Andy's Wednesday tips - Arsenal will do it
There are seven Premier League matches taking place this evening, with several likely to have a major impact on the title race. Here's what our main man Andy Gray is backing in each of them...
Arsenal v Manchester City
Despite my frequent successes, this has been an extraordinarily difficult season to tip the outcomes of games between the Premier League's top sides.
As their league positions show, there really isn't a lot between these two teams. Manchester City have been better away from home this season and, after the 3-0 defeat at Eastlands back in October, they will feel that they owe Arsenal.
The Citizens are a big strong side, they are similarly physical to how Chelsea have been since the Mourinho era and they arrive at the Emirates looking for a fourth consecutive league win. That will be very difficult though and I fancy an Arsenal win.
I think that home advantage will be the difference in this one. There will be very little in it, one or two goals at most, but Arsene Wenger's men have the edge. Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri have been their best players this season, between them they can pick apart any defence and I still think Manchester City are vulnerable against the best attacks.
It will be interesting to see who Wenger selects up front - Marouane Chamakh or Robin van Persie. I've been impressed by the Moroccan this season but he looks jaded now and van Persie did score in the win at Birmingham.
Both sides are playing well at the moment and are in contention at the top of the table. Manchester City will give a strong account of themselves and be tough to break down but I'm backing Arsenal to shade it.
Recommended Bets:
Back Arsenal to win at [1.96]
Back Arsenal to win 1-0 at [9.4]
Back under 1.5 goals at [4.0]
Everton v Tottenham Hotspur
Everton are really struggling to score and now they have lost their best player and most likely goal threat Tim Cahill to the Asian Cup for up to a month. David Moyes must look at tonight's opponents, who regularly have the likes of Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko on the bench, with envy.
With very few goals in their own side, Everton will need to keep it tight against Tottenham. The visitors' goal difference isn't as barnstorming as it needs to be for them to sustain a serious title challenge but they are playing with great confidence.
Despite Everton's attacking woes and disappointing campaign so far, Goodison Park remains a difficult place for away teams to win at. Spurs know that from last year when they came up to Merseyside and drew 2-2 but I fancy them to take all three points this time and maintain their excellent momentum.
The difference between these two sides is squad depth. Whether David Moyes will venture into the market during the January transfer window, I don't know, but Harry Redknapp has so many quality players at his disposal that he can freshen his team up whenever he wants to.
The goalscorer markets should offer some lively odds for this match. Gareth Bale is obviously the man in form and, as a midfielder, you can always get a decent price on the Welshman finding the net. However, I do think Everton will find the net against Spurs and I'm going to back Louis Saha to be the man to do so. As ever, check the team sheets before getting on the French striker.
Recommended Bets:
Back Tottenham to win at [2.82]
Back Tottenham to win 2-1 at [11.5]
Back Louis Saha to score
Aston Vila v Sunderland
Gerard Houllier was delighted with the point his side rescued late on at Stamford Bridge and he will be hoping that his side have been galvanised by the result.
Recommended Bets: Back Aston Villa to win at [2.2]; 2-1 at [10.0]
Blackburn v Liverpool
The Reds come here on a high after Joe Cole's late winner against Bolton and, although Ewood Park is never an easy place for an away win, I'm backing Liverpool.
Recommended Bets: Back Liverpool to win at [2.2]; 0-1 at [8.0]
Bolton v Wigan
Despite their defeat to Liverpool, the Trotters are one of the season's success stories and I expect them to win this north-west derby.
Recommended Bets: Back Bolton to win at [1.83]; 2-0 at [10.0]
Newcastle v West Ham
Alan Pardew is reunited with his old club as Newcastle bid to build on their win at Wigan and the Hammers attempt to maintain their decent run. This could be lively.
Recommended Bets: Back the draw at [3.8]; 2-2 at [18.5]
Wolves v Chelsea
Chelsea's troubles have been much discussed but Carlo Ancelotti believes they can still win the title. If he's right, they will need to take three points here.
Recommended Bets: Back Chelsea to win at [1.56]; 0-2 at [8.4]
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Published: 5 Jan 2011
Anonymous (January 6, 2011 9:41 AM) said:
i see u got saha and arsenal under 1.5 but no team picks came in tonight,only man u last night, poor tipping this week