Premiership - 29th September 2012

Everton (4/9) v Southampton (2/5)

Everton were brought back down to earth with a shoddy showing in the League Cup but this outfit is much stronger and have far too much for Southampton, who have been very poor at the back despite packing a serious punch or two going forward. With both teams being best going forward, this game looks set for goals and over 3.5 along with both teams to score. Everton are 7/4 with to win while conceding, and that might be a sensible option to take on value grounds.

Advice: 1 pt Everton to win while conceding (7/4 Coral)

Fulham (7/2) v Manchester City (5/6)

Manchester City have attracted a few criticisms lately due to a lacklustre defensive start to the season but they’ve not played too badly so far this season and people are beginning to overreact to their title chances given that they’ve played no worse than neighbours United so far. A trip to Fulham is hardly ideal though, so both teams to score might be the best option given that it’s banked in City’s last 6 games and the last 4 meetings at the Cottage between these two teams. Those who want to side with City should try the HT/FT result; Fulham have conceded six of their seven league goals in the first half while City have led at the break in every PL game but Liverpool and Stoke, two places they’ve never had great records at.

Advice: 3 pts Both teams to score (8/11 Betfred, Stan James), 1 pt Manchester City/Manchester City (15/8 Bet Victor)

Norwich (10/3) v Liverpool (4/5)

Liverpool are desperately unlucky not to have a win from their games so far this season – they should have beaten both Manchester clubs at Anfield and have only really been deservedly beaten by Arsenal – but their goalscoring woes will always hold them back and with such a young team out (3 teenagers, although they were admittedly good against West Brom in midweek). On paper that should beat Norwich, but they looked good in patches against Newcastle and will at the least put up a stiff defensive test of their home fixture against West Ham as anything to go by. Unders is the call.

Advice: 1 pt Under 2.5 goals (10/11 general)

Reading (19/10) v Newcastle (17/10)

Reading are currently bottom of the table with just a point from four games while Newcastle are eighth, but you can still get prices of upto 2/1 available about the club which scored in 16 of their 19 away league games last season. Newcastle were good against Norwich and deserved the three points, and they have more than enough defensive and attacking quality to get a result here.

Advice: 4 pts Newcastle (17/10 Bet Vicitor)

Stoke (evs) v Swansea (7/2)

Stoke have been fiercely competitive despite failing to register a single win so far, but even then they look underpriced to beat Swansea at odds on prices. Swansea’s fast start to the season has been badly stumped but if they were to bounce back to their best then they might present a stiff test. Four of Stoke’s 5 have been under 2.5 and that’s the call once again, although the draw should be considered.

Advice: 2 pts Under 2.5 goals (4/5 Blue Sq)

Sunderland (evs) v Wigan (14/5)

Sunderland would be very deserving of a first League win here but they’re hard to trust against opponents as Idiosyncractic as Wigan, who are capable of winning jus this kind of game, have won 3 away games this season and have started this campaign much better than they usually do. Backing both teams to score might be the best option.

Advice: 2 pts Both teams to score (17/20 Bet Victor)

Manchester United (3/5) v Tottenham (11/2)

Manchester United have won their last 6 – infact they’ve won all their games since losing 1-0 to Everton – but have been thoroughly unconvincing in all those performances and have been bailed out by their insane reserves of talent  upfront, and in the case of last week, a disgraceful referring performance. Tottenham are actually quite tempting at 11/2 but they’ve have not won at Old Trafford since 1989 and are still finding themselves under AVB. That said, both teams to score has banked in all but two of United’s games and plenty of Spurs, so doubling that with a United win looks to be the safe option.

Advice: 2 pts Both teams to score (8/11 general), 1 pt Manchester United to win without conceding (2/1 Coral)