Andy's Saturday tips - Chelsea to stumble
The Home Nations will be glad to say goodbye to a nightmare round of midweek international fixtures but the good news for those players involved is that they can make amends during this weekend's league matches. Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City all have very winnable matches but Chelsea have a proper test on their hands when they travel to Villa Park in arguably the biggest game of the weekend.
Aston Villa v Chelsea
We've seen a decent improvement in Villa since Gerard Houllier took over and this is a very good chance for all to see just how far they've come against the league leaders.
The midlanders have played a pretty open brand of football in recent times but they may have to rein in their attacking instincts a tad here and play in a more conservative fashion, soaking up pressure and trying to catch Chelsea on the break with the pace of Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Chelsea started the season in tremendous fashion, keeping plenty of clean sheets at one end and scoring at will at the other. But that injury to Frank Lampard has somewhat limited their attacking options as well as depriving them of a consistent goalscorer whilst defeat at Manchester City halted their momentum.
If you're asking who the most likely winners of this match are then the answer is of course Chelsea. In terms of the betting value though, Aston Villa at [6.0] are an outstanding bet, especially when you consider they won this fixture 2-1 last year. In front of their own fans against a side beginning to display a few cracks, my money is on Villa springing what, in my view, wouldn't actually be that much of an upset.
Recommended Bets:
Back Aston Villa to win at [6.0]
Back both teams to score at [1.86]
Back Aston Villa to win 2-1 at [20.0]
Andy's predictions for Saturday's 3pm kick-offs...
Arsenal v Birmingham
I can't see lightning striking twice after that West Brom defeat and a regulation home win is on the cards.
Recommended Bets: Back Arsenal to win at [1.32]; 2-0 at [7.8]
Bolton v Stoke
Don't expect a festival of glitzy football here but do expect a hard-fought match ending in a share of the spoils.
Recommended Bets: Back the draw at [3.4]; 1-1 at [7.2]
Fulham v Tottenham
A point at Craven Cottage is a good afternoon's work these days, whilst I'm sure Mark Hughes would settle for the same.
Recommended Bets: Back the draw at [3.35]; 1-1 at [7.2]
Manchester United v West Brom
A chance for Wayne Rooney to find his shooting boots and for Manchester United to rack up another three points.
Recommended Bets: Back Man Utd to win at [1.3]; 3-1 at [13.0]
Newcastle v Wigan
I've seen enough of these two sides to suggest there's not much between them, so I'm taking the big price on Wigan.
Recommended Bets: Back Wigan to win at [5.0]; 0-1 at [15.0]
Wolves v West Ham
Mick McCarthy's Wolves have received plenty of criticism for their spoiling tactics in recent times but whether they win this game pretty or ugly, I think they will win it.
Recommended Bets: Back Wolves to win at [2.34]; 2-1 at [10.0]
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Published: 16 Oct 2010
Daniel (October 16, 2010 9:40 AM) said:
But Villa aren't 5/1 - they're 4/1!!!