Andy's Saturday tips - Chelsea to concede
Blackpool stunned English football on day one of the Premier League season with their demolition of Wigan, whilst hugely impressive displays from Chelsea and Manchester United suggest these two remain the teams to beat at the top of the table. Let's try and predict what will happen in week two...
Wigan v Chelsea
You've lost your opening match of the season 4-0 at home. Worse still, you've gone and lost to a side who are not only newly-promoted but the red-hot favourites to finish rock bottom. Can life get any worse? Yes, it can when the defending champions, who put six past another relegation candidate, West Brom, are your next opponents.
Everything points towards another comfortable win for Carlo Ancelotti's men but football (and all sports for that matter) isn't an exact science and that's a good thing. If it was, we wouldn't bother watching it because we'd always know what was going to happen next!
If Wigan are looking for some sort of good omen ahead of this match they can recall last year's shock 3-1 win over the south-west London outfit in which they caused them huge problems from set-pieces.
Yes, a sending off to Petr Cech obviously had a huge impact on the match, partly because they scored from the resulting penalty but it was a fine win nonetheless and I'm sure Wigan will be thinking that if they can get plenty of good crosses into that Chelsea box again, they can put them under some serious pressure.
If Roberto Martinez's men are to get anything from this match and indeed escape relegation they're certainly going to need to defend a lot better and first and foremost, hope Chris Kirkland has a better game than he did on Saturday.
They'll also be hoping that Charles N'Zogbia can produce a few moments of magic and that Hugo Rodallega (pictured) finds his shooting boots sooner rather than later. Those are Wigan's three key players for me and suffice to say that if they don't perform, Wigan will be under huge pressure very early on in the season.
As far as Saturday's game goes, from what I saw last weekend of both these teams, I can't see lightning striking twice and though I fancy Wigan to deny Chelsea another clean sheet, the points should be the visitors'.
Recommended Bets:
Back both teams to score at [2.4]
Back Michael Essien to score at [6.0]
Back Chelsea to win 3-1 at [15.5]
Andy's other Saturday correct score predictions...
Arsenal v Blackpool
It'll be back to reality for Blackpool as Arsenal turn on the style.
Correct score: 3-0 at [8.0]
Birmingham v Blackburn
Blues will nick it and show that they still call the shots on their own soil.
Correct score: 1-0 at [7.6]
Everton v Wolves
It was a disappointing result last weekend for David Moyes' side but this is where another solid campaign begins.
Correct score: 2-0 at [7.0]
Stoke v Tottenham
It's never easy to go to the Britannia and Tottenham will probably look back at a draw as a decent result.
Correct score: 1-1 at [7.2]
West Brom v Sunderland
After a nightmare start for the Baggies, a home tie against Sunderland should see them get their first point on the board.
Correct score: 1-1 at [7.2]
West Ham v Bolton
Home advantage will prove crucial here as West Ham bring a smile to the face of the Davids.
Correct score: 2-1 at [10.5]
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: 20 Aug 2010
Jimmy junaidi (August 21, 2010 6:49 AM) said:
Considering wigan can't score against blackpool, I think, it would be too risky to bet both team to score..
Also,the odds is 2.2 now..
I think, the really good bet for this game is first half goals, over 1.5 goals..
The odds is 2.56.. Very interesting.. The market seems believing wigan defend is good enough.. Wigan 0 - 4 Blackpool. 3 in the first half.
Chelsea 6-0 west brom. 2 in the first half.