Saturday Night
Arsenal v Tottenham (kickoff at 2345 AEDT)
The big north London derby headlines this week’s action. It is another chance for Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham to put an end to one of the most remarkable statistics in world football. Spurs have not beaten any of the big four (Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool) away from home in any of their last 68 attempts. With a long injury list at White Hart Lane, expect that trend to continue here. Derbies are often unpredictable, but I fancy Arsenal to get the job done.
Andy’s Bet: Arsenal to win @ 1.65 (Sportsbet)
Birmingham v Chelsea (0200 AEDT)
The league leaders were thumped at home by Sunderland last week and are missing key men Frank Lampard, John Terry, Alex and Michael Essien. Despite this, I expect them to come out breathing fire. Birmingham were impressive in holding Man City last weekend, but I think their luck might run out this time.
Andy’s Bet: Chelsea to be leading at half time and full time @ 2.70 (Sportsbet)
Blackpool v Wolves (0200 AEDT)
Blackpool have conceded in every home league match this season. If that trend is to continue, the best value could be found in identifying Wolves’ goal scorer. Kevin Doyle has been leading the line for Wolves this season. The Irishman has appeared in most games and is yet to find the back of the net. The phrase ‘due for a goal’ applies.
Andy’s Bet: Kevin Doyle to score the first goal @ 8.00 (Sportsbet)
Bolton v Newcastle (0200 AEDT)
Newcastle are a bit temperamental this season. Fantastic at times (away wins at Everton and Arsenal) and woeful at others (home losses to Blackpool, Stoke and Blackburn). Bolton have always been tough to break down, but they have improved this season to lie fifth in the table. Bolton are the draw specialists, having shared the spoils in 7 of their 13 fixtures. I see this being number 8.
Andy’s Bet: Draw @ 3.25 (Sportsbet, TAB Sportsbet)
Manchester United v Wigan (0200 AEDT)
United will win. Comfortably. But it is tough to get value. I don’t think Wigan will score and I think the red devils will score plenty. I have a gut feeling that Rooney will play some part in this one and his presence will lift the team.
Andy’s Bet: Manchester United to win 4-0 @ 11.00 (Sportsbet)
West Brom v Stoke (AEDT 0200)
This one has draw written all over it. West Brom are stuttering and Stoke are just coming into some good form. Stoke have a good squad and I think they will earn a point and continue their push into the top half of the table.
Andy’s Bet: Draw @ 3.30 (TAB Sportsbet)
Liverpool v West Ham (0430)
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard sustained a serious hamstring injury while representing England in the midweek friendly against France. Liverpool are often poor without Gerrard. Luckily they play a West Ham side who are worse than poor. Players have an uncanny ability of bobbing up to score against their former club. Former West Ham player Joe Cole has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, but is keen to return for this fixture. If he starts I think he’ll score.
Andy’s Bet: Joe Cole to score at any time @ 3.50 (Sportsbet)
Sunday Night
Blackburn v Aston Villa (0030)
Villa were fantastic last week against Man Utd. In Chris Samba and Ryan Nelson, Blackburn have a couple of big towers at the back. Villa can get at them with pace and Ashley Young is the man for the task. The 10-1 odds for first goal scorer are juicy. Despite a recent improvement in form, I think Blackburn will struggle to deal with the pace of Villa when the game opens up in the second half.
Andy’s Bet: A draw at half time and Aston Villa to win at full time @ 7.00 (Sportsbet)
Fulham v Manchester City (0300)
I can guarantee that Mark Hughes will have his Fulham boys fired up the visit of his old team, Manchester City. Both teams set up defensively and make life difficult for their opposition. This game will be won or lost in the midfield scrap. City have the better quality, but Fulham work better as a team. This is too tough to split.
Andy’s Bet: Draw @ 3.25 (Sportsbet, TAB Sportsbet)
Tuesday Morning
Sunderland v Everton (0700)
Sunderland are flying after leaving Chelsea with all three points last Sunday and lanky striker Asamoah Gyan is scoring for fun. Tim Cahill is Everton’s only reliable goal scorer, but the Aussie was on international duty in Egypt during the week. I expect him to return a little flat for this one. Sunderland should win and if you’re keen, you can find good odds for them to win by 2 or more goals.
Andy’s Bet: Sunderland to win @ 2.60 (Sportsbet)
English Premier League (future bet)
Sunderland have quality throughout their squad. They should score over 50 points this season. With a handicap of +36 points they are a very strong chance to take out the Premier League handicap with TAB Sportsbet.
Andy’s Bet: Sunderland to win the 2010/11 EPL Handicap @ 5.00 (TAB Sportsbet)
Andy’s sneaky European multi of the week
This is the inaugural multi bet in the new segment. The theme of this multi is to pick the correct result in one game from each of Europe’s top leagues (England, Scotland, Spain, Italy, Germany and France)
This week’s multi is
Sunderland, Rangers, Sevilla, Roma, Borussia Dortmund, PSG all to win
Combined odds of 21.70 from TAB Sportsbet
Happy punting!