Finally finished at the Stadium of Light. Lovren and Ramirez both had to be stretchered off so there was 7 minutes added time. 2-2 the result.
On to the 3pm kick-offs, and betting tips:
Arsenal v Fulham
Fulham have never won at Arsenal apparently, and that’s not likely to change here. 2/9 for the home win, so we’re better off looking at how many really. The Gunners with a -3 handicap at 18/5 might seem a bit stingy, but wait til you hear how a 6-0 final score is only 35/1! Goals are likely, and more than 4.5 of them in the match at 11/5 might be worth a look too. Wilshere’s scoring again, 11/4 anytime?
Prediction: 4-0 (10/1)
Crystal Palace v Stoke
I can see a few thousand travelling Stoke fans being shown which side their bread’s buttered here. Palace are 13/10 favourites and that’s probably about right given their form since Tony Pulis took over. Goals could be at a premium though so less than 1.5 in the match at 3/2 might be worth considering. Saying that, the Potters put 3 past Liverpool last weekend (and conceded 5) so 3.5+ at 10/3 could be on as well. Who knows?
Prediction: 1-0 (11/2)
Man City v Cardiff
Like the game at the Emirates, it’s a case of how many. City look more than capable of overcoming a -3 handicap (11/5) and 5.5+ match goals (15/4) isn’t unrealistic either. Though if you fancy Cardiff to nick a goal, how about the City win with BTTS at 17/10? It’s a given that Aguero and Negredo will score so you’re better off backing them to get 2 or more. The Argentinian’s 11/4 and the Spaniard 9/4.
Prediction: 5-1 (22/1)
Norwich v Hull
There’s a reason Chris Hughton’s still in a job after seemingly being under pressure all season. Basically, when the shit looks like finally hitting the fan, Norwich pull off a result. They’re 7/5 for the win here and I fancy them to get it. Can’t see it being pretty though, less than 1.5 goals is yours at 3/2.
Prediction: 1-0 (6/1)
West Ham v Newcastle
The Hammers finally won last weekend and Newcastle’s winning streak is receding in to the distance. I’m not about to call a win for Alladyce and co though so it’ll have to be the draw at 12/5. Andy Carroll to make a glorious goal scoring return against his former club? 15/8 if you fancy it, and the hat-trick is 75/1… Ha!
Prediction: 1-1 (11/2)
And team news:
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Wilshere, Cazorla, Gnabry, Ozil, Giroud
Fulham: Stekelenburg; Riether, Burn, Hangeland, Richardson; Dejagah, Sidwell, Parker, Kacaniklic; Dempsey, Berbatov.
Palace: Speroni, Mariappa, Gabbidon, Delaney, Parr, Bolasie, Ward, Jedinak, Puncheon, Guedioura, Chamakh
Stoke: Butland, Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters, Whelan, Nzonzi, Adam, Walters, Assaidi, Crouch.
Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov, Navas, Yaya Toure, Javi Garcia, Silva, Negredo, Dzeko
Cardiff: Marshall, Théophile-Catherine, McNaughton, Medel, Caulker, Turner, Noone, Gunnarsson, Campbell, Mutch, Whittingham
Norwich: Ruddy; Martin, R Bennett, Bassong, Olsson; Snodgrass, Fer, Johnson, Gutierrez; van Wolfswinkel, Hooper.
Hull: McGregor, Rosenior, Bruce, Chester, Davies, Huddlestone, Koren, Livermore, Jelavic, Sagbo, Elmohamady
West Ham: Adrian, Jarvis, Rat, Collison, Taylor, Noble, Collins, Diame, Downing, C.Cole, Johnson
Newcastle: Krul; Santon, Williamson, S.Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa; Tiote, Anita, Cabaye; Sissoko, Remy, Gouffran
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