BOTH teams to score looks the bet in ’Friendly Cup’

In the third part of our preview of the Premier League on Saturday night we look at the best of the best from a trio of games involving sides in the bottom half of the table.

Few things could make me long for Christmas shopping though a visit to a packed shopping centre appeals more to me than a free ticket to watch Stoke v Aston Villa on Saturday (15:00).

Stoke are the 13/10 (GENERAL) favourites as they look to bounce back from a League Cup loss to Man United. In the Premier League the Potters are undefeated in their last five home games though they have drawn three of these and this game to end all square is 23/10 (BETVICTOR) while Villa are 13/5 (BETVICTOR) to take all three points like last season.

The recommended bet in this game is to have a little interest in Marc Albrighton to net. The winger was one of the few bright spots last weekend against United and registered three shots on target. bet365 are 22/1 on him to net first with each-way odds unlimited on the place.

The Friendly Cup is a little competition established between Sunderland and Norwich that dates back to the 1985 Milk Cup Final and a fixture in the 90s when Sunderland fans disappointed that their game with Tranmere was cancelled rocked up to Goodison Park to cheer the Canaries on against Everton. That being said there will be no friends on the pitch as both sides are desperate for the three points on Saturday. The Black Cats will enter the game full of confidence following an extra time victory over Chelsea in the League Cup in midweek. The North Eastern side are looking for only their third league home win this season though they have had some tough fixtures and they are 11/10 (ladbrokes) to see off Norwich. The Canaries are in decent form having taken four from their last six and they can be backed at 56/19 (888 SPORT/unibet) while the draw which was the result here last season is a 12/5 (GENERAL) chance.

In Gary Hooper Norwich have a striker who looks at the top of his game while the Black Cats have found the net in each of their last 11 home games in all competitons. The bet therefore is to take both teams to score at odds of 11/13 (888 SPORT/unibet).

West Brom and Hull do battle at the Hawthorns on Saturday as the Baggies look to embark upon life without manager Steve Clarke who they sacked last weekend.

The Midlands side are unbackable at 37/40 (BETVICTOR) considering they have won none of their last six, losing each of their last four. It is unclear how the sacking of Clarke will affect the side and as such this looks a tricky game to call. The draw might be the best option as I can imagine the Baggies will be looking to stop the rot while the Tigers have drawn each of their last two and lost just one of their last six. They could be some small value in Hull and the draw in the double chance market at evens (bet365).

The bet in this game is again in the scorer markets where I like the look of Jake Livermore at 33/1 (paddy Power) to net first with each-way odds of a third. The Hull midfield does not have a great scoring record yet he does often find himself in the positions and I think the goals will come in time.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: YES in both teams to score Sunderland v Norwich, 11/13 (888 SPORT/unibet)
SILVER: Marc Albrighton to score first v Stoke, EW 22/1 (bet365)
BRONZE: Jake Livermore to score first v West Brom, EW 33/1 (paddy Power)

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20/12/2013     © Frixo 2026