Premier League tips

Last week returns: Down £1.83

Overall returns: Down £1.83

Saturday 29^th September

Arsenal vs. Chelsea
Both scored late goals on the weekend to steal a draw and victory respectively, meaning both London clubs are unbeaten before they meet at the Emirates on Saturday.

Arsenal have looked fantastic over the last few weeks whilst Chelsea haven’t been at their best, despite topping the table! This is Roberto Di Matteo’s first real big game of the Premier League season and they’ll need to be better then they were vs. Stoke last week if they are to get anything.

Arsenal 1 Chelsea 0 – 8/1 with Bet Victor - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Under 2.5 goals 68/67 with 188bet - Lose a fiver
Arsenal to win 5/4 with Coral - Lose a fiver
Highest scoring half Second 15/13 with bwin - Lose a fiver

Match Returns - Down £20

Everton vs. Southampton
Both sides were brilliant last week as they recorded three goal margin wins. Everton’s first game against a promoted side last year saw them lose at home to QPR; however they are in much better form now whilst Southampton are yet to get anything on their travels so far this season, granted they’ve faced both Manchester City and Arsenal away from home so far!

A little bit of me can see Southampton getting something here, but David Moyes’ side are on a roll and I fancy them to win here.

Everton 3 Southampton 1 – 11/1 with StanJames - Returns of £60

Other tips:
Both teams to score YES – 5/6 with 32Red - Returns of £9.16
Over 2.5 goals - 8/13 with Ladbrokes - Returns of £8.07
Kevin Mirallas anytime goalscorer – 15/8 with StanJames - Lose a fiver

Match returns of £57.23

Fulham vs. Manchester City
Fulham start this game on level points with Manchester City and given their form at Craven Cottage I expect that to be true come the end of the match.

Roberto Mancini’s men have conceded far too many goals so far this season, and Dimitar Berbatov has started the season in brilliant form for his new club. Manchester City have drawn both games on their travels so far this year and I expect Fulham to get a point.

Fulham 1 Manchester City 1 – 13/2 with StanJames - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Draw – 11/4 with BetFred - Lose a fiver
Dimitar Berbatov anytime goalscorer – 3/1 with StanJames - Bet void as Berbatov didn't play.
Both teams to score YES – 8/11 with BoyleSports - Returns of £8.63

Match returns - Loss of £6.37

Two goals in two starts for Fulham's new main man

Norwich vs. Liverpool
Both sides have the same problem, putting the ball in the net! Norwich and Liverpool both deserved something from their defeats on the weekend; however missed chances cost them, and both are without a win so far this season.

Midweek Capital One wins with weakened/youth sides will boost morale, but, especially Norwich, they need to start picking up wins in the Barclays Premier League.

Last season Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick in this game as Liverpool won, and I expect Brendan Rodgers to record his first league win on the weekend.

Norwich 0 Liverpool 2 – 17/2 with Betfair - Lose a fiver

Other tips
Both teams to score NO -11/10 with Paddy Power - Lose a fiver
Luis Suarez first goal scorer – 5/1 with Coral - Returns of £30
Liverpool HT/ Liverpool FT – 2/1 with Blue Square - Returns of £15

Match Returns of £25

Reading vs. Newcastle
Reading are still searching for that illusive first win back in the Premier League whilst Newcastle have improved over the last few games and got a solid win against Norwich last weekend.

Brian McDermott’s side need to pick up points and victories at the Madjeski and will see Newcastle as a winnable match. Alan Pardew, who recently signed an eight year deal with the club, believes Newcastle can fight for a Champions League birth this year so they also need to win games like this!

Reading 1 Newcastle 1 – 6/1 with Blue Square - Lose a fiver

Other tips
Both teams to score YES – 4/5 with Bet 365 - Returns of £9
Draw – 41/17 with Pinnacle - Returns of £17.05
Papiss Cisse anytime goal scorer - 17/10 with Bet365 - Lose a fiver

Match returns of £6.05

Stoke vs. Swansea
Stoke were unlucky not to get a point away to Chelsea last week and were only denied by a late Ashley Cole strike, whilst Swansea themselves were lucky, lucky in the sense that they didn’t get beat by more then the three goals they did against Everton.

Stoke have made a solid if not spectacular start to the season, drawing four from five, whilst Swansea started brilliantly, but have only gained one point from a possible nine. Stoke at the Britannia should be too strong here.

Stoke 2 Swansea 1 – 8/1 with Betfair - Lose a fiver

Other tips
Peter Crouch first goalscorer – 9/2 with Paddy Power - Returns of £27.50
Stoke to win – 19/20 with William Hill - Returns of £9.75
Stoke first team booking – 6/5 with Bet 365 - Lose a fiver

Match returns of £17.25

Crouch has two goal so far this season

Sunderland vs. Wigan
Both sides have four points so far this season, though Sunderland have a game in hand following their cancelled match with Reading. Last season Wigan beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, and defeat brought an end to Steve Bruce’s reign in charge with the Black Cats.

Wigan thrashed West Ham mid-week in the Capital One cup and I expect them to get something from the match and will dominate possession, but creating and converting chances is still their Achilles heel. Only Steven Fletcher has scored so far for Sunderland and others need to help get the goals otherwise Sunderland will struggle.

Sunderland 1 Wigan 1 – 63/10 with Betfair - Lose a fiver

Other tips
Both teams to score – 10/11 with Boyle Sports - Lose a fiver
First goalscorer Steven Fletcher – 9/2 with Stan James - Returns £27.50
Sunderland HT/ Draw FT – 18/1 with bodog - Lose a fiver

Match returns of £7.50

Manchester United vs. Tottenham
Despite playing poorly both sides came from behind to win 2-1 last week and both are unbeaten since the first game of the season.

Manchester United usually overcome Tottenham at Old Trafford and back the same to happen here as Spurs will take time to become a real top force under Andre Villas-Boas.

Manchester United 2 Tottenham 1 – 15/2 with Bet Victor - Lose a fiver

Other tips
Both teams to score YES – 8/11 with Ladbrokes - Returns of £8.63
Robin Van Persie anytime goalscorer - Lose a fiver
Draw HT/ Manchester United FT – 15/4 with Bet Victor - Lose a fiver

Match returns of - Down £11.37

Day returns - Profit £75.39

Sunday 30^th September

Aston Villa vs. West Brom
Aston Villa’s second half showing against Southampton was poor last week as they let a one goal lead slip to lose 4-1, whilst West Brom won for a third successive time at the Hawthorns as they overcame Reading 1-0.

Villa need the win to move further away from the drop zone and their 4-2 midweek extra time win over Manchester City in the Capital One cup can only boost morale. I reckon Paul Lambert’s side will win here!

Aston Villa 2 West Brom 0 – 12/1 with Stan James - Lose a fiver

Other tips
Aston Villa to win – 6/4 with Skybet - Lose a fiver
Aston Villa HT/ Aston Villa FT – 7/2 with Coral - Lose a fiver
Darren Bent first goalscorer – 6/1 with Stan James - Lose a fiver

Bent got his first league goal of the season last week, back him to get his second vs. WBA

Match returns - Down £20
Day returns - Down £20

Monday 1^st October

QPR vs. West Ham
QPR have had a horrible run of fixtures; however that run is over now and at home to West Ham they’ll be looking to pick up their first three points of the season. West Ham are yet to win on their travels, but they did pick up a solid point away to Norwich in their last away game.

Both sides will be disappointed by their mid-week Capital One cup performance as they exited the competition; however QPR will be the one’s to bounce back the stronger with a win here.

QPR 2 West Ham 1 – 17/2 with Stan James - Lose a fiver

Other tips
QPR to win - 23/20 with Paddy Power - Lose a fiver
Bobby Zamora anytime goalscorer – 2/1 with Stan James - Lose a fiver
Both teams to score - 4/5 with Bet365 - Returns of £9

Match returns - Down £11
Day returns - Down £11

Weekend returns - Profit £44.39
Overall returns - Profit £42.56

Premier League tips

Saturday 22nd September

Swansea vs Everton
Both sides won their first two games of the season; however only picked up the solitary point each in their third and fourth games of the Premier League season.

Everton deserved more in their draw with Newcastle, with two goals wrongly not given for the Toffees, whilst Swansea were poor at Villa as they lost for the first time this season. Last year Everton won impressively at the Liberty and I fancy them to do so again.

Swansea 1 Everton 2 - 10/1 with Ladbrokes- Lose a fiver

Other tips
Steven Pienaar to score anytime - 9/2 with Bet365- Lose a fiver
Both teams to score YES - 5/6 with Ladbrokes- Lose a fiver
Everton to win - 6/4 with Paddy Power- Returns of £12.50

Match returns- Down £7.50

Chelsea vs Stoke
Both sides have made unbeaten starts to the Premier League season and I fancy that to continue as I can see Stoke stealing a draw!

Chelsea's last three performances in all competitions have been average at best, whilst Stoke have been hard to beat this year. Last year Chelsea won 1-0; however Ricardo Fuller was given his marching orders early on and Chelsea struggled to break down the Potters.

Drogba scored the winner vs Stoke last year

Chelsea 1 Stoke 1 - 10/1 with Betfred - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Stoke to get the first yellow card - 13/18 with Bwin - Returns of £8.61
Both teams to score YES - 11/10 with Ladbrokes - Lose a fiver
Draw - 41/10 with Betdaq - Lose a fiver

Match returns- Down £11.39

Southampton vs Aston Villa
Neither side have made the greatest start to the season, but the Saints have had an incredibely harsh start to life back in the Premier League, whilst Villa under Paul Lambert are improving and unbeaten in three games in all competitions.

With just one clean sheet between them in the league, I'm expecting goals and probably the draw!

Southampton 2 Aston Villa 2 - 14/1 with Stan James - Lose a fiver

Other tips
Both teams to score YES - 8/11 with Stan James - Returns of £8.64
Over 2.5 goals - 5/6 with Ladbrokes- Returns of £9.16
Darren Bent to score anytime - 9/4 with Stan James- Returns of £16.25

Match returns- Profit £14.05

West Brom vs Reading
Both sides were poor in defeat last weekend, however both will see this game as winable!

Before defeat to Fulham, West Brom had started the season brilliantly, picking up seven points out of possible nine, against the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton. Reading have only played three games, and they need to pick up points quickly, and I fancy them to do so here, simply because they need it more.

The last time these two met, Long scored the winner for Reading; however he is now a Baggie!

West Brom 1 Reading 2 - 16/1 with Betfred - Lose a fiver

Other tips
Both teams to score YES - 9/11 with 32Red - Lose a fiver
Pavel Pogrebnyak to score anytime - 11/4 with BlueSquare - Lose a fiver
Reading to win - 4/1 with BetVictor - Lose a fiver

Match returns- Down £20

West Ham vs Sunderland
Sunderland have drawn all three league games this season, whilst West Ham's home form has been very impressive and they are yet to concede at Upton Park.

A win for either side at this early stage of the season would rocket them up the league; however I feel they are very evenly match and can't separate them!

West Ham 0 Sunderland 0 - 10/1 with BetVictor - Lose a fiver

Other tips
Under 2.5 goals - 4/5 with Skybet - Returns of £9
Draw - 41/17 with Pinnacle- Returns of £17.05
West Ham first yellow card - 23/17 with Bwin - Lose a fiver

Match returns- Profit £6.05

Wigan vs Fulham
Fulham have lost both games away from home so far this season, whilst Wigan are yet to win at the DW Stadium, so whatever the result there will be a first this year.

With Wigan the home side, I reckon these two will be evenly match and not much between them, and I can't look past another draw here!

Wigan 1 Fulham 1 - 6/1 with Betvictor - Lose a fiver

Other tips
First goal scorer Franco Di Santo - 7/1 with Paddy Power - Lose a fiver
Both sides to score YES - 41/50 with Betfair - Returns of £9.10
Draw - 22/9 with Pinnacle - Lose a fiver

Match returns- Down £10.90

Di Santo has made a good start to the season!

Sunday 23rd September

Liverpool vs Manchester United
In what will no doubt be an emotional occasion at Anfield, given the fact it's Liverpool's first home game since the Hillsborough truth has been revealed, I expect the home side to be up for this derby even more then usual.

Winless in their opening four games Brendan Rodgers side will be desperate to open their victory account with a win against, Everton aside, their greatest rivals. Manchester United on the other hand have won three league games on the spin and will be confident of victory.

Liverpool 1 Manchester United 2 - 9/1 with Stan James - Returns of £50

Other tips
Robin Van Persie to score anytime - 13/8 with 888 Sport - Returns of £13.13
Both teams to score YES - 8/11 with Betfred - Returns of £8.64
Manchester United to win - 20/11 with Pinnacle - Returns of £14.09

Match returns- Profit £65.86

Back Van Persie to score again!

Newcastle United vs Norwich City
With just the one league win between them both sides need to start to churn out the three points soon, with the latter being heavily tipped for relegation this season.

Given the fact Newcastle had an away European trip on Thursday I fancy Norwich to sneak a draw given the fact Alan Pardew's men haven't come out of the traps as quick as last year.

Newcastle United 1 Norwich City 1 - 7/1 with 888 Sport - Lose a fiver

Other tips
Robert Snodgrass first goalscorer - 14/1 with Stan James - Lose a fiver
Both teams to score YES - 3/4 with BetVictor - Lose a fiver
Half time score to be 1-1 - 15/2 with Ladbrokes - Lose a fiver

Match returns- Down £20

Manchester City vs Arsenal
Both sides have eight points from their opening four games; however despite similar domestic form, their opening Champions League games differed completely as City's hearts were broken away to Real Madrid, whilst Arsenal won in France.

The draw looks to obvious here, and I fancy one side to nick it; however it's a struggle to decide whom; however I've decided to plump with City because of their incredible home form!

Manchester City 2 Arsenal 1 - 8/1 with Betfair - Lose a fiver

Other tips
Carlos Tevez to score and Manchester City to win - 9/4 with Betfred - Lose a fiver
Highest scoring half SECOND - 11/10 with Stan James - Lose a fiver
Santi Cazorla to score anytime - 9/2 with Paddy Power - Lose a fiver

Match returns- Down £20

Tottenham vs QPR
Tottenham were excellent against Reading in their last Premier League game, and unlike the other English sides in the Europa League were at home on Thursday and despite QPR picking up an impressive point against Chelsea last week I fancy Spurs here.

Tottenham 3 QPR 1 - 11/1 with Ladbrokes - Lose a fiver

Other tips
Jermaine Defoe anytime - 6/4 with Totesport - Returns of £12.50
Both teams to score YES - 9/10 with Stan James - Returns of £9.50
Tottenham HT/ Tottenham FT - 5/4 with Betfred - Lose a fiver

Match returns- Profit £2

Premier League accumulator: Everton, Reading, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham all to win is 69/1 with Skybet.

Total returns- Down £1.83

Mid table for a new look Villa

It wasn't a massive surprise to see Villa part company with Alex McLeish following a terrible end to the season which saw them only realistically secure their Premier League survival in their penultimate game with a 1-1 draw with Spurs. Another Scot was brought into replace ‘Big Eck’ in the form of Paul Lambert following an incredible three years with Norwich City. Lambert took no time to dive into the Eredivisie with the additions of Karim El Ahmadi and more importantly the Dutch centre half Ron Vlaar.

Villa started the previous campaign well, going seven games unbeaten and come the middle of the season they occupied the middle of the Premier League; however once Darren Bent’s season was finished prematurely due to injury away at Wigan in and around the same time the impressive Robbie Keane’s loan deal expired, Villa struggled to score goals and only won one of the last 16 matches. All season the club only won seven games, with only bottom club Wolves only winner fewer, leaving most Villa fans praying for the end of the season and the departure of their unpopular manager.

It’s a really big season for the likes of Barry Bannan and Marc Albrighton whom have to put their inconsistency behind them and fulfil their obvious potential if Villa are to have a good season. Having lost Ashley Young and Stewart Downing last season, Bannan and Albrighton have the credentials to ensure big money isn’t needed in an attempt to replace the creativity Villa lacked last season. If these two youngsters aren’t ready then Steven Ireland will have to re-discover his Manchester City form.

Key player – Darren Bent It’s fair to say Villa missed their £24million striker when the England international’s ankle injury finished his season at the end of February. In the 38 Premier League games played for the Villa since his arrival in the January transfer window of 2011, the former Spurs man has 18 goals, and the burden will lay heavily on him to be in and around the 20 goals, which he has consistently done at this level.

Villa will need Bent's goals if they are to have a successful season

Verdict – 11^th Paul Lambert’s first season in charge won’t see them challenge for Europe, but it really is about rebuilding at the club, and their young manager is the right man. Expect an improvement in the style of football at Villa Park and maybe a good cup run.

View from a fan – @Studav19

What would be an ideal season?
After last season I’d be very happy with a decent cup run as well as challenging for Europe

What would be a nightmare season?
A nightmare would definitely be finishing lower than last season and being relegated to the Championship.

Have you got the right manager?
I believe Lambert is the right man for the job. Given the backing he really can wake the sleeping giant that is Villa over the next 2-3 years.

Which other Premier League player would you like to sign?
There’s too many! But realistically a good one would be Adam Johnson

How key is a fit Darren Bent to achieving your clubs goals this season?
If his head and heart is in it he’ll be a huge bonus to us this season but he needs the support.

Are there any young players we should look out for this season?
I’m a huge fan of Nathan Baker, he’s a very good young centre half. Also Nathan Delfouneso may find his form under Lambert. 

Why Alex Mcleish will bring success to Villa.

Despite not being the most popular appointment of the season, Alex Mcleish will do a good job with Villa.

Under Houllier Aston Villa's main problem was keeping clean sheets, partly due to the Frenchmans fall out with key defender Richard Dunne, however Mcleish's teams have always been defensively good and the Scott has a great eye for a good defender, capturing the likes of Roger Johnson and Scott Dann, with the laters injury a key reason in why Birmingham were relegated.

Birmingham City only registered 75 goals in their last two Premiership seasons, less then a goal per game mainly down to the fact Mcleish never had a goalscorer in the team. Cameron Jerome was their top scorer in their impressive first season back in the Premiership, however in their second season most of their goals came from midfield with Craig Gardner leading the way with just eight. Yet when Mcleish starts his reign with Aston Villa, he knows he has a centre forward at the club who guarentees goals in Darren Bent meaning the Scott can spend the money from the Ashley Young sale for defensive additions, where his knowledge is broader.

With their lack of goals came a lack of fluid attacking play, earning Mcleish a reputation of playing dull football. Despite the creative likes of Stewart Downing, Stephen Ireland and the aformentioned Bent, Mcleish isn't expected to change his mentalitity. The question is will the fans adapt to a more win at all costs style of football which may not be pretty to watch.

After a Carling Cup success with Birmingham City last year Mcleish has proven he has what it takes to win silverwear, something Villa haven't achieved since the 1994 League cup success over Manchester United, a stat Villa will be desperately hoping to bring an end to after being put in the shade by their rivals cup success.

An added bonus for Villa this year is the lack of European competition. With the likes of Fulham and Stoke, two sides who finished in and around the midlands club last year, the heavy fixture list will have an affect on their relatively small squads. Whereas Aston Villa don't have to play every Thursday and Sunday meaning their squad will be fresher then most.

Despite two relegations with Birmingham, the Scotts CV reads well, with success at all three Scottish clubs he managed, notably at Rangers where he ended the Celtic dominance under Martin O'Neil, ironically the man who took Aston Villa from the obscurity of the lower regions of the Premiership to the verge of Champions League football. After narrowly missing out on Euro 2008 with the Scottish national side, Mcleish joined Birmingham where the Scott endured a rollercoaster of a ride culminating in two relegations, a highest league finish in 30 years, a promotion as well as their Carling cup truimph.

The last year for Aston Villa has been very chaotic, with five different men at the reign, and with Mcleish comes stability and given money and reassurances that the likes of Downing won't follow Young out the door, it could be a very good season for the Villa. The appointment may neither have been the boards or the fans first choice, yet it could turn out to be an inspired one.

A man under instant pressure to succeed