Premier League – Saturday Betting Tips & Previews
Johnny Cash has a preview of Saturday’s Premier League action and expects a good day for the away sides.
West Brom v Man United
Man United didn’t play last weekend so this will be their first game since they suffered their Champions League loss in Athens. United were woeful that evening so David Moyes will be expecting a response against a team who had a shock win at Old Trafford back in September.West Brom has won just one of their last 17 matches and look to be in a real battle to avoid relegation. Manager Pepe Mel hasn’t really transformed much since he took over from Steve Clarke with no wins from his six games in charge. Mel has changed the style of play from counter-attacking to a high tempo pressing game and the West Brom players appear to be struggling with it. Man United should benefit for having not played last weekend and 1.83 represents a decent price given the attacking quality they have in their side. Of course, there is a concern with their defence but the Baggies have scored only 4 goals in their last 4 games and don’t look to be in a position to beat United. Verdict: Man United 2-0
Cardiff v Fulham
A meeting of the bottom two in the table with Cardiff having only taken one point from their last four Premier League games and Fulham winless in their last eight games – unsurprisingly the two sides also have the worst defences in the league. A draw does neither side any good but I don’t expect to see an open game with so much at stake. I favour Fulham to win the game as they have put in some good performances in recent games despite having a tough run of fixtures against the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United. There are signs that Felix Magath is turning things around whereas Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks out of his depth as Cardiff manager. Solskjaer has managed only one win in his eight league games in charge and his side have failed to score in their last four games. Fulham are worth backing at 3.25. Verdict: Fulham 1-0
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Palace has turned Selhurst Park into a fortress with 20 of their 27 points coming at home. Much of that is down to the good defensive record of Tony Pulis but I think they may be worth opposing against Southampton on Saturday. The Saints have enjoyed a terrific season under Maurico Pochettino and the club has four players involved in the England squad during the week. The quartet of Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez and Luke Shaw are one of my main reasons for backing Southampton in this game. All four are in with a real shout of making the England squad for the World Cup and they will be keen to impress in the remaining 10 games of the season. There is more quality in the Southampton side and they are worth backing at 2.20. Verdict: Southampton 2-0
Norwich v Stoke
The obvious angle to this game is the home form of Norwich versus the away form of Stoke. Norwich’s home form has proved key for them this season with no losses in their last four games at Carrow Road. Stoke have won just once away from home this season. Expect a very low scoring goal as there has only been six goals in the last five Premier League meetings between the sides and both are strongly defensively. However I do expect Norwich to make home form count and get a narrow win. Verdict: Norwich 1-0
Chelsea v Tottenham
This is the game of the weekend and a chance for Chelsea to cement their position at the top of the table. A win for Jose Mourinho’s side will open a 7 point gap on Liverpool and put real pressure on Man City to win all three of their games in hand. Tottenham themselves are six points behind Arsenal and Liverpool in the race to finish in the top 4 so they can’t really afford to lose this London derby. Chelsea are on an impressive run of form with 13 points from their last five games and only two goals conceded. I still think that they have problems with a lack of goals from their strikers but they should have enough quality in midfield to grind out another narrow win. Verdict: Chelsea 1-0
