Can Everton make the top four, again?

A side who have earned many plaudits so far this campaign is Everton, with their usual frustrating start to a season pleasantly eluding them. Four wins from eight games means they find themselves in the top four, and the last time they started as well as this they indeed gate crashed the Champions League positions back in 2004. Eight years on, can David Moyes’s side really do it again?

Moyes previously guided Everton the Champions league in 2005

Of all the Premier league managers, only Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have spent more time at their helm then Moyes, and despite year in year out having to sell his best players to please the finances, the former Preston manager has done an incredible job at Goodison Park. Moyes was heavily linked with the vacant Spurs job which appeared in the summer; however via whatever means a move never materialised and to his and the side’s credit they've put the rumours to one side and started this year fantastically.

Their first eleven can compete with any in the division, with their left hand side in particular dazzling this year. Leighton Baines and the returning Steven Pienaar have linked superbly, with the England full-back finding himself in the opponents half more than his own. The likes of Marouane Felliani have also been brilliant, with the Belgian midfielder adding three goals from midfield so far. For years at Goodison the home side have been craving a natural goalscorer and in the form of the Croat Nikica Jelavic they finally have one, and he’ll be in and around the league’s top scorers.

Baines has been one of Moyes' greatest ever signings

Like I touched upon earlier, Everton have far too often found themselves playing catch up following a poor start to the season, however 15 points from eight matches, which to be fair would've been two greater had goal line technology been in place, means they can be chased instead of the chasers.

Unfortunately for Moyes and Everton, unlike in 2004 when they qualified for the Champions league, there was only five clubs battling it out for the top four, realistically you can say this time around there are eight! When you consider the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham didn’t qualify for Europe’s finest club competition, all be it in differing circumstances, it goes to show the strength in depth the top eight clubs have. Newcastle finished above Chelsea last season and despite a slow start have a starting eleven capable of competing with the best in the league. In 2004 Everton didn't have to compete with Manchester City, whom over the last two years have become a regular in the Champions league spots.

Like Newcastle, Everton don’t have the greatest strength in depth in comparison to the usual Champions league suspects, which is a worry when you consider the numbers usually found on the treatment table at Goodison Park. Jelavic aside they don’t have a forward who you could realistically say will guarantee 15 goals a season. Whilst defensively they've no cover for the three centre backs, which at some point will affect them this season. Having lost the versatile Jack Rodwell and Tim Cahill in the summer, and many of the previous season’s loan additions you worry for them in case any of their bigger name players are injured.

Jelavic has 13 goals in just 19 Premier league games for the Toffees. 

You always associate an incredible turn of form after Christmas with Everton, but that can’t happen every season, and who’s to say their usual start of season slump won’t occur later on in the year. With the stiff competition for Champions league places this year, you’d have to say Everton will need to maintain their two points per game ratio over a 38 game season, which won’t be easy.

At the start of the season I didn't think they’d be able to mount a Champions league push, but after their early form you wouldn't bank against Moyes gate crashing the top four once more!

Premier League tips

My weekend accumulator tips 

Liverpool, Manchester United,  Manchester City and West Ham to win. £5 returns £27. - Winner

Goals galore in the Tottenham, Swansea, West Brom, Norwich, West Ham, and QPR games. £5 returns £105.19 - Loss of a fiver

Saturday 20^th October

Tottenham vs Chelsea

Two in form sides meet at White Hart Lane in the early kick off on Saturday, with the Andre Villas-Boas coming up against the side that gave him the boot back in March of this year.

Chelsea will be without skipper John Terry who decided against appealing his four game ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand. A side from the long term injuries to Younes Kaboul, Spurs are at full strength and will fancy their chances of getting something from the game.

If either side are going to win I fancy Spurs to do so, however I can’t see anything but a score draw on Saturday.

Tottenham 1 Chelsea  1 - 13/2 with William Hill - Lose a fiver

Other tips
Both teams to score - 4/6 with Coral - Returns of £8.33
Gareth Bale assist a first goal - 10/1 with BoyleSports - Bet void.
Under 2.5 goals - 22/19 with Betfair - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Loss of £6.67

Fulham vs Aston Villa

Fulham’s home form as always is very good, with champions Manchester City the only side to take something from Craven Cottage this campaign, whilst Aston Villa’s away record has been poor for a while now; however they did impress, all be it in defeat away to Tottenham a fortnight ago.

Dimitar Berbatov will be back for Fulham and the Bulgarian international will look to continue his fine start to life at the London club. Paul Lambert has a decision on his hands whether to recall Darren Bent or stick with the Belgain Christian Benteke.

Lambert’s Villa are getting there slowly, and if they want to be able to move up the table they need to get something from these sort of games, and back them to get a point from Craven Cottage.

Fulham 1 Aston Villa 1 - 13/2 with Stan James - Lose a fiver

Other tips
Draw - 14/5 with Pinnacle - Lose a fiver
Dimitar Berbatov anytime goalscorer - 15/8 with Stan James - Lose a fiver
Under 2.5 goals - 21/20 with Bet Victor - Returns of £10.25

Match returns - Loss of £9.75

Liverpool vs Reading 

Liverpool’s home form has been poor for a long time now, registering just two Premier league wins at Anfield in 2012, both coming in romps against Everton and Chelsea last season. Reading are slowly adjusting to life in the Premier League, however they are yet to win and have blown leads in their last two outings against Newcastle and Swansea.

Reading stunned Liverpool at Anfield in the FA Cup in 2010

Prior to their draw with Stoke, Liverpool under BrendanRodgers had been improving and I fancy them to earn a routine win here, against his former club.

Liverpool 3 Reading 1 - 12/1 with Stan James - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Luis Suarez anytime goalscorer - 5/6 with Bluesquare - Lose a fiver
Over 2.5 goals - 9/13 with Betdaq - Lose a fiver
Liverpool to win - 37/100 with Betfair - Returns of £6.85

Match returns - Loss of £13.15

Manchester United vs Stoke 

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side got back on track in their last Premier League match away to Newcastle in comprehensive fashion, whilst Stoke were solid and deserved their point away to Liverpool.

Danny Welbeck scored his first Manchester United goal against Stoke in 2008.

Despite losing less games then their illustrious opponents so far this season, Stoke have never registered a Premier League point at Old Trafford, and I don’t expect that to change here.

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

Other tips:
Over 2.5 goals - 8/13 with Skybet - Returns of £8.07
A penalty to be awarded – 8/5 with Paddy Power - Lose a fiver
Stoke first team yellow card - 1/2 with Paddy Power - Returns of £7.50

Match returns - Loss of £4.43

Swansea vs Wigan

Swansea’s fantastic start under Michael Laudrup seems a long time ago now, with the club picking up just two points in their last five games. Wigan are as unpredictable as ever, but their performances have merited more points than they’ve registered so far this season.

Defensively both sides concede too many goals, with both shipping in eleven goals each in their last five games, meaning the both teams to score bet should be a banker.

Franco Di Santo and Arouna Kone have started the season in good form for Wigan and I fancy one of them to score in a Wigan win at the Liberty. 

Swansea 1 Wigan 2 - 12/1 with bet365 - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Both teams to score - 4/5 with Stan James - Returns of £9
Aruona Kone to score first and Wigan to win - 8/1 with Betfred - Lose a fiver
Over 2.5 goals - 18/19 with 188 Bet - Returns of £9.73

Match returns - Loss of £1.27

West Brom vs Manchester City

Steve Clarke has taken to management like a duck to water with West Brom sitting comfortably in the top half of the Premier League. City are slowly finding their form this year, with the 3-0 victory over Sunderland their best performance so far.

West Brom have won all four games at the Hawthorns this campaign, however this will certainly be the sternest test the Baggies have faced at home so far. The champions have only registered one Premier league away win this season, but that was in their last away outing against a good Fulham side.

I fancy Manchester City to end West Brom’s fantastic home record here with a comfortable victory.

West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 - 14/1 with Stan James - Lose a fiver

Other tips:
Manchester City to win - 3/4 with 888Sport - Returns of £8.75
Over 2.5 goals - 3/4 with Coral - Returns of £8.75
Yaya Toure anytime goalscorer - 10/3 with BlueSquare - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Loss of £2.50

West Ham vs Southampton

West Ham’s unbeaten home start ended last time out at the hands of Arsenal, whilst Southampton needed a late Jose Fonte header to rescue a point against Fulham.

These two promoted sides have adjusted to life back in the top flight in differing fashion, granted the Hammers have had a much more favourable fixture list then the Saints.

Nigel Adkins will see this as a great chance to register their first away point of the season, however I reckon West Ham will just have too much at Upton Park.

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

Other tips:
Andy Carroll first goalscorer - 5/1 with Betfred - Lose a fiver
Both teams to score - 4/6 with Bet365 - Returns of £8.33
West Ham to win - 10/11 with Ladbrokes - Returns of £9.54

Match returns - Loss of £2.13

Norwich vs Arsenal 

Winless Norwich find themselves in the bottom three and in desperate need of points. Arsenal have impressed so far this year, but will feel their performances have merited more points.

Robin Van Persie struck twice as Arsenal won 2-1 away to Norwich last year

Arsenal won here 2-1 last year, and I fancy the same result.

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

Other tips:
Norwich to score first and fail to win – 23/10 with Paddy Power - Lose a fiver
Both teams to score - 7/10 with Coral - Lose a fiver
Arsenal to win - 4/7 with Bet Victor - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Loss of £20
Liverpool, Manchester United,  Manchester City and West Ham to win. £5 returns £27.
Day returns - Down £32.90

Sunday 21^st October

Sunderland vs Newcastle

Combined these two sides have drawn seven of their 13 league games this season, and that is why they aren’t  higher in the league, with their inability to get over the line in matches cost them.

Newcastle have a good record in this game since their return to the top flight, securing eight points, whilst staying unbeaten. Both sides have goalscorers in their side, whilst having injury problems defensively, and I’m backing there to be goals in this game.

With the onus on Sunderland to attack as the home side, I fancy them to secure a narrow win.

Sunderland 2 Newcastle 1 - 10/1 with Ladbrokes - Loss a fiver

Other tips:
Both teams to score - 5/6 with Coral - Returns of £9.17
Steven Fletcher anytime goalscorer - 15/8 with Stan James - Lose a fiver
Sunderland + Newcastle double chance – 2/7 with Skybet - Lose a fiver

Match returns - Loss of £10.83

QPR vs Everton

It’s fair to say Queens Park Rangers haven’t had the best of starts to the season and will need to improve if they are to avoid a second consecutive relegation battle. Everton on the other hand have made a rare flying start to the season, and find themselves in the Champions league positions after seven games.

QPR were much better, although again in defeat, away to West Brom last week, with Estaban Granero and Adel Taarabt in particular very impressive. It was again defensively they were poor and the first two West Brom goals were very avoidable. Everton rallied well against Wigan last time out, and down the left in particular all season they’ve looked fantastic.

At Loftus Road QPR have shown they can compete with the league’s very best under Mark Hughes, and although Everton are doing very well at the moment, I fancy QPR to at least get a share of the spoils.

QPR 1 Everton 1 - 6/1 with Bet Victor - Returns of £35

Other tips:
Both teams to score - 3/4 with Coral - Returns of £8.75
Either Leighton Baines or Adel Taarabt to score from outside the area – 9/1 or 11/1 - Lose a fiver
Draw - 44/17 with Pinnacle - Returns of £17.94

Match returns - Profit of £41.69

Day returns - Profit of £30.86

Weekend returns - Loss of £2.04
Overall returns - Profit of £12.32

5 realistic and needed transfers for Arsenal

With Gael Clichy's departure not expected to be on the only big player to leave Arsenal this year, this transfer window is a huge one for Arsenal in not only their bid to challenge for trophies but to maintain their top four position.

Shay Given - Manchester City's second choice keeper is avaliable for a small fee with the club wanting to slash their wage budget with big names on high wages not needed. Unfairly discarded last year Given is desperate for first team football. Arsene Wenger missed a chance to sign him when Mark Hughes signed Ireland's number one in January 2009, and with Manuel Almunia frequently costing Arsenal points added to the inexpierence of their other three goalkeepers, a new man between the sticks is a necessity.

Other possible targets - Igor Akinfeev and Craig Gordon

Leighton Baines - The Everton full back has been the personification of consistency for along time now, and after playing every minute of the 2010-11 season, the England international is a wanted man. As good in his own half as he is the opposition Baines would suit the way Arsenal play and is arguably a better defender then the departed Gael Clichy.

Other possible targets - Jose Enrique and Emilio Izaguirre

Jan Vertonghen - Arsenal need to add a centre back to their ranks, after basically a whole year without key centre half Thomas Vermaelen they struggled defensively. Ajax centre half Vertonghen has played with Vermaelen at both club and international level and the two would forge a could partnership. A mistake from Wenger last year was to allow William Gallas to leave the club who performed well for rivals Spurs last year.

Other possible targets - Christopher Samba and Scott Dann

Daniel De Rossi - With the likes of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas on the way out of the club, the likes of Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey are going to have to step up, and with the youth in the centre of the midfield a expierenced head is needed to guide them along. And with Roma missing out on the Champions league the defensive midfielder can be the perfect foil for Ramsey and Wilshere to dictat the game.

Other possible targets - Steven Defour and Marouane Fellaini

Karim Benzema - Realistic? Probably not. Could it happen? Maybe. Arsenal often have missed a cutting edge up front, with the likes of Nicklas Bendtner and Maroune Chamakh failing to score the required amount of goals. Robin Van Persie's end to the season was fantastic, however when you can't guarentee an injury free season with him, you need another striker. And the former Lyon striker would definatly fit the bill, if Wenger is prepared to pay the high wages.

Other possible targets - Jermaine Defoe and Lisrando Lopez


Possible Arsenal side

                    Given
Sagna Vertonghen Vermaelan Baines
          Wilshere De Rossi
Gervinho       Van Persie         Arshavin
                 Benzema