Andy's Tuesday tips - Fulham will be held
Our top tipster Andy Gray offers his verdict on Tuesday's three Premier League matches, fancying Blackpool and Manchester United's chances of home success but doubting Fulham's...
Fulham v West Bromwich Albion
With Fulham in the relegation zone, Mark Hughes is under massive pressure and will be desperate to take something from this game. The Cottagers gave a spirited performance in their last match but they couldn't make the breakthrough that would have salvaged a valuable point at White Hart Lane. That's their problem in a nutshell - scoring goals.
Chris Baird bagged a couple in Fulham's excellent away win at Stoke last week but apart from that they've been poor up front, even at Craven Cottage.
Mind you, West Brom struggle up top as well so I can see this being a low scoring affair. Roberto Di Matteo has moulded the Baggies into an excellent footballing side with a confident and accomplished midfield. They were desperately unlucky to have decisions go against them in the match against Manchester United but their performance at The Hawthorns demonstrated once again that they are a formidable side who knock the ball about well.
West Brom need to find a finish to their attractive moves though and whether they can depends on which Peter Odemwingie turns up. He's a decent player but his finishing can be erratic. His record of seven goals in 15 appearances for the Baggies isn't bad.
Despite my praise for West Brom's football, they are without a win for almost a month. So this is a game between two teams who both need to pick up three points soon. Of the two managers, Mark Hughes is the more desperate for a win.
His experience at Manchester City showed him what an unforgiving league this is and he knows that chairman are willing to pull the trigger if their teams are not winning. I'm afraid I don't think Fulham will win this and am going to back West Brom to pick up a point.
Recommended Bets:
Back the draw at [3.4]
Back the 1-1 draw at [7.4]
Back under 2.5 goals at [1.78]
Blackpool v Birmingham
Birmingham are poor on the road and Blackpool's best performances have come away from Bloomfield Road. But I'm backing the home side.
Recommended Bets: Back Blackpool to win at [2.42]; 1-0 at [9.4]
Manchester United v Stoke City
Manchester United continue unbeaten and, with their poor away form, it's unlikely that Stoke will be team to change that.
Recommended Bets: Back Manchester United to win at [1.31]; 2-0 at [7.0]
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Published: 4 Jan 2011
Tom (January 4, 2011 7:18 PM) said:
Andy,
I think you are way off the mark with these predictions.
Fulham will beat WBA
Blackpool v Brum will be a draw
Man Utd v Stoke will be 1-3 win for the Potters.