Premier League Sunday Betting Preview: Villa to march on

Premier League / Mike Norman / 28 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

Mike Norman is backing Martin O'Neill's men to pick up the points in their bid for a top four finish. Meanwhile, a draw is predicted in an intriguing relegation match-up. Best Bet: Back Aston Villa/Aston Villa @ [2.18].

Aston Villa [1.43] v Stoke [10.5]; The Draw [4.6]

One of the Premier League's in-form teams against the Premier League's worst away team should result in a home win for Villa. Stoke have collected just three points on the road all season, and now face a Villa side that will be at full strength having rested their star players for their UEFA Cup match in midweek.

Aston Vila/Aston Villa at [2.18] looks tempting in the Half Time/Full Time market with the knowledge that Villa have led at the interval in eight of their wins already this season. Another stat about those Villa wins is that almost 70% of them have been with Over 2.5 Goals being scored in them. For the game to have Over 2.5 Goals this time you can currently get matched at [2.02], whilst Under 2.5 Goals is available to back at [1.97].

Gabriel Agbonlahor [5.8], John Carew [6.0] and Emile Heskey [6.2] are all contenders to be the First Goalscorer, but at [9.0] I will take a chance on Ashley Young. Barring the game against Everton, all his goals this season have been against low-table opposition when Villa have been the dominant side.

Hull [3.05] v Blackburn [2.64]; The Draw [3.35]

This promises to be an intriguing match and I just fancy the points to be shared. It's well documented that Hull have only won once in the league since October, but in recent FA Cup matches, and league games against Chelsea and Spurs, they have proved difficult to beat. Rovers have been in decent form, but are securing too many draws to be confident about them winning this one.

I do think this will be entertaining however, with goals galore possibly on the cards. Hull have been involved in more 2-2 draws than any other team this season, whilst two out of Blackburn's last three draws have also ended 2-2. That Correct Score is available to back at [17.5] this time, but I'm more interested in Over 2.5 Goals at [2.06] (it's [1.93] for Under 2.5) and Over 3.5 Goals at a very tempting [3.7].

For a First Goalscorer I'd be looking to someone like Daniel Cousin [9.0], who has adapted very well to the Premier League, or Blackburn's El Hadji Diouf [11.5], a favourite of Sam Allardyce.

West Ham [2.66] v Man City [2.96]; The Draw [3.35]

I have a good feeling that this will be the day I call a game involving Man City correct... and I'm giving City one last chance to win on the road. Mark Noble's suspension will be a big loss to the Hammers, and along with the injuries to Dean Ashton, Daniel Gabbidon and Luis Boa Morte I can see West Ham struggling to contain Man City's impressive attack.

I doubt very much that it will be a classic, with West Ham having plenty of possession and City looking to strike on the counter. Under 2.5 Goals is my recommendation at odds of [1.9] (you can back Over 2.5 at [2.08], whilst Draw/Man City ([7.4]) and Man City/Man City ([5.7]) are options to consider in the Half Time/Full Time market.

Robinho hasn't scored in the Premier League this calendar year and will hoping to put that right at the Boleyn Ground on Sunday. Take him To Score at anytime during the game ([2.78]) in a 2-0 away win - available to back at [18.5] in the Correct Score market.