English Premiership Previews: Round 7

piatok, 1. október 2010 14:47 | Autor: Dr-Bet.com

English Premiership Previews: Round 7 | zdroj: Sportinglife.com

Manchester United's defence held firm at the Mestella on Wednesday night and Sir Alex Ferguson's team are understandably odds-on to see off Sunderland on Saturday.

Saturday 2nd October

Wigan v Wolves

Not the most mouth-watering way to start the weekend but this is a match that is vital to both Wigan and Wolves. The duo are two of the sides who will battle it out in the lower third of the Premier League table and already this is billed as a 'six-pointer'. Wigan secured a 0-0 draw at Birmingham last time out but they have yet to win in four home league games this season and that makes the best-priced 2.25 for a Latics win unappealing. Wolves are on a rocky run with three league defeats in a row, although in all three games they have seen a point disappear in the final stages. The draw at 3.25 is tempting but Wolves defender Jody Craddock to score first at 29.00 is worth an interest. The veteran bagged five goals during the previous campaign and could see a chance come his way against a Wigan defence that looks susceptible at set-pieces.
Verdict: Wigan 1 Wolves 1

Birmingham v Everton
Everton manager David Moyes has a twist on the popular Yazz song from the '80s when he declares "It's one way - up - now" after the Toffees dropped to the bottom of the table. He will be proved right when the season ends but that doesn't mean Everton will start the fightback in style when they travel to Birmingham. The Blues are unbeaten at St Andrew's in 12 months and, although that record will surely go over the next couple of months, they still have the strength at the back that has overseen the run. Both sides drew 0-0 last weekend so, with the last two league games at St Andrew's ending goalless, the 9.00 on offer for no goalscorer is tasty.
Verdict: Birmingham 0 Everton 0

Stoke v Blackburn
Stoke currently = lukewarm in the first half - much better in the second half. Not always a winning recipe but it has seen them pick up seven points from their last three Premier League games. The key figure in all three of those comebacks has been the reinvigorated Kenwyne Jones and the striker will be the main man for Blackburn to worry about this weekend. The former Sunderland forward has been hailed as "unplayable" by Potters boss Tony Pulis and in his current form that isn't too ridiculous a statement. Jones has scored in each of Stoke's previous four matches and looks very good value at 2.75 to continue that run against Rovers. The confidence of Pulis' men is rising and success on Saturday will get them settled in the mid-table perch that will again be their home this season.
Verdict: Stoke 3 Blackburn 1

Sunderland v Manchester United
Manchester United's defence held firm at the Mestella on Wednesday night and Sir Alex Ferguson's team are understandably odds-on to see off Sunderland on Saturday. The Red Devils are unbeaten this season and were one of only three teams to win at the Stadium Of Light in the previous campaign. However, their record in the league on the road this term has yielded three draws, at Fulham, Everton and Bolton and they may have to settle for another point again this weekend. Sunderland look a genuine top-10 team who will be pushing for a Europa League place, and their record against the big boys is a good one. They have already drawn with Arsenal and beaten Manchester City at home, and drew with Liverpool at Anfield last weekend. Darren Bent is in good form and scored in the last minute against City and Arsenal, while he bagged a brace at Liverpool. He's 2.30 to score anytime and that's a fair price. For our bet, though, we'll turn to the Asian Handicap where Sunderland are available +0.5 at 2.025 with Bet365. I'd rather have the Sunderland win on side as well as the draw given United had a tough trip to Spain on Wednesday night, while the Black Cats are refreshed.
Verdict: Sunderland 1 Manchester United 1

Tottenham v Aston Villa
Tottenham beat FC Twente 4-1 at White Hart Lane on Wednesday night but I've a strong feeling that their Champions League adventure might cost them a top-four place this season. After they beat Young Boys in the qualifier they lost 1-0 at home to Wigan three days later while the home fans had to wait until the 77th minute before they scored against Wolves on the Saturday after their trip to Werder Bremen. Even last weekend they lost at West Ham, a game sandwiched in between a Carling Cup loss and a Champions League fixture. It seems to me there is plenty of early evidence to suggest they aren't coping well with a hectic top-level schedule and a fresh, reinvigorated Aston Villa is a really tough test. Gerard Houllier has made a good start as Villa boss, and the pacy, counter-attacking side he's inherited from Martin O'Neill can really trouble a Tottenham team that are prone to leaving gaps at the back. 4.00 looks a fair price to me about an away victory.
Verdict: Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 2

West Brom v Bolton
This has the makings of a good, close game as both sides have made above-average starts to the season. West Brom have been a very tough side to play against at home, as Manchester City, Birmingham and Sunderland have found to their cost, while Spurs left the Hawthorns with only a point. Their best performance of the season, though, came at the Emirates last week when they sensationally beat Arsenal 3-2. Bolton lost 4-1 at the Gunners, but it would be unfair to favour the Baggies on that line of form as the Trotters had Gary Cahill sent off that day and it's been their only blip this season. Apart from that Arsenal defeat, Bolton are unbeaten in all competitions this term and are likely to pose a decent threat to West Brom. It's tough to choose between the two teams, but they both like to attack and I don't think this game will lack for goals. Bolton have scored five and conceded six in three games away from home, while West Brom have scored five at home and conceded 11 in total. A couple of speculative correct score draws could be the way to go, with 2-2 (12.00) and 3-3 (67.00) suggested.
Verdict: West Brom 3 Bolton 3

West Ham v Fulham
I can't remember the last time Fulham were consistently good away from home. They are a team that has annually struggled on the road - a team that has won just nine away league games in the last six seasons (including this one). For a team that hasn't been relegated in that period it's some feat and an indication of how good their home form has been. However, new manager Mark Hughes must be hell-bent on changing their away-day blues judging by their away performances this term. Okay, they might not have won on the road yet, but three draws in the north west at Bolton, Blackpool and Blackburn are a sure sign that they are toughening up away from Craven Cottage. And toughness is a trait that West Ham simply don't have to my eyes, despite their win over Spurs last week. I think they caught Tottenham on a bad day rather then their own abilities coming to fruition and their 3-1 home defeat to Bolton earlier in the season is a better indicator of where they're at. West Ham at 2.25 look a horrible price, so we'll have a play at the 3.30 bet365 offer on Fulham.
Verdict: West Ham 0 Fulham 1

PICKS:
Jody Craddock to score first against Wigan at 29.00 at Bwin.
No goalscorer in Birmingham v Everton at 9.00 at Bet365.
Kenwyne Jones to score anytime v Blackburn at 2.75 at Bet365.
Sunderland (+0.5) on Asian Handicap at 2.025 at Bet365.
Aston Villa to beat Spurs at 4.00 at Bet365.
2-2 in West Brom v Bolton at 12.00 at Bet365, or 3-3 at 67.00 at Bwin.
Fulham to beat West Ham at 3.30 at Bet365.

Sunday 3rd October

Manchester City v Newcastle
Manchester City sit in the final Champions League spot ahead of this clash. The 1-0 victory over Chelsea last weekend has eased the pressure on boss Roberto Mancini and a clash against Newcastle at Eastlands should be to his liking. However, it is not long since City stumbled to a home draw against Blackburn so Newcastle will travel south with a bit of belief that they can spring a surprise. Chris Hughton's men have already impressed away from St James' Park this season with wins at Chelsea, in the Carling Cup, and Everton, in the league. That makes the 8.50 on offer for a Magpies win take some appeal but City will be eager to prove the win over Chelsea wasn't a false dawn and that should provide the motivation for them to bag another three points.
Verdict: Manchester City 3 Newcastle 1

Liverpool v Blackpool
The Liverpool soap opera continues with the home clash against Blackpool. A 0-0 draw at FC Utrecht on Thursday night made it four league and cup games without a win for the struggling Reds. The return of captain Steven Gerrard is a massive boost for boss Roy Hodgson and the midfielder should provide the quality needed to overcome the battling Seasiders. The England international has bagged three goals in his last two games so a swoop for the 2.40 with bet365 for him to score anytime is the tip for this match. Blackpool forward Gary Taylor-Fletcher is right to suggest this is a good time to face the Reds but his side still look they will come up a little short in their bid to secure a shock win. Expect them to make Liverpool work but it still won't be enough to stop the hosts getting back on track at Anfield.
Verdict: Liverpool 3 Blackpool 1

Chelsea v Arsenal
Didier Drogba has a fantastic record against Arsenal with 12 goals in 10 starts against the Gunners and he will again be the man to watch in Sunday's blockbuster encounter at Stamford Bridge. Much of the recent paper talk has been about the decision of Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti to replace the striker during the 1-0 defeat at Manchester City last weekend. Drogba admits he was "surprised" to be substituted but his sulking days are currently behind him and we can expect a strong response from the Ivorian. He also missed the midweek Champions League win over Marseille so will be well rested for this clash. Arsenal's defence has looked shaky in recent weeks and, despite a good display in midweek, there is also a major question mark over goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. Those weaknesses in the Gunners side will help the hosts and their plethora of attacking talent can once again overpower their London rivals. Back Drogba at 11/10 with Coral to score anytime as he takes the key role in another Chelsea home victory.
Verdict: Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0