Premier League Tips

Last weekend's returns - Loss of £2.04
Overall returns - Profit of £12.32

Weekend accumulators:
Winners: Arsenal, Reading, Manchester City, Everton and Newcastle. Fiver returns £117.73

Goals Galore: Arsenal, Reading, Wigan, Everton and Southampton. Fiver returns £60.24

Saturday 27th October

Aston Villa vs. Norwich
Saturday's early kick off see's Paul Lambert come up against Norwich for the first time since leaving the club in the summer. It's fair to say the way Lambert departed Carrow Road has left a bittersweet taste in the mouths of the Norwich fans despite the amazing work he did with the club in the three years he was there.

Aston Villa are slowly getting there under Lambert, and drastic change was never going to happen overnight. Norwich were superb in their surprise victory of Arsenal last week, and will have to be as good if they are to register their first away win of the season on the weekend.

I don't fancy many goals at Villa Park, however Lambert should get revenge over his former employers in a narrow victory.

Aston Villa 1 Norwich 0 - 8/1 with Betvictor - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Under 2.5 goals - 13/12 with 188bet. - Returns of £10.41
Aston Villa to score first - 4/6 with Ladbrokes - Returns of £8.33
Darren Bent to score and Aston Villa to win - 13/5 with BlueSquare - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Loss of £1.46

Arsenal vs. QPR
Back to back defeats for Arsenal have turned a promising start into an average one. Mark Hughes and QPR would've settled for an average start, and after eight Premier league games they are winless and bottom of the pile.

Against the bigger sides this year QPR have competed well, earning home points against the likes of Chelsea and Everton, but away from home they've been poor since their return to the top flight. Arsenal need a win to keep in touch with those above them, and three points aren't a given especially when you consider they've dropped five points at the Emirates already this year.

On their day Arsenal can beat anyone, and they should have too much for a disjointed QPR at home on Saturday.

Arsenal 3 QPR 1 - 11/1 with Stan James - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Over 2.5 goals - 1/2 with Paddy Power - Lose a fiver
Thomas Vermaelen anytime goal scorer - 6/1 with Ladbrokes - Lose a fiver
Both teams to score - 4/5 with Skybet - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Loss of £20

Reading vs. Fulham
After seven win less games, at home to Fulham is a must win match for Brian McDermott and his Reading side. Fulham were very patient in their win against Aston Villa on the weekend, and despite dominating the game had to wait until the 84th minute for their winner.

The Championship winners are in need of their first three points of the season

Reading have improved over their last three games, and were unfortunate not to beat both Newcastle and Swansea, so back them to register their first win of the campaign here.

Reading 2 Fulham 1 - 11/1 with Betfred - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Both teams to score - 4/6 with Bluesquare - Returns of £8.33
Reading to win - 17/9 with Pinnacle - Lose a fiver
Pavel Pogrenyak anytime goal scorer - 5/2 with bwin - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Loss of £11.67

Stoke City vs. Sunderland
The game at the Britannia see's the battle of the draw masters. Between them they've drawn 10 out of 15 Premier league matches, so it's safe to say the draw is the bet I've gone with here.

The additions of Charlie Adam and Steven N'Zonzi have brought an extra bit of quality to the Stoke midfield and if either side are to win it'll probably be Stoke given their impressive home record; however I can't separate these two sides.

Stoke City 1 Sunderland 1 - 6/1 with Betfred - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
First team booking Stoke - 5/4 with bet365 - Returns of £11.25
Draw - 12/5 with Skybet - Returns of £17
Both teams to score - 21/20 with Coral - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Profit £8.25

Wigan vs West Ham
Another borderline decision went against Wigan on the weekend, with Arouna Kone's header ruled out for offside, with replays suggesting the Ivorian striker was onside. If the correct decision was made then Roberto Martinez's side would've had all the momentum heading into the final 15 minutes of their game with Swansea, however the Welsh side managed to prevent a Wigan equaliser.

West Ham impressed again last weekend, and they were extremely clinical at home to Southampton in a 4-1 win. Sam Allardyce's side head to Wigan in form and full of confidence, and an away win could be on the cards.

Wigan 1 West Ham 2 - 11/1 with Totesport - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Both teams to score - 4/6 with Ladbrokes - Returns of £8.33
Andy Carroll anytime goal scorer - 9/4 with Stan James - Lose a fiver
Draw or West Ham - 4/7 with Skybet - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Loss of £11.67

Manchester City vs. Swansea
Manchester City will be wanting to put their Champions league nightmare behind them in the form of a fourth consecutive Premier league victory. Swansea had struggled since their early victories, but their 2-1 win over Wigan was a huge one for the club.

Mancini has said City need a miracle to progress from their Champions league group

Roberto Mancini's side will have too much for Swansea at the Ethiad and will win comfortably.

Manchester City 3 Swansea 0 - 15/2 with Bet Victor - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Sergio Aguero to score and Manchester City to win - 6/5 with Ladbrokes - Lose a fiver
Over 2.5 goals - 11/21 with Betfair - Lose a fiver
Manchester City to win to nil - 12/8 with Skybet - Returns of £12.50

Match returns - Loss of £7.50

Sunday 28th October

Everton vs. Liverpool
The first Merseyside derby of the season comes along with both teams finding their best form of the year. Everton have lost just the once in the league this campaign and have made their best start to a season since 2004/05. Liverpool are unbeaten in three Premier league matches, their best run of the season, collecting seven points from nine.

Gerrard with his match ball after Liverpool's 3-0 derby day victory at Anfield last year

Everton don't have the best record in this derby, however I fancy them to edge it here by the narrowest of margins.

Everton 2 Liverpool 1 - 10/1 with Stan James - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Both teams to score - 8/11 with Bet 365 - Returns of £8.63
Everton - 17/10 with Betfred - Lose a fiver
A penalty to be awarded - 15/8 with Paddy Power - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Loss of £11.37

Newcastle vs. West Brom
Both of these sides conceded late leads last weekend, with West Brom eventually losing at home to the ten men of Manchester City, whilst Demba Ba scored a late own goal in the Tyne-Wear derby to help Sunderland rescue a late and probably undeserved point.

Newcastle are yet to find top gear yet this year, winning just twice in the league. West Brom's have been fantastic, and would've been disappointed to lose to City last week, just showing how far they've come under their new manager Steve Clarke.

Despite their Europa league mid-week match, I fancy Alan Pardew's side to win here.

Newcastle 2 West Brom 1 - 8/1 with Stan James - Returns of £45

Other tips:
Demba Ba anytime goalscorer - 6/4 with Coral - Returns of £12.50
Newcastle to win - 68/67 with Pinnacle - Returns of 10.07
Both teams to score - 13/19 with 32 Red - Returns of £8.42

Match returns - Profit of £55.99

Southampton vs. Tottenham
Southampton were poor last week, with their second half showing in particular not good enough, whilst Tottenham and Andre Villas-Boas was left to curse their selection problems as Spurs lost 4-2 at home to Chelsea.

One thing is for sure, there will be goals in this game. Between them they've just one league clean sheet this year, and both don't have a problem finding the net, just keeping them out.

Back Tottenham to win here in a classic.

Southampton 2 Tottenham 3 - 25/1 with Stan James - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Over 3.5 goals - 11/8 with Paddy Power - Lose a fiver
Both teams to score - 4/7 with Ladbrokes - Returns of £7.85
Jermaine Defoe anytime goal scorer - 6/4 with Boyle Sports - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Loss of £12.15

Chelsea vs. Manchester United
Neutrals will be hoping for a repeat of last year's classic encounter, as Manchester United came from three goals down to rescue a point at Stamford Bridge. But this Chelsea side is a much stronger one then the one that lost the said lead back in February.

Just two points dropped from eight games represents a brilliant start for Chelsea, however their performance in Ukraine on Tuesday wasn't up to scratch. United have scored for goals for fun this year, but also have problems at the back, and have missed their injured captain Nemanja Vidic heavily.

I can't see too much between the sides so back the draw here.

Chelsea 2 Manchester United 2 - 13/1 with 188bet - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Double chance: Draw or Manchester United - 8/15 with Paddy Power - Returns of £7.67
A red card to be awarded - 17/10 - Returns of £13.50
Manchester United HT/ Draw FT- 14/1 with Sporting Bet - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Profit of £1.17

Weekend returns - Down £20.41
Overall returns - Down £8.09

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.

Chelsea to finish outside the top four, again!

The appointment of Roberto Di Matteo came as no real shock given the Italian's incredible end to the 2011-12 season, winning the F.A Cup as well as defying the odds to win the Champions League for the first time in the clubs history. It's fair to say Chelsea have gone down the young attacking flair route in their transfer purchases this summer, with the additions of Edin Hazard, Oscar and Marko Marin the three stand out buys.

Their previous season was very much a tale of two halves and two managers. Under Andre Vilas-Boas the club struggled in the league and were on the verge of FA Cup and Champions League exit's until his sacking following a 1-0 defeat away to West Brom. The Portuguese's departure saw Chelsea appoint, their then assistant manager, Di Matteo on a deal till the end of the season; however after completing the most unlikely of double's, the former Chelsea player was offered a two year contract.

Despite the loss of the mercurial Didier Drogba and the versatile Salomon Kalou, Chelsea will be incredibly strong as an attacking threat. Towards the end of the season, culminating in winning the Golden Shoe at the European Championship for his country, their £50million man Fernando Torres was starting to re-discover the form that made him the best striker in the world. Much will really on the form of the Spaniard as their only other forward options fall very much into the young and untested category, with Di Matteo unlikely to use Daniel Sturridge through the middle.

Chelsea need goals from their main man next season.

Key Player - Ramires. With all the attacking flair in the squad, getting the right balance in the midfield is integral if Chelsea are going to be successful next season. The Brazilian improved dramatically under Di Matteo and was superb in the Nou Camp as the club secured their place in the Champions League final. Ramires will probably play as one of two holding midfielders in a 4-2-3-1 (with the other likely to be John Obi Mikel or Frank Lampard as the Englishmen moves further down the field given his age).

Prediction - 5th. I worry for Chelsea defensively next season as their brilliant old guard, in the form of John Terry and Ashley Cole, age just that one year more. At times they were woeful at the back and conceded far too many goals, and with their main additions more offensively minded, they are likely to be set up more attacking then we saw in the Nou Camp and the Allianz Arena. With many young, yet highly talented additions the club will be a huge threat, I just don't think they're ready to challenge for the title this season, as this year will be about jelling and building for the future.

View from a fan - Fraser Stradling @Fraserstradling

What would be an ideal season?
The dream season would be to win back the Premier League whilst retaining the Champions League. Realistically though i'd be very happy with the Premier League title and am optimistic that might happen if Torres carries on his European Championship scoring form and Hazard settles in along with the other new signings.

What would be a nightmare season?
The nightmare year would be to not qualify for the Champions League as well as finishing the season trophy less.

Do you have the right manager?
After the dramatic turn around at the end of last season, I am more than willing to give him a trial run.  hope he is but it's always difficult to be the 'right' Chelsea manager with all the expectation. I have faith though, he's captured excellent youngsters and has shown he can get the best from the team when it matters the most.

Which Premier League player would you sign given the chance?
Kyle Walker. The boy has potential and Chelsea have looked a bit shakey and leaked too many goals in pre season. I think he'd be a good replacement for Branislav Ivanovic who I don't think will be happy to keep playing as a right back for much more then another season.

Is this the season we see the real Fernando Torres?
Again I'm optimistic. If we add a winger I think he stands a better chance and have more confidence. We've added players with pace in this window and hopefully that'll help him find his feet.

Would you prefer to win back the Premier League or regain the Champions League?
To make history and retain the Champions League! It's better to be the best in Europe rather then the best in England.

Blues revival means nothing yet, as comparisons between Chelsea and Inter mount up.

Since the sacking of Andre Vilas-Boas, Chelsea have won all four of their games, including an impressive 4-1 home win over Napoli in the last 16 of the Champions League; however the Blues need look no further then Inter Milan to show that a caretaker manager and a half decent run of results, can’t paper over the huge amount of cracks at the football club.

Since Jose Mourinho (with the exception of Carlo Ancelotti) the club has struggled to repeat the ‘Special One’s’ heights, something identical in Inter Milan. Chelsea have coped with the loss of Mourinho; however Inter are still mourning. In the summer of 2010 Inter Milan completed the treble; yet four managers and 20 months later the club find themselves 20 points behind their city rivals AC and out of both cup competitions. The month of February saw the Italian giants reach a new low as the club went on a run of six games without a win (which included five successive goalless defeats), which all but extinguished their top three aspirations.

The shadow of Mourinho still lurks over Chelsea and Inter Milan 

Roberto Di Matteo doesn’t have a managerial record to match his caretaker counterpart Claudio Ranieri, and despite being a club legend, many didn’t expect Chelsea to get the better of Napoli under his guidance, much in the same way not many were predicting an Inter Milan win away to their city rivals AC in the biggest match in Italian football. That win for Inter was in the middle of their best form of the season, as the club peaked at seven wins on the trot; however defeat to Leece and an incredible 4-4 draw with Palermo saw the clubs form nosedive (which is stated above).

Chelsea have to avoid falling into the same trap as Inter and if the club have a similar off the field pattern as Inter Milan, then their squad is also in a similar shape: Big centre forwards transfers have flopped as neither Fernando Torres nor Diego Forlan have gone close to justifying their moves; both squads have had their doubters over the amount of genuine quality in the side; both have a high amount of players reaching the end of their careers; both have spent big an attempt to regain domestic control.

I’m not saying Chelsea will fall so heavily from grace like Inter have; however if Chelsea hadn’t overcome Napoli (saying that I expect Benfica to edge out Chelsea in the quarter finals) then their seasons wouldn’t be too dissimilar. Chelsea, unlike Inter Milan, for a surprise change in this piece, were fortunate in the sense they got a favourable domestic cup draw meaning an FA Cup run has just covered over how far the Blues are behind both the Manchester clubs. The Chelsea dressing room is easily the hardest to control, with a number of huge egos at the club; and if Chelsea slip up soon I wouldn’t be surprised to see the wheels really fall of the Di Matteo bandwagon.

Late Gomez strike rescues deserved point for Wigan

An 87th minute Jordi Gomez tap-in, rescued a point for Wigan as they held a poor Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at the DW Stadium.

Daniel Sturridge's strike just before the hour mark looked set to give Chelsea their fourth successive Premier League win; however Petr Cech's failure to hold a Hugo Rodallega tame shot, gifted Gomez the easy chance to give Wigan a share of the spoils.

Andre Villas-Boas will no doubt be frustrated at his sides failure to hold on, for what would have been an undeserved victory.

John Terry went the closest early on; however his long range effort was never in danger of opening the scoring.

Didier Drogba nearly headed the Blues ahead from a teasing Raul Meireles cross, but the Ivory Coast forward's effort went wide, despite the despairing dive of Ali Al-Habsi in the Wigan goal.

As the half progressed, the more Wigan grew in confidence and controlled the later stages on the first 45 minutes, with Victor Moses a consistent thorn in the Chelsea side.

And it was the former Crystal Palace man who was pivotal in the games first talking point. Moses's shot was goal bound; however Branislav Ivanovic blocked the shot with an arm, only for Martin Atkinson to wave away the home sides appeals.

Roberto Martinez's side deservedly reached half-time level, as Villas-Boas went in search of the victory replacing Oriol Romeu with Salamon Kalou.

The change failed to give them any more of a cutting edge, as Wigan, deploying three centre backs, kept Chelsea at bay.

With the returning Frank Lampard receiving treatment on the sidelines, Chelsea from nowhere opened the scoring. Ashley Cole aimed a brilliant diagonal pass to Sturridge, whose first touch was brilliant to control the ball, with his second devastating, smashing the ball past Al-Habsi.

The goal didn't spurn Chelsea on to kill the game off, with Villas-Boas deciding to replace Sturridge and the lively Juan Mata in an attempt to see the game out.

Instead the move invited Wigan pressure and with time running out, Gomez levelled.

Sub Franco Di Santo did well to find Rodallega, whose shot wasn't the best; however Cech failed to hold and the ball fell perfectly for Gomez who scored his fourth goal in five games.

Four minutes of extra time were signalled, but neither side threatened the all important third goal as Wigan salvaged an unlikely but deserved point.

Johnson's strike seals a late victory for Liverpool

Glen Johnson scored a late winner to stun his old club, as Liverpool went level on points with Chelsea after an entertaining victory.

Johnson’s winner came when the game looked certain to finish level, however the right back’s adventuress nature paid dividends, as they beat Chelsea for a third time in a row.

Deservedly Liverpool opened the scoring through the surprise selection Maxi Rodriguez as the Merseyside club dominated the first half. Chelsea levelled early in the second half as Daniel Sturridge couldn’t miss after Florent Malouda’s cross come shot, feel perfectly for the recently capped England international; however as the game was coming to a conclusion Johnson popped up to steal the three points.

Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles both had to settle for a place on the bench as they come up against their former side. Liverpool selected Craig Bellamy and Maxi for the second and first time respectively in the Premier League as Kenny Dalglish started with an attacking line-up.

Juan Mata blew the games first real chance after Malouda did brilliantly to get his cross in. The Frenchman stuck the ball up well to the back post and Mata’s volley, which was probably going wide, was cleared well by Martin Skrtel. With Didier Drogba at the back post, whether Mata was going for goal or attempting to find Drogba is questionable.

A Drogba free-kick went marginally wide of Pepe Reina’s post, with the Spanish goalkeeper confident the ball was never going in.

Luis Suarez blew a great chance to find a team mate as Dirk Kuyt won the ball on the half way line, and after finding Suarez, the Uruguayan, with men over in a four against three attack, could only find David Luiz and the chance was gone; however despite the missed chance, Liverpool were in control as Lucas and Charlie Adam in particular dominating the midfield.

The returning duo of Maxi and Bellamy combined to open the scoring as the former Atletico Madrid man capitalised on a Jon Obi Mikel mistake. The Nigerian lost the ball to Adam who fed Bellamy who played a nice one-two with Suarez before finding Maxi who finished past Cech comfortably.

Liverpool nearly doubled their lead as a Suarez cross was deflected goal wards by Luiz, only just going past the post as it rippled the side netting.

Andre Vilas-Boas made a change at half-time as Sturridge replaced the poor Mikel, which meant Chelsea, changed to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Mata playing off the ineffective Drogba.

Drogba found a bit of space after Johnson failed to win the ball in a 50/50 with the Ivorian; however the striker’s finish was always going over Reina’s goal.

Chelsea come out of the traps the better side and levelled through substitute Sturridge. Malouda ran into the heart of the Liverpool defence and his cross come shot was perfect for the on rushing Sturridge at the back post who couldn’t miss.

Luiz almost turned the game on its head moments after Sturridge’s equaliser, as the Brazilian centre half was only prevented by a fantastic save from Reina who got down brilliantly to save the goal bound header.

At this stage Chelsea were dominate, however for long periods of the game their possession and territorial threat rarely resulted in a clear cut chance.

Liverpool’s two former boys Torres and Meireles both came on for Drogba and Ramires.

Kuyt missed Liverpool’s best chance of the half after sub Jordan Henderson did well to beat two Chelsea defenders before feeding Adam who found Kuyt, however the Dutchman put it wide when well placed on the edge of the area.

Kuyt’s miss was irrelevant shortly after however as the unlikeliest of sources in Johnson finished brilliantly. The former Chelsea man did excellently well to beat Ashley Cole and when one-on-one with Cech, the right back slotted home well beating Terry’s despairing lunge to give Liverpool their second lead of the day.

The late strike ensured Chelsea lost for the third time in four Premier League matches, meaning they trail Manchester City now by an alarming 12 points. Liverpool’s second victory in the capital this season however will only boost their chances of a top four finish for the first time in three years.

Chelsea: Cech 6, Ivanovic 5, Terry 5, Luiz 5, Cole 6, Mikel 4 (Sturridge 7), Ramires 6 (Meireles 5), Lampard 6, Malouda 6, Mata 7, Drogba 5 (Torres 5)

Liverpool: Reina 7, Johnson 7, Skrtel 7, Agger 7, Enrique 7, Lucas 8, Adam 8, Maxi 7 (Downing 6), Bellamy 7 (Henderson 6), Kuyt 7, Suarez 7 (Carroll 5)

Chelsea make winning start

Second half goals from David Luiz and Juan Mata were enough for Chelsea to overcome a decent Bayern Leverkusen side in their Champions League opener.

For large spells of the game Chelsea were average and Leverkusen can feel slightly unfortunate not to leave Stamford Bridge with a point. Until Luiz opened the scoring the game was cagey and a drab affair, and with Manchester United up next in the league for  beaten 2008 Champions League finalists, Andre Villas-Boas's side will have to improve.

Both sides had early questionable goals disallowed, with Leverkusen the team with more reason to feel aggrieved as Omer Toprak's header was cancelled out for an apparent push on Chelsea's Florent Malouda. Whilst a combination of Fernando Torres's backheeled flick towards goals and Raul Merelies's attempt at guiding the ball home was disallowed as the latter's contribution was deemed to have interfered with play.

The only real other chances of note in a quiet first half saw Torres and Daniel Sturridge both thwarted by Leno in the Leverkusen goal.

After the break Leverkusen attacked with more threat and on his return to Stamford Bridge Michael Ballack nearly gave the 2002 finalists a surprise lead, however his one on one chance was saved well by Petr Cech, who otherwise had little to do.

With his side struggling to break down Leverkusen, Villas-Boas brought on Nicolas Anelka and Frank Lampard, and despite neither have a part in the opener, the goal arrived shortly after the duo's entry.

Luiz started and ended the move of the match to give his side the lead. After a surge into the German's half, Luiz found Ashley Cole who fed the ball into Torres whose first time lay-off was superbly curled in from the Brazilian centre half giving Leno no chance.

Moments later Mata nearly doubled the hosts lead, however he didn't have to wait long to register his second Chelsea goal. Torres did well to escape the challenge of Luiz Castro, and when he bore down on Reno in the Leverkusen goal, the Torres unselfishly squared for his Spanish compatriot who had the simplest of tasks to finish off with the goal gaping.

Elsewhere in Group E, the Belgain side Genk held Valencia to a goalless draw, meaning Chelsea topped the table after the opening round of games.

Luiz's curling effort opened the scoring for Chelsea.