Why AVB has it harder at Spurs then the media favourite Redknapp ever did

Last weekend saw Harry Redknapp face his former employees for the first time since his questionable sacking in the summer. Under Redknapp Tottenham had their best four years of Premier League football, peaking at Champions League qualification in 2010, however if Andre Vilas-Boas was to bring Europe’s elite competition back to White Hart Lane, then it’d surpass Redknapp’s achievement.

Not for one second am I suggesting ‘Arry’ didn’t do an amazing job at Spurs, that isn’t in question. When he took charge back in 2008 the club were adrift at the bottom of the league after picking up just two points from eight games and in 24 months were facing the likes of Inter Milan and Werder Bremen in the Champions League.

AVB's Spurs rescued a late point against Manchester United on Sunday

What am I saying is everything was in piece for Redknapp to succeed at Tottenham. He had the core of a very good squad in the form of Luka Modric, Michael Dawson, Aaron Lennon and the then underused Gareth Bale. During his tenure the transfer windows were all about who he was going to add, with none of the departures against Redknapp’s wishes. In Andre Vilas-Boas’s first transfer window he lost two world-class players in Modric and Rafael Van Der Vaart.

Vilas-Boas hardly arrived at White Hart Lane with a glowing CV in English football following his dismissal from Chelsea just seven monthsinto a five year deal. For me he arrived at Chelsea at the wrong time, and his timing at Tottenham was even worse if anything. Whoever followed Redknapp was always going to be under extreme pressure. Not many saw the former Portsmouth manager’s dismissal coming, leaving fans and pundits alike confused.

And following just two points from their opening three games, including 1-1 home draws with the likes of Norwich and West Brom, the White Hart Lane faithful were growing restless very early on. However much to his credit, Vilas-Boas has turned it around! Spurs sit fourth in the Premier League and even have a better points return from the same fixtures as last year.

The pressure was heavily on Vilas-Boas following their 1-1 draw with Norwich

One thing Redknapp has always had is he is loved by the media. AVB can’t say the same. Ridiculed for his job at Chelsea, and not given the respect he deserved for his amazing season with Porto. Going into the game at Old Trafford, a tabloid printed a piece suggesting there was ‘choas’ at White Hart Lane, with all the star players not liking the new manager in charge. Subsequently Tottenham went to Old Trafford and stunned the hosts winning 3-2, something Spurs haven’t done since Gary Lineker and go back in 1991. The majority of the players at the end of the game hugged their manager, and clearly want to play for the ‘gaffer’ as Gareth Bale said at the end of the game.

Despite having a return of just 0.25 points per match from their first eight games, Spurs were never going to be relegated the year ‘Arry’ took over, they had too much quality, meaning there was only one direction for them, up! Champions League qualification the very next year however was beyond their expectations, but they didn’t have to fight off the sort of quality that exists currently in the Premier League.

You could easily suggest that eight teams can realistically challenge for Champions League football, whilst only six could in the 09/10 season. The two that missed out on the top four where Manchester City and Liverpool. City weren’t the machine they are now; whilst Liverpool were on the start of their heavy slide which saw them slip from 2^nd the previous season to 6^th and even lower since.

With both Manchester clubs seeming to have a stranglehold on the top two, realistically there is only two spots left, and with Chelsea favourites for third, meaning it’s likely if Vilas-Boas is to qualify for the Champions League, he’ll have to do something no Spurs manager has done in Premier League history, finish above their London rivals Arsenal!

Tactically Redknapp has always been questioned, and there are signs that Vilas-Boas has already answered a few questions that were asked last year. Tottenham struggled when playing both Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermaine Defoe in a 4-4-2 last season, with Redknapp often leaving Defoe on the bench, often hinting the two couldn’t play together. Yet Spurs’ recent fun of good form (seven wins in nine over Christmas), started when AVB changed from 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-2, with Defoe in particular in fantastic form this season.

Having conceded a ridiculous amount of late goals in the earlier stages of the season, Tottenham appear to have stopped that rot and are defensively much stronger than at any previous point so far, meaning they’ve given themselves a very good platform to qualify for the Champions League for only the second time, and if they are to do so, I wonder if AVB will get the credit that Redknapp did for the same achievement? 

Premer League tips

Last weekend: Loss of £20.41
Overall: Loss of £8.09

All odds are given by either Paddy Power or Skybet unless stated.

Weekend accumulators:

To win - Norwich, Chelsea, Tottenham, West Brom and Manchester United. Five pounds returns £100.84

Goals galore - Manchester United, Fulham, QPR, Swansea and West Brom. Five pounds returns £56.95

Manchester United vs Arsenal
It's safe to say there won't be a repeat scoreline from last year, but in a week where both clubs were involved in high scoring Capital One games, expect there to be goals at Old Trafford come Saturday lunchtime.

More fuel has been added to the United Arsenal fire with the summer move of Robin Van Persie! The Dutchman was the league's top goal scorer last campaign, and has started in fantastic form for the Red Devils, and I'm sure there will be many bets on him to score!

Manchester United haven't reached top gear yet but find themselves just a point off the leaders Chelsea, whilst Arsenal at times have been brilliant, but their points return isn't as high as they had hoped for.

Teams have beaten Arsenal when they've kept Santi Cazorla quiet, and if Manchester United can do so here, expect them to win!

Manchester United 3 Arsenal 2 - 22/1 - Lose £2.50

Manchester United to win - 8/11 - Returns of £4.31

Other Tips:
Robin Van Persie anytime goalscorer - 10/11 - Returns of £9.55
Both teams to score - 8/13 - Returns of £8.07
Over 2.5 goals - 4/6 - Returns of £8.33

Match returns - Profit of £10.26

Fulham vs Everton
Both sides came from early set backs to earn draws on last time out, however Everton will be the happier with their point considering Fulham had turned the game on its head against Reading to lead.

Martin Jol and David Moyes can both be pleased with how their sides have started the season, and if Fulham hadn't conceded late away to two of the three promoted sides then Fulham would be higher in the league.

Everton won at Craven Cottage 3-1 last year, but I can't separate them this time around.

Fulham 1 Everton 1 - 11/2 - Lose £2.50

Draw - 12/5 - Returns £8.50

Other Tips:
Nikica Jelavic anytime goalscorer - 7/4 - Lose a fiver
Both teams to score - 4/7 - Returns of £7.85
Everton first team yellow card - 10/11 with Bet365 - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Loss of £3.65

Norwich vs Stoke
Their 1-0 win over Arsenal appears to be a turning point in Norwich's season, as, including the win over the Gunners, they've won two from three in all competitions and rescued a point away to Aston Villa last week.

Leon Barnett was dismissed when these two met at Carrow Road last year

Stoke have started the season with too many draws, six from nine games to be precise, and at the moment they lack at cutting edge. With Michael Owen getting more minutes under his belt, I'm sure he'll start to score goals and help the Potters win more games.

Norwich need to win these sort of matches, and I fancy them to just edge it.

Norwich 2 Stoke 1 - 17/2 - Lose £2.50

Norwich to win - 8/5 - Returns of £6.50

Other tips:
Stoke first team yellow card - 4/6 with bet365 - Returns of £8.33
A headed goal to be scored - 22/10 with 188bet - Returns of £16
Draw HT/ Norwich FT - 5/1 - Lose a fiver

Match returns - £10.83

Sunderland vs Aston Villa
Both sides are in horrible form ahead of the game at the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland winning just one league game in 16, with Villa's form even worse, with just the solitary victory from their last 19 games!

Stephen Fletcher aside, Sunderland have struggled to find the net this year, whilst Aston Villa have continuously left their best out and out goalscorer on the bench, with Darren Bent failing to start any of their last three league matches.

I fancy the draw between these two out of sorts sides!

Sunderland 1 Aston Villa 1 - 5/1 - Lose £2.50

Draw - 12/5 - Lose £2.50

Other tips:
Christian Benteke to score anytime - 11/4 - Lose a fiver
Under 2.5 goals - 8/13 - Returns of £8.07
Half with most goals, Tie - 21/10 - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Loss of £11.93

Swansea vs Chelsea
Both sides bounced back from narrow Premier League defeats to win impressively in the Capital One cup. For long periods Swansea competed well with Manchester City, and only a Carlos Tevez wonder goal was the difference. Chelsea came back well from 2-0 down against the other Manchester side, but being reduced to nine men meant a late winner was inevitable.

Chelsea needed a late own goal to rescue a point last year, and Paddy Power are offering 7's on an own goal.

Back Chelsea to continue their fine league start with a win at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea 1 Chelsea 3 - 12/1 - Lose £2.50

Chelsea to win - 4/5 - Lose £2.50

Other tips:
Both teams to score - 8/13 - Returns £8.07
Juan Mata to score anytime - 11/8 - Void as player didn't play
Chelsea to score in both halves - 7/5 - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Loss of £6.93

Tottenham vs Wigan
Tottenham put their defeat to Chelsea well and truly behind them with an impressive away win against Southampton, whilst Wigan won for only the second time in their 2-1 home victory against West Ham.

This fixture has seen all manner of results. Tottenham thrashed Wigan 9-1 in 2009, but the following year Wigan stunned White Hart Lane with a 1-0 smash and grab.

Last year Spurs won 3-1, and back the same result here.

Tottenham 3 Wigan 1 - 10/1 - Lose £2.50

Tottenham to win - 4/9 - Lose £2.50

Other tips:
Over 2.5 goals - 4/7 - Lose a fiver
Tottenham to score three or more goals - 6/4 - Lose a fiver
Jermaine Defoe and Clint Dempsey to score - 7/2 - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Loss of £20

West Ham vs Manchester City
West Ham got what they deserved as they lost to Wigan for a third consecutive time! Roberto Mancini's side are starting to do what their city rivals have done for donkey's year, win when playing poor, and that was on show in their 1-0 win over Swansea last Saturday.

Manchester City have conceded first in all of their four away matches, but have recovered to at least gain a point in all of them, and considering West Ham took the lead against Arsenal and lost, a bet on the Hammers to score first and fail to win is a good one!

Upton Park is never the easiest of places to go to, with West Ham losing just one league home game this year! Manchester City are now the only unbeaten Premier League side left and I fancy them to edge it!

West Ham 1 Manchester City 2 - 7/1 - Lose £2.50

Manchester City to win - 4/6 - Lose £2.50

Other tips:
Both teams to score - 4/6 - Lose a fiver
West Ham to score first - 13/8 - Lose a fiver
Edin Dzeko last goalscorer - 11/2 - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Loss of £20

Day returns - Loss of £41.42

QPR vs Reading
The only two sides still without a Barclays Premier League go head to head at Loftus Road on Sunday, and it's fair to say, the loser will be in a lot of trouble!

Pogrebnyak got the winner when these two sides met earlier this year in the Capital One Cup

Indiscipline cost Queens Park Rangers once more as they conceded a late winner away to Arsenal last week following Stephan M'Bia's stupid dismissal. Reading have shipped in 10 goals in their last two games, culminating in an incredible Captial One match midweek against Arsenal where they let a 4-0 lead slip.

I think it's safe to say there will be goals, and I fancy QPR to just edge it!

QPR 3 Reading 2 - 25/1

QPR to win - 5/6

Other tips:
Over 3.5 goals - 7/4 
Both teams to score - 8/13
Bobby Zamora and Pavel Pogrebnyak to score - 8/1

Liverpool vs Newcastle
Liverpool's week started brilliantly as they raced into a two goal lead in the Merseyside derby; however they failed to hold onto that lead and were eliminated from the Capital One Cup by Brendan Rodgers' old club 3-1 at Anfield.

Newcastle were fortunate to beat West Brom last weekend, with a Sammy Ameobi shot deflecting in off Papiss Cisse for a much needed victory!

Newcastle will fancy their chances at Anfield, but I think Liverpool will edge it in a  low scoring affair.

Liverpool 1 Newcastle 0 - 6/1

Liverpool to win - 4/7

Other tips:
Liverpool to win to nil - 6/4
Luis Suarez first goalscorer - 9/2
Under 2.5 goals - 11/10

West Brom vs Southampton
Back to back last minute 2-1 defeats for West Brom means for the first time questions are being asked of Steve Clarke's side, and Southampton at home is arguably their biggest game of the season so far, as a win will get them back on track!

Southampton were very poor in the first half against Tottenham last weekend, and that was only worsened by a rubbish 90 minutes against Leeds in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday! Manager Nigel Adkins apparently has a fight on to keep his job, and an away points are vital if he is to do so!

I don't think West Brom will walk it, but I fancy them to win, especially given their impressive form at the Hawthorns.

West Brom 2 Southampton 1 - 7/1

West Brom to win - 8/11

Other tips:
Both teams to score - 8/13
Over 2.5 goals - 8/13
Romelu Lukaku to score anytime - 11/8

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