Football Monday Night Jan 21st

Rather than preparing his side for the visit of Everton on Monday night Nigel Adkins will have spent his weekend getting under the feet of his wife and family as he adjusts to life without football management. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the decision, and most people will agree he was very harshly treated, Adkins is no longer manager of Southampton.

Bookmakers seem to think that the exit of Adkins will see problems for Southampton however I am not so sure. Southampton were wrong to sack Adkins at this time of the season when he look to be leading them to safety. The end of the season was the logical time to make the move if they thought Adkins was not the right man to establish them as a Premier League club. Players though are professional and despite missing Adkins will get on with the job in hand. The price is 21/20 (general) for an Everton victory which seems a little short for me bearing in mind the home form of Saints who have lost just two of their last nine home league games. I like the look of Southampton at +0.5 in the Asian Handicap as this bet will pay out if they win or draw and is available at 9/10 (188Bet/pinnacle). The Saints are unbeaten in their last five, drawing four of these, Everton have won just two of their last eight away from home in the league (though these wins did come in their last two games).

Those looking for a first goalscorer bet will see the market is headed by Nikica Jelavic who is 11/2 (BetVictor/paddy Power/Coral). Jelavic netted twice when these sides met at Goodison Park in September, a game that Everton won 3-1. Marouane Fellaini is 7/1 to grab the opener (bet365/BetVictor) as is Southampton front man Rickie Lambert (general).

We mentioned that the last meetings between these sides ended 3-1 Everton and you can get 17/1 (BetVictor) for a repeat of that scoreline here. The 1-1 draw is favourite at 7/1 (BetVictor), while 2-1 Everton is 8/1 (BetVictor/Stan James) and 1-0 Everton is 17/2 (BetVictor). Southampton to win 2-1 is 13/1 (BetVictor) while a 1-0 Southampton is 14/1 (Coral).

Both teams to score has been a common feature of Everton games this season and would have paid in each of their last ten away games in all competitions. It is 4/6 (general) that both teams score in this game. While it is 11/13 (pinnacle) that this game has over 2.5 goals and 11/10 (general) under 2.5 goals.

Southampton are currently three points above relegation and are 9/5 (ladbrokes) to go down. Reading are 1/2 (paddy Power) the drop, QPR are 4/7 (boylesports/Coral), Aston Villa are 6/5 (betfred), Newcastle 7/2 (betfred) while Norwich (tipped here at 11s) are down to 8/1 at ladbrokes. The bet though must be on Wigan at 6/4 (general) as this is surely based on reputation and not performance. Wigan have just 19 points and sit second bottom taking just five points from their last ten games (with three of these coming against an out of sorts Aston Villa). I think Martinez has out run of magic tricks this time around.

Everton need a win to keep the pressure on Tottenham in fourth place who have opened a four point gap after a draw with Man United. Once again Spurs are great value for that top four slot at 6/5 (Blue Sq/888 Sport). Everton are 11/2 (ladbrokes) for a top for finish while Arsenal are far too short at 6/4 (Skybet).

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Southampton +0.5 on the Asian Handicap v Everton, 9/10 (188 Bet/pinnacle)
SILVER: Tottenham to qualify for the Champions League, 6/5 (Blue Sq/888 Sport)
BRONZE: Wigan to be relegated, 6/4 (general)

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21/01/2013     © Frixo 2024