Live on Skysports 1 & ESPN: Sat 12.30 & 17.30, Sun 13.30 & 16.00: Fernando Torres is back to haunt Liverpool already, in Chelsea colours.
You couldn’t make it up. Less than a week after Chelsea broke the bank to prise Fernando Torres from Liverpool the Spanish striker could come face-to-face with his former club as the two sides meet in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. As the transfer didn’t go through in time for Torres to be eligible to face Sunderland on Tuesday, the clash with Kenny Dalglish’s side will actually be his Blues debut and the £50 million man is 6/5 with bet365 to begin to repay his astronomical fee by getting on the scoresheet.
Aided by home advantage, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are Betfred’s odds-on favourites at 8/13 while Liverpool are 6.0 (5/1) at Betdaq to make Torres’ Blues bow an unhappy one and bet365 post 3/1 against the Reds grabbing a share of the spoils.
A glance at Liverpool’s away record, which shows eight defeats in twelve, suggests that Chelsea are a home banker and although Dalglish’s charges won their last match on the road, here they will have to do without their main goal threat, Torres, who struck twice in that victory at Wolves.
A home triumph ‘to nil’ isn’t without appeal then at 13/8 (Coral), especially as Ancelotti’s defence gives little away at Stamford Bridge and bearing that in mind, Ladbrokes’ 6/1 for Chelsea to grab the only goal is worth considering.
Leaders Manchester United head to Wolves seeking their fourth away win of the campaign and they’re 4/9 with Stan James to get it, however, both Chelsea and Manchester City have succumbed to defeats at Molineux this season so there’s little appeal in a United success. Instead, with United’s unconvincing defensive display at Blackpool in mind, William Hill’s 21/20 for both teams to net is arguably the best bet in the Black Country.
The same wager, this time priced by Totesport at 8/11, also tempts at Goodison Park, where attack-minded Blackpool face an Everton team without a clean sheet in nine in all competitions, although the Toffees (1/2, Betfred) should collect the three points in that one.
Betdaq post 1.45 (9/20) against Manchester City as they entertain West Brom but punters can boost the price by combining a victory for Roberto Mancini’s side with a match total of more than 2.5 goals at 11/10 courtesy of Partybets. Similarly, Newcastle’s clash with Arsenal should produce at least three goals (evens, Coral) but on this occasion, tying that in with a triumph for the Gunners, Totesport’s 4/5 favourites, is less enticing as it could finish all square at St James’ Park (11/4, Paddy Power).
Elsewhere, Tottenham made light of their defensive problems at Blackburn but are nevertheless unattractive at 8/15 (888Sport) as they host Bolton, who are given a goal start by in the handicaps at 5/4, Aston Villa are a better option than Spurs for a home win at 10/11 with William Hill against Fulham and Stan James make Stoke 5/4 to edge out Sunderland. At the bottom meanwhile, Coral mark 23/10 against a draw at Upton Park, where West Ham face Birmingham and 9/4 is also the stalemate price with bet365 as Wigan lock horns with Blackburn.
Recommended Bets:
Fernando Torres to score at any time – 6/5 (bet365)
Both teams to score in Wolves v Man Utd – 21/20 (William Hill)
Man City to win and over 2.5 goals in the game – 11/10 (Partybets)
Compare all Premier League odds and bet at the best price.
