Midweek tips: Burnley tipped over Leicester and English and Italian cup action

Burnley have got the nod over Leicester in Premier League action this week, inform Southampton take on West Ham in the FA Cup and the two games for the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final are the picks this week.

The Nap

The games are coming thick and fast for Burnley, but their recent form has been excellent, and they look a decent bet at 11/5 to beat Leicester City in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

Sean Dyche praised the mentality of his battlers after a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at the weekend made it a seven-point week to give their survival fight a huge shot in the arm.

“We have had a big week, an important week and that’s another point on the board. I think it is only one loss in seven now, so that is good for the mentality of the side,” Dyche said.

The Clarets looked nailed on for the drop just a few short weeks ago but now have Everton and Leeds in their sights as they look to move up the table.

Dyche’s men claimed a 2-2 draw at the King Power when these teams last met and will fancy their chances against Leicester, whose form has been erratic for much of this season.

Brendan Rodgers’ side are flying in the UEFA Europa Conference League but have taken just 27 points from 23 Premier League matches so far and have a goal difference of -6.

In Jamie Vardy they have a bona fide Premier League legend (127 goals and counting in the English top flight), but they have struggled for consistency and not actually won a league game since December 28.

The Foxes should be fresh given they didn’t have a game over the weekend, but Burnley are a physical, resolute, and determined outfit and look a shout here at bigger than 2/1.

 The Nap – Burnley to win at 11/5 (Betfred)

 

Value Pick

Many pundits felt Southampton would struggle this season after losing top goalscorer Danny Ings and defenders Ryan Bertrand and Jannik Vestergaard. However, boss Ralph Hassenhuttl has them playing some fantastic stuff and the Saints’ form is red hot currently having lost just once so far in 2022. They’ve won three and drawn two of their last five matches as well as beating Coventry City in the FA Cup. Those two league draws came against Manchester City and Manchester United, underlining the fact they are in good shape right now. 

They go again in the FA Cup on Wednesday night when they host West Ham. The Hammers look to be falling away after a fine start to the season and many fans have been critical of their lack of ambition in the last transfer window given their limited squad depth.

Jarrod Bowen saved West Ham from a huge FA Cup embarrassment against Kidderminster in Round Four, with manager David Moyes admitting they were "fortunate" to go through after extra-time at the expense of their non-league opponents.

Collectively they have not been at it for several weeks now and 4/1 on Southampton winning a game where both teams find the onion bag at St Mary’s looks big value.

Value Tip – Southampton to win & both teams to score at 4/1 (Betfred/Skybet)

 

First Goal Flutter

Dusan Vlahovic looks like he is going to be a huge hit at Juventus. The Serbian sensation joined the Turin giants in January in what was one of the standout transfers of a pretty underwhelming window. There was immense pressure on him instantly after inheriting Ronaldo’s number seven shirt, but he has started with a bang and a superb double earned The Old Lady a 3-2 win at Empoli on Saturday night.

He makes a quick return to Fiorentina this week, the club he left in rather messy circumstances to join Juventus, when the teams meet in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia. And while he can expect a hot reception from disgruntled Viola fans at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, he looks the logical choice to score first in Florence.

In 2021 Vlahovic equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most Serie A goals in a calendar year. The Serb is strong in the air, but his first touch is also a thing of beauty, and he is capable of dominating near enough any centre-back he comes up against. He has that Zlatan Ibrahimovic-esque arrogance about him and won’t be fazed by a few boo boys on Wednesday. With this in mind, he gets our vote to score first against Fiorentina at 4s.

First Goal Flutter – Vlahovic to score first at 4/1 (bet365)

 

Euro Banker

There is another edition of the historic Derby della Madonnina on Tuesday night as the Milan giants meet in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia.

There are few derbies in world football to rival this one when it comes to passion, style, aggression, and class. It doesn’t hurt that both teams (along with Napoli) are battling it out for this season’s Scudetto either.

AC Milan are two points clear of Inter at the top of Serie A as things stand, but the Nerazzurri have a game in hand in what is developing into a thrilling title race.

When the teams met earlier this month in the league, Olivier Giroud scored twice in the space of three minutes to earn AC Milan a 2-1 comeback win. That should give the Rossoneri confidence, and they look a fair price here at 2/1 to win in 90 minutes.

AC Milan's last major trophy was the 2010-11 Serie A title. However boss Stefano Pioli - their eighth manager since then – has them playing some excellent football this season and given that Inter have not won in four Serie A games, their eternal rivals look too big to ignore at 2/1 this week.

The Euro Banker – AC Milan to beat Inter Milan at 2/1 (Boylesport/Bet Victor)