Chelsea v Manchester City
It’s a baptism of fire for new Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez as his side take on Man City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday (4pm KO, Live on Sky Sports 1) and the visitors look worth a wager at 2.6 with Betfred and Paddy Power to get his reign off to the worst possible start.
The last four Premier League meetings between these two sides have ended as home wins, but I strongly fancy City to upset the trend and come out on top.
Chelsea have not been at their best in the league of late, with 1-1 draws against Swansea and Liverpool followed by a 2-1 defeat at West Brom leaving the early-season pace-setters in third spot – four points behind leaders City.
Yes, they have lost just two of 15 PL games at Stamford Bridge in 2012 (W10 D3 L2).
But they now face a side who are unbeaten in their last eight away games and have the players to exploit their defensive frailties.
Carlos Tevez has scored six goals in his last six PL games against them and makes plenty of appeal at 7.5 with Paddy Powerto score the opener.
Since losing 1-2 to Chelsea last December, City have only conceded more than once in a game in just one of 16 away trips.
That suggests that backing them to win this 2-1 is well worth considering at the 10 on offer with bet365.
The other bet that really looks rock solid is for both sides to score as Chelsea have both scored and conceded in their last seven league games and City have no problem finding the back of the net.
bet365 and Betfred go 1.5 about both netting and that looks a steal given the attacking talent on show.
Tottenham v West Ham
Spurs have a superb record against West Ham and look bankers at 1.67 with bet365 and Betfred to further enhance it with a much needed victory at White Hart Lane.
The stats reveal have not lost in this fixture they’ve not lost since 1999, and have also won won seven and lost just one of their last 10 Premier League games against the Hammers.
They also have a very good record in the league after Europa League fixtures, and face a side who offer little attacking threat upfront.
Jermain Defoe has scored in four of his last seven PL games against West Ham, and looks the obvious on in the first goalscorer market at the 5.5 on offer with Paddy Power.
He can also be backed at 2.2 with Paddy Power to score anytime, and that looks excellent value given that he is as short as 1.91 to do so with many firms.
Andres Villas-Boas’ side have also scored first in eight games this season, with only West Brom (9) topping that tally.
That suggests that they are worth a wager at 1.53 with Paddy Power to get the first in this encounter.
The visitors have also failed to score in five of their last seven league matches against the Lilywhites, so Spurs to win to nil looks terrific value at 2.88 with bet365.
I fancy them to win 2-0, and that outcome is chalked up at 8.5 with bet365.
Aston Villa v Arsenal
Arsenal travel to the Midlands to take on Aston Villa and look worthy odds-on shots at 1.73 with bet365 and Paddy Power to come away with all the points.
Villa have won none of their last 13 Premier League home games against the Gunners (D6, L7) and have also won only two of their last 18 games at Villa Park in the top flight (W2 D7 L9).
Arsene Wenger’s men thumped Spurs 5-2 last weekend, and followed up with a comfortable 2-0 win in midweek over Montpellier in the Champions League
They had also lost just one of their previous 12 Premier League away games before losing their last two on the road against Norwich and Man United and are now unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions.
Everything suggest they should win this with a bit to spare, and Olivier Giroud makes plenty of appeal at 6 with bet365 and Betfred to net the opener.
He can also be backed at 2.5 with Boylesports to get on the scoresheet and that looks big given that he is as short as even money (2) elsewhere.
I like the look of a 3-1 Arsenal victory, and that is priced up at 13 with Betfred.
Over 2.5 goals also looks worth a wager at the 1.67 on offer with bet365.
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