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

Cavani inspired Napoli ease past Lazio

An Edison Cavani hat-trick fired Napoli joint top of the Serie A table, as they thrashed Lazio 3-0 at the San Paolo.

Napoli opened the scoring after 19 minutes as Cavani let fly from 25 yards; however it needed a deflection from the unlucky Michael Ziani otherwise Federico Marchetti would have dealt with the effort.

If Marchetti was unfortunate with the first, he should have done better with Cavani’s second as the Uruguayan scored from a tight angle, despite the Italian goalkeeper getting a good hand on the shot.

Napoli killed the game off with 63 minutes gone as Cavani finished well into the bottom left of the goal.

Lazio were poor throughout; however with the game scoreless Miroslav Klose appeared to have given his side the lead, only for it to be ruled out for handball, which to the German strikers credit, he did admit to when asked about by the referee.

Pakistan vs Bangladesh OBO

Pakistan have eased home by eight wickets and we now know all of the eight sides who'll take place in the super eights!

19th over: Pakistan 176-2 (K.Akmal 22, Jamshed 29) Singles apiece from Akmal and Jamshed mean they just need three to win. A wide from Islam is given so just two required. Pakistan win by 8 wickets. Akmal see's Pakistan home with a beautiful boundary to finish,.

Islam 2.4-0-35-0 

18th over: Pakistan 171-2 (K.Akmal 17, Jamshed 28) Pakistan are cruising now and take singles from each off the first three deliveries. One more single and they are almost there. Pakistan need 5 to win from 12 balls. 

Razzak 4-0-30-0 (7.5 runs per over)

17th over: Pakistan 167-2 (K.Akmal 15, Jamshed 26) Singles are exchanged before Jamshed takes over with a glorious four before a fortunate six after his top edge is just over the boundary ropes! Akmal also hits a boundary and there was 17 from the over! Pakistan need 9 more runs to win from 18 balls.

Mahmudallah 2-0-24-0 (12 runs per over)

16th over: Pakistan 150-2 (K.Akmal 10, Jamshed 15) Jamshed smashes through the onside for his first boundary and with his next ball smashes a six on the offside meaning Pakistan have qualified for the super eights! Akmal joins in on the fun as he times it beautifully off the pads for his first boundary. Another four from Akmal as he cuts brilliantly through the gully area. 19 runs from the over! Pakistan need 26 runs to win from 24 balls. 

Abul Hasan 3-0-33-2 (11 runs per over)

15th over: Pakistan 131-2 (K.Akmal 2, Jamshed 4) The two new batsmen hit a single with each of the first five deliveries. Dot ball with the last one. Pakistan need 9 more runs to qualify from 30 balls. 

Al Hasan 4-0-23-0 (5.75 runs per over)

14th over: Pakistan 126-2 (K. Akmal 0, Jamshed 1) Nazir slog sweeps for four with the first ball of the Abul Hasan over. Nazir 72 c sub (Reza) b Abul Hasan. Bangladesh have their first wicket as Nazir tries one too many shots and was easily caught in the deep by the sub fielder Reza. Brilliant innings from Nazir though and one that mean Pakistan will progress. Hafeez 45 c Rahim b Abul Hasan. A second wicket in the over as the captain is caught behind playing at a wide delivery. Pakistan need 14 more runs to qualify from 36 balls.

Abul Hasan 2-0-14-2 (7 runs per over)

13th over: Pakistan 118-0 (Hafeez 44, Nazir 66) Quick running mean Pakistan get four from the first three balls when really they should have only got two! And all together there is six from the over. Pakistan need 22 more runs to qualify from 42 balls. 

Al Hasan 3-0-18-0 (6 runs per over)

12th over: Pakistan 112-0 (Hafeez 42, Nazir 62) Beautiful timing from Hafeez as he flicks of his pads for four runs! Another short delivery is smashed away by Hafeez and Pakistan are closing in on qualification here! Three more singles, 11 from the over. Pakistan need 28 more runs to qualify from 48 balls. 

Razzak 3-0-26-0 (8.66 runs per over)

11th over: Pakistan 101-0 (Hafeez 32, Nazir 61) Three Hafeez runs are backed up with a four from Nazir which brings up the 100 for Pakistan and also the 100 run partnership from these two. Eight from the over. Pakistan need 40 runs from 54 balls to qualify.

Mahmudallah 1-0-7-0

10th over: Pakistan 92-0 (Hafeez 29, Nazir 56) 50 from Nazir . In fitting fashion from the way he's played this innings, Nazir brings up his fifty with a six. It's also the fastest half-century of the tournament so far! Nazir and Hafeez exchange singles, and there was eight from Al Hasan's second over. Pakistan need 48 runs from 60 balls to qualify. 

Al Hasan 2-0-12-0 (6 runs per over)

9th over: Pakistan 84-0 (Hafeez 28, Nazir 49) First over from Abul Hasan who dropped Nazir when he was on 1! Nazir pulls Hasan's second delivery for four and goes within one of his half century. Quickly ran two from Hafeez. Seven runs from the over. Pakistan need 56 runs from 66 balls to qualify.  

Abul Hasan 1-0-6-0

8th over: Pakistan 77-0 (Hafeez 26, Nazir 45) Two singles are backed up with a beautiful lofted drive from Nazir for four more runs! Nine runs from the over. Pakistan need 63 runs from 72 balls to qualify.

Razzak 2-0-15-0 (7.5 runs per over)

7th over: Pakistan 68-0 (Hafeez 25, Nazir 37) Al Hasan after his brilliant knock with the bat is having his first bowl and with his first delivery should have had a wicket as their LBW appeal against Nazir would've hit the wickets! Just the four runs from the over. Pakistan need 72 runs from 78 balls to qualify.

Al Hasan 1-0-4-0

6th over: Pakistan 64-0 (Hafeez 24, Nazir 35) Razzak comes on for his first over and starts brilliantly with three dot balls as the last beats the edge of Hafeez. Hossain does brilliantly in the field to prevent a boundary, and in doing so saves three runs. Nazir however with the next ball makes the most of a short and wide delivery and hits it through point for another boundary. A single from the last ball means that there was six runs from the last power play over.

Razzak 1-0-6-0

5th over: Pakistan 58-0 (Hafeez 23, Nazir 30) Hafeez pulls for yet another boundary, before exchanging the strike with a single of the third ball of the over. More Bangladesh pain as Nazir lofts another boundary over the batsmen's head, the boundary brings up the 50 partnership.Nazir has 24 from 10 balls! Another huge six from Nazir and Pakistan are romping towards the 140 they need to progress!

Mortaza 3-0-30-0 (10 runs per over)

4th over: Pakistan 43-0 (Hafeez 18, Nazir 20) The first LBW appeal of the match really as Islam goes up for one against Hafeez however it's rightly not given. Nazir lofts the ball brilliantly back over the bowlers head for four, and the next Islam delivery is wide and races past Rahim for five wides. Islam drops too short and Nazir pulls it for another boundary. Another short delivery and this time Nazir pulls it even further and for six glorious runs. 20 runs from the over!

Islam 2-0-28-0 (14 runs per over)

3rd over: Pakistan 23-0 (Hafeez 17, Nazir 6) Hafeez drives beautifully through mid-off for four. However only one more run was added in the third over as Mortaza got better as the over got older.

Mortaza 2-0-15-0 (7.5 runs per over)

2nd over: Pakistan 18-0 (Hafeez 12, Nazir 6) Another easy drop! Abul Hasan won't get an easier chance this match as Nazir lofts Islam's first ball high in the air but Abul Hasan can't catch it, huge chance gone for Bangladesh. The duo share singles before Nazir whacks it through mid-wicket for another boundary. Good start from Pakistan.

Islam 1-0-8-0

1st over: Pakistan 10-0 (Hafeez 9, Nazir 1) First ball is edged just over first slip for four and Bangladesh are unlucky! The second boundary of the over is a more controlled one from Hafeez and Pakistan have come out quickly. A single apiece from Hafeez and Nazir take the first over's score to 10.

Mortaza 1-0-10-0

Pakistan are out and need to be better with their bat then they were with the ball and especially in the field!

Bangladesh led superbly by Shakib Al Hasan have posted 175, meaning Pakistan need 176 to win; however to progress to the super eights, they only need 140, meaning seven runs an over will be enough for them.

20th over: Bangladesh 175-6 (Hossain 16, Rahman 1) The last over of the innings. Al Hasan and Hossain exchange singles. Al Hasan 84 c U Akmal b Arafat. A full toss isn't connected with properly by Al Hasan and he is caught in the deep; however he has given his side a chance of progression with this innings! Rahman is on with just three balls left and gets a single with his first ball. Hossain thrashes Arafat through point for another boundary. Hossain 16 b Arafat. Hossain is bowled by a brilliant yorker with the final ball of the innings.

Arafat 3-0-25-3 (7.33 runs per over)

19th over: Bangladesh 168-4 (Hossain 11, Al Hasan 83) Hossain does the sensible thing and gets Al Hasan on strike with the first ball of Ajmal's final over. Al Hasan runs a very quick two. Al Hasan scoops Ajmal beautifully for three. A leg bye and Al Hasan single are followed up by a Hossain smash towards long off for his first boundary. 12 from the over.

Ajmal 4-0-33-0 (8.25 runs per over)

18th over: Bangladesh 156-4 (Hossain 6, Al Hasan 77) Gul is back on and his full delivery is swept excellently for a boundary! Gul follows up with a beautiful yorker and just misses the stumps. Umar Akmal misfields so Al Hasan runs a cheap two! Al Hasan pulls Gul once again and another boundary takes the over total to 10 with one to go. Another cracking shot from Al Hasan as he cracks Gul through the mid wicket for another boundary. 14 from the over.

Gul 3-0-43-0 (14.33 runs per over)

17th over: Bangladesh 142-4 (Hossain 6, Al Hasan 63) Ajmal is back on and Hossain runs an early two which is followed by a very quickly ran single. Three more singles ensure Ajmal only concedes six from the over.

Ajmal 3-0-21-0 (7 runs per over)

16th over: Bangladesh 136-4 (Hossain 2, Al Hasan 61) Mahmudallah c U Akmal b Afridi. With just his second ball Mahmudallah is caught in the deep as Afridi takes his first wicket of the match. Hossain is the next batsmen in and gets off the mark with the first ball. Afridi gets the outside egde however Akmal behind the stumps can't take it and Hossain gets away with it! Hossain is lucky again as he lofts it in the air, but safe! Just the three from the over.

Afridi 4-0-20-1 (5 runs per over)

15th over: Bangladesh 133-3 (Mahmudallah 0, Al Hasan 60) Just two from the first three delivers in Arfat's second over. Rahim 25 c Nazir b Arafat. Rahim is gone, caught smartly in the deep from Nazir. Mahmudallah is the next batsmen in; however Al Hasan faces and lofts Tanvir towards the deep mid wicket for another boundary.

Arafat 2-0-18-1 (9 runs per over)

14th over: Bangladesh 127-2 (Rahim 24, Al Hasan 55) Afridi is back and Al Hasan cuts the first ball for a single. A dot ball is followed by a wide ball before Rahim drags a short delivery through mid wicket for a a boundary. Singles are exchanged with the next three deliveries.

Afridi 3-0-17-0 (5.66 runs per over)

13th over: Bangladesh 118-2 (Rahim 19, Al Hasan 53) I'm not quite sure how Rahim has got away with that. Yasir Arafat with his first ball drops it short and Rahim offers Tanvir the simpliest of chances and he can't take it! Al Hasan gets a top edge and it brings about the 50 partnership between this two as it reaches the boundary. 50 for Al Hasan. Al Hasan pulls a poor Arafat bouncer for a huge six, in doing so brings up his 50. Afridi drops Al Hasan; however it was a very hard chance and the single is ran.

Arafat 1-0-12-0

12th over: Bangladesh 106-2 (Rahim 18, Al Hasan 42) Two singles from the first three balls is a good start for Ajmal and Al Hasan is fortunate not to be out as he skies a shot but it lands safely. Only four from the over as Pakistan look to recover.

Ajmal 2-0-15-0 (7.5 runs per over)

11th over: Bangladesh 102-2 (Rahim 16, Al Hasan 40) Gul is back and has improved his length from his previous over which went for 17 runs. Rahim gets a single with the second ball. Al Hasan is on one here and pulls Gul to the mid wicket boundary. Gul comes round the wicket; however another boundary as another cut shot from Al Hasan takes him to 39. He goes to 40 with a single back past the bowler.

Gul 2-0-29-0 (14.5 runs per over)

10 over: Bangladesh 90-2 (Rahim 15, Al Hasan 29) The number one T20 bowler is on for his first over and starts by conceding just the four from four balls; however a fortunate bottom edge from Al Hasan goes to the boundary! There was nothing fortunate about his second fur of the over as he comes down the track and lofts it to the deep mid wicket boundary.

Ajmal 1-0-12-0

9th over: Bangladesh 78-2 (Rahim 14, Al Hasan 18) Another Afridi over starts with two dot balls; however a Rahim edge produces a well ran three! Just one more from the over ensures Afridi has started well.

Afridi 2-0-8-0 (4 runs per over)

8th over: Bangladesh 74-2 (Rahim 11, Al Hasan 17) Rahim cuts well, however its just two runs when there should've been three! Rahim sweeps beautifully for the first six of the innings! Nine from the over in total.

Hafeez 3-0-28-0 (9.33 runs per over)

7th over: Bangladesh 65-2 (Rahim 2, Al Hasan 17) Afridi is on for his first over and as its the seventh over, its the end of the powerplay meaning the fielding restrictions are lifted! Just two singles from the first three balls, but the fourth ball of the over is given as a wide! Rahim ends the over with a single; however just the four runs from the Afridi over.

Afridi 1-0-4-0

6th over: Bangladesh 61-2 (Rahim 0, Al Hasan 16) Two consecutive drives from Al Hasan reach the boundary as Bangladesh make a flying start. Al Hasan flicks the fourth ball of the over for the third boundary of the over. Iqbal 24 run out (Hafeez). A gift to get Bangladesh back into the match as Al Hasan sends Iqbal back, but he's stumbling and Hafeez has the simple job of knocking the bails off, shame as he'd started like a train! Rahim is the next man in, however Al Hasan faces the last delivery which is a dot ball.

Tanvir 3-0-25-1 (8.33 runs per over)

5th over: Bangladesh 49-1 (Iqbal 24, Al Hasan 4) Hafeez replaces the wayward Gul; however he is cut to the boundary with the first ball. The second also reaches the boundary as Iqbal simply flicks it away. Four singles with the next four balls to see the over out.

Hafeez 2-0-19-0 (9.50 runs per over)

4th over: Bangladesh 37-1 (Iqbal 14, Al Hasan 2) Ashraful hits the first ball of the over for four. Ashraful 14 b Tanvir.  However he is castled with the next delivery as Tanvir gets the break through Pakistan needed! Al Hasan is the next man in and Tanvir strays wide with the first ball. A better line from Tanvir ensures Al Hasan can't get off the mark with the next two deliveries. He does get two with his third ball though with a lofted drive. Tanvir finishes with a dot ball.

Tanvir 2-0-13-1 (6.50 runs per over)

3rd over: Bangladesh 30-0 (Iqbal 14, Ashraful 10) Umar Gul is on for his first over, and starts with a dot ball. Iqbal pulls beautifully for his first boundary of the match. Gul see's Iqbal coming down the wicket so places it wider; however too wide and goes between the keeper and first slip for five wides! Two played and misses from Iqbal, however he connects this time as Gul strays slightly wide and his slayed for four. Another short ball from Gul is given the same treatment in the form of the fourth boundary of the over. 17 from it.

Gul 1-0-17-0

2nd over: Bangladesh 13-0 (Iqbal 2, Ashraful 10) Iqbal gets a single with the first ball of Tanvir's spell, which is also a no-ball, meaning Ashraful is given a free hit with the next ball and he scoops it beautifully for another boundary. Three dot balls are followed by a play and miss from Ashraful and is lucky not to edge it through to Akmal. Another play and a miss ensures its a good end to the over for Pakistan.

Tanvir 1-0-6-0

1st over: Bangladesh 7-0 (Iqbal 1, Ashraful 6) The captain opts to open the bowling for Pakistan. Gets turn with the first ball as Iqbal edges safely for a single with the first ball. Two dot balls are followed by a well lofted sweep shot from Ashraful for the first boundary of the game. A second consecutive slog sweep gives Ashraful two more, and is followed by a dot ball.

Haffez 1-0-7-0

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Mohammed Ashraful, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (Capt & wk), Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Abul Hasan, Ziaur Rahman, Mashrafe Mortaza, Shafiul Islam

Pakistan: Mohammed Hafeez (Capt), Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed, Kamran Akmal (wk), Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Arafat, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal

New Zealand are through whatever the result here as both Bangladesh and Pakistan can't have a better net run rate then the Kiwi's as a result of this match, so they can sit back and relax!

Team News: Abul Hasan replaces Elias Sunny for Bangladesh whilst Pakistan are unchanged.

Bangladesh don't just need to win, they also need to win by 36 runs or more! And when you consider the fact Bangladesh haven't been Pakistan in a one day game in 20 years, it doesn't bode well for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh win the toss and will bat first!

It's the last of the World T20 group stage matches and Bangladesh need to beat Pakistan if they've any chance of progression. Bangladesh were thrashed by a Brendan McCullum inspired New Zealand whilst Pakistan beat the Kiwi's by 14 runs.

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

The Premier League sack race

Even though the Premier League season is just four games old, you won’t be surprised to hear that the odds for the first managerialcausality are already out!

Despite back to back promotions Southampton’s Nigel Adkins is the 7/4 favourite to be out of a job before anyone else! Incredibly harsh, yes; however the relatively new chairman Nicola Cortese isn’t the most popular with the St Mary’s faithful and dismissing the likeable Adkins would go someway to ensure that popularity nosedives further!

Successive promotions won't save you from the sack!

Andre Villas-Boas has only been at the club five minutes; however he is joint second favourite in the sack race following an indifferent start to Tottenham’s Premier League campaign. It won’t happen overnight and hopefully Daniel Levy will give the former Chelsea manager time, and despite picking up just five points from four games, the players appear to be on side and have frequently defended Villas-Boas.

Along with Villas-Boas at 7/1 is QPR’s Mark Hughes. A very good transfer window for the club has ensured that expectations at Loftus Road will be high; however a start that has included the away trips to Manchester City and Spurs, as well as the recent visit from the European Champions, is far from ideal, and come the half-way stage QPR will be in and around the middle of the Barclays Premier League, and Hughes will still be a job.

Both Brendan Rodgers and Sam Allardyce are at 10’s and for me neither will be the first out of a job as one is there for the long-term whilst the other will keep his side away from trouble!

For me the two who I’ve yet to mention who are at long odds but are very much in the ‘sack-race’ are Roberto Di Matteo and Alan Pardew who are 25/1 and 33/1 respectively. Two words sum up why these two are even considered and they are ‘Crazy Owners'! Both Roman Abramovich and Mike Ashley have previous when it comes to dismissing managers, and as crazy as it sounds, if either Di Matteo or Pardew were sacked, it wouldn’t surprise me. Very little in football does nowadays.

Ashley stunned the football world when he sacked Chris Hughton in 2010

Despite my prediction, Stoke will survive!

A hectic end to the transfer window meant Stoke's summer of dealings improved the squad. Steven N'Zonzi and Charlie Adam from Blackburn and Liverpool respectively are exactly what Tony Pulis's side need, and that's quality in the centre of the park. Even when the window was shut Pulis added a proven goal scorer in the form of the free agent Michael Owen, which could turn out to be a brilliant gamble!

Adam will bring a higher level of quality to the Stoke midfield

Before these additions I had tipped Stoke to go down, saying that I still expect them to struggle this campaign as more Premier League clubs have found them out; however I now believe they won't be playing the Championship next season!

Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth are both very good defenders and given the fact they've been playing together for a while now has ensured they are one of the league's best central defensive partnership's. Their lack of real quality in the full-back position doesn't matter too much, as under Pulis, the full-back's main priority is to be solid defensively.

I really like the additions of Adam and N'Zonzi as I feel they'll compliment each other well in the middle of the park for Stoke. In Adam they've someone who can spread the ball around, whilst N'Zonzi is more of a stereotypical Stoke player given his height, strength and battling qualities. Given Wilson Palacios's poor form and the fact Adam is better then Stoke's other passer Glenn Whelan, expect to see the new additions fit straight into the side.

Key player - Peter Crouch. Crouch is key to the way Stoke play, his height is an obvious target with the Stoke long ball and high amount of crosses from the wide. He's scored twice already this campaign and if he gets double figures, which he should, then he should steer Stoke up the table. If Owen is fit and starting, the duo will be a good centre partnership, and like Adam and N'Zonzi in the centre of the park, will compliment each other well.



Crouch had a good first year with Stoke!

Prediction - 20th. I know I touched upon it before, saying that Stoke won't go down; however I've got to stick with my prediction! It's not inconceivable they'll be in trouble this season, but in their opening four games they've shown they can be solid against the top sides, whilst being difficult to beat away from home, gaining creditable points away against Reading and Wigan.

Quagliarella rescues late point for Juve

A Champions League debut double from Oscar was only enough for a share of the spoils, as a late Fabio Quagliarella goal rescued a point for Juventus.

Quagliarella with his first Champions League goal

Two goals in as many minutes from Oscar, the second a spectacular long range effort, appeared to set the holders on their way to a comfortable home win; however Arturo Vidal scored just before half-time to half the deficit, and after dominating the second half, the Old Lady got their just-rewards as substitute Quagliarella beat the offside trap to silence Stamford Bridge.

A draw was the least Juventus deserved having dominated both the possession and chance count, as Chelsea let a two goal lead slip for the first in the Champions League since 2004.

The early chances fell the way of the Italians, as both Claudio Marchisio and Mirko Vucinic spurned one on one attempts with Petr Cech.

Out of the blue Chelsea took a strangle-hold on the game with two Oscar strikes!

The first was fortunate as his effort would've been a routine save for Gianluigi Buffon, only for Juve defender Leonardo Bonnuci to divert the effort over the dive of the Italian number one!

The second however needed no deflection, as the Brazilian let fly from 25 yards spectacularly into the top corner, giving Buffon no chance in the Juventus goal.

Oscar celebrating his wonder strike

Going in with a two goal lead would have probably secured the game for Chelsea; however out of nothing Vidal scored from the edge of the penalty area, with a precise effort arrowed into the corner.

Second half substitute Juan Mata had a good chance to seal the victory for Chelsea; however he couldn't beat Buffon at his near post.

And the holders were left to rue his miss as Quagliarella beat John Terry's poor attempt at playing him offside, and beat Cech through his legs to complete the comeback. In the end Chelsea were fortunate to escape with a share of the spoils as Quagliarella clipped the bar with a curling effort.