Football Premier League 23rd Feb

Fulham take on Stoke in the lunchtime fixture in the first of six games in the Premier League, here is the first of a two part guide to all the best of the bets.

My girlfriend thinks I have turned over a new leaf, only last weekend I suggest we visit her parents and this weekend maybe we should go out for lunch on Saturday. Why is this so? Am I feeling guilty? No I am just being smart. Missing the FA Cup and a Fulham v Stoke game earns me bonus points that means she won’t mind so much when the actual interesting stuff starts. If you are not a Fulham or Stoke fan and you find yourself stuck in front of this game then you have my sympathies, who knows who decided this would be a good live game.

Fulham are in 12th place, six points above relegation, and three points here against Stoke would be huge in their battle for safety. Bookmakers have them as the 6/5 (BetVictor/Coral) favourites for the game while a draw is a best priced 12/5 (Skybet/BetVictor) and a Stoke win is 11/4 (Totesport/betfred). It looks a tricky game to call as neither side enters in great form, Fulham winning just one of their last five and Stoke winning just one of their last 22 away from home in the Premier League. In terms of betting then it might pay to stay away from the outrights and look at some of the other game markets.

The bet I would recommend is a goalscorer bet on Damien Duff who is 16/1 (Coral) to score first and 6/1 (Coral) to score anytime. It has been a while since he has found his name on the scoresheet but he has found himself in the positions in recent weeks. Throw in the injury issues Stoke are having at fullback and Duff, as Homer Simpson would testify, looks a tasty option.

After defeats to Bayern Munich and Blackburn Arsenal fans should be happy they are not facing another side with the letter B this weekend. Aston Villa might be thankful they are facing the misfiring Gunners. Arsenal are 4/11 (Stan James) to bounce back with all three points here while the draw is 24/5 (pinnacle) and a Villa victory is 76/7 (pinnacle).

The Gunners have a number of problems in defence at the moment both with injuries and players incapable of defending. This then makes me wonder why Christian Benteke is as big as 10/1 (bet365/paddy Power/betway) to score the opener or 10/3 (william hill) to score at anytime. The Belgian has scored in each of his last five Villa appearances (six in total) and his pace and power should cause Arsenal huge problems.

Norwich and Everton are two sides who have seen the early season promise fizzle out. These two meet on Saturday and I am going to take the Canaries to get the victory here. Norwich can be backed at 7/4 (Coral) in the draw no bet market and this looks decent value. The Canaries have lost just three home games this season and while Everton were struggling to beat Oldham in the FA Cup Norwich were sunning themselves in Dubai. The minds should be focused on this game and the way Everton struggled to deal with the physical threat of Christian Benteke a few weeks ago is encouraging for Chris Hughton. The Toffees defenders will not relish facing Grant Holt and with the distractions of the cup and concerns over the future of David Moyes the Canaries look the bet.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Norwich to beat Everton in draw no bet market, 7/4 (Coral)
SILVER: Christian Benteke to score v Arsenal, first 10/1 (bet365/paddy Power/betway), anytime 10/3 (william hill)
BRONZE: Damien Duff to score v Stoke, First 16/1 (Coral), Anytime 6/1 (Coral)

Go To bet365

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23/02/2013     © Frixo 2024