City can continue fine record against Arsenal
MANCHESTER CITY vs ARSENAL
SUNDAY, 4.00PM, SKY SPORTS 1
MANCHESTER City have now won their last four Premier League games and a victory against Arsenal on Sunday would cement their position as genuine title contenders, regardless of whether they sign Wayne Rooney. They were slightly lucky to beat Blackpool 3-2 last weekend and a number of key decisions went their way.
Although City have won their last four, I must admit that I haven’t been overly impressed with them. They could quite easily have drawn against Blackpool and Newcastle, but they were very disciplined and professional against Chelsea which could be significant on Sunday.
Eastlands has been a difficult ground to visit in the past couple of seasons with Roberto Mancini’s men winning 15 of their past 23 home games. They have also won four of their six against Big Four teams and obviously seem to raise their game against the best opponents.
Arsenal won here three seasons ago, but they have actually lost four of their past five visits in all competitions and their general away form isn’t anything to be writing home about. They have won just one of their last eight away games and have lost all of their last five trips to top-six sides.
Arsene Wenger’s team had to come from behind to beat Birmingham last Saturday and their recent league form hasn’t been great. They’ve had their fair share of injury problems too, while the young squad’s lack of experience against a well-organised City outfit could be a problem.
Carlos Tevez is the hottest striker in the league at the moment. He has scored five goals in his last four league games, including the first one in each match. Despite rumours of training ground bust-ups with Mancini, he has embraced his role as captain and is now a best priced 11/4 with Paddy Power to win the Golden Boot. He’s 5/1 with Stan James to score first against the Gunners and that is a decent price.
City are no certainties in the outright market, but their record at Eastlands speaks for itself and are worth a bet at 6/4 on Betdaq. It is telling that they are yet to concede at home against both Chelsea and Liverpool this season, so I fancy them to keep another clean sheet and will back the 2-0 win at 11/1 with Paddy Power.
There were six goals when these two met here last season, but it should be tighter than that this time, so I’ll be selling goals at 2.6 with Sporting Index.
POINTERS…
Manchester City to win at 6/4 on Betdaq
Carlos Tevez to score first at 5/1 with Stan James
Manchester City to win 2-0 at 11/1 with Paddy Power
Sell total match goals at 2.6 with Sporting Index
Tottenham vs Everton
TOMORROW, 12.45PM, SKY SPORTS 2
BOTH these teams have hit form in recent weeks, winning their past two league games, and there shouldn’t be much between them in tomorrow’s lunchtime kick-off. Everton deserved their 2-0 victory against Liverpool at the weekend and David Moyes will be more encouraged with their form.
Tottenham have made a decent start to the season, but they have dropped silly points against the likes of Wigan and West Ham. They beat Everton here last campaign, but prior to that the Toffees had won their previous three visits to White Hart Lane.
Harry Redknapp’s side are generally very strong in North London. They have won 16 of their 23 home games since the start of last season with 13 half-time/full-time double results. They have also won 10 of their last 12 home matches against middle-third sides.
Everton beat Birmingham in their last away fixture, but they’ve only won six of their past 23 games on the road since the start of last season. They have also lost three of their past six visits to top-six outfits.
Spurs can be backed at 6/5 on Betdaq, which looks fair enough considering their record at home. The obvious worry is that they had a tough game against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday night and they do have a few injury doubts. However, their second-half comeback showed real guts and Harry Redknapp has built up a strong squad that should have enough to shade this one.
The Tottenham / Tottenham double is a 5/2 shot on Betdaq and that could be worth taking. I actually wouldn’t be surprised to see Spurs win by just the one goal, as seven of Everton’s eight games have featured two or fewer goals this season. On that basis, I’ll also be looking to sell goals at 2.5 with Sporting Index.
POINTERS…
Tottenham to win at 6/5 on Betdaq
Tottenham / Tottenham at 5/2 on Betdaq
Sell total goals at 2.5 with Sporting Index
STOKE vs MANCHESTER UNITED
SUNDAY, 1.30PM, SKY SPORTS 1
IT has not been the easiest of weeks for Sir Alex Ferguson. His team were held by West Brom at Old Trafford last Saturday and he then had to let the world know that Wayne Rooney no longer wants to be a part of his club. Some have suggested that the wheels are beginning to fall off, but the manager is made of stern stuff and relishes a fight.
Manchester United have beaten Stoke in all four games since the Potters secured promotion and they are yet to concede against them. However, they still haven’t managed to notch an away victory this season, drawing all four, and the Britannia Stadium is a difficult place to go. There will be added pressure on them, but I think they can pick up a first away win and are worth backing at 8/11 with 888sport.
Tony Pulis’ side have been level at the break in 13 of their last 21 home games and also in all six against Big Four opponents since they got promoted. United have also been tied at the interval in eight of their last 11 away fixtures and also in eight of 13 trips to middle-third opponents. The draw / Manchester United double result looks good at 7/2 with Paddy Power.
I can’t see this being a high scoring game and it would be no surprise to see United win 1-0. A safer option, though, is to sell goals at 2.6 with Sporting Index.
POINTERS…
Manchester United to win at 8/11 with 888sport
Draw / Manchester United at 7/2 with Paddy Power
Sell total goals at 2.6 with Sporting Index