Premier League Betting Tips

Having enjoyed a solid debut year in the English game, there was naturally a lot of excitement around Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin. Having been heavily linked with clubs back in France before coming to England, he was seen as a high-risk wide player who could offer the Magpies something different – if he could maintain his attitude.

After a mostly exemplary first season, then, hope is high on Tyneside that ASM can go to the next level. And with a year experiencing the aggressive nature of English football, he’s likely to thrive even more.

What makes him so special?

Watch him for five minutes and it soon becomes apparent why ASM is such a highly exciting talent; he can move. His dribbling is some of the most effective in the league, with his ability to pierce teams on the break making him a vital weapon for Newcastle.

He’s also great at wining fouls, which given the Toon are a solid set-piece team can only be a good thing for the player. He’s also a great distance shooter, giving him the opportunity to really crack them from distance and cause keepers problems.

Unlike most wide players today, too, his passing is excellent and he can lay teammates in as well as he can take the ball on himself. However, one thing to note is that he has a habit of holding on to the ball for a needless period of time. This can cause issues, though his natural strength means that he can hold off opponents and hold the ball up briefly.

It would be hard to say what his one stand-out attribute is outside of his pace, but he’s a very accomplished young player. With another year of development to come in England, he could really take the next step in 2020-21.

Speak to Chelsea fans about their full-back options, and one tends to garner far more excitement than the others: home-grown Reece James. An absolutely fantastic crosser of the ball, James is a technically proficient, hard-working attacking full-back who has the opportunity to really make an impact at Stamford Bridge.

He made an impressive 37 appearances last year, starting 26 of those games, and was involved in four goals – a pair of goals and a pair of assists. Expect those numbers to increase if Frank Lampard retains faith in the 20-year-old and gives him more consistent gametime.

What makes him so special?

A fantastic marauding full-back who can also defend, it’s fair to say that James is quite a complete little package. His passing and crossing are the quality you would expect of a deep-lying midfielder and a winger, respectively, and his set-pieces are absolutely outstanding. He’s a consistent player who can keep forcing chances due to his ability to take set-pieces and can work chances from open play.

Add in his solid long-distance shooting and his ability to graft back and forward, and he is a really modern full-back. He’s also good at winning fouls, forcing wingers and wide attackers to foul him and draw the result. Despite being a fine crosser, though, it’s the crispness and depth of his passing that has so many fans impressed.

What we think makes James so special, though, is his ability to never give up. He’s a hard worker; a player who really forces himself forward and puts in a great collection of deliveries. Variety, consistency, and maturity; these are the kind of attributes that make James a deeply interesting prospect.

If he can simply keep continuing to get games, 2020-21 could be his true breakout year as a first-team starter.

For years, the idea of having an English footballer with the natural skillset of James Maddison was seen as fanciful. Ever since he first appeared on the scene, though, the youngster has looked a sublime talent. His first major moment came at Aberdeen, on loan from Norwich City, when he scored a sublime free-kick into Glasgow Rangers. Since then, he’s never really looked back.

What makes James Maddison stand out?

It would be hard to say just one thing that makes James Maddison a stand-out in the league. A creative talent with both assists and goals aplenty, he’s a creative fulcrum for Leicester City. His crossing, his ability to shoot from distance, and his movement makes him so hard to mark. He also links up very well with his teammates, playing tremendously well alongside some very important players.

He’s become a creative spark in the league, and one of the most important players to Leicester. If he was to become injured, they’d lose much of their creativity. He’s a fantastic set-piece taker, too, and tends to make the right choice. For one so young, he’s got a much greater understanding of the game than most would expect.

What does James Maddison need to work on?

However, where Maddison needs to work heavily on his game is defensively. While in the past a player of his creative skills could get by simply coasting, today that is not the case. Even at Leicester, his lack of defensive quality can be a bit of a standout issue.

Before Maddison could take that next step to a major Premier League contender, he’ll need to become better defensively. And he could do with becoming more reliable in the air, too; for someone so naturally fit, strong, and tall, he’s not great in the air. If he can work on these things, though, Maddison would be one of the most complete midfielders in the country.