It was a very profitable weekend in the last round of prem games after Chelsea were held to a draw against West Brom and Sunderland beat Man City. If Stoke had hung on to their 2-0 lead at Swansea our prem selections would have been back in profit overall and it shows just how quick things can change.
After a couple of weeks break due to the internationals, the prem kicks off with the Merseyside Derby at lunchtime tomorrow. It’s very much a case of defence versus attack with Everton not conceding a goal for over 5 matches and Liverpool banging in goals for fun with their own SAS (Sturridge and Suarez). Liverpool look a generous price to me in this one.
If anyone can nick a win at the Emirates against table toppers Arsenal at the minute then it’s Southampton. They are a very organised side and in great form. The price isn’t quite as high as I would have hoped but reflects the fact that they are playing so well and have brushed teams aside.
Fulham are in dreadful form with 3 straight defeats and conceding 9 goals in the process. Swansea have had a lot of draws of late but with Fulham’s defence so leaky, I’m happy to back Swansea at 2.4 in this one.
Crystal Palace were all over Everton last time out and should have taken 3 points. It was a promising performance and I still expect Hull to start to struggle. Odds of 5.0 on Palace are worth a punt in my opinion.
Newcastle, Chelsea and Man City are all odds on this weekend and deservedly so in my opinion, You’d expect at least 2 out of these 3 to win and I reckon Chelsea who welcome back Torres, look the best bet.
Everybody keeps saying that Stoke are playing good football but they are not getting the results! Sunderland pulled off a shock victory against Man City last time out and the appointment of Poyet has injected some belief into the team now. Odds of 4.0 on Sunderland look very tasty indeed.
I expect Man United to do the business at Cardiff on Sunday but I’m still not that impressed with them defensively or in midfield. This weekend they are without Carrick too and if Cardiff can beat City here they are certainly capable of doing a job on United. Odds of 5.0 look fair and have to be where the value lies.
Finally, West Ham v Aston Villa on Monday. West Ham looked awesome against Norwich in the first half of their last match but went on to lose 3-1. The Hammers are struggling for goals with only 9 in 11 so far and Villa seem to prefer playing away from home. Could go either way but value is with Villa at 3.8.
Bet of the weekend: Sunderland to beat Stoke at 4.3 with Betfair.