Stick with the red-hot Lukaku against City

I watched Bayern Munich pick apart Man City on Wednesday night in a footballing masterclass and wondered what damage a player like Romelu Lukaku could have done. I am shocked therefore to see him 3/1 (SKYBET/TOTESPORT/betfred) to net anytime. This against the same City defence that has conceded five in their last two games. Against the same Joe Hart who looks shot of confidence. Lukaku is not a flat-track bully he scored a hat-trick against United last season. He has now scored six goals in his last five starts despite only playing 220 mins overall in these games, an average of 37 mins per goal. Lukaku has goals in him and City are shipping goals it would be rude not to get involved. Side with Lukaku to score anytime and also take the betfred offer which pays double and triple the first scorer odds if your player nets for a second or third time. Lukaku is an 8/1 chance with the firm to score first. Finally take the 20/1 (SKYBET) he scores two or more.

This looks the best bet in the lunchtime game between Man City and Everton at the Etihad (12:45, BT SPORT). City have an impressive home record having lost just two of their last 38 in the Premier League, one of these coming against Norwich in a meaningless end-of-season clash. That being said you would not want to side with City at 4/6 (GENERAL). A case could be made that Everton are over-priced at 9/2 (GENERAL) alongside the draw at 10/3 (william hill) after all the Toffees are the only beaten side left in the division. The Merseysiders though only managed two away wins at top half sides last season.

If I told you the live teatime game in the Premier League featured 20th against 12th you would wonder why the powers that be had chosen to showcase Crystal Palace against Stoke. Only this is a game between Sunderland and Man United two sides that have had bad starts. The Red Devils are 8/13 (GENERAL) for victory as they look to continue a run of five straight victories against the Black Cats and six wins and a draw from their last seven visits to the Stadium of Light. The North Eastern side showed against Liverpool last weekend some signs of promise but still lost 3-1 and with just three points from their last ten Premier League games I can not be siding with them to get something here. If you disagree then the draw is available at 31/10 (GENERAL) while a Sunderland victory is 5/1 (GENERAL).

Wayne Rooney has netted in two of his last three against Sunderland and he is 11/8 (BETVICTOR) to score anytime while Robin van Persie is 6/5 (BETVICTOR) and Jozy Altidore is available at 7/2 (GENERAL).

For me though this is a no bet game with other games offering more appealing options.

The live game in the Championship sees Birmingham take on Bolton at St Andrews (12:15, SKY SPORTS). Birmingham are in decent form winning two of their last three and are 7/5 (sportingbet/BETVICTOR/CORAL) while the draw which has been the result three of the last four Bolton games is 5/2 (BETVICTOR/STAN JAMES). The away victory is 21/10 (GENERAL) and would be the first one for Bolton in the Championship since April.

Chris Eagles netted 12 last season and though an injury has made his season a little stop/start I think odds of 4/1 (ladbrokes) seem generous. He is still averaging close to three shots per game in limited minutes and remains a class act at this level.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Romelu Lukaku to score anytime v Man C, 3/1 (SKYBET/TOTESPORT/betfred)
SILVER: Romelu Lukaku to score first v Man C, 8/1 (betfred)
BRONZE: Romelu Lukaku to score two or more v Man C, 20/1 (SKYBET)

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05/10/2013     © Frixo 2026