Saturday Premier League Tips
Our Johnny Cash has a preview of all Saturday’s action in the Premier League and expects a good day for the home sides.
Hull v Man City
This lunch-time kick off is a quick turnaround for Man City after they played away in Barcelona on Wednesday night in a game where they had to work very hard to get possession. They lost that game which knocked them out of the Champions League meaning that they can now give their full attention to the Premier League as they bid to make up ground on Chelsea.
Hull are sure to prove tough opposition for City with Steve Bruce’s men on a high after making it through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Hull have failed to win any of their last four league games at home but have had some good results at the KC earlier in the season including a win over Liverpool. Clearly they don’t have the quality of Man City but playing at 12.45 and a possible City hangover from mid-week means that they should be competitive.
There is also a concern over the City defence with only two clean sheets in their last 11 away games. City makes no appeal at odds of 4/7 and the best bet is to back Hull with an Asian Handicap start of +1 at 1.95 with Bet365.
Everton v Cardiff
Everton were knocked out of the FA Cup last weekend and will now be fully focused on finishing in 5th place and earning a European spot next season. They currently have control over that prospect with games in hand over both Tottenham and Man United.
Roberto Martinez’s side has had losses in their last three away games but they have won their last four home games, losing only once at Goodison Park this season, That good home form is in stark contrast to the terrible away form of Cardiff who have lost their last seven games.
The Welsh side will take confidence from winning last week at home to Fulham but that was poor opposition and I don’t expect them to get anything from Goodison Park. Everton -1.5 Asian Handicap at 2.04 with bet365
Fulham v Newcastle
Newcastle looks to be back on track with back-to-back wins after having lost their previous three games. They will surely relish the opportunity of travelling to London to play bottom of the table Fulham who have failed to win any of their last nine games and have now conceded 10 goals in their last four games.
The interesting caveat to this game will be to see what effect the banning of manager Alan Pardew from the stadium will have on the Newcastle team – will they still have the same intensity without him on the touchline.
Newcastle are 2.45 to win the game and will have plenty of backers against this poor Fulham outfit but the Pardew factor dissuades me from having a bet.
Southampton v Norwich
Southampton at 1.62 look to be one of the home bankers of the coupon against a Norwich outfit who have lost their last four away games and have only managed 9 goals in their 14 away games all season.
That is a really poor return for Chris Hughton’s side and their record signing Van Wolfswinkel has only scored one goal in 20 games. There seems to be constant rumours about the future of Hughton so difficult to see how they will be able to suddenly start winning games away from home.
Southampton done well to win away from home last weekend against a well organised Crystal Palace team and I think they will be keen to make up for the disappointment of losing their last home game 3-0 to Liverpool.
The Saints have 4 players all on the verge of making the England squad and I expect them to be the catalyst of a comfortable home win. Southampton -1 Asian Handicap at 2.10.
Stoke v West Ham
Stoke are a much stronger team at home and 24 of their 31 points have come at the Britannia this season. That stat looks to be the key angle into this game and even more so when you consider that West Ham have an average away record this season.
However the Hammers have been on a good run of late and had won four straight prior to them losing their last game against Everton. These sides are level on points in the league and a draw at 3.25 seems the most likely outcome in this game.
Sunderland v Crystal Palace
This is a major home game for Sunderland against a direct rival for relegation and one which they can’t afford to lose.
The Black Cats have games in hand over most of their rivals at the bottom of the table but Gus Poyet will know the importance of winning against the likes of Palace, West Brom, West Ham and Cardiff who they all play at home in the coming two months. They lost their last home game to Hull which was five weeks ago and I think they will be keen to get back focused on the league after deep runs in the two cup cmpetitions.
A win will take them above Palace who don’t have a great away record with only one point from their last four games.
They also have managed to only score one goal in them four games and will have to do without their sidelined striker Chamakh. Sunderland make plenty of appeal in front of their home fans at 2.15 with William Hill.
Swansea v West Brom
Another vital game in the battle to avoid relegation with West Brom still winless under Pepe Mel, a run that stretches seven games and only returned 4 points. They suffered a major blow during the week with news that captain Chris Brunt will be out of action for six weeks.
Pressure is starting to build on West Brom especially as other teams are picking up vital wins around them down at the bottom. I find it difficult to make a case for them and Swansea have been doing well at home since Gary Monk took over the manager’s with seven points from their last three games. Swansea to win at 2.00 is hard to ignore.
Aston Villa v Chelsea
The evening game in the Premier League and Chelsea may take the option of resting some players ahead of next Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Galatasaray which is delicately poised at 1-1.
Jose Mourinho’s men have only dropped two points in their last six games with only two goals conceded which seems to have rectified their defensive problems from earlier in the season.
Aston Villa have lost seven of their eight home games against top-half sides this season so this should make things easier for Chelsea. However I do give Villa a chance in this game – they are coming into the game on the back of a 4-1 home win last time out and Chelsea look certain to make changes to their starting eleven.
They should be able to keep things tight in the first half and the half-time draw at 2.35 looks value – Chelsea’s last three games have been level at half time.
Recommended Bets
Hull +1 Asian Handicap over Man City at 1.95
Everton -1.5 Asian Handicap over Cardiff at 2.04
Southampton -1 over Norwich at 2.10
Stoke v West Ham – Draw at 3.25
Sunderland to beat Crystal Palace at 2.15
Swansea to beat West Brom at 2.00
Aston Villa v Chelsea – Half Time Draw at 2.35
