Andy's Saturday tips - West Ham will climb
After another exciting round of Champions League action and the surprising news that Wayne Rooney wants to leave Old Trafford, we're back to another important round of Premier League fixtures. You can read my thoughts on the Rooney affair here but if it's betting tips on the weekend action you want, read on....
Tottenham v Everton
For the most part, playing in the Champions League is every club's ambition. But when you're trying to pick your team for a big Premier League match at the weekend after midweek action, I have the feeling some managers out there are left thinking they could do without it.
Harry Redknapp is a case in point. Spurs travelled to face Inter Milan in midweek, went down to ten men early on, conceded four in the first half and then had his players run themselves into the ground trying to recover from an impossible situation. Thanks to Gareth Bale's incredible hat-trick, they nearly did but now Harry has to pick up and motivate his exhausted team for a lunchtime kick-off against Everton, just two-and-a-half days after the final whistle in Milan.
Fatigue could well prove to be the determining factor in this match. Not only did Everton not have to play in midweek but David Moyes' side haven't been nearly as unlucky as Spurs have on the injury front, meaning the options available to the Everton boss in terms of squad rotation are far greater.
One player I suspect won't be getting a rest right now is Seamus Coleman. His transfer fee was just £150,000 and from what I've seen of the boy so far he looks like one of the best bargains going over the last few years. Energetic, skilful and already able to handle the pressure of playing on the biggest stages, here's a player who could end up being a real fans' favourite.
In some ways he reminds me of a right-sided Gareth Bale in that he can be highly effective as both an attacking full back or as an orthodox right-sided midfielder, and it will be interesting to see in which position he proves to be more effective. But that's a dilemma for David to resolve, not me!
Everton will be on a mental high after the Merseyside derby win last Sunday, in addition to being fresher, and they'll seriously fancy their chances of getting something out of this game. Their performance was so effective and determined last week that I'm tempted to actually back them to win this one but a draw at White Hart Lane is such a good result these days that I'm sure David Moyes would settle for it. A lay of Spurs it is then.
Recommended Bets:
Lay Tottenham to win at [2.2]
Back the 1-1 draw at [7.2]
West Ham v Newcastle
Newcastle have problems. I said that before the season started when they didn't strengthen their squad and I'm saying it again now after having watched them play over the last two months. To make matters worse assistant manager Colin Calderwood has left the club to take over at Hibernian, so that's another headache for poor old Chris Hughton to deal with.
West Ham aren't exactly flying themselves. On the contrary, they're rock bottom! But Avram Grant is a fine manager with plenty of experience of being in these situations and, for what it's worth, they've got a squad with more quality in it. Top of that list is Scott Parker, their midfield dynamo.
The rumour mill was in full flow over the summer with Tottenham (amongst others) mentioned as a possible destination but he's stayed and been their best player by a country mile so far. He may or may not decide that he's still got one last big transfer left in him but whilst he's still at Upton Park, West Ham will get nothing but fully committed performances from him. Irrespective of league standings, I think West Ham are the better team and expect them to win this match relatively comfortably.
Recommended Bets:
Back West Ham to win at [2.46]
Back West Ham to win 2-0 at [14.0]
Andy's predictions for Saturday's 3pm kick-offs...
Birmingham v Blackpool
Expect more solid home form from the Blues as Blackpool learn just how difficult this league really is.
Recommended Bets: Back Birmingham to win at [1.94]; 2-1 at [9.0]
Chelsea v Wolves
Normality will resume for Chelsea with another regulation win and another clean sheet.
Recommended Bets: Back Chelsea to win at [1.15]; 3-0 at [8.0]
Sunderland v Aston Villa
These two sides that are playing slightly better stuff than their results would suggest should cancel each other out and take a point apiece.
Recommended Bets: Back the draw at [3.3]; 1-1 at [7.0]
West Brom v Fulham
Never underestimate what confidence and belief can do to a football team and after their Old Trafford heroics, the Baggies have plenty of that.
Recommended Bets: Back West Brom at [2.24]; 2-1 at [10.0]
Wigan v Bolton
I've become increasingly impressed with the way Bolton are going about their business these days and can see them taking all three points here.
Recommended Bets: Back Bolton to win at [3.3]; 0-1 at [11.0]
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: 22 Oct 2010
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