Which team have surprised you most in the opening ten Premier League games?
I’ve been underwhelmed by Manchester United who are going to struggle to get into the top six on current form. They have so many decent players playing such awful stuff. On the flip side, Liverpool have added winning while not playing well to their armoury and that, coupled with a massively improved defence, has turned them into title challengers.

Give us a winner on the midweek Champions League coupon
Atletico Madrid to avenge the drubbing they took in Dortmund. That match two weeks ago ended 4-0 to Dortmund but Atletico weren’t four goals worse. Diego Simeone’s side are solid at home. Dortmund, who have nine points from three games so are all but through, also play Bayern Munich next Saturday which could be a factor.

Read every day for no-nonsense previews and expert sports betting tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport