Live On Sky Sports 1: Sun: 13:30 and 16:00. Chris Hutcheon previews Sunday’s televised Premier League clashes at Ewood Park and Craven Cottage and fancies draws in both games
The three remaining Premiership fixtures, two scheduled for Sunday and one for Monday, all have something of an inconclusive look about them and indeed it would be no surprise if all three ended in stalemate; a treble available at 33/1 with Betfred.
First up, at Ewood Park, Blackburn and Aston Villa lock horns and as the hosts are the picture of mediocrity at home, they can’t be relied upon to justify the 11/8 favouritism handed to them by Stan James, especially against Gerard Houllier’s charges, who arrive in Lancashire having drawn four of their last six in the league.
Similarly, despite their solid recent form and the fact that they were unlucky not to collect a maximum haul against Manchester United, Villa’s away form doesn’t inspire enough confidence to warrant a wager on them at 23/10 (Betfred). Indeed, they’ve only won once on their travels but are nevertheless in decent enough shape at present to avoid defeat (8/13, Coral) so it seems to make sense to consider ’s 23/10 marked against a stalemate in a match that is 11/2 with Gamebookers to finish one-apiece.
If there is to be a winner, then the visitors just about look the most likely and they can be backed at 5/4 in Paddy Power’s ‘Draw No Bet’ market. Meanwhile, Gabriel Agbonlahor looks set to feature for Villa after missing out on England’s friendly against France and the speedy striker will be champing at the bit; he’s 9/4 (Stan James) to strike at any time.
Fulham and Manchester City are 23/10 courtesy of Totesport to be inseparable at Craven Cottage, where it’s 8/1 with Betdaq to finish goalless and 8/11 (Betfred) to yield fewer than 2.5 goals; the latter two bets lent appeal by the fact that City failed to break down Birmingham at home last weekend.
On this occasion, it’s the hosts that have the best chance of edging it, Mark Hughes would love to get one over on his former club, and the West London side are 5/4, ‘Draw No Bet’, with bet365.
Coral quote odds of 23/10 for it to finish all square as Sunderland and Everton face off at the Stadium of Light on Monday. Admittedly, the Black Cats are buzzing after the win at Chelsea but the Toffees were on a solid run until last week’s defeat to Arsenal and they’re a tough side to beat.
Recommended Bets:
Blackburn and Aston Villa to draw – 23/10 ()
Under 2.5 goals in Fulham v Man City – 8/11 (Betfred)
Sunderland and Everton to draw – (23/10, Coral)
