Football Saturday Non Live Games 22nd Dec

Of all the impossible requests Santa gets on his list for Christmas none is probably more difficult to grant than those of the Reading fans who just want three points. Sadly I do not think Santa will be delivering them anytime soon and certainly not at the Etihad this Saturday when they face the might of Man City. Reading are 20/1 (Totesport/betfred/william hill) to beat City while the draw is 95/11 (pinnacle) and the home victory is no bigger than 1/6 (general). I have a funny feeling that Scott Sinclair might start with Arsenal showing how vulnerable Reading are to pace and with City having a lot of games around Christmas. Sinclair is 10/1 (BetVictor/ladbrokes/Coral) to score the opener and 7/2 (Coral) in the anytime market and if he does start then get on this price quickly.

Newcastle take on QPR in a big game at the bottom of the table with the Magpies entering the game on the back of a poor run of form winning just two of their last 12 Premier League games. QPR for their part have won just one game this season though that did came in their last match against Fulham. It is 23/20 (william hill) a Newcastle victory, 31/12 (pinnacle) the draw and 29/10 (Pinnacle) the draw. The best bet on this game is on both teams to score which would have paid in 11 of the last 13 QPR games and is available at 8/11 (general).

All things being fine I would have been tempted by Southampton at 22/19 (Pinnacle) as they are a good home side while Sunderland are poor travellers. The injury to Adam Lallana is a massive blow though as he is a key player for the Saints. I can not be having the draw 53/21 (Pinnacle) or the 11/4 (boylesports/Stan James) Sunderland as the visitors are struggling for goals. This leads me to conclude that goals could be tough to come by in this match and I recommend the under 2.5 goals at 37/40 (BetVictor/188 Bet/32 Red).

I like the look of Stoke at +1.00 on the Asian Handicap line at 11/13 (Pinnacle) which pays out on Stoke and the draw and refunds stakes if Stoke lose by one goal. This looks the way to play it as the visitors will be tough to break down. Tottenham have won by more than one goal in just two of their last nine Premier League home games while Stoke have lost just one of their last ten away games by more than one goal and that was at Old Trafford.

If I told you before the season started that a match between West Brom and Norwich would have more implications on the Champions League places than the relegation spots you would have thought I had taken leave of my senses. Two of the biggest over-achievers in the league do battle on Saturday and bookmakers are still not buying into Norwich despite them going ten games unbeaten in the league. Norwich as big as 16/5 (Totesport/betfred) while the draw is 27/10 (BetVictor) and a home win is evens (general). I could not put anyone of backing Norwich at those prices. Also Steve Morison at 9/1 (general) to score first looks value as Grant Holt is unlikely to feature and Morison will lead the line. The Welshman scored at the Hawthorns last season and 10/3 (Blue Sq/888 Sport/william hill) anytime looks value.

I am shocked to see West Ham available at 11/10 (BetVictor/paddy Power) in the draw no bet market at home to Everton. The visitors are without influential midfield duo Marouane Fellaini and Kevin Mirallas. Everton have not won any of their last seven away in all competitions and against a West Ham side with just two defeats in their last nine league home games this looks a great value bet.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: West Ham in draw no bet market v Everton, 11/10 (BetVictor/paddy Power)
SILVER: Stoke +1.00 on the Asian Handicap v Tottenham, 11/13 (Pinnacle)
BRONZE: Southampton v Sunderland under 2.5 goals, 37/40 (BetVictor/188Bet/32 Red).

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07/01/2013     © Frixo 2024