A busy weekend of bets so I will get straight into it…
Over at the Emirates this weekend I am keen to follow in Arsenal to overcome a -2 Asian Handicap at 1.91 with Paddy Power against what looks a very poor West Ham side. After a recent blip against West Brom, the Gunners have perked up and with Fabregas & Walcott back they look a much more potent team. Arsenal have won by 2 goals or more in 13 out of 16 games against the bottom 12 teams since last season and I expect Robert Green to be a busy man!
Fulham also have a strong home record against the bottom 12 teams and have won 9 out of 12 games against these teams since the 09/10 season. They have had a very tough start to the season but have still drawn against Man Utd and Everton at home, with the only blip a narrow defeat to Spurs because of a very dubious goal. I fancy them at 1.91 with Pinnacle to have too much for a Jekyll and Hyde Wigan outfit.
I am keen to continue to follow in a fave team of mine this season – Bolton, who take on Liverpool who were far from convincing when beating poor travellers Blackburn last week. The trotters have drawn at home with the likes of Man Utd, Fulham & Birmingham and beaten Stoke this season so far and are a very tough not to crack at the Reebok. A draw looks to be the most likely result and I am taking a +0.25 AH on the home team at 1.98 with Ladbrokes.
Blackburn may be terrible on the road but at home they are a completely different proposition and if Samba and Nelson are back in defence, Chelsea will find it hard to break them down. Only Arsenal and Everton have won their in recent teams and then only by the odd goal. Blackburn at 1.95 with a +1.25 Asian Handicap from Betinternet looks value.
I also see value in siding with Sunderland away at inconsistent Newcastle this weekend in the North East derby. The +0.25 AH on them is 2.07 with Betinternet but I am going to include it as a shortlist only due to the complications that such intense derby games can bring.
Main Bets
1.5 pt Arsenal (-2 AH) V West Ham. 1.91 Paddy Power
1 pt Fulham to beat Wigan. 1.91 Pinnacle
1 pt Bolton (+0.25 AH) V Liverpool. 1.98 Ladbrokes
1 pt Blackburn (+1.25 AH) V Chelsea. 1.95 Betinternet
Shortlist Bets
1 pt Sunderland (+0.25 AH) V Newcastle. 2.07 Betinternet
Whatever you bet on, good luck!
Mike