Chris Hutcheon assesses the weekend’s Premier League and Npower League football action.
Manchester United’s home dominance over Tottenham came to a dramatic end on Saturday as Spurs pocketed their first victory at Old Trafford in 23 years and Sir Alex Ferguson’s men don’t have an easy task as they look to bounce back given that they head to Newcastle’s St James’ Park, where they lost 3-0 last season.
Nevertheless, bookies don’t expect the Red Devils to suffer a third reverse of the campaign on Tyneside, William Hill installing them as evens favourites for the points and Paddy Power posting 3/1 against a Magpies success. Alan Pardew’s charges however, have shared the spoils in three of their last four in the league, so it could be worth considering a small play on the draw, at an enticing 13/5 courtesy of Betfred.
BetVictor offer 6/1 for a 1-1 scoreline, it’s 5/1 with Skybet to be level at the end of each half and with neither side looking particularly water tight at the back at present, bet365’s 4/6 for both teams to get on the scoresheet looks like a banker.
Staying with goals and Robin van Persie is BetVictor’s 18/5 favourite to break the deadlock but Demba Ba scored in both fixtures against Manchester United last term and has struck five times in three outings, so a more ambitious gamble on the Newcastle front man at 13/2 (Skybet) might reap heftier rewards.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, United’s weekend conquerors Spurs are bankers at 4/9 via Betfred to build on their Old Trafford win by sending Aston Villa home from White Hart Lane empty-handed while Merseyside pair Liverpool and high-flying Everton can also pick up victories, they’re 8/15 and 11/10 (both Ladbrokes) respectively to beat Stoke and Wigan.
Dropping into the Championship, Leicester are 8/13 with Skybet to maintain their hundred percent home record as they entertain Bristol City and Betfred’s 4/5 chances Leeds can also pick up three points on their own patch, this time at the expense of Barnsley.
Meanwhile, Paddy Power price League One title chasers MK Dons at 4/7 to sink Portsmouth at stadium:mk, stubborn Stevenage, at 17/20 courtesy of BetVictor should have too much for struggling Scunthorpe and finally, BetVictor chalk 19/20 against Doncaster getting the better of Shrewsbury.
Selections:
Weekend accumulator: Everton, Liverpool, Tottenham, Leicester, Leeds, MK Dons – 20/1 (bet365)
Top treble: Newcastle v Man Utd draw, Doncaster, Stevenage – 12/1 (BetVictor)
First goalscorer: Demba Ba – 13/2 (Skybet)
Compare all this weekend’s football odds and bet at the best prices
