Liverpool survived a scare to reach the group stages of the Europa League on Thursday night but they head into this clash against West Brom looking to repair some of the damage caused by their comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Manchester City in their last Premier League outing.

 

---

Sunday 29th August

---

Bolton v Birmingham
(14.30 CET)
Both sides have made encouraging starts to the new season, but we're backing the Wanderers to pick up their first home win on Sunday. Owen Coyle's men dominated Fulham for large periods of their opening-day goalless draw at the Reebok and really should have won while last weekend they claimed an impressive 3-1 triumph at West Ham. Johan Elmander's clinical double underlined just how much he's improved and grown in confidence under Coyle's management having struggled for so long during the Gary Megson era and we're expecting him to cause Birmingham problems on Sunday. We correctly tipped him to score anytime at Upton Park and he's a tempting 21/10 with bet365 to strike once again. Alex McLeish's Blues, who also have four points from two games, look a little vulnerable at the back having conceded twice at Sunderland on the opening weekend while they needed Ben Foster at his best to beat Blackburn 2-1. On Thursday night they edged out League One Rochdale 3-2 in the Carling Cup although McLeish had made eight changes to his line-up so we're not reading too much into that. However James McFadden, who scored from the spot, did go off at half-time complaining of a tight groin so he is doubtful to face the Trotters. Bolton beat Birmingham 2-1 at the Reebok on the final day of last season and we forecasting a repeat result this time.
Verdict: Bolton 2 Birmingham 1
 

Liverpool v West Brom 
(16.00 CET)
Liverpool survived a scare to reach the group stages of the Europa League on Thursday night but they head into this clash against West Brom looking to repair some of the damage caused by their comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Manchester City in their last Premier League outing. The Reds were brushed aside by the big-spending Eastlands outfit - a result which suggests it's going to be a tough job for Roy Hodgson to haul them back into the Champions League qualification spots - and a week earlier a late Pepe Reina own goal cost them victory over Arsenal at Anfield. One point from two games shouldn't distract from the positive impact Hodgson appears to have made overall since his arrival from Fulham in the summer but he will accept nothing less than a victory from this home fixture as they bid to get their domestic season up and running. Liverpool should be boosted by the return of Fernando Torres and captain Steven Gerrard, who were both rested for the long trip to Turkey, while Daniel Agger and Milan Jovanovic are also in line for recalls. Despite the exertions of playing in Europe, Liverpool should still have too much for a Baggies side that were crushed 6-0 at Chelsea on the opening day and we reckon the even money with Blue Square about the hosts winning to nil is worth snapping up. West Brom did manage a single goal from new signing Peter Odemwingie in a 1-0 win over Sunderland at The Hawthorns last week but we don't think their firepower is sufficient to make a breakthrough at Anfield.
Verdict: Liverpool 2 West Brom 0



 

 

Sunderland v Man City 
(16.00 CET)
Manchester City made a big early statement to their Premier League rivals on Monday night when crushing Liverpool 3-0 at Eastlands and they understandably head to the Stadium of Light on Sunday as odds-on across the board to claim another three points. There had been pre-season concerns that Roberto Mancini would struggle to gel together the egos in his expensively-assembled squad and although problems may arise further down the line, their performance against the Reds suggests they have the credentials and talent to at least push the usual candidates hard. James Milner, who enjoyed a superb debut, will come back into the team to face the Black Cats having sat out Thursday night's comfortable Europa League victory over Timisoara while Mario Balotelli could also be available after a knee problem. Sunderland, who followed up a 2-2 draw at home to Birmingham with a 1-0 defeat at West Brom, will surely have their work cut out to keep City's array of attacking stars quiet. One player who isn't usually known for providing a goal threat is Yaya Toure but with Nigel De Jong doing such a solid job in front of the defence, the former Barcelona man frequently took his opportunities to push into forward positions on Monday night. He's 8/1 with bet365 anytime and is perhaps worth a small punt. Sunderland will obviously look to Darren Bent for goals having netted three so far this season, albeit two of those coming against Colchester in the Carling Cup, but we don't think he'll be able to prevent defeat.
Verdict: Sunderland 1 Man City 2


Aston Villa v Everton
(17.00 CET)
Aston Villa are a wounded animal right now and although Everton will be wary of a backlash, they really must look to go in for the kill as they target a first win of the Premier League season. Villa were shockingly mauled 6-0 at Newcastle last weekend and on Thursday night they crashed out of the Europa League at the final qualifying hurdle against Rapid Vienna for the second successive season. With the scores level at 1-1 after the first leg in Vienna, Villa twice led on the night but in the end slumped to a rather shambolic 3-2 defeat which saw them bow out 4-3 on aggregate. Skipper Stiliyan Petrov, who missed a penalty, branded the exit as "unacceptable" while he also admitted the uncertainty surrounding who will be Martin O'Neill's successor has been unsettling and needs to be resolved. On two poor results in a row, Petrov said: "Obviously we know there is something wrong. We are playing well, we are creating chances, but we need to look at our defensive game as well. In two games, we've conceded nine goals so it doesn't look right but it is up to us to get it right." Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald is still mulling over whether he wants the job on a full-time basis but his odds for the post are now a lot bigger than they were after the opening day 3-0 win over West Ham, which now seems a distant memory. There are also fresh worries over Gabriel Agbonlahor, who was substituted against Rapid at half-time due to 'tight calves' and is battling to be fit for Sunday's clash. Everton are a generous 2/1 with Ladbrokes to pour more misery on Villa although they also need to make improvements. Having lost at Blackburn first up, the Toffees hosted Wolves fully expectant of collecting all three points last week but a below-par performance saw them held to a disappointing 1-1 draw. A resounding 5-1 triumph over Huddersfield in the Carling Cup won't have done their confidence any harm and we reckon they'll be keen to go for the jugular at Villa Park.
Verdict: Aston Villa 1 Everton 2

PICKS:
Johan Elmander to score anytime v Birmingham 3.10 (at Bet365).
Liverpool to beat West Brom to nil at evens 1.72 (at Ladbrokes).
Yaya Toure to score anytime v Sunderland at 9.00 (at Bet365).
Everton to beat Aston Villa at 2.87 (at Ladbrokes).

---

Saturday 28th August

---

Blackburn v Arsenal
(13.45CET)
A typically slick and clinical display from Arsenal last weekend to overrun Blackpool at the Emirates and confidence is high ahead of a tricky trip to the north west. Hat-trick hero Theo Walcott has said that the Gunners will not get carried away with the performance but it was hard not to be impressed by the 21-year-old's own individual efforts. A nice break over the summer and a full pre-season is the reason for his impressive start to the new campaign and he looks interesting at 3.00 to keep things going with another goal at some stage in proceedings. Rovers won the corresponding fixture 2-1 back in the spring at Ewood Park - their first victory in the League over the Gunners in seven attempts. Sam Allardyce's side had more than enough chances to put Birmingham away last week but allowed them to come from a goal down to take the three points. The gaffer was generally pleased with the display and will want to see his team take their chances, particularly vital against a top-four side. To sum up, it is hard to get away from the visitors at 1.61 but we will stick with in-form Walcott to make an impact once more.
Verdict: Blackburn 1 Arsenal 3

Blackpool v Fulham
(16.00CET)
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway refused to be too downcast following their 6-0 drubbing at Arsenal. They had an impossible task after being reduced to 10 men after 30 minutes but Holloway memorably said afterwards that he would still have been smiling if they had been beaten 14-0! Blackpool will continue to try and play football though and their open style will always be punished by the better outfits at the top level although a chance to work this week with his backline might help shore things up a little bit. The visitors fully deserved their late equaliser at home to Manchester United in a cracking 2-2 draw. This is a team that won just once on the road in the Premier League last season but the layers make them favourites to equal that tally on the Lancashire coast. Mark Hughes is starting to make his presence felt and one man who looks to have benfited is midfielder Dickson Etuhu. He said: "This manager is encouraging me to drive forward a bit more and it's working really well. Hopefully now you'll start seeing me score a few goals." He would have netted last week but for a fine save from Edwin Van der Sar and he looks worth chancing to open his account anytime here at bet365's 10.00 - his bursts from midfield could be tough to track by the home side.
Verdict: Blackpool 2 Fulham 2

 

 

Chelsea v Stoke
(16.00CET)
Ten goals scored and none conceded in two games as the champions have effortlessly clicked into gear. It has not been a very taxing start for Chelsea with wins over West Brom and Wigan but they have taken care of business in ominous fashion and look to be really enjoying their football at the moment. The schedule gets a little tougher now with the visit of Stoke but they are a side that were smashed up 7-0 at Stamford Bridge in April so a best price of 1.11 to make it three wins out of three is probably not too far off the mark. The Potters improved last week from their opening defeat at Wolves and were unfortunate not to snatch a 2-2 draw against Tottenham. New boy Jon Walters saw his header that clearly crossed the line before hitting Peter Crouch count for nothing and the former Ipswich forward has been their best player in that game and the midweek Carling Cup win over Shrewsbury. He was a good finisher at Portman Road and is 7/1 to add to his tally but Stoke's recent record against their hosts since their return to the top flight does not make pretty reading. Five defeats from five games (including one in the FA Cup) and a goal tally of 15-2 in favour of Chelsea. The latter look rock-solid in current mood giving up two goals on the handicap at 1.475 with Stan James and bet365.
Verdict: Chelsea 4 Stoke 0

Tottenham v Wigan
(16.00CET)
Spurs are on a real high after ensuring Champions League football at White Hart Lane this year but Harry Redknapp was keen to stress that they must continue to pick up points in the Premier League amongst the euphoria. Saturday's visitors have made a dreadful start to their campaign having been humiliated by Blackpool on the opening day before being completely outplayed by Chelsea in the second half of last week's 6-0 home thrashing. A 3-0 win at Hartlepool in the Carling Cup was a small step in the right direction but they now face a team that put 12 goals past them in two encounters last year. Roberto Martinez feels that his side are gradually gelling but there is a doubt over striker Victor Moses, who suffered an ankle injury on Cup duty. Spurs were still sloppy in possession at times against Young Boys but you wonder just how much they will be punished by Wigan in their current form. Jermain Defoe is missing as he goes in for an operation on a groin problem but Harry Redknapp still looks to have too much firepower at his disposal for the visitors. They are a best price of 3/10 and should have little trouble landing the odds.
Verdict: Tottenham 3 Wigan 1

 

Wolves v Newcastle
(16.00CET)
Andy Carroll is the name on everyone's lips after his hat-trick helped see off hapless Aston Villa last week 6-0. The big centre forward is being hailed as the next Alan Shearer and also linked with an England call-up so it will be interesting to see how reacts now under the press microscope. Gaffer Chris Hughton has praised his work ethic and attitude and those keen to side with the hot hand can back him at 7.00 for first goalscorer and 3.00 anytime. Wolves have made a promising start to the new season with four points from two games. They were second best in the first halft at Everton but a gritty effort after the break earned them a well-deserved point in a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park. Mick McCarthy made changes for the fortunate win over Southend in the Carling Cup in midweek and the more familiar names are likely to be in action once again. This pair seem to be fairly evenly matched at the moment and it would be no shock to see them share the spoils at Molineux. A small bet on a correct score of 1-1 could pay dividends.
Verdict: Wolves 1 Newcastle 1

Manchester United v West Ham
(18.30CET)
This has been an automatic three points for the Red Devils in the last five starts with a 14-1 aggregate in favour of the home side. They are 1.14 with the layers to make it six after last weekend's dropped points at Fulham in a 2-2 draw. It was a bit of a surprise to see them nose in front and then not finish off the job but it should galvanise them into a stronger display back at Old Trafford. They will welcome back Wayne Rooney after a stomach bug ruled him out of last week's trip to London. He was at the top of his game when scoring twice when they beat the Hammers 3-0 in February and Coral are a best price of 3/1 that he grabs the opener here and ends his drought that stretches to around 18 hours of football. A point bigger is the mercurial Dimitar Berbatov who has looked a bit steelier and involved in the early fixtures this season. There is little doubt concerning his eye for a goal and he seems that bit more willing to get into the right places. Is there any hope for West Ham? Not much. A narrow Carling Cup win in midweek over lowly Oxford United has been a rarebright spot from a poor start to the season. New faces and new manager Avram Grant are taking time to get organised and and it is hoped they are not too entrenched at the bottom before performances start to pick up. The outstanding Scott Parker is hopeful of springing a surprise but not many will concur with that viewpoint currently.
Verdict: Manchester United 3 West Ham 0

 

PICKS:
Theo Walcott to score anytime v Blackburn at 3.00 (at Bet365).
Chelsea (-2) to beat Stoke at 1.475 (at Bet365).
Dickson Etuhu to score anytime v Blackpool at 10.00 (at Bet365).
Dimitar Berbatov to score first v West Ham at 4.50 (at Ladbrokes).
Wolves and Newcastle to draw 1-1 at 6.50 (at Ladbrokes).