Premier League Preview 3rd Feb

The undoubted highlight of the transfer window was the sight of Peter Odemwingie arriving at Loftus Road and not being allowed to enter. Many will wonder why he was so keen to leave the security of an established mid-table side for a relegation struggle at QPR. Whatever his reasons and I suspect most of them were financial no deal happened. For West Brom and Steve Clarke it was a unwelcome distraction in a week in which a defeat to Everton was their fourth in their last five league games.

Bookmakers make Tottenham the 6/5 (general) favourites and to me that looks a decent price. The Baggies have won just one of their last five league games at the Hawthorns and none of their last six Premier League games against Tottenham. It is true that Spurs have drawn each of their last three in the league yet I still think they are worth siding with here. After a poor first half against Norwich the North London side looked much better in the second and could have gone to win it. Lewis Holtby showed promise in his appearance off the bench and if he starts I think Tottenham can pile more misery on West Brom.

Speaking of Holtby he looks a decent shout in the first goalscorer stakes where he can be backed at 12/1 (BetVictor/Coral). This looks a decent price on a player who could well occupy the slot behind Defoe up top for Tottenham. Holtby can also be backed at 5/1 (Coral) in the anytime scorer market. Other popular players in this market are Jermain Defoe at 6/1 (BetVictor/Coral), Emmanuel Adebayor at 13/2 (general), Clint Dempsey 7/1 (BetVictor/ladbrokes/Coral) and Gareth Bale at 7/1 (BetVictor/ladbrokes/Coral). Those looking for a West Brom player can get Shane Long at Romelu Lukaku at 7/1 (BetVictor/paddy Power/Coral) or 15/2 (general) Shane Long.

By the time Man City face Liverpool on Sunday afternoon they could be as many as ten points behind Man United in the title race. This then is a must win game for them and I think they might find the way to get the job done. That being said I will not be backing them at 20/23 (BetVictor) against an improving Liverpool. In the league Liverpool have won three, drawn one and lost in their last five (with this defeat coming at Old Trafford). Those who think the Merseysiders can get all three points here can back them at 19/5 (Stan James) while the draw which has been the result in the last two meetings between these sides can be backed at 29/10 (bet365/BetVictor).

Those looking for a bet will see the first goalscorer market is headed by Sergio Aguero at 9/2 (general), Carlos Tevez is 5/1 (Skybet/Stan James/ladbrokes) and Edin Dzeko is a 6/1 (Stan James) hope. If you are looking to back a Liverpool player in this market you can get Luis Suarez at 7/1 (general) while Daniel Sturridge is an 8/1 (general) chance.

With Vincent Kompany missing at the back I think the bet here is Luis Suarez at 9/4 (Stan James) in the anytime scorer market. The tricky forward has netted nine times in the last nine Liverpool games including in each of his last three. The price is an insult to a player who has been on fire this season and especially against a City defence missing their best player.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Tottenham to beat West Brom, 6/5 (general)
SILVER: Luis Suarez to score anytime v Man City, 9/4 (Stan James)
BRONZE: Holtby to score v West Brom, first 12/1 (BetVictor/Coral), anytime 5/1 (Coral)

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03/02/2013     © Frixo 2026