Premier League: Top Goalscorer and Player Prop Picks for Gameweek 7
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Erling Haaland - Manchester City vs Ipswich Town (Saturday 15:00 BST)
Saturday’s Premier League action gets underway at the Etihad with Manchester City looking to maintain their perfect start to the league season against newly promoted Ipswich Town.
City have won all six league matches this term, scoring 16 goals and conceding just five. After blanking on opening weekend against Bournemouth, Erling Haaland has now scored six goals in his last five league matches and is the shortest-priced player to find the back of the net this weekend.
Haaland scored a hat-trick in his last EPL home game against Ipswich Town!
While the Tractor Boys have made a solid start to the season, picking up nine points from their first six games, our experts are firmly in favour of the Norwegian marksman adding to his goal tally this weekend, given that Ipswich have been leaky in defence.
Gary O’Neil’s team have yet to keep a clean sheet in this campaign. They have conceded 12 goals so far - the joint-second-most in the top flight - including shipping five against the Citizens’ cross-town rivals at Old Trafford on Matchday 2.
Johan Manzambi & Nicolas Jackson - Newcastle vs Aston Villa (Saturday 17:30 BST)
Johan Manzambi is shaping up to be a potential breakout star in the Premier League this season. Unai Emery has entrusted the young Swiss attacker with a prominent role in support of the central striker, and the initial signs point to a player ready to make his mark.
The number of shots Manzambi takes is what really grabs the attention!
Manzambi has recorded 13 shots at goal across his last three starts, four of which were on target and two finding the back of the net. Combine that attacking output with a favourable fixture, and he becomes an intriguing option as a goalscorer or shots-on-target pick.
If Newcastle concede, they will set an unwanted club record of 16 consecutive home games without a clean sheet. Their record at St. James’ Park this calendar year makes for grim reading, with 36 goals conceded and just two shutouts in 20 matches.
As such, Nicolas Jackson could be another one to watch this weekend. As discussed in our Newcastle vs Aston Villa prediction, the Senegalese forward bagged a brace in midweek against Fenerbahce and has recorded a direct goal contribution in each of his last five starts for club and country.
James Tarkowski - Everton vs Chelsea (Saturday 12:30 BST)
Our long shot of this weekend’s action comes in Saturday’s curtain-raiser at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, where fifth-placed Everton will be playing host to sixth-placed Chelsea.
While Chelsea’s attack has earned plenty of praise this season, their defence has been questionable, with the Blues having now conceded 13 goals this term - the joint-most of any team after the first six matches of the campaign.
Set pieces have been Chelsea’s weakness over the past two seasons!
Of the 13 goals they have shipped this term, seven have come from dead-ball situations. Xabi Alonso’s side are allowing set-piece goals at a rate of 0.53 per 90 minutes since the start of last season, which is the highest ratio of any EPL team over the period.
Under David Moyes, Everton have built a clear identity around dead-ball situations. Their physicality and aerial presence are geared to maximise free kicks and corners, with James Tarkowski proving to be one of their key weapons.
The Toffees’ centre-back ranks first among the club’s defenders for both touches in the opposition box as well as shots, and his recent scoring record is encouraging, with three goals scored in his last 15 appearances and three shots at goal in his last five.
At odds of 10.0 to score anytime, 3.25 to register a shot on target, and 1.90 to record 1+ shot, the value available on Tarkowski is enough to tempt us to have a punt against a Chelsea defence that struggled against aerial attacks.
