Premier League: Five betting pointers from week two

Mauricio Pochettino has started well at Tottenham

It was a hugely entertaining weekend in the Premier League, and Luke Moore looks back at what can be learnt ahead of next weekend's games...

Manchester United are worth opposing until Louis van Gaal's ideas are absorbed

It's been a far poorer start to life in the Premier League for Louis van Gaal than many envisaged; talk of an instant turnaround in results has been stymied by two disappointing performances against Swansea and Sunderland. It's worth remembering that Van Gaal, by his own admission, overloads his team with new information when he starts a job and, much like a Royal Marines troop sergeant, likes to break them down and build them up again imbibed with his philosophies. Expect this to take a month or two more at least. As a result, United are worth opposing for now. 

Next up for them? Burnley away. A game that the Clarets won 1-0 last time they were in the top flight. Van Gaal's men are currently trading at 1.558/15 to win it. And if that doesn't scream 'LAY OF THE WEEKEND!' at you, nothing will.

Stevan Jovetic can be a huge player for Manchester City this season

The Montenegrin forward started just two games last season in an injury ravaged debut year for Man City, but he showed on Monday night just what an asset he can be for Manuel Pellegrini's team. With injury concerns around both Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero, it finally seems like it may be Jovetic's time to shine in the sky blue shirt and he has the pedigree and skill to contribute a fair few goals this season.

His two against Liverpool were taken nicely - the first an opportunist's strike, pouncing on the error of Alberto Moreno and the second a great third-man run followed by a scuffed finish into the roof of the net. Napoleon may have preferred lucky Generals to good ones, but at the moment it looks like Jovetic might well be both. At 7.06/1 to finish in the top four scorers in the league this season, he might be worth a poke.

Mauricio Pochettino wants his Tottenham team to attack

The way Tottenham's players have quickly adopted Mauricio Pochettino's signature style is to be applauded (although questions should be asked of their application under Andre Villas-Boas), and it shows the Argentine to be a good manager and communicator, able to get his ideas across efficiently. One thing that has been crystal clear in these first two weeks is how much he wants his side to attack, especially at home.

Harassing and harrying to win the ball back almost as soon as it was lost, when Spurs did regain possession they passed with incision and attacked with purpose on Sunday, punishing a QPR team that were simply unable to deal with their movement and ability. If the north Londoners intend on keeping this intensity and endeavour up then expect bags of goals, especially in their home games. Next up they welcome Liverpool to White Hart Lane on Sunday, a team no stranger to goals themselves, and Over 3.5 Goals is trading at an early price of 2.6613/8. It's worth some of your interest. 

Sam Allardyce deserves credit for going about his job effectively

As much as Big Sam Allardyce loves the sound of his own voice and thinks highly of himself, the way he has stuck to his guns and efficiently gone about his business as manager of West Ham deserves to be applauded. Dogged by constant speculation over his job courtesy of some less-than-honourable actions and comments from the ownership at the east London club, Allardyce's Hammers were unlucky not to get something out of the game against Spurs on the opening day and showed their quality against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

In addition to that, his signings this summer look, at this early stage, to be very astute - Mauro Zarate, Aaron Cresswell and Cheikyou Kouyate have all impressed since joining the fold at Upton Park and Allardyce's team could surprise a few people this season. A top ten finish could well be on the cards, something available to back at 2.915/8 currently.

Essentially, Big Sam is making it as hard as possible for Davids Gold and Sullivan to fire him. And we get the impression he's enjoying that very much indeed.

If Queens Park Rangers persevere with 3-5-2, there could be trouble

Harry Redknapp has come under fire for his behaviour during QPR's battering at White Hart Lane at the weekend, but it's more the way his team have set up on the field that should cause more concern for fans. Drafting in Glenn Hoddle to help his side's switch to a more fluid 3-5-2 system (a huge gamble for a team that have just been promoted), he has sought to find a formation more suited to the personnel at his disposal. 

So far, it looks to have backfired. The west Londoners looked horribly exposed against a rejuvenated Spurs side and couldn't force as much as a point against an average Hull team at home. What's more, a move to a new formation at this important stage of the season is a risk and QPR fans will remember going 16 games without a win last time they started a season in the top flight, something that ultimately cost Mark Hughes his job. It was caused at least in part by playing personnel not knowing their role within the team properly.

Redknapp would be wise to remember it as well. Their next game, at home to Sunderland, goes down as a must-win. At just 2.546/4, it would take a brave bettor to back them.