Football Premireship League Preview

The first game of the weekend and the first of four live Premier League games features two teams who started the opening weekend with three points. Swansea captured the headlines with their 5-0 opening day demolition of QPR while West Ham looked solid in a 1-0 defeat of Aston Villa. I could not put people off backing Swansea at 23/20 (Bodog) to defeat the Hammers as the Swans had great home form last season, West Ham meanwhile have won just two of their last 37 top flight away games. Swansea though might find it a little different breaking a team down rather than hitting a team on the counter attack like QPR allowed them to do. Allardyce will have his men organised and be difficult to break down. I expect West Ham to try turn this into a physical encounter which is why I would rather recommend a bet of George McCartney at 5/2 (Skybet) to be booked during the match. The full-back is blessed with many skills but pace is not one of them. He could struggle up against tricky winger Nathan Dyer who himself is adapt at using his speed to win free-kicks. This looks the pick of the markets on this game.

The tea-time game looks a cracker as early pace-setters Chelsea take on Newcastle. Both sides played in midweek though. Chelsea played Wednesday and Newcastle Thursday. In addition Chelsea were at home while Newcastle were away in Greece. Despite this though I think the Magpies can still get something out of this game. They rested all their first teamers bar Cisse (who requested the game for increased match fitness) and have recent history of winning at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have not impressed despite six points from two games and Reading and Wigan have shown that while they look great going forward they look very vulnerable at the back. Newcastle are a disciplined side who can withstand the attacks while hitting Chelsea with electric pace on the counter. Be sure to cover the draw in this bet and take the 4/1 (Blue Sq/ paddy Power/888sport) on the draw no bet market.

The first of the sunday games sees Arsenal take on Stoke with the Gunners having won just one of their last five meetings at the Britannia with the Potters. Stoke are 13/5 (Stan James) to inflict more misery here while Arsenal are 5/4 (BetVictor) and the draw is 22/9 (pinnacle). Despite Arsenal failing to fire in their first game with Sunderland they had a number of chances and I would expect them to be on the scoresheet here. I like the look of the 11/13 (32 Red) on both teams to score. This bet would have paid in the last five meetings between these sides at the Britannia.

The last game of the weekend is the meeting between Liverpool and Man City and should be a cracker. Brendan Rodgers and his side had a disaster on the first weekend and will be out to make ammends against the defending champions. It is 21/10 (bet365/ladbrokes) that the Anfield fans go away delighted as they claim all three points. Man City are the 6/4 (william hill) favourites and the draw is priced at 5/2 (boylesports). Four of the last five games between these sides have ended in the draw and that may be the result on Sunday. I would be more interested in the goalscorer markets where big game player Yaya Toure is 12/1 (general) to open the scoring or is 9/2 (Blue Square/888 Sport) to score at anytime.

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25/08/2012     © Frixo 2024