Live on SS1 & 2: Sat 12.45, Sun 13.30 & 16.00: It’s derby weekend as Everton play Liverpool and Tottenham (with Adebayor) welcome Arsenal.
The common consensus is that the formbook should be thrown out of the window when attempting to pick a winner in a derby clash but punters would be well advised to consult it as Tottenham entertain Arsenal at White Hart Lane.
After opening their campaign with defeats to Manchester pair United and City, Harry Redknapp’s men, Totesport’s 6/5 favourites have won three on the spin in the league and they should have the edge over their local rivals, 11/5 outsiders, who have lost their last couple on the road, conceding a dozen times in the process.
Defensive frailty has been the underlying theme of the Gunners’ season so far and Spurs can punish the visitors’ vulnerability at the back. The hosts are 19/20 (Sportingbet) to score past Arsene Wenger’s charges at least twice in a match that is 2/1 with Stan James to produce a minimum of four goals and bold punters can tackle Betfred’s 18/1, posted against a 3-1 Tottenham success.
Emmanuel Adebayor meanwhile, has the physical presence to cause his former club’s rearguard plenty of problems and chalk him up at a tasty 5/1 to break the deadlock; alternatively Adebayor is 11/10 with Boylesports to find the net at any stage and Betfred make the powerful striker a tempting 10/3 to score in a home win.
In stark contrast to the north London showdown, the formbook actually gives nothing away where Saturday’s Merseyside derby is concerned. Ladbrokes’ 6/4 favourites Liverpool are superior in terms of league position but have played a game more; the Reds have also lost their last couple on the road but Everton (21/10, bet365) haven’t exactly made the most of home advantage this term.
As the pair are so hard to separate then, a case can be made for a draw, rated by Coral at 23/10 while in what tends to be a frenetic affair, low on quality, goals could be at a premium; Betdaq post 1.75 (3/4) against the teams notching on fewer than three occasions between them and Partybets’ 11/2 for it to finish one-apiece also stands out.
Norwich head to Old Trafford on a high after beating Sunderland but they’re 20/1 with bet365 to leave with all three points and leaders Manchester United have to be considered a banker at 1/6 (Paddy Power). Skybet mark 6/5 against Sir Alex Ferguson’s troops winning ‘to nil’ and their neighbours City should also collect maximum points, Paddy Power pricing them at 8/15 to see off Blackburn.
At the Reebok Stadium, Stan James rate Chelsea at 4/7 to get the better of struggling Bolton but there looks to be few other potential away wins on the cards. Stoke could again suffer from post-European game fatigue and they’re 12/5 (Skybet) to share the spoils with Swansea, Sunderland’s clash with West Brom is also 12/5 to be all square, this time courtesy of bet365 and Stan James quote a stalemate at 13/5 as Fulham tackle QPR.
Finally, at Molineux, Wolves are 6/4 with Boylesports to inflict a first defeat of the campaign on Newcastle and Ladbrokes make Aston Villa 4/6 to get the better of Wigan.
Recommended Bets:
Tottenham to beat Arsenal and Emmanuel Adebayor to score – 10/3 (Betfred)
Over 3.5 goals in Tottenham v Arsenal – 2/1 (Stan James)
Everton and Liverpool to draw – 23/10 (Coral)
Man Utd to beat Norwich ‘to nil’ – 6/5 (Skybet)
Compare all Premier League odds and bet at the best price.
