This week we are treated to a full programme of matches in the Premier League during the week. In a move that is sure to annoy women everywhere that means that there will be football on during the soaps Tuesday and Wednesday! Looking back to the weekend I haven't had the best of luck again, and if this wretched run continues with these tips I will be taking the weekend off to recharge my batteries and have a little break. I wont be chasing my losses, and that's some free advice I'd offer you all! Just another quick note to say that I see renowned right back Gretar Steinsson of Bolton somehow managed to keep the best player in the world Gareth Bale quiet, whilst over in Sapin some wee fella called Messi scored again. This kid might be worth keeping an eye on? One day he could be as good as Wales finest!
Stoke City v Birmingham City, Tuesday 1945
The weeks action kicks off with what is sure to be about as entertaining as watching 'indie' music or Neighbours when Lynn is on. Stoke are almost unable to play football and for that reason alone credit must go to Tony Pulis for keeping them in the top league in the country without ever really attempting to do so. Birmingham, whilst far from Stoke's levels of piss poor, are in dire need of some goals. They don't possess any flair or a player to open a defence up with a splitting pass so need a striker on form to edge matches. They currently don't have this and that's why I'll be backing Stoke in this one. It'll no doubt be from a Rory Delap throw and a bullying header, but christ it's effective! Best price is 2.2 at Paddy Power.
Tottenham v Sunderland, Tuesday 2000
This one has the potential to be a thriller. Tottenham love a gung-ho approach at Shite Fart Lane, not because Sloppy Chops wants it that way, it's because he's assembled the worst collection of centre backs in the league. The utter clown. Sunderland are managing to stay away from the relegation places on the back of a good record at the Stadium Of Light and Darren Bent's ceaseless scoring. They are also pretty liable to concede at any point so goals should really be on the cards. I'm not excited about Spurs prices of 1.6, they're far too inconsistent for me to back them at that. What I do like is quotes of 3.3 at Skybet on Mr Darren Bent to score anytime. He is a regular scorer anyway against any and every defence and will surely have a point to prove after Droopy jowls binned him for those absolute world-beaters Jermaine 'a poor man's Andy Cole' Defoe and Peter 'Tall' Crouch.
Aston Villa v Blackpool, Wednesday 1945
This is when prices confuse me! Tottenham are inconsistent and Sunderland have players capable of giving most teams in the division a game. Villa are good at home, have a decent team and Blackpool are generally a championship team capable of raising their game occasionally. Yet, Villa are longer priced to win at home? I'm aware Blackpool have upset the odds this season, but I don't think Villa will be next. It'll probably be a fairly tight encounter as Villa aren't set up to give much away and don't have a prolific striker. I fancy Villa to win to nil at Paddy Power prices of 2.87.
Chelsea v Fulham, Wednesday 1945
Wednesday brings us the West London derby from Stamford Bridge. Having watched John Terry once again prove my assertion that against a striker with an ounce of pace or strength he is proven to be a Sunday league clogger I wouldn't be quick to back Chelsea. Mark Hughes team have been draw specialists so far, and are capable of continuing that run in this if the likes of Malouda and Anelka reproduce their Sunday performances. Clint Dempsey is doing an admirable job up top for the Cottagers, but Hughes must be praying for the return of Dembele and Zamora aometime soon to give them a real presence. If this was at Fulham I'd be laying Chelsea as their away form is not anyhting to write home about, however at the Bridge they are still nigh on unbeatable. I think Fulham will put up a decent defence, but will ultimately fail. I'll be having a poke at the Draw/Chelsea in the HT/FT market with 4.5 widely available.
Newcastle v Blackburn, Wednesday 1945
The turning of the Emirates from a fortress to an away teams play area continued at the weekend with Newcastle joining WBA in coming away with all 3 points. Andy Carroll might have some of the worst hair in living memory and by all accounts be a complete pillock, but he's a handful. It's now 3 wins on the spin for the Geordie's and whilst Blackburn also won on Saturday I think Newcastle's run will continue. I think that absolute tosser in charge at Blackburn is on borrowed time and I'd like to think that if he loses that job he might get out of the Premier League and then I wont have to listen to his ridiculous self promotion for a while. Best price on the home win is 2.0 with a number of firms, I'll be on that.
West Ham v West Brom, Wednesday 1945
West Ham got what would normally be a creditable point away at Birmingham on Saturday. However comma they are desperate for more than one point at the moment and their performance was once again less than encouraging. They have far too many players who seem happy to pick up their wages for no effort and it serves them right. The chairman is from Cardiff and he walks around giving it the cockernee geezer swagger. Offering Thierry Henry £100k a week in one breath then criticising the Icelanders before him for giving Kieron Dyer £70k. He's just as big a fool and for that reason alone I'd not be unhappy to see them fall a division again. West Brom are becoming something of the toast of the month for Roberto Di Matteo's attempts to play football in front of a solid defence. I think there will be goals in this one, over 2.5 at prices of 2.0 with William Hill are my tip.
Wigan v Liverpool, Wednesday 1945
Wigan are in a bit of a bad spell at present whereas Pool are on the crest of a wave. 4 matches now they've won in a row and have climbed to within touching distance of the Champions League. Fernando Torres looked like the player everyone knows he can be when motivated on Sunday, and even perennial joke Lucas performed well. Wigan are another tip to go down for me, they aren't good enough in any area to stay up really, and don't look motivated to even put in the graft that Blackpool are to make up for those shortcomings. Bluesq have left Pool at 1.83 and I'd take that as they will be around 1.7 by kick-off.
Everton v Bolton, Wednesday 2000
It's 2 of my favourite teams going head to head in this one. I really like David Moyes Everton team for the way they've been built on a relative budget and are a real team of players fighting for each other. It's a managerial skill few seem to possess to engender such team spirit and Moyes can't be applauded enough. Bolton were widely hated under nobhead Fat Sam and Gary 'Boring' Megson. Owen Coyle has taken their resolute backline and midfield and tried to add some flair to it. This should be a lauded achievement and one that should look good on his CV when he inevitably looks to move to a bigger club. Saying all of this I'm really not sure how to call this one! I fancy Everton to score and when they do, it's often Tim Cahill. Skybet are a standout 2.87 on him to do so anytime and that's the one for me.
Man City v Man Utd, Wednesday 2000
The biggest game of this midweek comes from Eastlands and it already appears the pressure has sent Mancini somewhat loopy. Mario Balotelli put in a great shift, scoring a brace, on Sunday afternoon, but then foolishly got himself sent off for aiming a kick at a WBA player. Man City have appealed this decision, presumably as they are worried Tevez wont be fit and therefore they will really struggle for goals. United scraped past a not very good Wolves side on Saturday afternoon and again didn't impress me. The shits are up to second and closing in on Chelsea though so it shows why Fergie has been so successful for so long. The win at West Brom will have bought Mancini some time, but if City lose this the growing clamour for his removal will no doubt increase. Sir Wrigley thrives on precisely this sort of opportunity to get a dig in at rival managers and I'd fully expect him to somehow ramp up the pressure in the next day or so. All this adds up to another City bottle job I think. However, whether that's in a loss or a draw I'm not sure! I'll take Betfair's offer of 2.0 on Utd in the Draw No Bet market.
Wolves v Arsenal, Wednesday 2000
Arsene Wenger can rarely have had a worse weekend in his time at Arsenal. Revelations about his private life coming out on top of another home defeat and a generally poor performance. A lot of Arsenal players looked jaded and in the absence if inspiration from Cesc Fabregas, devoid of ideas. Although he's only just come back, Fab id displaying all the signs that he is once again crocked. I would rest him and give Samir Nasri another run in his central role as he excelled there earlier in the season. Sadly, for Guneers fans, I don't see Wenger doing this. If he thinks Cesc is 90% he'll play. This will give Wolves a real belief after running Utd close twice recently that they can get a win at Molineux. Mick McCarthy has never sent a team out to attack in his life, and I don't see that changing, but they are resolute enough to nick a point. I'll take them in the Double Chance market with the draw at an appealing 2.25 with Stan James.
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