Weekend Betting Tips: Bet on Arsenal vs Chelsea + More & Cash Out Early With1UP!

So close. Yet again. 6 of 8. We came close to another perfect slip, but don’t worry guys… something tells me it's this weekend. 

Anyway, Champions League fixtures are behind us (for now), so it’s back to league football. Will Villarreal get their revenge against Barcelona after that 2-0 loss earlier this season? Can Newcastle extend their streak of nine straight Both Teams to Score games to ten? Will Benjamin Šeško keep up his impressive run under Michael Carrick? We’ll cover all that and more, but the biggest spotlight will be on the Emirates, where Arsenal aim to keep asserting their dominance over London rivals Chelsea. 

As usual, we have the rundown for you, but first, our top picks…

Our Picks: 

• Total Odds: 88.97
• Booking Code: 6G26A4
• Acca Bonus: 10%

MAIN ATTARCTIONS

Arsenal vs. Chelsea 

Arsenal steadied the ship in emphatic fashion last weekend, thumping Spurs 4-1 in the North London derby to re-establish a five-point lead at the top. After the slip at Wolves opened the door for Manchester City, Mikel Arteta’s side responded exactly how title winners should. Braces from Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze did the damage, and aside from Declan Rice’s error that gifted Randal Kolo Muani a goal, it was a dominant display.

City still have a game in hand and travel to Leeds before Arsenal kick off, so the pressure could briefly shift. But the Gunners have turned the Emirates back into a fortress. Since their loss to Manchester United in January, they’ve won four straight home league games, scoring eight and keeping clean sheets in their last three.

Chelsea arrive unbeaten in the league under Liam Rosenior, but there are warning signs. They’ve dropped 19 points from winning positions this season – only West Ham have dropped more – and just threw away another late lead in a 1-1 draw with Burnley. The Blues have scored first in each of their last two league games and failed to win either (1-1 vs Burnley, 2-2 vs Leeds), which, for members of our online betting community who like to live bet, this is worth monitoring as there could be great value in going for an Arsenal win if Chelsea scores the opening goal. 

Recent history leans heavily Arsenal’s way. The Gunners are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League meetings with Chelsea (W5 D3) and have won their last three home league games against them. Since losing to the Blues in December 2019, Arteta has lost just one of 15 meetings in all competitions (W10 D4), scoring 31 goals against Chelsea, more than he has against any other opponent in his tenure. I mean, just over the last 5 weeks, Arsenal beat the Blues home and away in the League Cup semi-final. This feels like payback for all those years Didier Drogba bullied Arsenal. I have a few Arsenal fans who have PTSD hearing the name “Drogba” including our very own editor who I can bet is shivering reading this. Fear not, boss. I actually think you guys will win on Sunday. 

Derby trends also favour the hosts. The Gunners have lost just one of their last 25 Premier League London derbies (W18 D6), and since 2022/23 they’ve scored in 42 of 44 such matches. Chelsea, meanwhile, have lost eight of their last nine away league games against teams starting the day top of the table, which is a worry for them. 

Defensively, Arsenal remain elite with only five teams across Europe’s top five leagues have conceded fewer goals this season (21), and they boast the lowest xG against (19.2). However, 44% of their league goals conceded in 2026 have come from individual errors, so “Arsenal win & both teams to score” could also be a smart move.

Eberechi Eze might be struggling for form (last weekend aside) but he remains a niche prop worth attention: each of his last 11 Premier League goals has come in London, and all six of his league strikes this season have been in derbies. Also, Chelsea also have discipline issues – six league red cards this term and one in the reverse fixture – which could influence card markets. 

Betting Tips: 

• Arsenal 1UP @1.32
• Over 2.5 Total Goals @1.72
• Eberechi Eze Anytime Scorer @3.30
• Victor Gyokeres Anytime Scorer @2.25
• Red Card - Yes @4.05

Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich

Der Klassiker returns with real title implications. Second-placed Borussia Dortmund trail Bayern Munich by eight points with 11 games left, so Saturday at Signal Iduna Park is a must-win for BVB.

Dortmund drew 2-2 with RB Leipzig last weekend after trailing 2-0, and then crashed out of the Champions League with a 4-1 loss to Atalanta. It’s a head scratcher for a team that has been solid at the back for most of the season. Defensive cracks are starting to show - they’ve conceded six goals in their last two matches, more than in their previous six combined (five). Still, their league form is strong: unbeaten in 16 Bundesliga games (W11 D5) and winners of six straight at home.

Signal Iduna Park has been a fortress for the hosts. Dortmund are unbeaten at home in the league, have conceded just eight goals there (best home defence in the Bundesliga), and have scored at least twice in eight of their last nine on their own turf. That makes “Dortmund over 1.5 goals” and “Both Teams to Score” tempting markets. With the best odds offered by BetKing on these, I say it’s worth the risk. 

That said, Bayern have the league’s most ruthless attack. They’ve scored 85 league goals already and are on pace to threaten the single-season scoring record (101). They’ve found the net in every Bundesliga game this season, and Harry Kane comes in red hot with braces in each of his last three league matches. Another double would put him in rare historical territory.

Bayern are also unbeaten away and chasing an eighth win in nine road games. However, they’ve looked slightly more vulnerable defensively of late, conceding 10 goals in their last eight league matches after shipping just 11 in their first 15.

Recent head-to-heads have been tight (one win each and two draws in the last four), but Bayern won the reverse fixture 2-1 and haven’t lost a league game in Dortmund since 2018.

All signs point to goals. Two elite attacks, slight defensive wobble on both sides, and massive stakes. The safer lean? Both Teams to Score + Harry Kane to get a goal. The bolder call? Dortmund to get 2 or more goals which would see you get 2.23x your betting stake.

Betting Tips: 

• Dortmund Over 1.5 Goals @2.23
• Harry Kane Anytime Scorer @1.65

KEEP AN EYE ON…

Liverpool vs. West Ham

Liverpool have won each of their last 10 home games against West Ham and are riding a fine form which has seen them win 6 of their last 8 games across all competitions. So, a win is expected at Anfield. However, the Hammers have been remarkable in their bid to survive relegation. In their last 8 games across all competitions, they’ve won 5, drawn 2 and lost just once. In that lone loss (against Chelsea) they actually held a 2-0 lead before a second half collapse. So, we’ll play this safe using our 1UP as we expect the Reds to have a lead in the game. 

Betting Tip: 

• Liverpool 1UP @1.19

Newcastle United vs. Everton

Newcastle United are in high spirits after winning four of their last five matches in all competitions, scoring 15 goals along the way, with a 2-1 Premier League loss to Manchester City last weekend the only stain in the past two weeks. That fine run, though, has been driven largely by their cup performances. League form tells a different story. The Magpies have lost four of their last five in the EPL and are averaging just 1.33 points per game this season, their lowest return under Eddie Howe.

All that said, the real value for our online sports betting folks looks to be in the GG market. “Both Teams to Score” has landed in each of Newcastle’s last nine games, and with enough attacking quality on both sides, there’s a strong case for that streak to stretch to 10.

Betting Tip: 

• Both Teams to Score @1.69

Leeds United vs. Manchester City

Manchester City have the chance to cut Arsenal’s lead to just two points, albeit temporarily, when they make the short trip to face Leeds United. It won’t be straightforward though, as the reverse fixture proved. City flew out of the blocks and went 2-0 up inside 25 minutes, but Leeds roared back after the break to level things up. Phil Foden grabbed the winner in the 91st minute, yet Leeds still took plenty of encouragement from that performance. 

Since City’s slip-up against Spurs, they’ve bounced back with five wins in all competitions, averaging two goals per game. Another trend worth noting: each of the last six meetings between these sides has produced Over 2.5 goals, which definitely points us in that direction again. Seeing as we’re the best betting site in Nigeria, we’re boosting those odds specially for you. You’re welcome!

Betting Tips: 

• Boosted Odds: Over 2.5 Total Goals @1.65
• Manchester City 1UP @1.30

Barcelona vs. Villarreal

League leaders Barcelona welcome third-placed Villarreal this weekend in a game the Yellow Submarine will definitely see as a chance for payback. The Catalans were comfortable 2-0 winners in the reverse fixture, helped in no small part by Renato Veiga’s first-half red card. I wouldn’t completely rule out a shock result here, especially when you remember Villarreal have won on their last two trips to Barcelona, including that wild 5-3 victory in January 2024. Still, the smart move feels pretty obvious: goals.

Hansi Flick’s side have won 20 of their 25 league games so far, scoring 67 in the process. Three players - Ferran Torres (12), Lamine Yamal (10) and Robert Lewandowski (10) - have already hit double figures in La Liga this season. With that kind of firepower on show, it’s hard not to expect a few goals and plenty of action in this one.

Betting Tips: 

• Over 2.5 Goals @1.27
• Barcelona 1UP @1.12

Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace

The Red Devils head back to Old Trafford buzzing after a gritty win away at Everton. That result made it five wins from six since Michael Carrick stepped in, which may not be quite enough for a haircut, but definitely puts them on track to return to the Champions League. With a struggling Crystal Palace up next, they’ll be expecting all three points to keep this run alive, especially as they haven’t had it easy against the Eagles lately, winning just one of the last five meetings. 

One player to watch is Benjamin Šeško, whose scoring touch has really picked up under Carrick despite not starting a game. The Slovenian had just two goals in 17 games under Ruben Amorim, but he has scored six in seven appearances for Carrick, including the winner at Everton. Our bet of the day is for him to keep his streak alive. 

Betting Tips: 

• Benjamin Šeško Anytime Scorer @2.20
• Manchester United 1UP @1.28

AS Roma vs. Juventus 

It’s 4th vs 5th in the Serie A this Sunday as Roma host the Old Lady, who are still hurting from a brutal Champions League exit. History leans heavily toward Juventus in this matchup. Roma is the side Juve have beaten more than any other in Serie A - 87 wins in 183 meetings, including their clash back in December. The Bianconeri are also unbeaten in 10 of the last 11 league meetings between the two, which gives them a clear psychological edge coming into this one.

That said, the smart play here could be goals, or rather, the lack of them. Roma boast the best defensive record across Europe’s top five leagues - yes, even tighter than Arsenal’s. They’ve shipped just 16 goals in 26 matches, so don’t be surprised if this turns into a cagey, low-scoring battle which, let’s be honest, is their best path to 3 points.

Betting Tip: 

• Under 2.5 Goals @1.62

Olympique de Marseille vs. Olympique Lyonnais

Olympique Lyonnais were flying high with a 13-game winning streak across all competitions, but that run ended last week with a 3-1 loss at RC Strasbourg. However, they don’t seem too down about it. In fact, reports from their camp insist they’re looking to bounce back when they travel to face Marseille this weekend. 

Marseille, meanwhile, are in serious trouble. The Roberto De Zerbi era ended earlier this month in ugly fashion, and new boss Habib Beye hasn’t sparked a turnaround - he’s lost two and drawn one in his first three games, conceding nine goals along the way. That’s what we call the Ruben Amorim bounce. With Lyon’s form, betting on them to find the net again looks like the way to go here. 

Betting Tips: 

• Lyon 1UP @2.00
• Lyon Over 0.5 Goals @1.33

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