ESPN & SS1: Sat 17.30, Sun 12.00, 14.05 & 16.10: In the Premier League, Wigan play Chelsea (-1, 6/5 Skybet) and City face Arsenal
It was inevitable that Manchester City would eventually lose a league match and indeed the test now for the Premiership leaders following Monday’s 2-1 reverse at Chelsea, will be to underline their title credentials by bouncing back from that defeat immediately.
Arsenal stand in their way but as Roberto Mancini’s men have a hundred percent record at home, they will start Sunday’s clash as odds-on favourites at 7/10 with bet365. The Gunners meanwhile are 5/1 courtesy of Boylesports, to make it back-to-back losses for City and it’s 14/5 via to finish all square but despite the visitors’ superb form, it’s hard to oppose the hosts on their own patch, where Paddy Power make them 5/2 to shade it by one.
Mancini’s troops have only conceded four times at Eastlands but clean sheets have proven hard to come by for Manchester City in the league of late and on that basis, it’s fair to assume that both teams will score, an outcome priced by Skybet at 5/6. Subsequently, Stan James’ 7/1 for the table-topping home side to record a 2-1 triumph catches the eye and Sportingbet rate City at 10/3 to prevail after a drawn first period.
In attack, in-form Mario Balotelli is the stand out first scorer bet at 5/1 with Totesport but it would be a risk to overlook the unstoppable Robin van Persie. The Arsenal marksman has helped himself to 15 goals in 15 league appearances this term and is 2/1 (Boylesports) to add to that tally at any stage.
Kicking off at lunchtime on Sunday, Manchester United could leapfrog their neighbours temporarily by beating QPR, a result Paddy Power offer at 1/2. Nevertheless, Rangers won’t make life easy for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team, who are a tasty 14/5 with Partybets to emerge victorious by a one-goal margin. Also set for away wins meanwhile, are Chelsea and Liverpool, rated at 2/5 (Betfred) and 11/10 (Ladbrokes) respectively to overcome Wigan and Aston Villa.
Beaten in controversial circumstances at Stoke last time out, Tottenham are a home banker at 1.4 (2/5) with Betdaq as they entertain Sunderland and bet365 post an enticing even money against Spurs in the handicaps, where the Black Cats benefit from a goal start.
In Saturday’s tea time game on TV, Chelsea are 2/5 with Betfred to win away at Wigan while Roberto Martinez’s team are 17/2 with to record a shock win.
With two wins in recent weeks, Latics’ fans might fancy a draw, 7/2 at bet365, but having let in 12 goals in their last four home games, Chelsea can run out comfortable winners by two or more goals, 6/5 with Skybet.
At the bottom, quote struggling Blackburn at 13/10 to register a much-needed success at the expense of West Brom but hapless Bolton, who prop up the rest at present, are odds-on at 4/6 via Totesport to suffer a 13th defeat in 16 attempts as they head to Craven Cottage to face Fulham.
At Molineux, Stan James chalk Wolves and Stoke up at 23/10 to share the spoils, meanwhile Totesport make Newcastle 4/5 to get back to winning ways as they welcome Swansea to St James’ Park and finally Everton, who have suffered back-to-back 1-0 defeats, are 8/13 at Ladbrokes to respond by getting the better of Norwich in a contest priced by Skybet at 8/11 to produce three or more goals.
Recommended Bets:
Robin van Persie to score at any time – 2/1 (Boylesports)
Man Utd to beat QPR by one – 14/5 (Partybets)
Tottenham (-1) to beat Sunderland – evens (bet365)
Compare all Premier League odds and bet at the best price.
