Andy's Saturday tips - Man Utd to be held
The international break always offers a little bit of variety to us football fans, and it was an especially great week if you're an England supporter, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited about the return of the Premier League. The two favourites for the title, Chelsea and Manchester United, have tough away trips this weekend and I'd be surprised if both pick up maximum points, so we could see some changes towards the top of the table. Here's what I make of it all...
Everton v Manchester United
If you've made the worst possible start to the Premier League season, Lady Luck isn't on your side and your strikers can't score, playing hosts to Manchester United isn't exactly the sort of fixture you'd hope for to get back on track. But in this game you don't get to choose who you play and when, and if you're an Everton fan, you can at least take some consolation from the fact that you were 3-1 winners in this fixture last year, one of Everton's best league results of the last few seasons.
I mentioned Lady Luck above and if David Moyes had had a little more of it, their points tally could have been very different to what it is because they haven't necessarily played badly. They were very decent at Villa Park for example but the glaringly obvious difference was that the home side scored and they didn't.
Manchester United have obviously started strongly and would be on maximum points were it not for a missed penalty and a last-minute lapse of concentration at Fulham. Whatever problems Wayne Rooney has had off the field haven't stopped him from going out and playing good football whilst that man Paul Scholes will be refreshed after putting his feet up during the international break and will be raring to go.
In an ideal world, Moyes would love to win this fixture against his old rival and use the win as the catalyst to go on a good run and put Everton where they deserve to be in the table. But wins against a team like United are few and far between in any competition on any ground and if you offered the Everton boss a point from this fixture before kick-off, I suspect he'd happily take it.
If they play like we all know they can in front of their own fans, there's no reason why they can't get a draw, with Tim Cahill once again being the Toffees' saviour.
Recommended Bets:
Back the draw at [3.65]
Back 1-1 as the correct score at [7.8]
Back Tim Cahill to score at [4.0]
Andy's other Saturday correct score predictions...
Arsenal v Bolton
It should be another comfortable afternoon for Gunners fans with entertaining football and plenty of goals on show.
Correct score: 3-1 at [12.5]
Fulham v Wolves
This is the sort of fixture that Fulham have made a very good habit out of winning in recent years and I can't see that changing on Saturday.
Correct score: 2-0 at [10.0]
Man City v Blackburn
If City fancy themselves as genuine title contenders they need to be winning matches such as this and I think that's exactly what they'll do.
Correct score: 2-1 at [10.0]
Newcastle v Blackpool
I expect a relatively comfortable afternoon for the Toon to continue their good start to the season.
Correct score: 2-0 at [9.0]
West Brom v Tottenham
Spurs will return to winning ways after that nightmare performance against Wigan.
Correct score: 1-2 at [10.0]
West Ham v Chelsea
A short trip across town for Chelsea should end up with the title favourites taking all the points.
Correct score: 0-2 at [8.0]
Wigan v Sunderland
Roberto Martinez's side are on a bit of a high so this may be a case of striking while the iron is hot.
Correct score: 1-0 at [9.4]
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: 10 Sep 2010
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