Andy's Saturday tips - Back Man Utd again

It's typical of football that on the weekend straight after the biggest transfer in British football history the two teams involved are pitted against each other. More on that later, but let's not forget about the small matter of another nine Premier League fixtures going on this weekend. At this stage of the season they all count...

Stoke v Sunderland

Steve Bruce has done a fantastic job at Sunderland. Sixth in the league and with fewer away defeats than Chelsea with two thirds of the season gone: what odds on that at the start of the campaign?

The loss of Darren Bent is obviously a huge concern for fans of the Black Cats but the truth is Darren hadn't exactly been firing on all cylinders this season and maybe he wasn't quite as an important player for them as he was last year. Plus, the Bent cloud has a silver lining in the shape of Stephane Sessegnon and Sulley Muntari; two strong, experienced players who will give Bruce plenty of options in the middle of the park.

Stoke have had a good season themselves and I think it's about to get better this Saturday. Sunderland have won two away matches on the trot and it's some ask to make it three.

They played well enough against Chelsea in a fantastic game of football but that effort will have taken a lot out of them so to have to go out and take on one of the most physical sides in the division will be a real test of their energy supplies.

John Carew arrived on loan from Aston Villa during the transfer window and will be keen to impress with a view to a permanent move. Carew is one of those players who can sometimes look a little disinterested but when he's really up for it he can be pretty unplayable, especially when it comes to aerial ability.

This may well turn out to be one of the best games of the weekend but by the final whistle I suspect it will be the home fans who are celebrating.

Recommended Bets:
Back Stoke to win at [2.28]
Back Draw/Stoke at [6.0]
Back Stoke to win 2-1 at [11.0]

Wolves v Manchester United

It seems to happen every year, doesn't it? United start slowly, their away form isn't anything to write home about and all of a sudden the murmurs are that Sir Alex is over the hill and not up to it anymore. Then Christmas comes, United somehow win a few matches by the single goal and before you know it they're top of the league. That didn't quite happen last year but it's happened plenty of times before and it certainly seems to be on the cards this season.

Wayne Rooney's two goals in midweek are a sign that he may be finding some form at last and though Dimitar Berbatov didn't get on the scoresheet on Tuesday, he's been scoring plenty of his own. The way United are playing right now, full of self-belief and ruthlessness, I can't see anything other than a good win at Molineux.

Wolves are in a right old relegation battle and they may well beat the drop but if a slightly-improved Liverpool side could dominate them as they did a couple of weeks ago, you've got to expect United to do the same.
As a former striker, I know just how important it is to get a couple of goals under your belt when you're going through a barren spell and I think Wayne will build on that by opening the scoring again on Saturday evening.

Recommended Bets:
Back Manchester United to win 2-0 at [8.0]
Back Manchester United to win to nil at [2.5]
Back Wayne Rooney to be first goalscorer at [5.0]

Aston Villa v Fulham - Darren Bent to keep on banging them in as Villa pick up another three points in front of their fans. Back Aston Villa to win at [2.04]; back Villa to win 2-0 at [11.0].

Everton v Blackpool - Everton will be desperate to welcome Tim Cahill back into their starting line-up and that may be enough of a boost to see them take all three points. Back Everton to win at [1.52]; back Everton to win 1-0 at [10.0].

Man City v West Brom - I can't really see a scenario where West Brom put City under any real pressure and it should be pretty comfortable for Roberto Mancini's boys. Back City to win at [1.47]; back City to win 3-1 at [15.0].

Newcastle v Arsenal - Arsenal look pretty strong right now and have plenty of options on the bench to change the game if needed. This should be straightforward for them. Back Arsenal to win at [1.81]; back Arsenal to win 2-0 at [10.0].

Tottenham v Bolton - No last-minute big-name signing this time from Harry but good enough home form to get the better of Bolton. Back Spurs to win at [1.6]; back Spurs to win 2-0 at [9.0].

Wigan v Blackburn - A match Wigan are desperate to win but one in which I think they'll have to settle for a draw. Back the draw at [3.35]; back 1-1 at [7.0].

Published: 4 Feb 2011

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