Not a bad last week-end where only PSG failed to do the selections justice. Their form has been patchy lately and Ancelotti is definitely on the hot seat, and it's better to let their form settle; their squad is too good for the French Ligue 1 to keep getting rotten results.
Here are some of my week-end's selections; most of the games look very tight affairs and I won't be surprised if there are shock results in the corner, or quite a few drawn matches.
Arsenal v/s West Brom. No matter how precarious the situation at the Emirates currently, I cannot fathom Arsenal losing yet another game on Saturday. West Brom are surely dangerous and are having their best season ever, but the Gunners will be all keen to know that this is a game they cannot afford to lose. They won't win the league, they most probably won't be in the Top 4, but they have at least got to finish in the first 6 to be still a force to be reckoned with in the top flight. Cazorla and Giroux will have to pick up their games and bang in some goals to restore confidence to the ailing Gunners. I see value having them as a draw-no-bet.
Swansea v/s Norwich City. The hosts seem to have regained some of their form that had them flying high out of the starting blocks. Their star midfielder Michu is on fire and seems to thrive in his position just behind the striker. Norwich were not entirely convincing in their last home win against Sunderland. They were besieged at home in the second half of that game and would have have won had it not been for the profligacy of the Cats in front of goal. The value punt is Swansea as a draw-no-bet and that's the recommendation.
Wigan v/s QPR. Poor Wigan is going through one of the worst injury crises ever. It is great for any team to play them at the moment and it is an opportunity for Rangers to try to snatch their first win of the season. Harry Redknapp can conjure something up in this regard here. I like the odds of Rangers +1 goal Handicap for better safety.
Everton v/s Tottenham. Spurs are going through a purple patch but have lost Bale to injury. I like Everton's odds of either beating or drawing them. The Toffees are a force at home and although they seem to rely much on unbelievale Feillani for goals, they can rely on other proven stars like Jovetic and Baines. I like them as a draw-no-bet.
West Ham v/s Liverpool. The Kops go into this game without a recognized striker. Luis Suarez, their main inspiration for goal, is suspended. They won in mid-week in the Europa league and I would not be surprised if this game came too early for them. The Hammers have good form at home and manager Allardyce can certainly come up with the tactics to foil visiting teams. West Ham is another draw-no-bet selection.
Finally, the game of the week-end, which pits the 2 best teams of the league in the Manchester derby. Man City are out of Europe, having lost in mid-week. Man Utd also lost but with a reserve. As far as preparation goes, I definitely give advantage to the Red Devils.Obviously, their defence is so suspect that Aguero and his strike partners look set to have a comfortable afternoon. If Ferdinand and his back four can keep the game close, I think Man Utd have a great chance to get something out of this game. I cannot see them lose this game by 2 or more goals, so I will go for them with a +1 goal Handicap, which looks good value in the exchanges.
Draw-no-bet: Arsenal, Swansea, Everton, West Ham
Handicap +1: Rangers, Man Utd
Here are some of my week-end's selections; most of the games look very tight affairs and I won't be surprised if there are shock results in the corner, or quite a few drawn matches.
Arsenal v/s West Brom. No matter how precarious the situation at the Emirates currently, I cannot fathom Arsenal losing yet another game on Saturday. West Brom are surely dangerous and are having their best season ever, but the Gunners will be all keen to know that this is a game they cannot afford to lose. They won't win the league, they most probably won't be in the Top 4, but they have at least got to finish in the first 6 to be still a force to be reckoned with in the top flight. Cazorla and Giroux will have to pick up their games and bang in some goals to restore confidence to the ailing Gunners. I see value having them as a draw-no-bet.
Swansea v/s Norwich City. The hosts seem to have regained some of their form that had them flying high out of the starting blocks. Their star midfielder Michu is on fire and seems to thrive in his position just behind the striker. Norwich were not entirely convincing in their last home win against Sunderland. They were besieged at home in the second half of that game and would have have won had it not been for the profligacy of the Cats in front of goal. The value punt is Swansea as a draw-no-bet and that's the recommendation.
Wigan v/s QPR. Poor Wigan is going through one of the worst injury crises ever. It is great for any team to play them at the moment and it is an opportunity for Rangers to try to snatch their first win of the season. Harry Redknapp can conjure something up in this regard here. I like the odds of Rangers +1 goal Handicap for better safety.
Everton v/s Tottenham. Spurs are going through a purple patch but have lost Bale to injury. I like Everton's odds of either beating or drawing them. The Toffees are a force at home and although they seem to rely much on unbelievale Feillani for goals, they can rely on other proven stars like Jovetic and Baines. I like them as a draw-no-bet.
West Ham v/s Liverpool. The Kops go into this game without a recognized striker. Luis Suarez, their main inspiration for goal, is suspended. They won in mid-week in the Europa league and I would not be surprised if this game came too early for them. The Hammers have good form at home and manager Allardyce can certainly come up with the tactics to foil visiting teams. West Ham is another draw-no-bet selection.
Finally, the game of the week-end, which pits the 2 best teams of the league in the Manchester derby. Man City are out of Europe, having lost in mid-week. Man Utd also lost but with a reserve. As far as preparation goes, I definitely give advantage to the Red Devils.Obviously, their defence is so suspect that Aguero and his strike partners look set to have a comfortable afternoon. If Ferdinand and his back four can keep the game close, I think Man Utd have a great chance to get something out of this game. I cannot see them lose this game by 2 or more goals, so I will go for them with a +1 goal Handicap, which looks good value in the exchanges.
Draw-no-bet: Arsenal, Swansea, Everton, West Ham
Handicap +1: Rangers, Man Utd
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