Apologies to anyone who has backed my Premier League tips over the last 2 weekends, they have been dogshit and I'm suitably embarrassed. I've been over-thinking some of them I think, convinced myself against my original thoughts on occasion, so from now on I'll be better. Promise! Without any further ado...
Arsenal v West Ham, Saturday 1500
Arsenal have been in scintillating form of late, tonking teams left, right and indeed centre. The Hammers have been looking increasingly like a team resigned to relegation. Avram Grant has all the personality of a corpse and I can't imagine that's doing much for team spirit around the place. You would think some of Parker and Noble's exuberance would rub off on their team-mates. But, one of the downsides of bringing in a load of foreign marcenaries is that they aren't going to dig in when it gets tough, they're happy to pick up their wages a la Winston Bogarde and contribute little. Marouane Chamkh has made a blistering start to his Arsenal career and seems in a hot streak in front of goal so I'll back him to score anytime. Victor Chandler are way out on a limb at 2.05 and that should be lumped on now!
Blackburn v Chelsea, Saturday 1500
I have a real feeling that Blackburn are capable of getting a point from this game. Big Fat Fergie's Bum Licking Lamb Shank Resembling Sam Allardyce has a decent record at Eewood park for Blackburn and Man City showed it is possible to make life difficult for Chelsea with a bit of muscle. Allardyce's teams have always been bullies and that hasn't changed at Blackburn. With their new Indian owners the club should be on something of a high, and I'm sure with this investment The Fat One will take them to the Champions League by next year! The fool. Chelsea are always a match for any side though so I think giving Blackburn a little help with a handicap is required for safety. Id go on the asian +1.25 Blackburn at a best priced 1.93 at Victor Chandler.
Everton v Stoke City, Saturday 1500
Everton have finally started their season now after taking an absolute age to hit their stride. Stoke are still the divisions worst team to watch, but they do make teams work for their wins and aren't afraid of getting 'stuck in'. Moyes boys are still somewhat struggling for goals and are relying on the likes of Cahill, Pienaar and Arteta to get in the box in the absence of any fit or in form strikers. Match prices of 1.6 on an Everton won don't appeal much to me so I'm going to take Cahill to again come from midfield and score, and probably do that twatty punching celebration too. Stan James are standout at 2.87 on him to come up with the goods and I'm happy with that.
Fulham v Wigan, Saturday 1500
Mark Hughes team are the divisions draw specialists and this is mainly down to having an organised backline that doesn't concede many. Add to this the fact that their 2 strikers are currently crocked and it doesn't make for much in terms of goals at Craven Cottage. Wigan are still a mystery to me. They look like the worst team in the division when I watch them, but they pick up points here and there. Saying that, I think this is the week Fulham win! Betfred are biggest on this outcome at 1.9.
Wolves v Man City, Saturday 1500
Having been turned round, bent over and made to cry by Arsenal at home last week Man City will be looking to respond here. Wolves gave Man Utd a scare in the cup in midweek, but as we all know now, Utd's backline is as leaky as a very leaky thing this season and that shouldn't be read into too much. I thought Wolves would kick on this year, but they look likely to be involved in a relegation scrap unless they improve rapidly. City had been impressive before last Sunday, and the early sending off of Boyata undoubtebly hurt them. After originally suggesting Tevez to score, the ugly little orc has cried off back to Argentina. This changes everything as City seem incapable of scoring without him. I'm struggling for a bet as under 2.5 is prohibitively priced for me. I fancy a Man City clean sheet at 2.2 with Totesport!
Man Utd v Tottenham, Saturday 1730
These games are usually entertaining affairs and that should again be the case this weekend. United look a team in decline to me, they are getting results, but scraping to them without any inspiration and with an increasingly porous backline. Jonny Evans in particular is toilet for me and has got carried away with the praise that Sir Wrigley has given him for a few years now. Sloopy Chops has got Tottenham up the table, but they are still not to be counted on and are bereft of talent at centre back. The man can moan all he wants, but he knew King and Woodgate are permanently crocked, Gallas is a tiny tears style ladyman and Bassong and Corluka are average at best. All this adds up to goals for me, possibly plenty of them! Boylesports go 2.75 on over 3.5 goals and I fancy that.
Aston Villa v Birmingham City, Sunday 1200
The first of the Sunday derbies is the Birmingham derby from Villa Park. These matches are generally pretty fiery affairs and both sides have local lads who will be keen to make a mark in a match like this. Villa have carried on under Houllier where O'Neill left off really, they're pretty dull and functional with little to offer the neutral. Brum went ahead at Arsenal before succumbing and beat the impressive Blackpool last Saturday at home. I wouldn't want to call this match really as they're both pretty tight teams. William Hill go 1.9 on both teams to score and I think that's the best bet out there.
Newcastle v Sunderland, Sunday 1330
The second of the derbies is the TyneTees affair from St James Park. Newcastle manager Chris Hughtonis under pressure, presumably for not leadin them to a 15 point lead already, and rested players in the Carling Cup for this match. This led to a 4-0 spanking by Arsenal, but there should be no problems motivating the players for this match. Sunderland are a frustrating side, they are more than capable of giving most sides in the division a game, but some weeks simply fail to turn up. Hopefully for a derby match they'll bring their best form and I think they're worth a dabble at in the draw no bet market. Odds of 2.5 are widely available and I think they're worth it.
Bolton v Liverpool, Sunday 1600
Once again it's a must get something match for Liverpool. This will be far easier said than done however, with Bolton proving many wrong by getting good results this season. Liverpool don't travel well and will look to Gerrard and Torres for inspration as usual. Torres isn't as prolific away as he is at home and looks like a man who knows he'll be leaving the club sooner rather than later. Gerrard simply looks like years of carrying Pool are catching up with him. I think Bolton can get something from this game, I'll take them draw no bet though to be safe. Bet365 go 2.37 on Bolton in that market so that's where my money is heading.
Blackpool v West Brom, Monday 2000
Two of this seasons promoted teams go into battle at BloomfieldRoad on Monday night live on Sky. Both have been suprises so far with performances far out-stripping pre-seasons gloomy predictions. West Brom are currently in a Europa League spot, and with the league pretty shit outside the Top 5 I see little reason why they can't stay there if they keep playing as well as they have. Pool have given some excellent performances, but have also looked a Championship team on occasion. West Brom ahve won from behind a couple of times of late and obviously don't let their heads go down if this happens. I think they're worth a half stakes punt at 13.0 with Boylesports to do so again.
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