If you never have a dream - you'll never have a dream come true
Hotshot Jackpot Round Three
A combination of factors came into play last week, meaning that many Hotshot Jackpot players were wiped out early. Harry Kane’s failure to find the onion bag at Crystal Palace and Liverpool’s 2-0 loss away to Burnley meant that the majority of punters were tearing up their slips before 5.00pm on Saturday.
The good news is that because nobody won it last week, the prize pot has now risen to £300k and we’ve all got another stab at it this weekend.
Chelsea v Burnley: Diego Costa
The risk with picking Costa is that he is as likely as to be sent for an early bath as he is to score, however that’s a gamble we’re willing to take as Antonio Conte’s men try to hit top gear at home to Burnley. In the opening two games against West Ham and Watford, Costa has popped up with the winning goal, and everyone’s favourite b*stard can get us off to a flyer in the Jackpot.
Everton v Stoke: Ross Barkley
Proud Evertonian Ross Barkley has found the net twice in the opening couple of weeks of the season – at home to Tottenham in the league and then in midweek at home to Yeovil in the League Cup. The Toffees are at Goodison Park again for the visit of Mark Hughes’ Stoke side, and we’re hoping that lightening can strike thrice and Barkley can notch for the third competitive home game on the spin.
Leicester v Swansea: Riyad Mahrez
It hasn’t been an ideal start to the season for reigning Champions Leicester City. An opening day defeat to recently promoted Hull City was followed by a lacklustre 0-0 draw against an out-of-sorts Arsenal, however their talismanic midfielder Riyad Mahrez can get the Foxes back to winning ways and keep our Jackpot slip running. The fact he’s on spot-kick duty is a clear bonus.
Southampton v Sunderland: Jermain Defoe
Neither side come into this match in particularly prime early season before, but you can always rely on Jermain Defoe. The English striker has six goals in his last 10 league games for Sunderland and has incredibly scored 10 goals in Sunderland’s last 11 away games. His knack of pulling a goal out of nowhere – particularly if the Black Cats are under the cosh – has us firmly on side.
Watford v Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez scored the opening goal in both of Arsenal’s league wins over Watford last season (4-0 at home and 3-0 away) and although the Gunners have picked up just a single point from a possible six, we’re hoping Sanchez’s class shines through at Vicarage Road. The Chile man let down two punters for the £250k Jackpot in week one, so here’s hoping he makes up for that on Saturday.
Hull v Manchester United: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Dare to Zlatan – you’d be mad not to. The 34-year-old Swede has three goals in his opening two matches for the Red Devils (four in three if you want to throw in the Community Shield) and he’s slotted into the Premier League style of play like a dream. Hull have started better than most would have expected after being backed as certainties for relegation, but Zlatan can bring them back to earth with a bump on Saturday evening.
West Brom v Middlesbrough: Alvaro Negredo
Another striker over 30 who we fancy to find the onion bag this weekend is Boro striker Alvaro Negredo. The Spaniard opened his Premier League account this year with a goal at home to Stoke, before notching two assists in a crucial 2-1 win away to Sunderland. Another potential early six-pointer looms on Sunday with an away trip to West Brom, and Negredo can be influential in helping Middlesbrough leave the midlands with a result again – ideally by finding the back of the net and keeping our Jackpot dreams alive.
Manchester City v West Ham: Sergio Aguero
If you get to the last leg of the Hotshot Jackpot and you’re waiting on one man to score and scoop you £300k, there’s no-one better than Sergio Aguero. Six goals in three games in the last two weeks and Aguero has bagged the opener in both Premier League games. He’s red-hot in front of goal, he’s ultra-reliable, and he’s on penalty duty. The easiest pick of them all.
