Welcome to the third week of the Premier League 2013/14 season where we have 9 games to entertain us this weekend with Chelsea and Aston Villa taking a break. It was certainly an interesting weekend of football last week with a few surprising results. Cardiff certainly announced themselves onto the Premier League scene with a fine performance of Manchester City 3-2 at home whilst Hull managed to pull off a 1-0 win over Norwich having been reduced to 10 men for most of the game. Perhaps the most disappointing fixture of week 2 was the clash between Manchester United and Chelsea. It was probably one of the more dreary and uninspiring games I’ve seen for a while though their defensive approaches was probably not that surprising in retrospect. Given that both sides are likely to fight it out for the title with Manchester City, it was certainly clear that neither side wanted to lose points to each other early in the season which resulted in a defensive natured game. Let’s hope this weekend’s matches are more exhilarating in the same way that Cardiff upset Manchester City. And with matches such as Liverpool versus Manchester United and Arsenal versus Tottenham, it’s certainly a weekend to look forward to.

Best Bets of the week

Arsenal v Tottenham – over 2.5 goals at $1.72
Liverpool v Manchester United – both teams to score at $1.70

Betting odds from Betfair as at 30/8/13

Manchester City ($1.18) Vs Hull ($21), Draw ($8.8)

Manchester certainly received a massive wakeup call last week going down 3-2 to newly promoted Cardiff and they’ll be focused on not letting another newly promoted side get the better of them this weekend when they host Hull. Perhaps it was a bit of complacency that fed through from their sublime performance over Newcastle the previous week in combination with the intimidating atmosphere that the Cardiff fans created that undid Manchester City. For me, they were just the second best side on the day, outplayed. Hull City also showed fantastic determination against the odds by getting maintaining their 1-0 lead having been reduced to 10 men at the 27 minute mark. Questions will remain on their ability to string performances together but there is no doubting their determination.

It would be unthinkable for Manchester City to put in another dreadful performance this week at home. It would certainly put them on the back foot in the race for the title, but perhaps this is just the wakeup call they need. One thing they do need to do is get their defence fit as they can’t afford to rely on a makeshift paring of Lescott and Garcia in central defence. Joe Hart has also copped a bit through the media and he certainly doesn’t look in the best form of his career. In saying that, Man City will have too much firepower for Hull in this one though I do expect some fight from Hull now that they are on the winner’s list.

Predicted result: Manchester City 3-1
Best bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.52
Best Bet Confidence: 85%

Cardiff ($3.35) Vs Everton ($2.42), Draw ($3.45)

Can Cardiff back it up and beat another top Premier League side this week when they host Everton? It certainly won’t be easy for Everton with the crowd sure to be pumped up after their historic victory over Manchester City last week. Though with the victory there needs to be caution as the expectations of the fans can certainly add to the pressure, especially one so new to this level. In saying that I feel that Cardiff really just have nothing to lose and they’ll surely go in to a lot of games with this mindset early on in the season. After all, they’re living the dream. For Everton, they certainly need a win after a two draws with Norwich and West Brom which were games they really should have won.

Looking ahead to the game and it’s looking like it will be another close encounter at Cardiff. It’s not like Everton are doing anything overly wrong as they are getting shots on goal. Against West Brom they had 22 shots on goal with 8 on target and against Norwich they had 20 with 7 on target. As a comparison, Cardiff had 9 shots on goal with 6 on target against Man City but the week before they only had one shot on target against West Ham which just goes to show they can trouble teams when they are on song. It’s looking like Cardiff can’t be underestimated at home this season and they’ll trouble a lot of sides. I think Cardiff will be tough this week but I can see Everton getting that breakthrough win for Martinez.

Predicted result: Everton 2-1
Best bet: Both teams to score at $1.78
Best Bet Confidence: 70%

Newcastle ($2.2) Vs Fulham ($3.75), Draw ($3.5)

Newcastle host Fulham this week having restored some confidence to their side with a draw at home to West Ham last week. For Fulham this will be a tough trip coming off a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal and not boasting the best of away records from last season with only the 4 wins. They can take a couple of positives out of their last game with the debuts of Scott Parker and Darren Bent. Parker looked pretty good in partnership with Sidwell in the middle whilst Bent came on and scored which will give him a boost after his nightmare season with Villa last year.

Much has been said of Newcastle’s inability to hit the target so far this season with only the one shot on target of 22 attempts. Whilst they are getting attempts on goal, a lot of these have been from outside the box which suggests to me they are sorely missing the creativity of Cabaye to get some shots off closer to goal. It will be interesting to see if Bent gets a start alongside Berbatov after his debut goal last week. To me both sides seem relatively evenly matched with Newcastle due to score and get a win at home.

Predicted result: Newcastle 1-0
Best bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.92
Best Bet Confidence: 70%

Norwich ($3.05) Vs Southampton ($2.6), Draw ($3.4)

Norwich will be looking to get over their missed opportunities from their 1-0 defeat at the hands of Hull last week when they host Southampton. They’ll be hoping to maintain their strong home record as they are undefeated in 9 of their last 10 games at home and their chances could be enhanced by the potential return of Bassong in defence. A late goal from Fonte earned Southampton a point against Sunderland last week.  Having had 17 shots on goal with 8 on target last week, the Saint’s will be hoping to up their conversion rate and with Osvaldo now in their ranks they have plenty of attacking options now.

Both sides have invested well in their attacking options heading into this season and with their defences perhaps not as highly rated as their attacks, there could be a few goals this weekend. 4 of the last 6 matches between these two both teams have scored with 5 ending in draws. Both sides are pretty even but I think Norwich can get the 3 points here at home to bounce back from their defeat last weekend at Hull.

Predicted result: Norwich 2-1
Best bet: Both teams to score at $1.74
Best Bet Confidence: 80%

West Ham ($2.02) Vs Stoke ($4.4), Draw ($3.45)

It’s been a solid start for West Ham with a win and a draw as they head into their second home game of the season against Stoke. Whilst Andy Carroll is still likely to miss this weekend’s fixture, it doesn’t seem to have hampered their efforts thus far. Stoke is coming off a tight loss to Liverpool, which could have been a draw very easily, and a win over newly promoted Crystal Palace at home last week. It’s going to take Stoke some time to get used to a new playing style and if they bring in some pacey wingers and another striking option, it would certainly help them to avoid relegation this year. Bringing in Assaidi on loan from Liverpool will help to add some much needed pace and creativity that has been missing.

Somewhat amazingly yet hardly surprising is that Stoke have only won 2 of their last 29 away matches in the premier league. Travelling to West Ham this weekend is likely to keep that trend going. Even with the absence of Andy Carroll I’d expect the Hammer’s to notch their second home win of the season in a tight contest.

Predicted result: West Ham 1-0
Best bet: West Ham to win at $2.04
Best Bet Confidence: 80%

Crystal Palace ($2.62) Vs Sunderland ($3.05), Draw ($3.4)

Crystal Palace continue their search for that first win of the season when they host Sunderland in their second home game of the season. Palace can be proud of their start to the season so far with a 1-0 loss to Tottenham and a 2-1 loss to Stoke last week and I’m sure their first point(s) of the season won’t be too far away. Likewise, Sunderland will be pushing for their first win of the season after coming close against Southampton last week and losing 1-0 to Fulham the week prior. They have some further distractions this week with Sessegnon to miss having been caught drink driving during the week.

Palace will be pumped for another game in front of their home crowd and that could well be a crucial component to their success here. Although Sessegnon will miss, Sunderland could well welcome Steven Fletcher back who has been sorely missed up front. Whilst I can see Palace playing well at home again and although Sunderland haven’t been overly impressive, nor disastrous, I think they can click this weekend in a tight contest.

Predicted result: Sunderland 2-1
Best bet: Double Chance Sunderland at $1.54
Best Bet Confidence: 85%

Liverpool ($2.64) Vs Manchester United ($2.96), Draw ($3.45)

In one of the two big matchups this weekend, with see fierce rivals Liverpool host Manchester United in what (fingers crossed) should be a much more entertaining match than the one between United and Chelsea earlier in the week. Liverpool enter this one without Kolo Toure due to an injury which is a blow because he’s had a solid start with his new club though the return of Skertl will be a much welcome boost. For United the transfer speculation surrounding Rooney is beginning to dissipate after his start against Chelsea which will start to ease the minds of many Man United fans.

United has won the last 3 meetings between these two and 6 of the last 10 in all competitions. Despite Luis Suarez still missing due to his suspension, Liverpool should have no trouble in their attempts to get on the scoresheet here. Daniel Sturridge has been on fire with 4 goals in 3 games for the Reds this season in all competitions. Could it be a shootout between RVP and Sturridge? One thing for sure is that we should see goals from both sides with both sides scoring in 8 of their last 10 meetings in all competitions.

Predicted result: Manchester United in a tight contest 2-1.
Best bet: both teams to score $1.7
Best Bet Confidence: 90%

West Brom ($2.72) Vs Swansea ($2.86), Draw ($3.45)

West Brom host Swansea in a match where both sides are looking for their first win of the season. Swansea were outplayed by Tottenham last weekend despite the close score-line and they’ll be looking to get their passing game back on track against West Brom. West Brom did really well to get a draw away at Everton, thanks largely to the brilliant keeping of Ben Foster, in what is a tough trip for any side. The Baggie’s will however be without Ben Foster this week after a foot injury that could keep him out for a few months. That could pave the way for Swansea to get their first win of the season.

With the last 4 games between these two all producing over 2.5 goals and the loss of Ben Foster, there could well be a few goals again. Swansea have plenty of attacking power up front with Michu and Bony and it the goal scoring opportunities will rest with these two once again. With Vydra under an injury cloud and Anelka just returning from compassionate leave during the week, it’s likely that Shane Long will play up front with Sinclair likely to make his debut having been loaned by Manchester City.

Predicted result: Swansea 2-1
Best bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.89
Best Bet Confidence: 70%

Arsenal ($2.2) Vs Tottenham ($3.6), Draw ($3.7)

The final match of the week ends with the North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham in what should be another enthralling encounter. All the talk of late has been of the impressive transfer dealings Tottenham has completed with the impending departure of Bale. Whilst Arsenal have failed to add any real quality before this fixture, they are still a formidable side that had an impressive win over Fulham last week as well as two very good Champion’s league qualifiers over Fenerbahce. Meanwhile Tottenham have had a decent start to the season to get 2 wins and despite these results coming from penalties, there is no question that these results were not deserved. The positive without Bale so far is that, as AVB has mentioned, they are creating more chances in the final third and are not relying on shots, from you know who, outside the box. The goals from open play will come soon enough.

The games between these two are always exciting and tend to always bring goals. 17 of the last 19 games between these two have been over 2.5 goals with the last 3 games producing 17 goals in total (In which Arsenal did thump Tottenham 5-2 in two of these 3 games).  Arsenal will be without Podolski for a few months due to a hamstring injury which is a blow after his impressive 2 goal display against Fulham last week. The return of Koscienly from suspension will also be a much needed boost for the Gunner’s which will allow Sagna to move back to right back. Expect this match to be won in the middle with an enthralling midfield battle between Wilshere/Ramsey/Cazorla and Capoue/Paulinho/Dembele to take place.

Predicted result: Tottenham in somewhat of an upset 2-1 though this is going to be very close.
Best bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.72
Best Bet Confidence: 90%

Please Note:
All of the above are the opinions of the author and are not recommendations or advice. The author may not be taking every bet listed above. Bet at your own risk.
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