Sun Feb 01 13:10:00 UTC 2026: ### Aston Villa’s Ascent, Maguire’s Resurgence, and Potential Upsets: Premier League Weekend Preview

The Story:
A Sky Sports football betting expert, Jones Knows, provides insights into the upcoming Premier League weekend fixtures on Saturday, January 31, 2026. He highlights Aston Villa’s strong form and favorable odds, Harry Maguire’s goal-scoring potential from set-pieces, the animosity surrounding the Nottingham Forest vs. Crystal Palace match, Dominic Solanke’s motivation for England selection, and Burnley’s potential to break Sunderland’s unbeaten home record. The expert offers various betting tips and rationales based on team performance, player form, and underlying tensions.

Key Points:

  • Aston Villa’s strong form (43 points from 18 matches since a poor start) makes them a good bet to win against Brentford.
  • Harry Maguire’s aerial dominance and the increased importance of set-pieces make him a valuable bet to score for Manchester United against Fulham.
  • The Nottingham Forest vs. Crystal Palace match is expected to be highly charged due to past legal battles and relegation pressures, potentially leading to cards. Neco Williams, marking Ismaila Sarr, is highlighted as a card risk.
  • Despite Tottenham’s historical edge over Manchester City, their home form is unreliable. Dominic Solanke to score for Spurs is presented as a better betting option, given his recent form and World Cup aspirations.
  • Burnley has a good chance of ending Sunderland’s unbeaten home run, particularly due to Granit Xhaka’s absence, which weakens Sunderland’s midfield.

Critical Analysis:
The analysis reveals a strong focus on identifying value bets based on a combination of statistical analysis (e.g., Aston Villa’s points per game), contextual factors (e.g., the Forest-Palace animosity), and player-specific attributes (e.g., Maguire’s set-piece ability, Solanke’s England motivation). The expert is not simply following trends but also looking for opportunities where market perceptions may be misaligned with reality (e.g., Burnley’s win probability being undervalued).

Key Takeaways:

  • Premier League betting analysis is increasingly sophisticated, incorporating a wide range of factors beyond simple win/loss records.
  • Player motivation and contextual elements like historical rivalries play a significant role in shaping match outcomes.
  • Injuries to key players (Xhaka) can disproportionately impact team performance.
  • Home advantage is not always a reliable predictor of results, especially when teams like Tottenham are involved.
  • Set-pieces are an increasingly important aspect of Premier League football, making players like Maguire valuable assets.

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