Saturday
Fixture: Liverpool 6-1 Hull
Venue: Anfield (Liverpool home)
Kick-off: 3pm BST
Verdict: Liverpool are a massive 1/6 to win this game, which they probably will. But, like always, there is a glitch in the correct score market's prices which we are going to exploit here.
Betting Advice: 1pt each of the following: Arsenal to win 1-0 at 15/2 (8.5 at Sportingbet, Skybet); 2-0 at 11/2 (6.5 generally); 2-1 at 10/1 (11.0 at extrabet); and 3-1 at 12/1 (13.0 at extrabet)
Fixture: Stoke 0-2 Man Utd
Venue: Britannia Stadium (Stoke home)
Kick-off: 3pm BST
Verdict: Stoke is the most intimidating place to go in the Premier League not just as a stadium, as a place. While in their luxury coach on the way to the Britannia Stadium, Man Utd's stars will get an overwhelming whiff of burning rubber and through the tinted glass they'll see some rather abject sites. Walking onto the pitch they will be yards away from 20,000 two-headed monsters with 15 arms with claws on the end that could tear the head clean off you shoulders.
It will certainly feel like it at times.
Suffice it to say, it's a tough place to go. Only Everton, Chelsea (x2), Man Utd and West Ham have won there in the Premier League and at least two of those have their own two-headed knuckle-dragging monsters among their fans. Only Chelsea have won by a clear margin (2 or more) and that was at the very outset of Stoke's top flight career, which makes the Asian Handicap an interesting bet here.
The bookies are offering about 13/10 on Stoke with a +1 handicap, which means that if Stoke draw or win we double our money. If they lose by one, we get our money back. I think that's as close to a free bet as you're going to get.
Betting Advice: 7pts Stoke at +1.0 on Asian Handicap at 137/100 (2.37 at Bet365)
Fixture: Portsmouth 0-1 Everton
Venue: Fratton Park (Portsmouth home)
Kick-off: 12.45pm BST
Verdict: It may have only been the Carling Cup, but Everton's 4-0 win at Hull during the week was significant in a couple of ways. First, it brought about a hat-trick of wins for Everton (and four wins in five) finally confirming that their slow to start to the season was just that (a slow start) and nothing more terminal. Second, was the return of Ayegbeni Yakubu whose goal on Wednesday highlighted how strong Everton now are in front of goal. Louis Saha has scored six now this season, while the midfield is chipping in, too.
Portsmouth's woes continue: after a 2-0 loss at Aston Villa handed them the crown for the worst Premier League start EVER, they looked brittle and nervy in beating Carlisle in the Carling Cup. This may be the last game for boss Paul Hart, as the return of Steve Coppell to the manager's market has alerted a number of interested parties. Pompey may need to act quickly to get him.
Betting Advice: 3pts Everton to win at Evens (2.0 at totesport, Betfred and Coral)
THE NO BETS
Saturday
Birmingham looked tempting, but their lack of goals let them down sometimes, and I wonder whether Bolton are more suited to picking up points at places like St Andrews
Res: 1-2
Aston Villa are a good bet at 7/5, but Blackburn have not been playing as badly as their form suggests, which makes me wary of them at home
Res: 2-1
Spurs are in decent enough form, but a price of 4/11 is too small for me to be interested Burnley or not
Res: 5-0
Wigan will be more of a challenge to Chelsea than their 11/1 price tag suggests. Another poor priced away team
Res: 3-1
Fulham are a decent proposition against erratic Arsenal in this engaging London derby. Too close to call
Res: 0-1
Sunday
Sunderland face Wolves in a match I will be trying to keep my eyes open to watch. Probably a bit unfair, but doesn't get the blood pumping either
Res: 5-2
Monday
Man City will win this one against West Ham. I might revisit this one over the weekend in search of value. Will drop you an email on Sunday night to let you all know either way
Res: 3-1
