Everton have got their season up and running in recent weeks following a difficult start but we reckon they may well stall again when they visit Tottenham on Saturday.

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Saturday 23rd October

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Tottenham v Everton
Everton have got their season up and running in recent weeks following a difficult start but we reckon they may well stall again when they visit Tottenham on Saturday. The Toffees certainly head to White Hart Lane in confident mood having defeated troubled neighbours Liverpool 2-0 in last weekend's Merseyside derby and they've now gone three games - including two away from home - without conceding a goal. In hindsight it was probably the embarrassing Carling Cup exit at the hands of Brentford last month that kicked them into life and they've subsequently climbed up the Premier League table to 11th with two wins and a draw. David Moyes has evidently made his side hard to break down once again but on Saturday they face a Spurs side who are also in fine form domestically. On Wednesday night Harry Redknapp's men found themselves 4-0 down against Inter Milan in the Champions League after a nightmare first-half at the San Siro but Gareth Bale's stunning hat-trick at least gave them something positive to reflect on. Having played most the match with 10 men following goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes' red card, one could argue the fatigue factor could play a part for the 1345 kick-off but they'll no doubt be fired up to further boost their top-four hopes. They've won both their last two Premier League games - at home against Aston Villa and away at Fulham - and should be backed at 2.10 with Bet365 to make it three in a row. One man not involved at the San Siro due to suspension was Spurs' new talisman Rafael van der Vaart and there's no doubt he'll be fresh and raring to go against Everton. The Dutchman has scored four goals since his dramatic deadline-day move and they've all come at White Hart Lane, including a brace against Villa. You would think Redknapp will stick with the 4-4-1-1 formation which sees van der Vaart playing as a second striker behind either Roman Pavlyuchenko or Peter Crouch so the 3.00 available with Bet365 about him scoring anytime is worth taking.
Verdict: Tottenham 2 Everton 0

Birmingham v Blackpool

You just wonder if the time has finally come for Blackpool to begin their slide towards the relegation zone after they were brought back down to earth last weekend. Following the euphoric highs of shocking Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield, a result which kept them firmly in the top half of the table, Ian Holloway's plucky Seasiders were not quite strong enough for big spending Manchester City on Sunday as the visitors claimed an entertaining 3-2 win at Bloomfield Road. However, Blackpool's three victories in their maiden Premier League campaign so far have all come away from home - also beating Wigan and Newcastle - so there's no reason for them to be fearful of a trip to St Andrews on Saturday. And besides, when people last said their bubble had burst in the wake of back-to-back defeats to Chelsea and Blackburn, they went to Anfield and won. Birmingham have endured a lacklustre start to the season and currently sit one place above the drop zone having won just once so they'll certainly view this clash as a perfect opportunity to pick up a welcome three points. But the Blues are struggling for goals at the moment, failing to find the net in any of their last three home league games, and we therefore wouldn't be keen on backing them at evens. Blackpool's heavy defeats at Arsenal and Chelsea mean they have conceded the most goals in the division but we still think they can frustrate the hosts and pose a threat at the other end. They would be happy with a point and a draw at 3.60 with Bet365 is our recommendation.
Verdict: Birmingham 1 Blackpool 1

 

Chelsea v Wolves

This has mismatch written all over it. Wolves have not won a fixture in the Premier League in their last seven outings and had lost four straight until last weekend's 1-1 draw with West Ham. Chelsea have won all four of their games at Stamford Bridge in the league, scoring 14 times and yet to concede. The stats don't get much better historically either for Mick McCarthy's men with the last four encounters yielding four wins for Chelsea and an aggregate of 16 scored for just two against. Daunting stuff indeed as McCarthy starts a run of fixtures against the clubs in the top four but the Yorkshireman is relishing the challenge ahead and hopes he can make a good start and get something out of the match. A growing injury list does not help his cause though with the admission that he will play "three in midfield - but not sure which three". Chelsea had a hatful of chances at Aston Villa last week but failed to convert so the return of Didier Drogba up front after illness could remedy that particular issue. The big guns have not looked quite so invincible this season but it is still stretching things to expect Wolves to be anywhere good enough here - expect the home side to triumph in a canter.
Verdict: Chelsea 3 Wolves 0

 

Sunderland v Aston Villa

Sunderland are one of the Premier League's draw specialists so far this season and this is likely to continue if they keep relying on one man to score their goals. Following Monday's dour stalemate against 10-man Blackburn at Ewood Park - in which star striker Darren Bent missed a golden opportunity when one-on-one with Paul Robinson - Steve Bruce summed up the current situation by saying: "We've got to come up with some goals from someone else. We should be taking some of the chances we've created." When Bent fails to find the net, the Black Cats tend to fire blanks. The 26-year-old has scored seven of Sunderland's 10 goals in all competitions this season with Asamoah Gyan grabbing two and the other coming from a Stephen Carr own goal in the 2-2 draw against Birmingham on the opening day of the campaign. Their last two matches have ended goalless and they must now try to break through an Aston Villa defence which held leaders Chelsea to a 0-0 draw at the weekend. Villa's away record in the league is poor having lost three out of four on the road but Gerard Houllier's arrival seems to have had a positive impact on the squad and they could well have beaten the defending champions had Nigel Reo-Coker kept his cool in stoppage-time. They are a best of 3.00 with Bet365 to sink the mis-firing Black Cats and we reckon that's a tempting price.
Verdict: Sunderland 0 Aston Villa 1

 

West Brom v Fulham

West Brom have been the definition of a yo-yo club in recent years but early signs this time around suggest they are well capable of avoiding yet another instant return to the Championship. Since conceding six in an opening-day mauling at Chelsea, the Baggies have produced some exceptional performances and are currently sixth in the table. At the weekend they sensationally came back from 2-0 down at Old Trafford to draw 2-2 but not even that result can top their remarkable 3-2 triumph at Arsenal three weeks earlier. Roberto Martinez's men have also picked up victories over Sunderland and Birmingham at The Hawthorns while two creditable home draws with Tottenham and Bolton also prove they are no pushovers. On Saturday they host a Fulhamside who have drawn each of their four league games on the road this season. The Cottagers have made a sound start under Mark Hughes but they really need to start killing teams off if they want to fulfil ambitions of getting into the hunt for a European spot. Fulham's only defeat came at the weekend when Tom Huddlestone's controversial goal gave Spurs a 2-1 win at Craven Cottage but it's fair to say the hosts deserved at least a point. While the outcome of this one is hard to call, we have found an interesting alternative bet worth taking - Fulham to score first at 2.40 with bet365. The Cottagers have netted the opening goal in their last two games while West Brom have made a habit of coming from behind this season. In seven of the 10 games they've played in all competitions, the Baggies have conceded first.
Verdict: West Brom 1 Fulham 1

 

Wigan v Bolton

Bolton are eight places above Wigan heading into Saturday's Lancashire derby at the DW Stadium but the situation would have been completely different had there not been stoppage-time drama in their respective games last weekend. While the Latics conceded a last-gasp equaliser against Newcastle having earlier led 2-0, Ivan Klasnic's late strike gave Bolton their first home victory of the season as they beat Stoke 2-1. Take away those goals and it would be Wigan looking down on their local rivals. The point is very little separates the sides - even though a quick glance at the table suggests otherwise - and we're expecting a close encounter on Saturday. Roberto Martinez's men initially suffered a dreadful start to the season, losing 4-0 to Blackpool and 6-0 to Chelsea in their opening two home games, but since then they've recovered with some encouraging results including wins over Tottenham and Wolves. Draws with the Magpies, Birmingham and Sunderland have also helped keep their heads above water but they'll find it tough to get more than a point against a Trotters side who have lost just once in the league this season - and that came away at Arsenal. If pushed, we would go for the draw at 3.10 with Bwin but this one can go either way so instead we'll turn our attention to the anytime goalscorer market. Martin Petrov has proved to be a cracking free transfer for Bolton and although his strike in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United is the only goal he's scored so far, he provides a constant threat going forward. The Bulgarian came close against Stoke but saw a rasping drive superbly saved by Thomas Sorensen and we reckon you should take Bet365's 4.75 for him to find the net on this occasion.
Verdict: Wigan 1 Bolton 1

 

West Ham v Newcastle

West Ham can count themselves rather unfortunate to still be rooted to the bottom of the Premier League but it surely won't be long before Avram Grant's side climb the ladder if they can maintain their recent revival. The Hammers, who lost their opening four games of the season, were denied a crucial 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Wolves at the weekend when referee Mark Clattenburg harshly judged that Frederic Piquionne handled the ball before slotting home in stoppage-time. Three points would have lifted them out of the relegation zone while they've now gone 22 league fixtures on the road without a win. But the Hammers are back at Upton Park on Saturday evening to face Newcastle and we're backing Scott Parker to inspire them to victory. The 30-year-old midfielder has pulledthe strings for his side all season, boosting his chances of a recall to the England squad in the process, and he's also managed three goals in all competition. He's a generous 5.60 with Bwin to strike anytime against the Magpies, who are sliding towards the basement after two defeats and a draw in their last three games. Sure, they fought back from 2-0 down to earn a point against Wigan on Saturday but they could be vulnerable after a difficult week which saw the departure of assistant Colin Calderwood to Hibernian and striker Andy Carroll appearing before magistrates charged with assault - an accusation he denies. Manager Chris Hughton admitted these have been "testing times" and although he believes it's "made us stronger as an outfit and stronger as a team", we think they'll head back to the north east empty handed.
Verdict: West Ham 2 Newcastle 0

PICKS:
Rafael van der vaart to score anytime against Everton at 3.00 at Bet365
Birmingham to draw against Blackpool at 3.60 at Bet365
Aston Villa to win against Sunderland at 3.00 at Bet365
Fulham to score first against West Brom at 2.40 at Bet365
Martin Petrov to score anytime against Wigan at 4.75 at Bet365
Scott Parker to score anytime against Newcastle at 5.60 at Bwin

 

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Sunday 24th October

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Stoke v Manchester United

Having slipped well off the pace of leaders Chelsea, United could really have done without Wayne Rooney muddying their waters further this week. That situation is now resolved - although Rooney won't play here due to injury - but they could probably have done without a tricky trip to the raucous Britannia too. United may have won this fixture in each of the last two seasons but this season they've yet to record a victory on their travels in the Premier League, drawing all four games and conceding seven goals in the process. Significantly they've been blowing leads in uncharateristic fashion - they were two up against both Everton and West Brom before drawing and were twice ahead against Fulham, another game which ended all square. They are 9/2 to score first and not win here. Tempting, but not the bet for us. Looking at Stoke, they have a remarkable record of having scored eight of their nine league goals this season in the second half. With this in mind, we're turning to the half-time/full-time market in which United-Draw is pricing up at a whopping 15.00 with Bet365. Given current trends, it's one we can't resist.
Verdict: Stoke 1 Manchester United 1

Liverpool v Blackburn

From one troubled club to the next, namely Liverpool. You probably don't need telling this is the Reds' worst start to a season since the 50s, but the cards look to have fallen in their favour with this one. Sam Allardyce's reign as Blackburn boss has seen his side have markedly contrasting fortunes at home and on their travels. Hard to beat at Ewood Park, soft-centred away from home. They've not had an away clean sheet yet this season and lose arguably their best defender, Chris Samba, to suspension for this one. Yes, Liverpool were on the road in midweek in the Europa League, but possibly more than half of the XI which will start this match remained behind in England, including notably Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, who should be fresh and raring to go. The latter was fodder for the pundits after last week's defeat at Everton but did the Spaniard really deserve to be singled out? Frankly he looked the most likely Red to find the net in that game, forcing saves in both halves from Tim Howard and almost getting on the end of another good ball in from Gerrard in the second period. A look at his record against Rovers shows Torres has four goals in three games against them (all at Anfield and all have been won) which makes the odds of 2.20 about him netting in this game look big. He'd have been an odds-on shot in this match had it been on the opening day. We don't think he's very far away from getting back on the goal trail and these opponents look tailor made for him to do just that.
Verdict: Liverpool 2 Blackburn 0

Manchester City v Arsenal

Arsenal were at their entertaining best in midweek as they waltzed past Shakhtar Donetsk but how many times have we seen them turn on the style against lesser opposition only to then come unstuck against the big boys? When they came up against Chelsea earlier this month they failed to take their chances and suffered a familiar defeat. At this stage, City look the more likely title challengers and, unlike the Gunners, they seem to be able to produce their best against their fellow big guns - their problems have come when taking their eye off the ball against the lower-ranked sides. Chelsea and Liverpool have both been beaten at Eastlands already this season, Manchester United lost here in the Carling Cup last term, while Arsenal themselves were well beaten in both league (4-2) and cup (3-0). For this one, City appear to have the players to frustrate Arsenal. Their deep-lying midfielders, Gareth Barry, Nigel de Jong and Yaya Toure, are ideal to combat Arsenal's passing game, while at the other end the in-form Carlos Tevez will likely test a makeshift defence to the full. 2.37 looks a decent price about a home win, the layers seemingly not yet convinced that City are the real deal. It won't be long before prices like that about them winning virtually any game are a thing of the past. One other price worth flagging up involves Samir Nasri. He's playing great at the moment and has scored four times in the Gunners' last five games. You can get 9/2 about him improving that record here. We certainly wouldn't put people off that, but given we've already sided with City, that's one we'll leave off our coupon on this occasion.
Verdict: Manchester City 3 Arsenal 1

 

PICKS:

Manchester City to beat Arsenal at 2.37 at Bet365.
Fernando Torres to score at any time v Blackburn at 2.20 at Bet365.
Man Utd-Draw in HT-FT market at 15.00 at Bet365.