Football betting analyst Mark O’Haire returns to share a couple of his favourite fancies across the globe with a focus on the Premier League and Scottish Premiership this weekend.
When the starting Wolves XI against Fulham was announced before kick-off, even the most optimistic Old Gold fans feared the worst. What followed was arguably the most impressive performance of Gary O’Neil’s 18-month tenure as the Black Country boys delivered a marvellous second-half display to seal a hugely-surprising 4-1 success at Craven Cottage.
Back-to-back wins have eased the pressure on O’Neil after a dreadful start this season. Now outside of the bottom-three, Wolves will now be looking to kick-on against Bournemouth on Saturday, against an opponent that’s collected only 15 league points in their last 15 fixtures and lacking the consistency that’s seen them turn over both Man City and Arsenal.
Regardless, the Cherries will come to Molineux and play. Andoni Iraola’s intense, high-press often leads to an open and entertaining encounter with Bournemouth always capable of creating chances and playing their part in a high-scoring shootout, especially on the road.
Bournemouth have seen Over 2.5 Goals land in 18/25 (72%) road trips under Iraola with 17 (68%) of those showdowns feature winning Both Teams To Score selections. The south coast club have scored in all bar four o f those 25, but also managed to keep their sheets clean on only four occasions outside of the Vitality Stadium during the Spaniard’s tenure.
Considering Wolves have now scored in 11 straight Premier League matches – the longest ongoing run in the EPL, whilst also notching 20 in their opening 12 (the club’s best return at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1972), goals are expected. Because the Old Gold have also shipped 28 – their worst tally at this point of a top-tier season since 1983!
Looking at the two teams’ records in 2024/25, we can see the pair have combined to notch in 20 of 24 EPL outings, picking up a solitary shutout each. A tasty 10 of Wolves’ 12 dates have paid for BTTS backers, with eight of Bournemouth’s 12 following suit, meaning the 5/6 (1.83) available on Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score just looks too good to dismiss.
Rangers boss Philippe Clement remains in situ despite seeing his side slide 11 points off league leaders Celtic following a dismal home draw with Dundee United, not to mention the eight points by which they trail Aberdeen. Were it not for Vaclav Cerny and the club’s Europa League form, the Belgian may have already departed Ibrox.
Having started his gig at Govan with a solitary reverse in his opening 28 games, Clement has now overseen defeats in 10 of his last 36 games, a run of results which encapsulates the capitulation at the end of last season that meant no Champions League football, as well as the insipid start to the current campaign. It’s bleak at Ibrox right now.
The manager’s position does feel like the tip of the iceberg though, with boardroom upheaval and fan unrest pervasive throughout his year or so in charge. Those extenuating circumstances do not entirely excuse his inability to maintain the initial upturn in Rangers’ footballing fortunes, but they have to be considered when judging him.
Nevertheless, Rangers again performed without urgency, tempo, width and conviction in their Premiership point against the Tangerines last time out and the Gers must now head to St Johnstone for an early start on Sunday, just hours after a Europa League tie away at Nice. The Glasgow giants therefore look best left alone as short-priced favourites here.
Instead, we should be looking to keep Saints onside. St Johnstone can be backed with a +1.5 Asian Handicap start at evens, an eye-catching line considering Rangers have only won twice in their last 10 away days in the Scottish Premiership, scoring just two goals in five games as guests this term. This particular wager has paid-out in 10 of their overall 12 league dates.
Even at Ibrox, four of the Teddy Bears’ six victories have arrived by one-goal margins, and the home team’s record against the current bottom-four has been uninspiring – managing only two goals in four such fixtures – not the sort of form you anticipate when backing a 1.33 shot on their travels. However, it’s Rangers’ away returns that cause most concern.
Backing the home side with a +1.5 start has provided profit in 12 of Rangers’ last 13 road trips in the league, including all five such showdowns in 2024/25. We’re getting evens on a repeat.
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