Premier League Betting Pointers: Liverpool and United means goals and post-European blues are a factor

David Nugent is part of a dynamic Leicester front line

It was a dramatic weekend in the English top flight, and Luke Moore focuses his attention on what can be learned from the games, from a betting perspective...

Neither Liverpool nor Manchester United can defend

Without wanting to take credit away from either West Ham nor Leicester, it's clear to anyone watching that, currently, Liverpool and Manchester United find it impossible to defend properly. As units, they're both woeful, disorganised and slapdash, and as individuals there are too many mistakes being made.

Both north west clubs look to have a lack of balance in their team - United don't have the protection in defensive midfield to help out their inexperienced defence (Daley Blind can't do it all himself), and Liverpool's backline is now just looking inadequate for what they want to achieve this season. Brendan Rodgers' men would have known they needed to improve at the back after Luis Suarez went and took his goals with him, but if anything they've regressed.

Neither team can strengthen now the transfer window's shut either, and so they're stuck with what they've got. 

As both teams have a good amount of talent going forward, it's going to be worth backing Overs more often or not in games featuring these sides, and it may well even be worth going Over 3.5 and Over 4.5 in certain fixtures. Betfair's Exchange also carries the Clean Sheet? market on which I recommend you vigorously and repeatedly hit 'No' on whatever odds you can get. It's going to pay out more often than not.

Leicester are better than they're getting credit for

When the fixture list was published, a lot of the talk was centred around the tough start handed to newly-promoted Leicester City. This writer even backed them in the Bottom at Christmas market. But the Foxes have shown that they are here to not only survive in this league, but to mix it up as best they can too.

They've had undoubtedly the toughest start on paper of any team in this division, but have battled well and shown that they can not only avoid defeat against bigger teams but also beat them. Having played Everton, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United they sit seventh.

Leonardo Ulloa has proven a great signing so far, his style is tailor-made for the English top-flight, and Nigel Pearson's side have a well-drilled, organised defence as well as great balance in the forward line and willing workers in the middle of the park.

It may take the media a while to start taking them seriously, but keen watchers of this team already know that Leicester could stay up with room to spare this season, provided they stay injury free and maintain their focus. Having traded as low as 2.3211/8 to go straight back down again, their price now sits at 7.613/2. It would be a brave punter that backs them.

Post-European blues are a huge factor in Premier League performances

This isn't a particularly revolutionary notion, but it is certainly something worth considering when choosing your bets for the weekend's Premier League action. Teams that play tough European games during the week are far more likely to struggle in their top-flight game the following weekend, especially if they're new to European football this season.

Liverpool and Everton both had to work hard for their wins in the Champions League and Europa League respectively last week, and then went on to deliver stinking performances on Saturday and Sunday in games that they both kicked-off at odds-on prices to win. Even Spurs, who are used to the Thursday-Sunday slog by now failed to win at home to West Brom.

The two Merseyside clubs are going to have to get used to playing in Europe, something they didn't have to contend with last term. Everton's squad is small. Liverpool can't stop conceding goals, which affects confidence. So before you stick that 'banker' in your treble, check if they've had a tough one in Europe the preceding game. 

Southampton are contenders for Europe this season

The season is still young, but Southampton, tipped by many to struggle after the mass exodus of many of their top players and their manager in the summer, have quietly been going about their business in impressive fashion.

A harsh defeat to Liverpool on the opening day has been followed by four games without a loss and three wins in a row, and the south coast outfit currently sit second in the table.

Two things jump out that could be key to their ambitions this season - firstly, the lack of goals conceded. Just three times have they been breached so far, the best record in the league, and Ronald Koeman looks to have his team well-drilled which is absolutely crucial in a division where most teams seem to have a pretty casual approach to the art of keeping a clean sheet. Secondly, the lack of viable opponents for a top five/six finish; none of the teams that are likely to challenge the upper echelons of the league are without problems and Southampton, should they be able to keep the bulk of their squad fit, can take advantage.

At 6.411/2 for a top six finish, the Saints could well present massive value if they can continue in this vein. The visit of QPR this Saturday should present no problems for them whatsoever and will further enhance not only their points tally but their confidence.

Burnley are well-drilled but need to find goals

The Premier League relegation market is currently dominated by one team. Burnley are the only side to be odds-on to go down this season (1.4640/85), and that is clearly due to one major factor - they can't score.

While they deserve credit for their organisation (they've kept three clean sheets in a row), they simply must start finding the back of the net. It's no good not conceding a single goal in over 270 minutes of football if you haven't done anything at the other end of the pitch, and with Danny Ings injured until the middle of next month it's really tough to see where the goals are going to come from for Sean Dyche's men.

The next three fixtures are going to be crucial - West Brom away, Leicester away and West Ham at home - and the Clarets need to prove that they have what it takes to compete at this level. Should they not take at least four points from those next three, 1.4640/85 could actually start to look generous.