Betting on the Premier League Matches – 13-15th August
Betting on the Premier League Matches – 13-15th August
The Premier League season starts tomorrow and the anticipation couldn’t be greater. It was a fantastic season last year, showing the true quality of the Premier League. We had many great moments, fantastic goals and each match had its story. Any team in the division can beat anyone else and the tightness of the league was the closest in Premier League history last season. Teams needed more than 40 points to stay up, and only 80 points was good enough to win the title. This season should prove to be even more fascinating than the last one. Who will go down? There are so many teams that cannot think that they are too good to stay up this season. Who will win the title? Are Liverpool back on the radar? United to make it 20? What about Manchester City? Where will Arsenal finish this season after losing their top two performers. Since the last season finished, I, and I’m sure everyone else, couldn’t wait till the new season started and we’re less than 24 hours away. I have some betting predictions below, but remember that on the first week of the season, we don’t know where everyone is in terms of fitness, form, and how the new squads are shaping up! So I’d prepare to be risky on the first day. Last season we saw Blackpool win 4-0 at Wigan on their first day, Chelsea put 6 past West Brom so you never quite know what to expect. There is only 9 games this weekend due to Tottenham v Everton being postponed because of the riots. It’s a shame as that sounded like an intriguing game, but safety is of course paramount. The other 9 games, 6 on Saturday, 2 on Sunday and 1 on Monday night, I have predicted my betting tips and you’re welcome to read and see if you agree with me!
Blackburn v Wolves – Saturday 3:00pm
These two teams played their reverse fixture on the last day of last season. As we remember, Blackburn took a shock 3-0 half time lead, before Wolves came back to 2-3, but it was enough for both sides to stay in the Premier League. What do we expect this time? Blackburn are favourites for this clash (EVENS) but I wouldn’t put money on that. Blackburn won this fixture last season 3-0, but in a game where Wolves provided a lot of chances but failed to take any. I think McCarthy will have his team ready, and Blackburn seem to be under more pressure because of their owners. With Samba and Nelsen out for Blackburn, I’d fancy Wolves chances to have a right go here. I fancy a draw for this fixture, with both teams scoring goals or a goal.
Correct Score; 2-2 (14/1) First Goal Scorer; Jamie O’Hara for Wolves (10/1)
Special; Wolves to be winning at half time, but final time result ends in a draw (14/1)
Fulham v Aston Villa – Saturday 3:00pm
Thankfully this game is going ahead after some doubts with the rioting. These two like drawing to each other, as both matches finished in draws, with the result at Fulham being 1-1. Both sides have new managers for this season, with Martin Jol for Fulham and Alex McLeish for Aston Villa. Both managers will be eager to impress as both sides will want to challenge for Europe this season. There is no clear favourite in this match, but Fulham are priced at 6/5 compared to Aston Villa who are 23/10. I don’t want to sit on the fence and call this game a draw (23/10) but I believe one team will get the victory, and I reckon, due to their strong home form, it will be Fulham.
Correct Score; 2-1 (7/1) First Goal Scorer; Bobby Zamora for Fulham (5/1)
Special; Fulham to score 4 or more goals (11/1)
Liverpool v Sunderland – Saturday 3:00pm
More so than in recent seasons, Liverpool have got some extra hype this season, due to a good second half of the season. New signings Adam, Henderson, Downing and Enrique are all players with good Premier League experience and should excel at Liverpool. Strikers Carrol and Suarez looks a fantastic pairing and if they find a understanding then there is no reason why this Liverpool side can’t go all the way. Liverpool face a Sunderland side who signed more players than anyone else this summer, but also sold Henderson to Liverpool of course. This fixture last season was an enjoyable watch as the game finished 2-2. Sunderland gave a great performance and felt they could of won the game. Sunderland aren’t given much of a chance tomorrow mind, with them being priced at 13/2. Liverpool are 1/2 to win this fixture, and I’d back them, although crazy things can happen in football, and the first day you don’t know what to expect but Liverpool get my vote in this fixture, and it could be a comfortable win too.
Correct Score; 3-0 (6/1) First Goal Scorer; Dirk Kuyt for Liverpool (5/1)
Special; Liverpool to win with 3 or more goals in the match (5/4)
QPR v Bolton – Saturday 3:00pm
After being relegated with Sheffield United back in 2007, Neil Warnock is finally back in the Premier League with QPR. He is one of the most interesting characters in English football and good to see him back. Their first match is against a capable Bolton side, and this should be a fascinating match. Bolton are 2/1 for this match and QPR are 11/8 so the odds prove what a close match this will be. Bolton started last season well, but faded as the season went on, and as for QPR, they are the one promoted team that’s got the best chance of survival according the odds. This is a close match, but I think with their first Premier League match in quite some time, QPR and their fans will be up for it, and will see their team to victory.
Correct Score; 4-2 (66/1) First Goal Scorer; Adel Taarabt for QPR (7/1)
Special; Kevin Davies to score first (Bolton) and the score to be QPR 2-1 Bolton (60/1)
Wigan v Norwich – Saturday 3:00pm
As mentioned in the opening paragraph, Wigan started last season at home to newly promoted Blackpool and lost 4-0, and this season they will make sure that it doesn’t happen again. Norwich shocked everyone last year with automatic promotion, but are favourites to go straight back into the Championship. Wigan are EVENS in this fixture with Norwich at 11/4. These two teams will probably there or thereabouts in the relegation battle this season so this match is vitally important. I think Wigan won’t let the same mistake happen twice, and I think they’ll have too much for Norwich on this occasion.
Correct Score; 3-1(12/1) First Goal Scorer; Connor Sammon for Wigan (6/1)
Special; Norwich to lead at half time, but Wigan win the match (22/1)
Newcastle v Arsenal – Saturday 5:30pm
This game was arguably the best of the season, and perhaps one of the best in the history of the Premier League. Arsenal were going for the title, and were 4-0 up at half time, but then got one man sent off and Newcastle managed to bring the game back to 4-4 in an epic final 10 minutes. Hopefully for the same again please. Arsenal are EVENS and Newcastle are 11/4, but the way things are going, I expect Newcastle to give Arsenal another tough game. A repeat of 4-4 is 150/ for anybody that thinks lightening can strike twice in the same place. I feel this game will be a lot tighter, and I believe that this game will still end in a draw.
Correct Score; 1-1 (6/1) First Goal Scorer; Demba Ba for Newcastle (8/1)
Special; Both teams to score and Arsenal win (11/4)
Stoke v Chelsea – Sunday 1:30pm
Chelsea finished second place last season, and are second favourites to win the league this time around too. They started last season in emphatic fashion, winning the first 5 games scoring 21 goals and conceding just the one. New manager Andres Villas-Boas will have the spotlight on him in this game, as everyone wants to find out how he will cope in the Premier League, with such high pressure. His first game is a difficult one, as Stoke often fancy their chances against anyone, and particularly at home. They are a physical and effective side and this fixture last season ended up a 1-1 draw. I am going for a shock result here, and think Chelsea will lose, not sure why, just have that feeling. Chelsea are 8/13 to win, but I don’t see any value in that as Stoke are 9/2.
Correct Score; 1-0 (11/1) First Goal Scorer; Ryan Shawcross for Stoke (33/1)
Special; Stoke to win or draw with 2 or less goals in the match (11/5)
West Brom v Manchester United – Sunday 4:00pm
The champions start their defence at a ground where they picked up just 1 on their 5 away wins last season. Hernandez was the impact sub as United won 2-1 there on January 1st. West Brom finished last season comfortably, but this season they will have to be wary about the drop. West Brom was the only team to take a point from Old Trafford last season, which was a 2-2 draw. Manchester United are the title favourites, and so far have looked really good in pre season. I am really looking forward to this fixture, and to see if this United team have improved on last season. The bookies think they are firm favourites at 1/2 and you would be a fool to back against them. West Brom are 6/1 to win this game, and you could say that they deserved to win this fixture last year. Sir Alex Ferguson played a very youthful looking team in the second half against Manchester City last week, and the team played fantastic and wouldn’t be surprised if he started with that team.
Correct Score; 0-3 (9/1) First Goal Scorer; Wayne Rooney for Man Utd (4/1)
Special; Wayne Rooney to score first and Man United to win 4-1 (66/1)
Manchester City v Swansea – Monday 8:00pm
Last but certainly not least, as it will be interesting to see I new boys Swansea (11/1) can give the new big spenders, Manchester City (1/4) a real game! You’d have to back Manchester City, but if you are feeling lucky then betting on a draw (9/2) will give you some good rewards. Swansea are in the same boat as Norwich as the favourite to go down to the Championship. Manchester City fancy their chances of winning the league and many fans and pundits think they can go all the way this season. Their current squad is so strong, and now seems that Nasri is on his way too. They will have some great attacking ability, and also have strong defensive players. If they find a understanding between each other, and a healthy balance, then why can’t this City team get one over their arch rivals Manchester United. I expect them to have no problems on Monday night.
Correct Score; 4-0 (10/1) First Goal Scorer; Yaya Toure for Manchester City (6/1)
Specials; Manchester City to score 0-1 goals (2/1)
Multiples
With each individual match now done, I’d like to just recommend some multiples for the Premier League this weekend. These are known as accumulators in the UK, but I think the correct term is ‘Multiples’. This involves betting on more than one match, and hoping they are all right to win great money! Obviously, putting less likely results will boost up for odds a bit (Swansea to beat Manchester City for example). I have done my 3 multiples and if you like the look of it, then bet on it!
Bet 1 (Away you go)
Blackburn v Wolves (Away Win)
Fulham v Aston Villa (Away Win)
QPR v Bolton (Away Win)
Stake £5 Potential Winnings: £185.62
Bet 2 (Can happen?)
Newcastle v Arsenal (Home Win)
Liverpool v Sunderland (Draw)
Wigan v Norwich (Away Win)
Stake £5 Potential Winnings: £263.67
Bet 3 (Saturday Special)
Blackburn v Wolves (Draw)
Fulham v Aston Villa (Draw)
Liverpool v Sunderland (Home)
QPR v Bolton (Home)
Newcastle v Arsenal (Away)
Wigan v Norwich (Home)
Stake £5 Potential Winnings: £799.42
Thanks for reading, and I hope the Premier League will be great entertainment over the weekend, and that we also get some extra cash because you cannot beat football and betting (oh, and beer). Good luck!!