This week’s weekend preview contains two of the biggest rivalries in English football in the form of Liverpool versus Everton and Arsenal versus Spurs. The televised games on Sunday and Monday are also previewed, with Monday’s game having potentially huge implications for Newcastle boss Alan Pardew whilst Stoke will also be keen to get a win and turn the Britannia back into the fortress it was once known as.
We will try and give a selection of tips on these four games, ranging from first scorer bets, match results and number of goals with the aim of making you a tidy profit from these matches which are televised on either BT Sport or Sky Sports.
Saturday 27th September 2014
Liverpool v Everton (12:45) – Liverpool to win (4/5 with Totesport)
The bar has been raised for these two sides after both enjoyed extremely successful seasons last term. But after quite disappointing starts to the season there are whispers that these sides over achieved last year as they both sit in the bottom half of the league table as things stand. Much has changed since Liverpool thrashed the Blues 4-0 back in January and we expect this game to be much closer here so avoid handicap betting. We see the most likely results as a home win (4/5 with Totesport) or a draw which is 14/5 with Coral. Roberto Martinez is still searching for his first Merseyside derby win and this result is best priced at 7/2 with BetVictor. If you do want to place this game in an accumulator we suggest that you back Liverpool or Draw which has odds of 1/4 with Bet365.
Everton have the leakiest defence in the league so far this term whilst their neighbours have also conceded a lot of goals. A wise bet for those who don’t wish to wager on the match result is both teams to score at 8/13 with Ladbrokes. Both teams also spent big over the summer, with the signing of Romelu Lukaku breaking Everton’s transfer record and Liverpool splashing out over £100m on players. Our first goalscorer tips for this one are the two big money strikers that came into the clubs over the summer. Mario Balotelli of Liverpool is 11/2 (Coral) to score first while Lukaku is 13/2 with Coral. The latter scored twice against the Reds last season and he will be looking to bully Liverpool’s shaky looking defence whilst “Super Mario” scored for his previous club Manchester City against the Toffees back in 2011. Overall we think the home side will edge the win.
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspurs (17:30) – Over 2.5 goals (4/5 with BetVictor)
The north London derby has brought us some cracking clashes over the past few years including two 5-2 wins for Arsenal and a 3-3 draw. We expect another thrilling encounter here (and also an Arsenal win) in Saturday’s late kick off. The best odds available for a home win are 5/6 with Ladbrokes whilst BetVictor offer the best odds for a draw and an away win at 14/5 and 19/5 respectively.
Arsenal’s best result and performance of the season came last time out against Aston Villa and they look to be hitting form at the right time for a game all their fans will want to see them win. Mauricio Pochettino’s men, however, slipped up last weekend at home to West Brom and the boss will be looking for a big reaction from his players here. We can see plenty of goals in this game and over 2.5 goals is 4/5 whilst over 3.5 is 19/10, both with BetVictor. Both teams to score may also be a good selection which Ladbrokes have the best odds for at 3/4.
Sunday 28th September 2014
West Bromwich Albion v Burnley (16:00) – Saido Berahino to score first (6/1 with Coral)
West Brom’s away win at Spurs will have shocked many but they go into this game as favourites priced at evens with Betfred. Newly promoted Burnley were expected to struggle this season and thus far this has been the case with only Newcastle United below them in the league. They are still looking for their first win in the Premier League since returning to the top flight and are 16/5 to do so at BetVictor. A draw is also priced at 12/5 with Ladbrokes for those who expect a draw between these two sides who have drawn five games between them already this year.
With Burnley goalless in the last five fixtures they have played in all competitions some may see a West Bromwich Albion clean sheet as a good bet. This outcome is priced at 11/8 with Bet365 and having already kept two clean sheets this term many will expect another one for the Baggies. The player we think will get the first goal in this tie is England under-21 star Saido Berahino. He has two goals to his name already this season and is quickly becoming a key player at the Hawthorns. At odds of 6/1 (Coral) to score first he is the player we have selected as the most likely to break the deadlock.
Monday 29th September 2014
Stoke City v Newcastle United (20:00) – Stoke City to win (23/20 with Ladbrokes)
Newcastle United fans show no signs of easing up on Alan Pardew despite a spirited performance from the Magpies against Hull City in which they came from two down to draw 2-2. Stoke also drew 2-2 in the last fixture twice, throwing away the lead. The best match result odds are a home win at 23/20 (Ladbrokes), draw at 12/5 (Betfred) and away win at 29/10 (BetVictor).
In recent times Stoke’s home record has been the main source of their league points – but they have lost the first two games at the Britannia this year. We expect them to buck this trend as they come up against a United side that sit bottom of the league and look low on confidence. Another tip for this game is both teams to score which Coral offer the best odds for at evens. Every single game on a Monday in the league this year has seen both teams score and the same looks on the cards in this one. We recommend you use this as a single in a coupon or back Stoke to win with both teams to score which has odds of 4/1 with Coral.