Saturday
Fixture: Chelsea 3-0 Burnley
Venue: Stamford Bridge (Chelsea home)
Kick-off: 12.45pm BST
Verdict: Chelsea are the absolutely incredible 2/13 to win this game (cannot remember ever seeing that price) more on the faltering of their league rivals than any robust start that they have made to the season.
Burnley have won twice already this season, and may fancy making a bit of history at the Bridge, but the bookies have got it right.
However, at that price, my highly successful correct score strategy (+11 points for the season) comes in to play here.
Betting Advice: 1pt Chelsea to win 1-0 at 15/2 (8.5 at Boylesports); 2-0 at 11/2 (6.5 generally); 2-1 at 10/1 (11.0 at extrabet); and to win 3-1 at 12/1 (13.0 generally)
Fixture: Stoke 1-0 Sunderland
Venue: Britannia Stadium (Stoke home)
Kick-off: 3pm BST
Verdict: Sunderland are the new Wigan. Remember last year when everyone - including the bookies - dismissed Wigan as Premier League strugglers and prime candidates for relegation. And all they did was kept picking up wins at home - and even a few away against the real duff sides.
Sunderland are that team this year. They have bought well. Their manager is finally maturing as a viable replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford and have started off at a canter.
The same cannot be said about Stoke, who are a two-trick pony. And now everyong knows those tricks and knows how to deal with them.
Betting Advice: 2pts Sunderland to win at 9/4 (3.25 at Skybet)
Fixture: Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal
Venue: Old Trafford (Man Utd home)
Kick-off: 5.15pm BST
Verdict: I cannot stress enough how much I believe that this Man Utd side is a waning force. The loss of Ronaldo is a blow, but it is the statement of intent to build with kids that suggests that they don't have the kids coming through and the string of young talent is drying up. Arsenal meanwhile are starting to get it right. Very right in fact and, also taking into account United's poor record against the top four last season, Arsenal are good value to win this one.
Betting Advice: 2pts Arsenal to win at 13/5 (3.6 generally)
Sunday
Fixture: Aston Villa 2-0 Fulham
Venue: Villa Park (Villa home)
Kick-off: 3pm BST (Wed)
Verdict: Teams don't go bad overnight - as Villa proved by brushing their poor start to the season to one side at Anfield on Monday night to show why they almost came fourth last season. Pace. And lots of it.
This should be a given for Villa who have never lost at home to Fulham in the Premier League. Fulham also have the toughest turnround from European action this week. They went to deepest Russia where they were greeted with coffins and fans dressed up as death - not the kind of thing you forget to refocus on the next game.
Betting Advice: 3pts Villa to win at 4/5 (1.8 at Coral)
NO BETS
Saturday
Blackburn are better than they look and look value against West Ham who had quite an emotional night in the week against Millwall and whose players have suffered a few tragedies in the last week or so.
Res: 0-0
Bolton are rubbish but the bookies are not giving us a break considering Liverpool's form this season
Res: 3-2
The bookies have also found out Spurs who may actually have a frustrating afternoon against Birmingham. This has got draw written all over it for me
Res: 2-1
Sunday
Portsmouth are the Premier League whipping boys, but they may surprise here against a Manchester City side that are still showing signs of weakness
Res: 0-1
Everton should pick up their first win here, but you still wouldn't back against Wigan causing an upset
Res: 2-1
