Premier League tips

Last week's returns: Profit £44.39
Overall returns: Profit £42.56

Saturday 6th October

Manchester City vs Sunderland
City were poor midweek against Borussia Dortmund and a lunchtime kick off Saturday morning isn't ideal after playing Wednesday and given the fact Steven Fletcher hasn't stopped scoring for Sunderland since his move from Wolves in the summer, expect City's long run without a clean sheet to continue.

Given City's brilliant form home, I expect them to edge out Sunderland, but it won't be a stroll.

Manchester City 2 Sunderland 1 - 9/1 with Stan James - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Over 2.5 goals - 4/6 with Betfair - Returns of £8.33
Carlos Tevez anytime goalscorer - Evens with Bwin - Lose a fiver
Highest scoring half First - 13/5 with Stan James - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Down £11.67

Chelsea vs Norwich
Chelsea impressed away to Arsenal and are flying high at the top of the Premier league, with five wins from six. Norwich are struggling, and a mixture of conceding too many and not scoring enough doesn't bode well for the Canaries.

Roberto Di Matteo's men should win this home encounter and continue their fine start to the league campaign.

Chelsea 3 Norwich 0 - 7/1 with William Hill - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Juan Mata to assist the first goal - 7/1 with BoyleSports - Lose a fiver
Chelsea to win - 1/4 with Bet Victor - Returns of £6.25
Both teams to score NO - 10/11 with William Hill - Lose a fiver

Game returns - Down £13.75

Mata scored on his debut vs. Norwich City last season

Swansea vs Reading 
Swansea haven't scored in three and winless in four Premier league matches, and were out thought last week against Stoke City, whilst Reading are yet to win since their return to the top flight. Back both teams to score as they've only two clean sheets between them, both Swansea's and in their first two games.

Reading need to start picking up points and back them to get a draw away to an out of sorts Swansea here.

Swansea 1 Reading 1 - 6/1 with Ladbrokes - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Draw - 77/29 with Pinnacle - Returns of £18.27
Both teams to score YES - 9/10 with Stan James - Returns of £9.50
Under 2.5 goals - 39/40 with Bet Victor - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Profit £7.77

West Brom vs QPR
West Brom have won all three games at the Hawthorns this season and are yet to concede a goal on their home turf. QPR have made a poor start to the season; however they've a more friendly looking fixture list coming up in the next few weeks and Mark Hughes will see this game as a chance to earn their first win.

The first goal in this game will be the key one especially with the way QPR are defending at the moment; however I reckon they'll get something from their trip here.

West Brom 1 QPR 2 - 14/1 with Totesport - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Both teams to score YES - 4/5 with Stan James - Returns of £9
Draw HT/ QPR FT - 17/2 with BetVictor - Lose a fiver
Over 2.5 goals - 5/6 with SkyBet - Returns of £9.16

Match returns - Down £1.84

Wigan vs Everton
Despite playing well in games Wigan are struggling to score the goals to give themselves a chance at collecting three points. Everton on the other hand are on fire! Second in the league and with four wins from six, they could surprise everyone and make the top four this season.

Last time these two met it was a draw at the DW Stadium last year, and I reckon Wigan will get a draw here again too.

Wigan 1 Everton 1 - 6/1 with Ladbrokes - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Draw -  47/18 with Pinnacle - Returns of £18.06
Both teams to score YES - 9/10 with Stan James - Returns of £9.50
Nikica Jelavic anytime goalscorer - 15/8 with Stan James - Returns of £14.38

Match returns - Profit £21.94

West Ham vs Arsenal
Last week for these two clubs was a week of first's as West Ham won a Premier League away game for the first time since the 2nd February 2011, whilst Arsenal lost for the first time this season at home to Chelsea.

West Ham are unbeaten at home so far and Arsenal are unbeaten away from the Emirates and I expect the first to come to an end this weekend with Arsenal winning narrowly.

West Ham 1 Arsenal 2 - 8/1 with Stan James - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Both teams to score YES - 8/11 with Stan James  Returns of £8.64
Arsenal to win - 24/23 with Pinnacle - Returns of £10.22
Gervinho anytime goalscorer - 9/4 with Ladbrokes - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Down £1.14
Day returns - Profit £1.31

Gervinho is in fine goalscoring form the for Gunners

Sunday 7th October

Southampton vs Fulham
Southampton will be pleased to get back to St Marys following their third consecutive away defeat last week against Everton. Fulham have always had troubles on their travels, but they did beat Wigan in their last away match two weeks back.

If Southampton are to survive then they will need to win there home matches against sides like Fulham and I expect them to do so here.

Southampton 2 Fulham 1 - 10/1 with Betfred - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Both teams to score YES - 8/11 with Stan James - Returns of £8.64
Over 2.5 goals - 4/5 with 888Sport - Returns of £9
Highest scoring half, Second - Evens with Paddy Power - Returns of £10

Match returns - Profit £7.64

Liverpool vs Stoke
Both Liverpool and Stoke earned their first wins of the season last week in comfortable fashion. Despite a midweek defeat to Udinese in the Europa League, Liverpool have improved over the last few weeks and expect them to pick up their first Anfield win of the Premier league season on Sunday.

It won't be as many goals as last week; however given Luis Suarez's rich vein of goal scoring form, I fancy him to score in a Liverpool win.

Liverpool 2 Stoke 1 - 17/2 with Stan James - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Luis Suarez to score and Liverpool to win - 13/8 with Bluesquare - Lose a fiver
Both teams to score YES - 6/5 with Stan James - Lose a fiver
First team yellow card Stoke - 1/2 with bet365 - Returns of £7.50

Match returns - Down £12.50

Tottenham vs Aston Villa
Tottenham were brilliant as they finally ended their Old Trafford hoodoo last week and backing that up with a home win here is vital. Villa rescued a point at home to West Brom last week; however if they are to avoid a relegation fight, they are games they should be winning.

Andre Villas-Boas is slowly getting there with Spurs, and back them to win here quite comfortably.

Tottenham 3 Aston Villa 1 - 11/1 with William Hill - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Jermaine Defoe to score anytime - 11/10 with Bwin - Lose a fiver
Over 2.5 goals - 21/20 with You win - Lose a fiver
Tottenham to win - 1/2 with William Hill - Returns of £7.50

Match returns - Down £12.50

Newcastle United vs Manchester United
Newcastle recovered well, all be it in controversial circumstances, last week against Reading, and backed it up with an impressive win at home to Bordeaux mid-week in the Europa League. Manchester United however were poor in their defeat to Spurs, but did manage to win in Romania in the Champions League.

With Newcastle the home side, I can't see much separating these two and it'll probably be a draw.

Newcastle United 1 Manchester United 1 - 7/1 with William Hill - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Both teams to score YES - 8/11 with Stan James - Lose a fiver
Over 2.5 goals - 4/7 with 188Bet - Returns £7.85
Wayne Rooney anytime goal scorer - 15/8 with Stan James -  Lose a fiver

Match returns - Down £12.15
Day returns - Down £29.51
Weekend returns - Down £28.20
Overall returns - Profit £14.36

Accumulator of the week - Manchester City, Chelsea, Southampton and Tottenham to win - £5 returns £29.79 with Skybet

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

City to retain the tite, just!

Despite a quiet transfer window for Roberto Mancini's men, for me they are still the favourites for the Barclays Premier League title. Having Carlos Tevez back for the last few games of the previous season was key as the former United man quickly rediscovered his best form, the highlight an incredible hat-trick away to Norwich. The prospect of an all Argentine strike force, this time for a full season, with Tevez teaming up with Sergio Aguero is a frightening.

During pre-season and the Charity Shield Roberto Mancini played three at the back, and it will be interesting to see if the Italian attempts this during the Premier League season. With Kolo Toure out of favour and Stefan Savic coming in for a heavy amount of criticism from City fans, there's a chance their new signing Jack Rodwell may have to slot in alongside Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott.

Will Rodwell play the libero for Mancini?

An incredible home form (that saw them only slip up once in 19 games) was the key behind their title run. It is unlikely that they'll be able to repeat such excellent form at the Ethiad, so Mancini will be looking for better away form from the Champions, after dropping 23 points on their travels last year.

Key player - Yaya Toure. City's penultimate game of the previous season was a tricky looking away fixture against Newcastle which they needed to win, and the Ivorian put in a performance that arguably ranked higher then any in the season. He's as good going forward as he is putting a shift in defensively, ensuring Toure is one of the first names on the team sheet. With another African Cup of Nations this Premier League season, City will need to cop without their inspirational midfielder.

Prediction 1st- Despite a quiet transfer window, I still expect City to regain their title. Going forward they are at times unplayable, whilst defensively they've improved. Having already hurdled the 'winning it for the first time' obstacle, it's going to be hard for United or anyone for that matter to capture the Premier League away from Mancini's men.

View from a fan - Reece Smith @RASmith28

What would be a perfect season?
Regaining the Premier League whilst winning the Champions League as well as a domestic cup

What would be a nightmare season?
Finishing outside the top four and not winning a trophy.

Do you have the right man in charge?
Yes I personally believe we do

Which Premier League player would you sign given the chance?
Steven Gerrard.

Would you rather regain the Premier League or win the Champions League?
Regain the Premier League

Sell Carlos Tevez or keep him?
Keep him, him and Sergio Aguero are going to have a sublime partnership this season, and will be the difference in tight games.

Bayern's dominance overshadowed by Tevez saga

A Mario Gomez double ensured Bayern Munich maintained their stranglehold on Group A, as they beat Manchester City 2-0.

Despite dominating the opening proceedings, City were poor and Bayern scored twice in a seven minute period before half-time, both through the right foot of Gomez, which effectively killed the game as a contest.

With his side trailing by two goals, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini controversially brought off Edin Dzeko for the defensive minded Nigel De Jong, to the frustration of not only Dzeko but a clearly annoyed Carlos Tevez after the Argentine was snubbed in favour of De Jong. Reportedly the former United striker refused to warm up and come on in response to Mancini's decision.

The early oppourtunites fell the way of City, and the in form Dzeko should've opened the scoring from a Micah Richards cross, however the Bosnian striker's finish was tame and right at the impressive Manuel Neuer.

The attacking full back was again at the hub of City's forward play, and Richards' felt he should've had a penalty after an apparent trip from the former Blue Jerome Boateng. Replay's suggested there was contact however the referee Kassai didn't give it.

City's stranglehold on the match was beginning to loosen and Bayern Munich were now the ones threatening to open the scoring. Long range efforts from Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger were comfortably dealt with by Joe Hart in the City goal. The later should've given Bayern the lead however with a different chance as Thomas Mueller did brilliantly to create a chance for Schweinsteiger in the six yard box, however the German midfielder blazed over.

However the German's opened the scoring shortly after through Gomez after Hart failed to brilliantly thwart Munich for a third time. Ribery created the opener after he cut inside Richards and his long range shot was well saved by Hart, who expertly stopped Mueller from tapping in the rebound, however Gomez tapped in a simple chance.

Munich had a penalty appeal of their own as Ribery appeared to be blocked off by Vincent Kompany, however City couldn't prevent Bayern from doubling their first half lead. Dzeko felled Phillip Lahm, and Ribery's resulting free kick was headed goalwards by Daniel Van Buyten, and Hart again superbly repelled the header, however Gomez reacted the quickest to score from close range.

The second half saw a European masterclass in keeping the ball from Munich, as City, despite their negative change in De Jong on for Dzeko, Bayern dominated the midfield as Mueller and Schweinsteiger in particular were awesome.

The substitution of De Jong caused clear frustration for the snubbed Tevez, however his response in refusal to be brought on was appauling. The understandable disappointment of being ignored is fair, however with his side in a poor predicament, the players's poor reaction will result in the end of Tevez's City up and down career.

Bayern saw the second half out comfortably, and if it wasn't for Hart, Bayern and Gomez alike could've had their third. However it didn't matter and Munich sit comfortably at the top of Group A, and continue their incredible clean sheet record which has been extended to ten games.

For City however, the Tevez enquiry will start when the club arrive back from Munich and with a double header against Villarreal coming up, the incredible start they had to the season now seems a distant memory to the Citizens.



Match ratings

Bayern Munich team: Neuer 6, Rafinha 7, Van Buyten 6, Boateng 8, Lahm 7, Ribery 8 (Robben 90, 5), Dias 7, Schweinsteiger 8, Kroos 7 (Tymoschuk 82, 5), Mueller 8, Gomez 8 (Peterson 90, 5)

Manchester City team: Hart 8, Richards 7, Kompany 6, K.Toure 5, Clichy 6, Y.Toure 6, Barry 5 (Kolarov 73, 5), Silva 7, Nasri 5 (Milner 69, 5), Aguero 6, Dzeko 5 (De Jong 55, 5)

City land Aguero

Aguero will now wear the blue of Manchester City

Sergio Aguero became Manchester City's most expensive transfer ever after his £38million move from Atletico Madrid was finally sealed today.

On Thursday evening the club confirmed Aguero had signed a five year deal with the Manchester side, and will wear the number 16 shirt.

On the move Aguero commented "I think we are a team that in future will be fighting every year to win major trophies."

With fellow Argentine Carlos Tevez expected to leave the club, City pressed quickly to sign the much sought after striker, with European giants Juventus and Real Madrid heavily linked with the former Independiente striker.

Aguero becomes City's third major signing of the summer after Stefen Savic and Gael Clichy, however manager Roberto Mancini is expected to add to his already illustrious squad ahead of their season opener against Swansea.

Aguero in action at the recent Copa America

Corinthians make £35million bid for Tevez

Brazil giants Corinthians have officially bid for the services of Manchester City's want away centre forward Carlos Tevez.

The offer, in the region of £35million, is expected to be rejected by the Manchester club, however the bid signalls intent from Tevez's former club, with the Argentine centre forward "flattered and excited" with the interest show in him.

After withdrawing a transfer request in December 2010, the Premier League's joint top scorer Tevez went on to have a successful season with Manchester City, as the club won the F.A Cup aswell as securing Champions League football with their third placed finish.

However a week yesterday Tevez reiterated his desire to leave the football club, citing family reasons, behind his decision, with his wife and kids living at home in Argentina.