International nonsense out of the way. Back to domestic matters at hand and the resumption of the Premier League.
12:45 Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea - Live on Sky Sports 2
Two of this season’s form sides come face to face in the lunchtime kick off at White Hart Lane.
Despite some of the press criticism of AVB, Spurs are unbeaten in 9 games in all competitions since their opening day defeat at Newcastle.
Chelsea are top of the league, their one defeat coming at the hands of Atletico Madrid in the Super Cup back in August.
Both sides have proven recently that they have the stomach for the big game fight. Spurs recently won 3-2 at Old Trafford, whilst Chelsea bagged three points away at Arsenal.
Perhaps at odds of nearly 2/1, the league leaders are the bet here, but we think both sides will be happy not to lose.
Spurs and Chelsea to draw at 29/12 (Pinnacle)
15:00 Fulham v Aston Villa
It’s fair to say that Fulham’s fans get value for money with their home games.
In 13 league games in 2012 they’ve won 9, drawn 2 and lost just 2 - one of which was against the champions Manchester City.
Villa haven’t won away in the league since beating a hopeless Wolves side back in January.
Fulham are a must for the coupon this weekend.
Fulham to beat Aston Villa at 5/6 (Paddy Power)
15:00 Liverpool v Reading
Liverpool have had a troublesome start to the season and currently sit down in 14th place.
Goals haven’t been easy to come by for the Reds.
When Suarez isn’t firing, they’ve often struggled - the decision to let Andy Carroll join West Ham on loan looks more and more disastrous each week.
The offer of odds against for Under 2.5 Goals looks like the play in this game.
Reading have been defensively poor this season, but if the Merseysiders aren’t going to get men in the box, they’ll struggle to score goals.
Under 2.5 Goals at 5/4 (Generally)
15:00 Man United v Stoke City
Stoke got themselves a point at Anfield in their last Premier League outing, but they might find things tougher going at Old Trafford.
Stoke’s main tactic at Anfield was to kick everyone in sight - but whilst the officials turned a blind eye on that occassion, they might not get so lucky at Old Trafford.
Stoke’s away record is poor. They haven’t won in the league on their travels since January 2nd.
United should take all three points here.
Man United -1.5 Goals on the Asian Handicap at 10/11 (Pinnacle)
15:00 Swansea v Wigan
Wigan continue to be hard to judge under Roberto Martinez. Tough to oppose, but it’s hard not to feel a little ‘cavalier’ when backing them.
Swansea are Even Money for a home win, which seems a little on the short side.
Both sides have been scoring goals and the Over 2.5 Goals at 10/11 looks tempting, but we’re going to leave this one alone
NO BET
15:00 West Brom v Man City
The Baggies have had a fine start to their season, with results at home being particularly impressive.
They’ve racked up 12 points from 12 in their opening four league games at home, with wins over Liverpool, Everton, Reading and QPR.
City haven’t quite got going yet and they look worth taking on against a side with the home form of the Albion.
West Brom +0.75 Goals on the Asian Handicap at 10/11 (Generally)
15:00 West Ham v Southampton
Big Sam might not be everyone’s ‘cup of tea’ but there’s no doubting that he gets results - how Blackburn fans would have wished he kept his job.
Southampton have been positive in their opening fixtures and there are always goals around when they play.
The average goal tally in matches involving the Saints is a whopping 4.57. If you consider that the next highest is Man United at 3.71 that is quite a statistic.
Naturally, Over 2.5 goals is short priced, generally around the 4/6 mark. Coral and Sportingbet go 9/5 for Over 3.5 Goals.
It’s Southampton’s leaky defence though that interests us. They’ve conceded 20 goals in 7 matches.
Apart from a defeat to the in form Arsenal last time out, The Hammers have been solid at home.
They’ve won 7 of their 11 points so far at home. We fancy them for a home win today.
West Ham to win at 10/11 (Ladbrokes and William Hill)
17.30 Norwich City v Arsenal - Live on ESPN
Norwich are still yet to register a victory under Chris Hughton in the Premier League.
Whilst they’ve been solid at times, when the standard of the opposition increases - they’ve struggled.
In their last two league meetings they’ve conceded 9 goals (against Chelsea and Liverpool).
Arsenal have lost just once this season in all competitions - and that was to the league leaders Chelsea.
They’ll be too good today for Delia’s boys.
Arsenal -1.00 on the Asian Handicap at 1/1 (bet365)
