Andy's Sunday tips - Man City will triumph
This Sunday throws up a big game as regards Manchester City's top-four aspirations and a chance for Blackpool to try and find some sort of momentum in their bid to escape the drop...
Fulham v Blackpool
Readers of my column may think I've got something against Blackpool because I keep tipping them to lose. Quite the contrary, actually.
Ian Holloway's men have been a breath of fresh air to the Premier League in the way they've been positive and tried to outscore their opponents rather than trying to limit the opposition's chances and somehow trying to nick a goal. That's why so many neutrals are fond of the Tangerines and hope they stay up.
The reason I'm always a little cautious of siding with them isn't because they don't look to defend but rather because they just haven't defended well this season. Occasionally you can concede two, score three and win the match but that's the exception to the rule. Those scorelines aren't common in this division and you won't often be able to score two or three goals against the better teams however many men you send forward.
This match should make an interesting contest because of the contrast of styles. Fulham are far more conservative and have steadily improved over the course of the campaign as Mark Hughes has got to know his players better and worked out where everyone fits into the jigsaw.
Fulham are doing okay at the moment - sitting in 12th - but Hughes has been in this business long enough to know that a bad run of four or five matches can change everything, especially if you lose a home tie to someone who is close to you in the table. Someone like Blackpool.
I don't think that will happen though and can think the Cottagers will pick up another three points which will relieve some of the worry amongst fans of the Whites. Apologies to Blackpool fans and Holloway in advance but I have a feeling this is Fulham's game.
Recommended Bets:
Back Fulham to win at [1.6]
Back Fulham to win 2-1 at [10.0]
Back both teams to score at [1.75]
Manchester City v Sunderland
I chatted to Steve Bruce on my radio show the other day and he was telling me how worried he was about his players returning from international duty with niggles and fatigue. Danny Welbeck played for England against Ghana, who featured three Sunderland players of their own.
Luckily for him, none of them complained of any really worrying injuries but the Ghanaian players will understandably be weary after a long week of travelling to Africa to play Congo for an African Nations Cup qualifier and then back to London for that friendly at Wembley.
I think this will be a tough afternoon for Steve against a Manchester City side who have had a pretty disappointing season if we're being totally honest. They crashed out of the Carling Cup and Europe and never really looked like they were genuine challengers in the league. They may yet win the FA Cup of course but even if they do, that's not a particularly great return for a squad like theirs.
The absolute minimum is to finish in the top four and to do so, they'll need to win matches such as these. On this occasion, I think they will.
Recommended Bets:
Back Manchester City to win at [1.58]
Back Manchester City to win 2-0 at [7.4]
Back Yaya Toure to score anytime at [4.0]
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: 2 Apr 2011
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