Premier League Games 10/12 November 2007

Sunderland 6/4 v Newcastle 6/4 (11/5 draw)
Saturday’s 12:45pm Kick Off sees a North East derby between two sides who just aren’t quite getting results at the moment. This game comes off the back of the 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Portsmouth for the Magpies, a game that saw them go 3-0 down after just 11 minutes. Big Sam has done “ok” so far but the defensive frailties obviously still remain, despite several new signings in that area. Sunderland are playing well but lack a cutting edge, they get into the positions needed to win games – but rarely put the ball in the back of the net. I’m sure the absence of Carlos Edwards is a huge factor in this but in Kenwyne Jones they have a guy who is quick and wins everything in the air. It’s only a matter of time before they get the results their performances deserve. This game looks set for a draw at 11/5 with very few goals likely to be scored, maybe under 2.5 goals is in order?

Derby 15/8 v West Ham 6/5 (11/5 draw)
Derby have scored just 5 goals all season, conceding 26!! If ever there was a stat that spelt doom it is that one. They are still to score away from home and are unsurprisingly propping up the Premier League table. The absence of Kenny Miller last week at Villa was a huge blow, if any player is going to score for them, it is going to be Miller. Should he return for this game they stand a chance of getting a point – but that is all it is – a chance! West Ham aren’t exactly working wonders but with a casualty list bigger than most teams in the division put together I for one think they are doing well. The Hammers are lacking firepower with the absence of Craig Bellamy amongst many others. Two teams who will struggle to score = a tough, tight encounter. Another draw on the cards at 11/5, a bore draw 0-0 probable at 15/2.

Liverpool 2/7 v Fulham 15/2 (7/2 draw)
Liverpool are one of two teams that remain undefeated in the league, sounds impressive – but given that they have drawn 6 of the 11 games played they need a win sharpish. Their performances in the league of late have been poor and were lucky to escape Ewood Park with a point after Blackburn hit the woodwork twice. However, the 8-0 thumping of Besiktas in the Champions League must be a boost to the confidence. Fulham until their last game against Reading have lacked goals, scoring only once in the previous four games. Sanchez has bought some good players with Healy and Diomansy Kamara - just like Sunderland, it is only a matter of time before they click. For this game though, Liverpool need to start winning games and this one will be the first win since the derby victory over Everton. They don’t concede often so 2-0 looks likely at 5/1.

Birmingham 6/4 v Aston Villa 13/8 (2/1 draw)
Another local derby here with bragging rights at stake. Villa have had the upper hand in these meetings recently winning the last two in the league. One thing I like about Villa and that is the pace in the squad, teams with pace scare the opposition especially when you have only won three games all season with each of those three teams currently occupying the bottom three positions in the table. Birmingham are another team who are struggling to score goals and are conceding more than they would like. I think the spoils will be shared here with a draw seeming most likely at 2/1 (hence the poor price). Half time draw – full time draw at 7/2 is well worth a punt. As for the score, 1-1 at 5/1 is a decent bet.

Chelsea 4/11 v Everton 13/2 (3/1 draw)
Chelsea have slowly and quietly crept up the league keeping clean sheets in their last 5 games winning 4 of them – not bad with a makeshift defence. Avram Grant has got the Chelsea boys back into the routine of winning and with Lampard now hitting top form, they maybe ready to make a move up the table to top spot. Everton have bounced back from their derby defeat to Liverpool with two successive wins, albeit over two of the newly promoted teams. The Toffees took a point from this fixture last season but I don’t expect that to happen this time around. A Chelsea win seems certain and with their current ability to score plenty of goals from all over the pitch (re Belletti’s stunner vs Wigan) a win on the handicap (Chelsea -1 at 10/11) could also be on the cards.

Man Utd 1/3 v Blackburn 15/2 (3/1 draw)
Slightly unjust prices for the match betting given Blackburn’s superb performances this year. So far Blackburn have faced both Arsenal and Liverpool and took a point from both, there is nothing to suggest they can’t do the same against Utd. Granted, Utd have been playing some excellent football of late, with the attacking quartet of Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs and Tevez finally clicking and scoring bagfuls, but Blackburn’s defence isn’t exactly shoddy, conceding 9 goals all season (the same as Arsenal). With the mixture of Utd’s attacking flair and Blackburn’s will to run and fight for everything, I just feel Blackburn could nick a draw at 3/1. McCarthy is in great form and at 9/1, he has got to be with an each way punt??

Tottenham 1/2 v Wigan 5/1 (5/2 draw)
Managerless Wigan travel to White Harte Lane looking for a win, they have gone from top, to the relegation places so far this season and are on a 6 match losing run. Juande Ramos left Berbatov and Keane out of the starting line up last week electing to go for Defoe and Bent in his first League game in charge. The selection of Bent paid off as he score Spurs’ only goal of the game. I cannot see past a home win here at 1/2, not the best price but at half time full time for Spurs looks more desirable at 11/10.

Portsmouth 1/1 v Man City 9/4 (9/4 draw)
Portsmouth will surely be boosted by a superb performance against Newcastle last week scoring 4 goals away from home. Harry has signed some very good African players but with African players comes the responsibility of the African Nations Cup in January were he will lose the likes of Utaka, Muntari and Papa Bouba Diop. City have a winning formula this season sitting in 3rd position with 8 wins to their name from 12 games played. City were a shade lucky to get the win over Birmingham a few weeks ago and more recently Sunderland. Pompey are good enough to take this game at a decent price of even money. Benjani who has been firing the goals in is 11/2 to score first.