Premier League Preview Part 1 29th Mar

MAN UTD v ASTON VILLA, Saturday 29th March, 12:45, BT Sport

As Paula Abdul once sang two steps forward, two steps back, except for United fans it must feel like one step forward and five steps back. We did warn in midweek that the Red Devils mini recovery would not stand up to tougher tests and we were proved right when City ran out victorious. Up next for United is Aston Villa at Old Trafford in a bizarre choice for live game.

Bookmakers make the Red Devils the 9/20 (GENERAL) favourites for the game as they look to continue a run of six straight victories in head-to-head battles between these sides. United though have lost seven times at home this season and I can not be backing them here.

Villa are a funny side who blow hot and cold and with victories at Arsenal and Southampton this season. I imagine people will be keen to take on United but with memories fresh of a 4-1 hammering against Stoke I swerve the Midlands side at 15/2 (STAN JAMES/SPREADEX).

A better bet then is to take both sides to score as this would have paid in seven of the eight games Villa have played away to top half sides this season. United meanwhile have shipped eight in their last three home games including two to Fulham.

RECOMMENDATION: Yes both teams to score, evens (STAN JAMES)

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA, Saturday 29th March, 15:00, non live

One thing you can say about Crystal Palace is that they will not be hit for six like Arsenal. That being said I can not see the Eagles presenting too many problems for Chelsea despite just three defeats from their last ten games at home. Man United and Southampton have both won here in recent weeks at Selhurst Park and Chelsea should have few problems and are 4/9 (GENERAL) for the victory. The Blues are unbeaten in their last 12 with Palace and have five wins and one draw from their visits to the bottom eight sides so far this season. Chelsea did slip up at Villa though Palace do not have the same strikeforce as the Midlands side having just found the net just once in their last five Premier League games.

Palace have failed to score in the first half in six of their last seven games while Chelsea have scored six of their last eight goals in the opening 45 minutes so it might be worth an interest on the visitors to be ahead to nil at half-time.

RECOMMENDATION: Chelsea to be leading to nil at HT, 11/10 (ladbrokes)

SOUTHAMPTON v NEWCASTLE, Saturday 29th March, 15:00, non live

It is sad that neither of these sides seemed to care about the FA Cup as the battle for eighth place does not come with a trophy or a day out at Wembley. The Saints are the 3/4 (bet365/paddy Power/ladbrokes) favourites for the game and it is hard to know which Southampton will turn up, possibly both versions. Against Norwich and Tottenham in recent victories they have showcased some superb attacking play and some poor defensive performances. I would feel more confident on backing the Saints if I saw one of Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama had passed fitness tests.

Newcastle I could not be backing at a slightly inflated price of 9/2 (BETVICTOR/CORAL). The Magpies have been awful in recent weeks and were outplayed by Everton in midweek and already seen to be mentally gone for the season.

Southampton are struggling to keep clean sheets shipping 11 goals in their last five and while Newcastle are struggling for goals it might be worth a little interest in Yoan Gouffran to score at anytime as he is often the most advanced of the Magpies midfielders.

RECOMMENDATION: Yoan Gouffran to score anytime, 9/2 (GENERAL)

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01/04/2014     © Frixo 2024