Aston Villa vs. Norwich
Saturday’s early kick off see’s Paul Lambert come up against Norwich for the first time since leaving the club in the summer. It’s fair to say the way Lambert departed Carrow Road has left a bittersweet taste in the mouths of the Norwich fans despite the amazing work he did with the club in the three years he was there.
Aston Villa are slowly getting there under Lambert, and drastic change was never going to happen overnight. Norwich were superb in their surprise victory of Arsenal last week, and will have to be as good if they are to register their first away win of the season on the weekend.
I don’t fancy many goals at Villa Park, however Lambert should get revenge over his former employers in a narrow victory.
Aston Villa 1 Norwich 0 – 8/1 with Betvictor
Other tips:
Under 2.5 goals – 13/12 with 188bet.
Aston Villa to score first – 4/6 with Ladbrokes
Darren Bent to score and Aston Villa to win – 13/5 with BlueSquare
Arsenal vs. QPR
Back to back defeats for Arsenal have turned a promising start into an average one. Mark Hughes and QPR would’ve settled for an average start, and after eight Premier league games they are winless and bottom of the pile.
Against the bigger sides this year QPR have competed well, earning home points against the likes of Chelsea and Everton, but away from home they’ve been poor since their return to the top flight. Arsenal need a win to keep in touch with those above them, and three points aren’t a given especially when you consider they’ve dropped five points at the Emirates already this year.
On their day Arsenal can beat anyone, and they should have too much for a disjointed QPR at home on Saturday.
Arsenal 3 QPR 1 – 11/1 with Stan James
Other tips:
Over 2.5 goals – 1/2 with Paddy Power
Thomas Vermaelen anytime goal scorer – 6/1 with Ladbrokes
Both teams to score – 4/5 with Skybet.
Reading vs. Fulham
After seven win less games, at home to Fulham is a must win match for Brian McDermott and his Reading side. Fulham were very patient in their win against Aston Villa on the weekend, and despite dominating the game had to wait until the 84th minute for their winner.
Reading have improved over their last three games, and were unfortunate not to beat both Newcastle and Swansea, so back them to register their first win of the campaign here.
Reading 2 Fulham 1 – 11/1 with Betfred
Other tips:
Both teams to score – 4/6 with Bluesquare
Reading to win – 17/9 with Pinnacle
Pavel Pogrenyak anytime goal scorer – 5/2 with bwin
Stoke City vs. Sunderland
The game at the Britannia see’s the battle of the draw masters. Between them they’ve drawn 10 out of 15 Premier league matches, so it’s safe to say the draw is the bet I’ve gone with here.
The additions of Charlie Adam and Steven N’Zonzi have brought an extra bit of quality to the Stoke midfield and if either side are to win it’ll probably be Stoke given their impressive home record; however I can’t separate these two sides.
Stoke City 1 Sunderland 1 – 6/1 with Betfred
Other tips:
First team booking Stoke – 5/4 with bet365
Draw – 12/5 with Skybet
Both teams to score – 21/20 with Coral
Wigan vs West Ham
Another borderline decision went against Wigan on the weekend, with Arouna Kone’s header ruled out for offside, with replays suggesting the Ivorian striker was onside. If the correct decision was made then Robert Martinez’s side would’ve had all the momentum heading into the final 15 minutes of their game with Swansea, however the Welsh side managed to prevent a Wigan equaliser.
West Ham impressed again last weekend, and they were extremely clinical at home to Southampton in a 4-1 win. Sam Allardyce’s side head to Wigan in form and full of confidence, and an away win could be on the cards.
Wigan 1 West Ham 2 – 11/1 with Totesport
Other tips:
Both teams to score – 4/6 with Ladbrokes
Andy Carroll anytime goal scorer – 9/4 with Stan James
Draw or West Ham – 4/7 with Skybet
Manchester City vs. Swansea
Manchester City will be wanting to put their Champions league nightmare behind them in the form of a fourth consecutive Premier league victory. Swansea had struggled since their early victories, but their 2-1 win over Wigan was a huge one for the club.
Roberto Mancini’s side will have too much for Swansea at the Ethiad and will win comfortably.
Manchester City 3 Swansea 0 – 15/2 with Bet Victor
Other tips:
Sergio Aguero to score and Manchester City to win – 6/5 with Ladbrokes
Over 2.5 goals – 11/21 with Betfair
Manchester City by three or more goals – 13/8 with Skybet