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

Europa League push at best for the Toffee's

It is no coincidence that Everton's best form of the previous season coincided with a brilliant January transfer window for the club. Nikica Jelavic proved to be a real bargain addition scoring nine goals in his first 13 matches; however the returning Steven Pienaar's form during his six month loan spell at the club was the real catalyst behind their end of season form. The South African international has since gone on to make his loan move permanent, ensuring his stay away from the club was a very brief one.

After being heavily linked with the then vacant managerial position at Spurs, David Moyes will be hoping his loyalty is rewarded in the form of money to spend and reassurances that his best players won't be sold. He has added shrewdly so far in the form of Pienaar and Steven Naismith, who will look to continue his centre forward partnership with Jelavic from their Rangers days.

In the last three Premier League seasons Everton have started incredibly slowly, relying on their turn of the year form to fire them up the league. Of their first 20 games the club lost half of them, meaning they were consistently in the lower regions of the table; however their last 18 matches saw the Toffee's only lose twice. During that run the club beat the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Spurs whilst coming from two goals down to rescue an unlikely point at Old Trafford.

Prior to the arrival of Jelavic the club really lacked firepower, and I worry where the goals will come from if the Croatian gets an injury next season. Aside from that the only other position I feel Everton lack strength in depth is the wide midfield areas. The controversial Royston Drenthe wasn't kept on, whilst the young Seamus Coleman and Magaye Gueye are talented however aren't ready to be consistent starters in a Moyes side.

Key player - Steven Pienaar. If there were a team for the best performing players in the second half of last season then Pienaar would be a shoe-in for the squad. It's fair to say Moyes brings out the best in Pienaar as the former Spurs man flourished in his free role last season, with his man of the match performance vs Chelsea in particular highlighting how technically brilliant he is. Given Tim Cahill's departure, there will be an added pressure on Pienaar to score more goals from midfield this campaign.



Prediction - 8th. If the likes of Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini are still at the club come September then I do feel they can really compete with the best; however it wouldn't be a Summer transfer window for Moyes if he didn't have to part way with a Goodison Park favourite. A decent start is a necessity this time around, as they won't always be so good after Christmas. I expect them to sit comfortably in the top ten though.

View from a fan - @keith1878

What would be an ideal season?
European qualification via the league whilst finishing about Liverpool coupled with some good cup form and even some silverware.

What would be a nightmare season?
Having to sell Baines or Fellaini to keep the bank happy, financial meltdown whilst not having our good post-season form.

Do you have the right manager?
Yes. He's had a lot to deal with during his 10 years, but normally gets the right players on the pitch and fighting for everything.

Which Premier League player would you sign given the chance?
Mikel Arteta or Wayne Rooney. Other than ex players it depends where the annual injury crisis is, I like Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero, they're both brilliant!

Should you cash in on Rodwell or keep him?
Need to keep him unless a big offer comes in, which is unlikely considering his injury record. This season is really make or break for him.

What players should we look out for this season?
Ross Barkley should get more chances this year following a season in the reserves. He was thrown in the deep end following the Arteta sale. Shane Duffy too, as well as Francisco Jr has had a decent pre season, few dodgy tackles but some decent skills, he could get a chance.