The trio of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United will make up a short priced treble this week but more daring punters could land large odds bets by backing Bolton, Aston Villa and Les Reed’s Charlton this weekend.
Saturday 18 November
Manchester City vs Fulham
Manchester City sit precariously in the lower reaches of the table following a goalless draw against fellow strugglers Newcastle United last weekend. It could be another frustrating match against a Fulham side which has lost just once in their last six matches. Fulham are unbeaten on their last three visits to City and could grind out another point on Saturday.
Walker’s Word
1×2: Draw @ 9/4 (Betfred)
AH: Fulham + ¼ @ 41/40 (Bet356)
OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 5/4 (Paddy Power)
Arsenal vs Newcastle United
Arsenal will be looking forward to playing a Toto Sgp Newcastle, without a win in eight Premiership matches, as they continue to climb the table. Sitting eight points adrift of second placed Chelsea, Arsenal will need to repeat the form they showed in last weekend’s 3-0 drubbing of Liverpool after some mixed results. The Gunners have won their last four at home against Newcastle, following the Magpies shock 3-1 win at Highbury back in December 2001.
Walker’s Word
1×2: Arsenal @ 3/10 (VCBet)
AH: Arsenal – 1 ½ (Bet356)
OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 5/6 (Paddy Power)
Chelsea vs West Ham United
Chelsea have been amongst the goals in recent matches, hitting both Aston Villa in the Carling Cup and Watford in the Premiership for four without reply. Despite their improvement, it’s unlikely West Ham are going to get anything out of the game and this too could be a high scoring match. Chelsea have scored four goals or more against the Hammers on three of their last four meetings at Stamford Bridge.
Walker’s Word
1×2: Chelsea @ 2/9 (Ladbrokes)
AH: Chelsea – 1 ½ @ 3/4 (Bet356)
OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 4/5 (Paddy Power)
Everton vs Bolton Wanderers
Just four points and two places separate both sides enjoying their position in the top seven of the league, but it could be Bolton at tasty odds that finish this match better off. Bolton need to turn their form around after losing three of their last four in all competitions while Everton are winless in their last three. Everton have beaten Bolton just once in the last four matches between the pair at Goodison Park, with the Trotters hammering their opponents 4-0 last season. It could also be a high scoring match, with the last three meetings finishing 0-4, 3-2 and 1-2.
Walker’s Word
1×2: Bolton @ 11/5 (Paddy Power)
AH: Bolton + ¼ @ 7/8 (Bet356)
OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 11/8 (Paddy Power)
Portsmouth vs Watford
Early pace setters Portsmouth have fallen away slightly to sixth place, but they could claw their way back up the table with a win against second from bottom Watford. Pompey have not lost in three of their last five Premiership matches and beat promoted Reading, who are fairing better than play off winners Watford, 3-1 a few weeks ago. Watford have proven themselves to be tough to beat this season but collapsed against Chelsea last weekend and could suffer a second defeat in as many games at Fratton Park.
Walker’s Word
1×2: Portsmouth @ 4/6 (UK Betting)
AH: Portsmouth – ¾ @ 33/40 (Bet356)
OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 3/4 (Bet356)
Reading vs Charlton Athletic
Reading, sitting comfortably in eleventh, will have fancied their chances against rock bottom Charlton a week ago, but this weekend the Addicks have a new manager in charge. Former assistant manager Les Reed took over from Iain Dowie in the week and will hope the ‘new manager factor’ has the desired effect at the Madejski Stadium. With this being Reed’s first game in charge, past form counts for nothing and Charlton can be backed at massive odds.
Walker’s Word
1×2: Charlton @ 10/3 (VCBet)
AH: Charlton + ½ @ 37/40 (Bet356)
OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 11/10 (Bet356)
Sheffield United vs Manchester United
Three points clear at the top of the Premiership, United have a fantastic opportunity to maintain their lead with room to spare at Bramall Lane. However, the Blades are unbeaten in their last two matches and the odds on about United, who have won their last six in a row, will appeal to big hitters only.
Walker’s Word
1×2: United @ 4/11 (Betfred)
AH: United – 1 ¼ @ 33/40 (Bet356)
OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 5/6 (Paddy Power)
Middlesbrough vs Liverpool
After being on the wrong end of a 3-0 pasting at the Emirates Stadium, Liverpool need to bounce back to rescue their flagging season. Languishing in ninth place, already 11 points behind Chelsea and 14 behind Manchester United, they visit the Riverside Stadium knowing their haven’t won there in their last four attempts. Since the Reds won 2-1 in 2002, they have not scored since with Boro grinding ground out two goalless draws and a 1-0 and 2-0 win. Gareth Southgate’s side have won three of their last five matches and should get something out of the game.
Walker’s Word
1×2: Draw @ 9/4 (Betfred)
AH: Middlesbrough + ½ @ 4/5(Bet356)
OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 4/7 (Bet356)
Sunday 19 November
Wigan Athletic vs Aston Villa
Wigan did the double over Villa last season but they face a much stiffer test this time around. Villa have lost just once in the league this season, a 3-1 capitulation against Liverpool a few weeks ago and Wigan have won four league matches on the spin. It’s likely to be a gritty, low scoring affair, but the odds on Martin O’Neill’s side are too good to ignore.
Walker’s Word
1×2: Villa @ 2/1 (UK Betting)
AH: Villa level ball @ 23/20 (Bet356)
OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 8/15 (Bet356)
Blackburn Rovers vs Tottenham Hotspur
Blackburn’s involvement in the UEFA Cup has taken it’s toll on domestic matters this season with Rovers losing their last four Premiership matches in a row. Mark Hughes’ side are just three points off the relegation zone and need to stop the rot. Spurs are having an inconsistent season, last week they slumped 3-1 at Reading, the weekend before they beat Chelsea 2-1. Past meetings have produced close, low scoring results and the last three at Ewood Park have finished 0-0, 0-1, 1-0.
Walker’s Word
1×2: Draw @ 9/4 (UK Betting)
AH: Spurs level ball @ 11/10 (Bet356)
OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 4/7 (Bet356)
