Saturday's games...
Aston Villa v Cardiff
Neither side are scoring many, and Villa’s home form has been dreadful so far this season. Christian Benteke is returning to full fitness though, and is due a goal too but on the other hand Cardiff’s confidence will be nicely boosted by last weekend’s win over Swansea. So all things considered, I think they’ll cancel each other out. The draw at 12/5 is tempting, as is less than 1.5 goals in the match at 21/10.
Prediction: 0-0 (8/1)
Chelsea v West Brom
Chelsea had a real stinker at Newcastle last weekend but they’re a completely different proposition at Stamford Bridge. The home win is 2/7 here and it’s difficult to argue with that. I can’t see them walking it though; their forward options are depleted by Torres’ absence and West Brom with a +1.5 handicap at 1.94 is well worth a look. If you fancy Anelka to open his West Brom account and torment his former side in one fell swoop, he’s 4/1 to score at any time.
Prediction: 2-1 (8/1)
Crystal Palace v Everton
So Everton are probably going to win, no arguments there, but is anyone actually certain to the tune of 4/7? Not nearly enough incentive for me there. Lukaku is 7/2 to score first (I’ll stop tipping him when he stops delivering) and 3.5+ match goals is a reasonable 19/10. Though personally, I think it’ll be tighter than that.
Prediction: 0-2 (13/2)
Liverpool v Fulham
Given the lack of fight shown by Fulham in their last 2 league games, I see no reason why Liverpool won’t inflict at least as much damage here as they did against West Brom a fortnight ago. 4+ goals for the home side is 12/5 but they like to get them early, so have a look at more first half goals than second at 9/5. A Suarez hat-trick at 10/1 might be worth a quid or two as well.
Prediction: 3-0 (7/1)
Southampton v Hull
Hull have been more than solid in defence this year and are just the sort of side Southampton might struggle to break down. I’m half tempted by the draw at 13/5, but with the Tigers’ injury worries up front, and the Saints’ even better defence, I’ll go for the home side to nick it. Under 1.5 goals at 2/1 seems decent.
Prediction: 1-0 (11/2)
Norwich v West Ham 17:30
Neither side are scoring, it’s got 0-0 written all over it. I’m looking at under 1.5 goals again, and at 21/10 it could well be the safest bet of the weekend.
Prediction: 0-0 (8/1)
And Sunday's...
Tottenham v Newcastle 12:00
Two weeks running now. First it was an unexpected defeat, then an unexpected win, and both killed accumulators that were otherwise paying out. Cheers Newcastle. For what it’s worth, I think Spurs will win this one, but my money’s not going anywhere near it.
Prediction: 2-1 (7/1)
Sunderland v Man City 14:05
As dodgy as City have been on the road this year they’ll surely have enough about them to see off Sunderland, especially on the back of 12 goals in their last two matches. They’re 7/2 to score more than 4 here, not saying they will, but it’s plausible. On the other hand, if you fancy them to make hard work of it, how about Sunderland with +1.5 handicap at 1.95?
Prediction: 1-3 (11/1)
Man Utd v Arsenal 16:10
United are 6/5 favourites here, and their league form going in to it is encouraging. But even with home advantage I’m looking at how ordinary they’ve looked of late, especially compared to how impressive Arsenal have been. Away win (11/5) for me, and a comfortable one too. The Gunners are 19/10 to score 2-3 goals and I think I’ll have some of that. Ramsey to score first at 10/1 as well, as always.
Prediction: 1-2 (10/1)
Swansea v Stoke 16:10
No Michu for Swansea, but with a calm, wind-free afternoon forecast Stoke might find it even tougher to score than their hosts. I’m wheeling out the ‘less than 1.5 goals’ odds again (2/1) but does anyone actually expect any different?
Prediction: 1-0 (6/1)
Safe Accumulator: £5 on wins for Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Man City and Swansea could return nearly £34.
Danger Accumulator: £5 on under 1.5 goals in the games at Villa, Southampton, Norwich and Swansea could return £418.50!
What are you saying?
Image Source