Andy's Sunday tips - Everton to hold Villa
We've got a huge Sunday of Premier League football ahead of us with the clash between Aston Villa and Everton the most intriguing match of the day. Meanwhile, Manchester City attempt to build on their super win at home to Liverpool but are up against a well-organised team in Sunderland...
Bolton v Birmingham
With all due respect to these two sides, this isn't a match that most neutrals will be desperate to tune into. These are two solid, well-disciplined teams who play to their strengths, work hard for each other and fight for every ball. Bolton are admittedly the slightly more physical of the two which is a legacy from the Sam Allardyce days, but they played some good stuff last week away at West Ham in a fine win and they deserve a lot better than the "long-ball merchants" reputation that they have in some quarters.
Birmingham made a habit of winning games at home by a single goal last season and their fans will have been happy to see they haven't forgotten how to do that after beating Blackburn 2-1 last Saturday. Alex McLeish is one of those managers who knows his players' strengths and doesn't ask anyone to do anything they're not comfortable with or are incapable of doing.
I'm not expecting a classic here and goals should be at a premium but if Bolton are ready to kick on and improve on last year's finish they need to be winning games like this when they're at home, and I have a sneaky feeling they will.
Recommended Bets:
Back 1-0 Bolton at [8.0]
Back under 1.5 goals at [3.2]
Aston Villa v Everton
The last few times these two teams have met they've produced entertaining games of football with equal measures of drama, entertainment and quality - and plenty of goals!
Everton have had a pretty indifferent start to the season, but then again they often do. Aston Villa were superb in week one and hugely disappointing in week two. On paper these are two pretty evenly matched teams in terms of the quality in their first XI and their options off the bench.
At the time of writing, Kevin Macdonald's future is uncertain. A win against the ever-resilient Everton would certainly help his cause if he does want the job on a full-time basis, but a defeat on the back of last week's drubbing at St James Park would probably have the Board wondering if he's the right man for such a big job. I'm sure David Moyes would take a point irrespective of who's in charge at Villa Park, and I suspect he'll get it, in another goal-filled and entertaining game.
Recommended Bets:
Back the draw at [3.4]
Back 2-2 at [18.0]
Andy's other Sunday correct score predictions...
Liverpool v West Brom
The stars are back in the starting XI and Roy Hodgson's boys are at home - I can't see West Brom going back to the Midlands with anything to show for their work.
Correct score: 2-0 at [7.2]
Sunderland v Man City
City are on a high after thrashing Liverpool, but the Black Cats can hold their own at the Stadium Of Light and a share of the spoils looks the most likely outcome.
Correct score: 1-1 at [7.6]
Andy Gray is now on Twitter so follow him for his exclusive tips and his take on the biggest stories in football each week.
Published: 28 Aug 2010
Jimmy junaidi (August 29, 2010 11:17 AM) said:
Great tips andy.
But i have to disagree with draw on man city game.
I think m.city will win today.
And the half/full m.city/m.city look great.