As promised here are my assessments of the weekends games and some tips for betting purposes. As I might have mentioned, I have been doing pretty well so far so there might be something in this!?
Blackburn v Arsenal, 1245 Saturday
This should be interesting, as 2 proponents of vastly differing football philosophies go head to head. Big Fat Sam is from the 'old school' to put it politely and Arsene Wenger has made his Gunners into Barca-lite. When in charge of Bolton the man that resembles a gammon hock was adept at sending his team out to kick lumps out of more skilful opponents and to grab set-piece goals to win. Wenger's Arsenal suffered before and I can see them suffering again and the likes of Alan Hansen to refer to Arsenal as fairies. I would back Blackburn to win this at a tasty 6.5 at Paddy Power.
Blackpool v Fulham, 1500 Saturday
The first Premier League game from Bloomfield Road will see Mark Hughes Fulham the visitors. Blackpool put out the reserves in midweek and lost whereas Fulham beat Port Vale 6-0 and should take some confidence from that. I really think this is difficult to call due to Fulhams horrendous away form over the last few years. If it were any other similar level team I would back the away team in this, but I can't! I certainly wouldn't put anyone off it though at 2.3 in various places. I'm going for Moussa Dembele to score though. He got off the mark in midweek and should give Pool's defenders a torrid time, take the 3.25 at Ladbrokes.
Chelsea v Stoke, 1500 Saturday
With Asmir Begovic refusing to play and Carlo Nash deputising again this is only going one way. Chelsea have been absolutely awesome so far and I can see them again annihilating the opposition here. There is no value in the match prices and the handicaps are skinny unless you fancy the Blues to win by over 3 so I'm looking elsewhere for my money. I'm going to again tip Malouda to score anytime at 2.3 with Victor Chandler. I assume the cut in prices from last week is due to someone at bookie HQ noticing my blog!
Tottenham v Wigan, 1500 Saturday
Much as I truly hate backing 'ol Sloppy Chops boys there will be no upset here. Wigan are, to borrow a phrase from a man far more eloquent than I, toilet, utter, utter toilet. Martinez is a dead man walking and only scraping a win against lower league opposition had kept him in a job, a huge loss here could see him on his way. Peter Crouch is a man in form having bagged the match ball against Young Boys (heehee) and should net again. In fact, I'm going to back him to score 2+ at 5.5 with Skybet and pile on the misery for both Wigan's fans.
Wolves v Newcastle, 1500 Saturday
In what must go down as one of the shocks of the season already the Geordie boys beat a hopeless Villa 6-0 last week. Mick McCarthy has this Wolves team well drilled though and I don't see them conceding anywhere near that! In a similar fashion to Pulis at Stoke, McCarthy seems to be making gradual improvements to his team rather than wholesale changes, and this has led to a settled side and that will be enough this year to again keep them up. I think there may be goals in this one for both teams, as I think chances will be available, both teams to score is the bet for me. Take the 1.9 on offer at William Hill.
Manchester United v West Ham, 1715 Saturday
In one of the most insipid performances I have ever seen live, West Ham were made to wear a dress and cry at Old Trafford 2 years ago. And West Ham have got steadily worse since then. Avram Grant might well get this team to gel and keep them up, but he would not have marked this game as one to get points from. United are, in my opinion, a team in a bit of a decline, but they will murder the Irons, leaving the GSE and Bovver crying in their cheap continental lager. No doubt the Scholes love-in will continue as aside from Scott Parker West Ham's midfield is more porous than a sieve. I'd have to handicap United as they are as short as 1.12 to win with William Hill's. I'd fancy them to overturn a -2 hcap and Stan James have that at 1.72.
Bolton v Birmingham, 1330 Sunday
Both of these teams have made decent starts to the season and I think they are both going to gain the majority of their points at home this season. Owen Coyle has made some interesting additions to complement Megson's functional team and that should be enough to overcome Big Eck's Brum outfit. I do like the signing of Matt Derbyshire on loan for Brum though, just thought I'd add that! I would take the 2.2 at Betfred on the home win.
Liverpool v West Brom, 1500 Sunday
Some Liverpool 'fans' are already calling for Woy Hodgson's head for his less than stellar start. Obviously these people haven't realised that Pool are now an upper mid-table side and shouldn't be unhappy having taken 1 point from 2 members of the Sky 4/5. He has implemented a more attacking style than Benitez and his Fulham side tended to beat most teams they should at home. This should continue against the enduringly hopeless WBA. I have already stated that Di Matteo's attacking philosophy is commendable, but ill-advised so I wont go into the in's and out's again here. Handicap Liverpool HT/FT at 1.76 with Victor Chandler now as most other firms are nearer the 1.6 mark.
Sunderland v Manchester City, 1500 Sunday
City will be riding the crest of a wave having resoundly beaten Liverpool 3-0 on Monday night. Sunderland on the other hand should be ashamed to have been beaten by WBA 1-0 last weekend. Having said that they are a different beast at home and should give City's credentials a good test. I would imagine Mancini would start the same team that beat Pool and I would think these players will again give the opposition defence the run-around. Steve Bruce is living on his Wigan achievements for me, he has spent heavily and only Darren Bent could be classed as a real success. I think Niall Quinn and his 'disco pants' might give him a bit longer, but City win this one. Take the 1.9 at Ladbrokes and wait for Bruce to blame the referee at 1700 on Sunday.
Aston Villa v Everton, 1600 Sunday
Everton were many people's tips for the challenger to the Sky 4/5 this season, including mine. As yet they haven't been firing on all cylinders, but this slow start is nothing unusual. Villa have looked excellent in handing out a hiding to West Ham and dreadful in being thoroughly spanked by Newcastle. I'm not a draw backer in general, but I have a suspicion they might cancel each other out in this match. Take the 3.3 at Betfred for that result.
Just to ask again if any of you who regularly check my blog to become followers? If I can get them up then I can publish more blogs and it makes me feel all warm inside too!
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