SATURDAY
Crystal Palace v Arsenal 12:45
Not every week you see an away win as short as 4/11 is it? Considering how dangerous the Gunners looked against Norwich, and how leaky Palace were against Fulham, it’s not too much of a stretch to suggest there’ll be goals in this one. 16/5 on Arsenal to score 4+ anyone? How about 25/1 on a 0-5 result? If you’re looking at first scorer odds, it has to be Ramsey at 6/1.
Prediction: 1-4 (18/1)
Aston Villa v Everton
Villa have been a bit hot and cold this season, but not so much as to make Everton 5/4 favourites in my opinion. The home win at 11/5 might be one for a danger-accumulator, but it has to be the draw at 9/4 for me. The big man’s not let me down yet, so I’m sticking with Lukaku to score first at 9/2. That combined with a 1-1 result comes out at 22/1. Decent.
Prediction 1-1 (11/2)
Liverpool v West Brom
The Scousers love an early goal, and it’s hard to see past Suarez (7/2) or Sturridge (4/1) to get it. I’m tempted to back both. Last season this fixture would have had draw written all over it (the Baggies actually won 0-2), I’m half expecting the home side to fall back in to their old habits at some point, and half tempted to back it at 7/2. But let’s be sensible…
Prediction: 2-1 (7/1)
Man Utd v Stoke
Not expecting a classic here. United have hardly been banging them in of late, and the less said about Stoke the better. The away side are still tight at the back though so 13/4 on less than 1.5 goals in the match is tempting. As is a 1-0 home win with Rooney getting the goal at 20/1.
Prediction: 1-0 (7/1)
Norwich v Cardiff
Tough call, this. Norwich could certainly do with the win but Cardiff are just the sort of side to cause them problems. How about the draw/cop-out at 23/10? I’d steer clear of the Norwich strikers to score first (or at all) but Snodgrass is generally a threat and worth a punt at 8/1. Odemwingie for Cardiff is the same price.
Prediction: 0-0 (9/1)
Southampton v Fulham 17:30
With just 3 goals conceded in their 8 league games so far this season, I’m not expecting to Fulham to get much change out of the Southampton defence tomorrow. The Saints haven’t exactly been prolific up the other end though so 23/10 on less than 1.5 goals in the match is intriguing. Adam Lallana is in good form at the moment and scored last weekend at Old Trafford. He’s 7/1 to score first here, worth a look.
Prediction: 1-0 (6/1)
SUNDAY
Sunderland v Newcastle 13:30
Not much between these at all. Newcastle are 8/5 for the win while Sunderland have home advantage and it’s-a-derby, formbook-out-the-window clichés to thank for the 17/10. However, let’s put all that to one side and remember just how awful the Black Cats have been this season. Can’t see past Remy to score first, not at a tempting 11/2 anyway.
Prediction: 1-2 (10/1)
Chelsea v Man City 16:00
City are improving, but their dodgy away form and the likelihood of Javi Garcia playing at centre half make it difficult to back them for this one. The bookies have them at 21/10 for the win, while Chelsea are 13/10, probably about right I’d say. How many goals should we expect? Both sides have been scoring for fun lately but there’s always a danger they might cancel each other out. Under 1.5 goals in the match (11/4) and over 3.5 (19/10) are both plausible. Tough call.
Prediction: 3-1 (18/1)
Swansea v West Ham 16:00
Not sure how much can be read in to Swansea putting four past Sunderland last weekend. That match aside, both teams have struggled for goals this season so we could be in for a low-scoring game here. The home side’s Europa League exploits need to be considered as well, but not so much that one should start backing West Ham at 18/5. How about the draw at 13/5, or a 0-0 classic at 10/1? I’m going with that.
Prediction: 0-0 (10/1)
Tottenham v Hull 16:00
Got to be a home win, but Hull haven’t embarrassed themselves this season and look solid defensively. Spurs have struggled to break teams down at times, so under 1.5 goals at 29/10 is intriguing, if something of a long shot. Spurs have too many goal threats from midfield to predict a first scorer from their line-up. Robbie Brady’s got a few for Hull already though, so you could do worse than him at 12/1.
Prediction: 2-0 (6/1)
SAFE ACCUMULATOR: £5 on wins for Arsenal, Southampton, Newcastle, Chelsea and Tottenham returns £92.
DANGER ACCUMULATOR: £5 on draws at Villa Park, Anfield, Carrow Road and Stamford Bridge returns £796!
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