Man Utd should be able to scrape by Liverpool while Chelsea will find the going easy against Blackpool. Chris Hutcheon previews all of this weekend’s Premier League games.
When two of the Premiership’s heavyweights lock horns, there’s a tendency for a decent number of punters to sit on the fence and risk their hard-earned cash on a stalemate. However, that’s a result that won’t have generated much of a return over the last decade where matches between Manchester United and Liverpool are concerned; the pair’s goalless encounter in 2005 the only draw they have played out in the last ten seasons. Subsequently, even at odds of 13/5 with bet365, an inconclusive affair doesn’t appeal on Sunday, as the sides renew hostilities at Old Trafford.
It’s the hosts that are odds-on favourites at 8/11 (Ladbrokes) and with two 3-0 home victories already under their belt, they look decent value to get the better of Victor Chandler’s 9/2 outsiders, who have yet to score on their travels. Nevertheless, Roy Hodgson will set his side out to keep things tight and make life difficult for United and they can do just that, restricting the home side to a victory by a one-goal margin; an outcome 888Sport price at 5/2.
Stan James’ 6/1 for Sir Alex Ferguson’s troops to grab the game’s only goal therefore catches the eye and although all of Manchester United’s matches so far this season have produced more than 2.5 goals, this one can buck the trend by generating fewer than three (5/6, Betdaq). The first successful strike at Old Trafford meanwhile is 10/11 (Paddy Power) to arrive after the 25th minute and it’s 11/2 with Betfred to be struck by Dimitar Berbatov, who impressed at Everton.
Also on Sunday, leaders Chelsea who, it’s fair to say, have benefited from a generous fixture schedule at the start of the campaign, can maintain their hundred percent record at the expense of Blackpool. However, the Blues’ odds of 1/10 (Jaxx.com) are somewhat prohibitive and so punters might be better served by backing Carlo Ancelotti’s side at 4/6 with bet365 to win ‘to nil’ or at 5/6 (Paddy Power) to prevail by at least three clear goals.
Arsenal make the tricky trip to Sunderland and although they’re William Hill’s 4/6 favourites, the Gunners may have to settle for a point (5/2, Partybets), with Asamoah Gyan, at 9/4 with Totesport to find the net, on course to inspire the Black Cats to a respectable draw.
At The DW Stadium, Stan James’ 5/6 favourites Man City can bounce back from a couple of sticky results by narrowly beating Wigan but there look to be few other potential away wins peppering the coupon; Everton and Tottenham, for example, looking like home bankers at 4/6 (Ladbrokes) and 4/9 (Betdaq) respectively to see off Newcastle and Wolves.
Buoyed by their dramatic, late victory against Aston Villa, Stoke also look a safe bet at evens with Jaxx.com to secure a maximum haul against hapless West Ham, Villa could find themselves sharing the spoils as they host Bolton; the draw available at 13/5 (bet365) at Villa Park and a stalemate (23/10, Totesport) might also be on the cards in West Brom and Birmingham’s derby clash at the Hawthorns. Paddy Power meanwhile, quote Blackburn at 11/10 to make it an unhappy return to Ewood Park for Fulham boss Mark Hughes.
Compare all Premier League odds and bet at the best prices.
