De Bruyne to end Man City career on a high and Newcastle to make history against Arsenal – Weekend Wager's best bets
SUNSPORT'S Weekend Wager returns once more to bring you the best analysis and tips ahead of another huge weekend of sport.
It may be the penultimate gameweek for the Premier League but taking centre stage is the
FA Cup
final.
2
Kevin De Bruyne could play a big role in what might be his last FA Cup final
Credit: Getty
2
Gabriel Martinelli has found form in recent weeks
Credit: EPA
Manchester
City are aiming to go one better than last year when they finished as runners-up after losing to rivals
Wembley
.
Standing in their way is
Elsewhere there is a battle for second place in the Premier League as
There is also horse racing and cricket action to sink your
teeth
into, with our experts sharing their insight into the meet at Newbury and the IPL.
READ MORE IN SPORT
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City - Saturday, 4:30pm
Kweku: Either team in extra-time 5/1
"My bet is either team to win in extra time, 5-1. I think that's quite good, right?
"If you look at these teams, I can say they're evenly matched and the stats back it up. City are unbeaten in their last 10 games in all
competitions
, winning seven and drawing three of those, including clean sheets in their last three games.
"And Palace are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions, winning two, drawing three.
"City will go into this as favourites, but I like the value in extra time. And I think that at 5-1, it's not bad."
Most read in Sport
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
Will: Under 2.5 goals 11/10
"I've gone for under 2.5 goals, 11-10. Now I know that is quite an unfashionable, boring sort of bet because it's like you're almost betting on the game being a little bit dry and a little bit, you know, not as exciting because there are not many goals.
"The stats just say that City have not conceded a goal in their last 342 minutes of
football
.
How can Glasner make Palace compete v Man City in FA Cup final?
"That's five hours and 42 minutes. And Crystal Palace have recorded 11 clean sheets in all competitions in 2025, which is the most of any Premier League side since the turn of the year."
Sam: Kevin De Bruyne to score or assist - Evens
"This is likely going to be his last ever FA Cup final, certainly with
"He scored one, he's assisted three. He is an absolute big game player. And yes, while he is coming to the end of his peak, this could be a big swansong for him. And I just see him having such an impact still."
Arsenal vs Newcastle - Sunday, 4:30pm
Kweku: Newcastle to win 12/5
"I've gone for a Newcastle win in this one, pretty straightforward, 12-5. I love those odds for that. And the stats back it up as well.
"Newcastle have already faced Arsenal three times this season and won all three of those games, beating them 1-0 in the Premier League and 2-0 in both legs of their League Cup semi-final.
"No team has ever beaten Arsenal four times in a season. I think Newcastle have got a great chance of doing it. And they've won five out of their four games and they've lost eight games against Arsenal in all competitions.
"The other three of those games, they drew one, lost two. And that's as many wins they had in their previous 52 against Arsenal. Also on the Arsenal side of things, I think the wheels have slightly fallen off, the Emirates is not as much of a fortress as it used to be.
"They're actually winless in the last four games at home in all competitions, drawing two and losing two of those.
"So I think Newcastle are going into this game full of confidence. They're in great form, arguably the most in form side in the country. And I think they'll go to the Emirates and get the job done."
Will: Gabriel Martinelli 2+ shots on target 13/5
"I am of the belief that
"I personally think the amount of chances that Martinelli misses that are absolute dead sitters, is just too many.
"Martinelli has scored two goals in his last four Premier League games, he's had six shots on
target
in his last five Premier League games.
"I don't mind this bet because he always gets in good positions and fires them straight at the goalkeeper, the sitters, and never seems to put the ball in. But obviously scored at
Liverpool
last weekend.
"Arsenal did a little bit of a switch up during the game, played him up front and Matt has convinced me that he's likely to play as the central
striker
this weekend.
"Merino suspended. Trossard, I think a 50-50 chance he comes back."
Sam: Fabian Schar 2+ fouls 7/4, Myles Lewis-Skelly to be fouled 2+ times
"I absolutely love player fouls. Fabian Schar to commit two or more fouls, seven to four. He's committed nine fouls in his last six matches.
"Looking at who he's likely to come up against, which is the big one for me, Miles Lewis-Skelly on that left-hand side, likes to get forward.
"He's been one of the shining lights of Arsenal season, hasn't he? But he's been fouled at least two times in seven of his last nine league appearances. In fact, only James Madison is averaging more fouls, one per 90 in the Premier League this season.
"So I can see him potentially causing Newcastle problems down that right-hand side. And if he gets up the field high enough, then I can see him running into Fabian Schar."
The Boylesports Lockinge Stakes, Newbury, Saturday 2:45pm
Sam: Dancing Gemini 11/4
"Huge
race
on Saturday at Newbury. It's the Group One, locking stakes at 2.35. Looking at the market, Rosalien's a 6-4 favourite for trainer Richard Hannan, who's having a great start to the flat season so far.
"Had a double at York earlier this week. And to be honest with you, the top three in the market look pretty solid for this one. As I've mentioned, Rosalien, 6-4 favourite.
Gemini
is one that a lot of people like, including myself at 11-4.
"Then you've got the likes of notable speech at 4-1. Tanfana, 11-2. Fallen Angel, 16-1. Bar that, you're looking 20-1 or bigger."
IPL
Sam: Virat Kohli top batsman
"I'm going to have to continue that theme of
Test cricket
. He's still going to be playing T20 IPL and obviously one day international as well. Yeah.
"His team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru play the Kolkata Night Riders on Saturday. Challengers, the favourites are 8-11.
"They're absolutely having a storming season so far, this IPL, second in the table at the minute and looking good.
"The upset, Kolkata to win, currently 11-10.
"But looking at Kohli and sticking with the theme of backing him and hopefully getting some more winners on him, he's the 11-4 favourite to be the top batsman in this game.
"We've actually odds boosted him as well to have two sixes, two plus sixes, should I say, two plus fours and to take a catch. That's 10-1."
18+ | GambleAware.org | Please Gamble Responsibly
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
'Old school, new school' – Knight leading by example for Ireland
It was almost the perfect season for Ireland midfielder Jason Knight, as the Dubliner captained Bristol City all the way to the Championship play-offs, only to fall at the Premier League's penultimate hurdle. An ever-present in the Robins' side that finished sixth in the table, Knight's club season came to a close when losing out to Sheffield United in the play-off semi-finals in early May. On a positive note, Knight completed the clean sweep of in-house accolades, as he was named fans, players, former players, and senior Reds' player of the year, following a commanding season leading his side from the heart of the midfield. Knight has taken a short stint away to lick his wounds, enjoy some sunshine, and report back for international duty ahead of two final fixtures, against Senegal on Friday night, followed by an away trip to Luxembourg. "We've had a really good campaign, we fell short towards the end, but a really progressive campaign for the club and for myself as well," said Knight, speaking at Tuesday's press conference. "The first season at Bristol was good, I played a lot of games and then obviously progressed this season, scored a few goals, got assists, and played a lot of games as well. "Probably went into more of a leadership kind of role, being captain. So I've enjoyed it." And Knight said that he is comfortable taking leadership whether at club or country, and feels that it has come naturally to him, as he has always looked to take responsibility on the pitch. "I've tried to do that since I've come in [to Ireland squad]," he said. "I've been a loud character as well, I try and lead on the pitch. So it wouldn't really change for me. "I've been around a little bit now in the Irish set-up, so it is time for everyone to step up, and that means senior players, and players who have played a lot as well, to help the lads who have come in as well sort of get into the group and normalise around the place as well. So that's what we have to do as well. "I've had a couple of weeks off, got the feet up and got some sun so I'm ready to go. I've got a few games now and I can have another couple of weeks off after that." Missing out on promotion this season, Knight's performances will certainly have gained attention from top-flight clubs, however, while the ambition remains to play Premier League football, he is not looking to force the issue at this stage of his career. "I've obviously had a good season, I'm enjoying myself at Bristol," said Knight. "I want to be ambitious. I want to play in the top division. "But I'm relaxed, if it's now or in the future, that will be. I've just got to keep performing well to get to that point." "Not that I've heard anyway," he added, when asked had there been any interest. "It's been a bit quiet for the last couple of weeks, just with the season ending. It's been a long season, so nothing so far." Sitting next to Knight at the press conference was Ireland assistant coach, John O'Shea, and the former Manchester United and Sunderland defender spoke highly of the midfielder and has been particularly impressed with the consistency that has come with playing every game of the season at club level. And he also spoke about the quality and leadership that comes as part of the package when Knight is involved with the national team. "There is consistency in the numbers," said O'Shea, regarding Knight. "He mentions the games that he has played and it is a case of he is naturally leading now, vocally but also performance and intensity-wise. "If we are doing a drill in training, you know if Knighty is involved in it then it is going to take care of itself and that is brilliant for a coaching staff, to have that and to see that reliability. "It's also a trust to know what he is going to produce for the team as well. He has grown into the role for club and country. "I'm sure there's lots of people looking at him and I'm sure Bristol City are very happy with him too. There's always that element of him being new school and old school, but it is a good school that he is from. Hopefully it continues." As for Knight, there is no place that he would rather be that embedded in the Ireland camp, despite the fact that he is missing out on valuable time away from the hectic schedule of the English Championship. "I could be in Albufeira, you're right," he laughed. "No, look, there's always time for holidays. I know I'm young, but I know these caps and these opportunities are gold dust and I'm trying to grab them as much as I can. "This is the dream, this is where I want to be and I'm excited to be here for these two games and hopefully many more."
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
‘You can't sit and sulk about it' – John O'Shea backs Ireland striker Evan Ferguson to emerge from tough loan spell
John O'Shea says he has no fears about the state of mind of Evan Ferguson as he comes into the Ireland camp off the back of a disappointing spell in the Premier League. Ferguson had an unhappy stint on loan at West Ham from Brighton when he made just one start and failed to score, with his future at the Seagulls to be assessed ahead of the new term.
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Caoimhín Kelleher transfer brings buzz to low-key Ireland summer camp
It wouldn't be a June window without absences and distractions. Caoimhin Kelleher has provided both ahead of the Republic of Ireland's pair of friendlies with Senegal and Luxembourg and not a soul is complaining. In London on Monday to firm up his switch from Liverpool to Brentford, the goalkeeper was back in situ in Abbotstown the next day for training before news of his five-year deal finally emerged from his new Premier League employers. Ireland assistant manager John O'Shea faced the same sort of decision a generation ago when, after over a decade hoovering up medals at Old Trafford, a dwindling of first-team opportunities prompted him to leave Manchester United for Sunderland. Speaking before Kelleher's news became official, O'Shea was already sure that Ireland are in good hands. 'It's not an easy thing for him to do. He's proven the quality that he has every time he's been asked to go in as the number one for Liverpool, the run of games that he's shown, that he's been able to show the consistency… 'He's shown when he's had a run that they haven't missed Alisson when he's been injured. That's what the whole of Europe and the whole of the world has seen when CaoimhÍn has been in goal for Liverpool. So whatever happens, I'm sure we'll get the benefit of it.' Read More Brentford announce signing of Caoimhín Kelleher from Liverpool Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has stated consistently that every player's club situation is different while confirming an overriding preference for his men to bank as much game time as possible. O'Shea seconded that. Kelleher as a first-choice Premier League player firms up the impression of a national side with lots of defensive options. If there has been headway made in terms of the forward line, then the stagnation of Evan Ferguson's career is still a cause for frustration. A loan spell at West Ham United didn't go as hoped although the teenager impressed with Ireland in the spring. He has 'trained excellently' the last few days, according to O'Shea who highlighted the need for players to keep doing what they do best regardless of circumstance. 'I mentioned it in March: it's just a case that you can't sit and sulk about it. The Premier League is that elite level that at the minute … You see all the teams already trying to get players in, trying to get business done early. 'If they can, the competition, you have to be at it and on it every day possible, doing everything you can. And if you do that and you're not getting in the team, you hold your hands up and you say fair enough.' Ireland have no injury concerns among the men called to arms this week, which is just as well given the number of Championship players already given the summer off for a spot of R&R and the low-key nature of the month's business. There isn't a huge to-do list against Senegal and Luxembourg. A pair of losses wouldn't be ideal given the momentum built up against Bulgaria in March and those qualifiers to come in September, but this is really about small gains. Some of the new faces will get a run and who knows what that may bring. 'Listen, if we get players to have an impact this week in the friendlies that suddenly help us qualify or score a goal to qualify for us for the World Cup, I think you'll say it was definitely worthwhile,' said O'Shea. Killian Phillips and John Joe Patrick Finn are two big men who will look to make an impression in the middle if given the chance and Josh Honohan has been 'having a good battle ' with Festy Ebosele in training. The coaches speak about how players need to show their personalities. The harsh fact of it is that opportunities can be fleeting and even signs of real promise can be superseded by obstacles further down the path. Kasey McAteer and Bosun Lawal, for example, both made inroads with Ireland in the last 12 months. Both have since found injuries hampering their hopes of building on that with Leicester City and Stoke City respectively. There will be no Sadio Mane on the Senegal side on Friday evening but the visitors still boast a side of some class with players assembled from eleven different countries. Four of them come from England's Premier League. As friendlies go, it beats Qatar or New Zealand. 'They will have different attributes, but also they have that quality of maybe a top European team that can hurt you on transition attacks, technical ability, speed. So we have to be very careful in terms of when we are attacking, that we're not leaving ourselves vulnerable. 'They have that pace and power to hurt you. They've obviously been on a very good run themselves too, a run of form. So don't concede too many goals. It'll be a very good test for the lads.'
