Andy's Saturday tips - Man Utd will slip up

I like international weekends as much as the next man but I'm now well and truly ready for another dose of Premier League action. This is the stage of the season where the pressure starts to be felt and we all know what pressure does to players and managers. Even the best of them. Let's try and predict who will deal with it best this weekend...

West Ham v Manchester United

A couple of months ago, this fixture would probably be amongst your away bankers for the weekend with Avram Grant threatening to have the unwanted distinction of getting his club relegated in two successive Premier League seasons. Let's not forget that during the home defeat to Arsenal, there were actually rumours he'd got the sack and that it was to be his last game in charge at Upton Park.

But since then something just seems to have clicked. The players have raised their game a couple of notches and perhaps a couple of key decisions at key times of matches have finally starting going their way. The likes of Robbie Keane, Demba Ba and Wayne Bridge have given the manager more options and, all of a sudden, beating the drop looks very much a possibility rather than a pipedream.

Conversely, it's been a strange few weeks for Manchester United. Yes, they're still in three competitions but they're simply not scoring as freely as you'd expect them too and it's only their resilience and experience that's getting them over the line. There were nervous moments at home to Marseille (2-1), Bolton (1-0) and even Crawley (1-0) but the truth is they do somehow keep on winning.

Despite that trend, I think they won't be leaving east London with all three points. The Hammers will believe they can stop the [1.61] league favourites in their tracks and, for that matter, so do I.

Recommended Bets:
Back the draw at [3.75]
Back the 2-2 draw at [18.0]
Back over 3.5 goals at [3.4]

Arsenal v Blackburn

The Gunners need to focus solely on their own matches and not worry about how Manchester United are doing. If they can somehow win all their remaining league fixtures, including a home tie against the leaders, they'll be crowned champions.

Playing hosts to Blackburn probably isn't the worst way to try and go about doing that. With all due respect to the north-west club, Arsene Wenger will feel this is a great opportunity to make amends for that draw at The Hawthorns last time out.

In retrospect, he will see that as a point gained rather than two lost because of the way the match panned out and, if we're talking positives, the fighting spirit shown was good and they'll need plenty more of that in the coming weeks.

After a decent start under Steve Kean, the positive results have dried up for Blackburn and they'll be one of many teams worrying about spending life in The Championship next season.

I don't think Blackburn can keep Arsenal at bay for 90 minutes by just defending so their best bet may be to try and be really positive and give the hosts' defence something to worry about instead.

It's not a nice thing to say but I feel whatever approach Steve takes won't make that much of a difference in the end anyway and it's Arsenal all the way for me.

Recommended Bets:
Back Arsenal to win at [1.3]
Back Arsenal to lead half-time and full-time at [1.83]
Back Arsenal to win 2-0 at [8.0]

Andy's predictions for Saturday's 3pm kick-offs...

Birmingham v Bolton
The Blues will win by that familiar scoreline which served them so well last year.
Recommended Bets: Back Birmingham to win at [2.6]; 1-0 at [8.6]

Everton v Aston Villa
Some tired bodies will be reporting back for Villa duty and I fancy the fresher Everton side to nick this one by the single goal.
Recommended Bets: Back Everton to win at [1.91]; 2-1 at [9.4]

Newcastle v Wolves
Expect a point apiece, which will help Alan Pardew more than it will Mick McCarthy.
Recommended Bets: Back the draw at [3.6]; 1-1 at [7.6]

Stoke v Chelsea
Chelsea will keep on winning to tell the field that they haven't given up their title hopes just yet.
Recommended Bets: Back Chelsea to win at [1.73]; 0-2 at [9.0]

West Brom v Liverpool
It was a great result for the Baggies last time out against Arsenal but I don't think they'll be able to repeat that effort against an ever-improving Liverpool.
Recommended Bets: Back Liverpool to win at [2.42]; 1-2 at [11.0]

Wigan v Tottenham
I always fear for Tottenham when they have a big game in Europe coming up and I think Wigan can pick up a priceless win.
Recommended Bets: Back Wigan to win at [3.45]; 2-1 at [13.0]

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: 1 Apr 2011

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