Everton v Crystal Palace
Everton will be in a few coupons this weekend but they look plenty short to me at 8/11 when you factor in they’ve only won one of their last six in the league against Palace. The Eagles look a different team __with Christian Benteke up front and I fancy them to claim a share of the spoils at Goodison.
Betting: Draw at 3/1 (bet365)
Swansea v Liverpool
The Welsh side have lost three games in a row and boss Francesco Guidolin is the betting favourite to become the first Premier League boss to lose his job. Ryan Giggs is rumoured to be the preferred choice (and the current bookies favourite) should Swansea’s owners grow tired of the Italian, which they surely will if the losses continue to stack up. The man himself admitted this week he could be sacked if they lose again against Liverpool so the stakes are high this weekend. The Reds have been magnificent in recent weeks and their high octane pressing game can bring them another three points here.
Betting: Liverpool to win and both teams to score at 15/8 (Hills)
Hull City v Chelsea
The Blues have thrown in a couple of shockers in recent weeks but can get back to winning ways here against a Hull side who are down to the bare bones. The Tigers had made an encouraging start but have been leaking goals recently and Chelsea should have too much quality at the KCOM, where Willian looks a fair bet to score his second of the season.
Betting: Willian to score anytime at 5/2 (Betfred)
Sunderland v West Brom
After throwing away a two-goal lead against Crystal Palace this looks a must-win game for Sunderland and David Moyes. The Black Cats are propping up the table after six matches and have taken just one point from a possible 18. West Brom are tenth and, while they will as usual prove tough to beat, this is a game that the Wearsiders can win. If they don’t? Taxi for Moyes…
Betting: Sunderland to win at 6/4 (Skybet)
Watford v Bournemouth
I steamed into Watford to beat Burnley on Monday night and they were a disgrace. And having sat through the full 90-minute horror show I am loathe to back them again here at 11/8. If anything Bournemouth could be the value to build on that fine win over Everton last weekend.
Betting: Bournemouth (Draw no Bet) to win at 5/4 (Bet Victor)
West Ham v Middlesbrough
What exactly is happening at West Ham please? They are shipping goals for fun, their fans are fighting __with each other at their new stadium and this week certain high-profile players have been criticised for allegedly going on a boozy rollover the morning after a team bonding night out. It’s hardly great preparation for the visit of ‘Boro this weekend and I make both teams to score an absolute lock in this one.
Betting: Both teams to score at 4/5 (Stan James)
Manchester United v Stoke City
The Red Devils put out a very strong side in the Europa League on Thursday and claimed three valuable points, but their display against FC Zorya Luhansk raised more questions than answers. Ander Herrera should return against Stoke and his guile in midfield could be crucial as Jose Mourinho’s men seek a fourth win on the spin. They’ve won all eight previous Premier League encounters against the Potters, who last tasted success at Old Trafford in 1976, a year when people grooved to a near-peak David Bowie and lived on quiche and Angel Delight.
Betting: Manchester United to win to nil at 11/10 (Stan James)
Leicester City v Southampton
Is been crazy old week in the world of football. And I don’t know about you but revelations about Jamie Vardy’s pre-match drinking routine were arguably more shocking than Big Sam’s views on Prince Harry. The Foxes front man swears by a nice drop of Port and several Red Bulls before games. While he may be wired to the moon when he trots out against the Saints, his scoring record over the past few seasons suggests he is doing something right.
Betting: Vardy to score anytime at 17/10(Betfair)
Tottenham v Manchester City
Sergio Aguero’s scoring record in English football is a joke. He is averaging a goal every 106 minutes and has scored as many Premier League goals as the mercurial Paul Scholes. The fact he’s scored them in 345 fewer games tells you everything you need to know about how prolific this Argentine powerhouse really is. with no Kevin De Bruyne, Aguero will be expected to step up to the plate in North London and I reckon his star could shine against a Spurs side who tend to leak goals in this fixture.
Betting: Sergio Aguero to be Man of the Match at 5/1 (Paddy Power)
Burnley v Arsenal
The Gunners are usually pretty ruthless against the Premier League’s lesser lights and have actually won 22 and drawn three of their last 25 matches against newly promoted teams. The Wenger boys are on a bit of a roll too and were f*cking magnificent against Chelsea last weekend, helping to get me level for the day after a turbulent afternoon of punting threatened to go very wrong indeed.
Betting: Arsenal to win 2-0 at 13/2 (Bet Victor)
Degsy Bilton – He’s off to Grimsby this weekend.