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

Rooney's first half strike enough for United

A disjointed Manchester United edged out Fulham 1-0 thanks to a Wayne Rooney goal in the first half.

Despite not ever reaching top gear, Manchester United extended their lead to three points at the top of the table; however in typical United fashion they won without being brilliant.

Fulham came to Old Trafford on the back of successive defeats to Aston Villa and Swansea and had every right to feel aggrieved after Danny Murphy appeared to be fouled in the box by Michael Carrick; however Michael Oliver decided it wasn't a foul.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side dominated the early proceedings without ever threatening Mark Schwarzer in the Fulham goal, and in fact it was the visitors who went the closest early on, as twice Clint Dempsey was denied by good saves from David De Gea.

In fact in the first half United never looked like scoring until they actually did get the break through five minutes before half-time. A corner wasn't cleared properly and Young crossed to the back post where Riise failed to clear and Evans found Rooney who scored from a few yards out.

Half time came and went and the impressive Antonio Valencia should've done better after being put through by Ryan Giggs; however his shot was tame and easily dealt with by Schwarzer.

Manchester United stepped it up a notch in the second half and it wasn't long before they created another second chance through Ashley Young. The former Aston Villa winger did brilliantly as he cut inside Stephen Kelly and his curling effort was on target only for Schwarzer to deny him with a top save.

Somehow United didn't go two up as Young was denied brilliantly twice by Schwarzer and the follow up feel to Giggs whose shot was blocked by Brede Hangelaand on route to goal.

With time running out United looked nervous in attempting to hold on for a priceless three points and Dempsey nearly drew Fulham level, however he just couldn't reach a delightful through ball from Moussa Dembele.

As three minutes extra time was announced, Martin Jol's side were left feeling angered as Murphy was fouled by Carrick in the penalty area; however the close decision went in the home sides favour.

The full time whistle was met with palpable relief around Old Trafford as United held on for a massive 1-0 victory to ensure they moved three clear of their city rivals at the top of the Premier League.

Spurs 1 Manchester United 3 – The Autopsy

Yesterday was another perfect example of Manchester United winning when not at their best. For long periods of the match, predominately the opening hour, Spurs dominated; however lacked a clinical threat that United had in abundance.

Team Selection

Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad selection had no surprise element about it, with Wayne Rooney returning after missing the last two United games. Jonny Evans partnered Rio Ferdinand in the heart of the defence, which meant Phil Jones was again shafted out to right back, which I’m sure was a much more attractive role given the fact Gareth Bale missed the match.

Young follows United trend of not being at their best but producing the goods.

Like United, Ashley Young failed to exert himself on the game in the early proceedings; however in the second half the former Villa man took his two goals excellently, with the second in particular a brilliant finish.

Though Kyle Walker didn’t cover himself in glory for any of the United goals; during the match he kept Young quiet out on the wing. For me Young is at his best in the middle, just of the striker; however when you’ve got a certain Rooney whose up there with the best in the world in the number 10 role, Young will, in all likelihood, always have to settle for a place on the wing, meaning he is less effective. The goal that put the game to bed illustrated perfectly how good Young is given space in the middle of the park, with his curling effort giving Brad Friedel no chance in the Spurs goal.

Having dipped in form over the last few months, United fans will hope his two goals at White Hart Lane can help Young reproduce the form he showed at the start of the season.

Fortune favoured the Reds.

I’m going to come out and say it, yesterday we were a little fortunate. Numerous things combined to ensure we won the match. Tottenham were without three key players in Scott Parker, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Bale, all of whom would’ve made keeping Spurs at bay a harder task. Secondly Emmaneul Adebayor was perhaps unfortunate to see his strike, at 0-0 and a key stage of the game, ruled out as the former City striker couldn’t really get out of the way. Harry Redknapp’s side did dominate the first half, and despite playing their best player in Luka Modric out wide, Tottenham controlled the ball well and despite falling to create a host of chances were the better side, and for us to head in at half time ahead was very much a case of daylight robbery.

Rooney goal return in the big games

Yet again in a game against the top sides Rooney produced the goods with the all important opening goal. Against the other six of the top seven sides this season (not including the two goals he scored in the FA Cup win at Manchester City) Rooney has scored a brilliant 10 goals in 11 games. (2 vs. Spurs, 3 vs. Arsenal, 3 vs. Chelsea and 2 vs. Liverpool)

Rooney scored the all important opening goal in the win on Sunday and was a consistent threat throughout the match, dropping deep as ever and finding space in between the Tottenham defence and midfield with ease. Manchester United and Rooney in particular benefited from Scott Parker’s absence.

Improvement on the road.

Due to our rivals’ inability to sustain the pressure on us last year, we were allowed to only pick up a pitiful 25 points on our travels the whole year. This season however has been in complete contrast to last year, with our away form the best in the Premier League, with 33 points and just the one defeat to our name.

Last season we conceded goals for fun, and despite the injured Nemanja Vidic, we’ve improved incredibly and have only leaked 12 goals away from Old Trafford. Those doubting Ferdinand’s form at the start of the season have quietened over recent weeks as the former England captain has more then stepped up to the responsibility of being the leader at the back due to the absence of the aforementioned Vidic.

Run in

Manchester United have now picked up an impressive 19 points from 21 since the 3-0 defeat away to Newcastle, and when you consider the fact we’ve travelled to Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Norwich in that run, the points tally is a fantastic achievement.

Having played all the sides towards the top of the table, bar the derby at Eastlands on the 22^nd April, our run in on paper looks slightly favourable then Manchester City’s, with Roberto Mancini’s side set to face Arsenal and Chelsea in the next few weeks. 

United vs Bolton, the autopsy

Back-to-back Premier League defeats where forgotten when Manchester United edged out City in the incredible 3^rd round F.A cup tie last weekend; however getting back on track in the bread and butter of the Premier League wasn’t just important it was essential. And despite an array of early missed opportunities the comfortable win was never in doubt.

Team Selection

Paul Scholes’ decision to come out of retirement for his cameo in the derby last week would’ve been the biggest news in most games; however the drama that was played out at the City of Manchester stadium in the end thrusted its way to the main talking point. But the ginger genius’s first start in a United shirt since the final game of the last Premier League season took the centre stage.

Yet more defensive injuries meant Sir Alex’s hand was played for him with Jonny Evans partnering Rio Ferdinand who had been a doubt prior to the match; however both Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are expected to return come Arsenal next Sunday. Wayne Rooney was once again partnered by Danny Welbeck with both Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez having to settle for a place on the bench again.

Mixture of poor finishing and concentration nearly cost United.

Throughout the game Manchester United created enough chances to win three games with the much maligned Adam Bogdan in inspired form in the Bolton goal. In the opening ten minutes Welbeck could already of had a hat-trick to his name; only for Bogdan to deny him on all three occasions. His best save came twenty minutes in to ensure Rooney’s second successive penalty miss, as the Hungarian international dived brilliantly to his right to keep the spot kick out.

Thankfully the returning Scholes opened the scoring just moments before half-time; however the expected floodgates didn’t open in the second half and Bolton rallied well and could’ve levelled as Manchester United let Owen Coyle’s side back into the game and Rafael cleared off the line to prevent an equaliser. Welbeck and Michael Carrick added further goals as we went level with City at the top of the table.

Rooney wasn’t having his best game as Scholes dominated.

Sir Alex’s key player didn’t have his greatest game in the red of Manchester United, with a missed penalty topping his error list. Rooney’s passing was off key and the England international didn’t appear to have his head in the right place losing the ball too often from a United perspective. Though Rooney did play in Welbeck for the killer second goal, Rooney and United will have to improve with Arsenal up next.

The returning Scholes slotted into the United midfield like he had never been away as he and the impressive Carrick dominated in the centre of the park. Scholes who topped the pass completion rate against City last weekend was again at his accurate best, with one cross field pass to Antonio Valencia in particular a highlight. The goal topped a fantastic afternoon for Scholes, in doing so quashing any doubters about his decision to come out of retirement.

Summary

In a comfortable win, we nearly gifted Bolton a way back into the game in the second half as our concentration levels lowered; however three goals did United justice. It was imperative that we got back to winning ways after two consecutive Premier League defeats, with our under pressure midfield looking good with the partnership between Scholes and Carrick bringing back memories of the Champions League winning season. Valencia in particular was very good again as the Ecuadorian again performed well at Old Trafford. 

Rooney and co get United back on track

Manchester United put their midweek Champions League exit behind them by easily overcoming Wolves 4-1.

Two goals apiece from Nani and Wayne Rooney ensured the Red Devils closed the gap on their city rivals to two points.

United opened the scoring as Nani scored from outside the area and almost in identical fashion Rooney doubled the lead. Steven Fletcher gave the visitors a lifeline just minutes into the second half, before Antonio Valencia tied up both Nani and Rooney in quick succession, for their doubles and United’s third and fourth goals.

The returning Michael Carrick missed Manchester United’s first chance of the game as he headed over after good work from the impressive Valencia.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were on top and it wasn’t long before they deservedly opened the scoring. Nani received the ball out wide and cut inside to smash home, beating Wayne Hennessey’s despairing dive.

Shortly after, Rooney scored for the first time in the Premier League since the 3-1 victory at home to Chelsea, way back in September. Rooney’s shot was well placed, with Hennessey’s view unsighted due to a cluster of defenders in his way, meaning the keeper could do nothing to prevent United’s second.

Having comfortably made it to half-time, United let Wolves back into the game early in the second half as Fletcher headed home well from a Matt Jarvis cross.

A chance at levelling the game for the Premier League strugglers never arrived as Valencia teed up two goals in six minutes.

The Ecuadorian winger was too quick for Stephen Ward and his cross was perfect for Nani to stroke home Manchester United’s third.

Again Valencia exposed Ward, as the winger’s turn of pace deceived the full-back before finding Rooney at the back post who finished well as United made it 4-1.

Sub Federico Macheda saw his late shot well saved by Hennessey; however it mattered not as United got back to winning ways in impressive style. 

Two Rooney penalties see United home

Manchester United won for the first time in three attempts in the Champions League as two Wayne Rooney penalties helped them overcome Otelul Galati 2-0.

After a drab first half where United were thwarted well by a strong defensively Galati, it took a handball from the Romanian sides captain Sergiu Costin handled a Rooney cross to gift the English Champions the chance to take the lead, which Rooney took with a well taken spot kick.

Nemanja Vidic was wrongly sent off for a lunge on Bratislav Punoševac, only for Milan Perendija to make it ten on ten after he saw yellow for a second time. In injury time Rooney won United's second penalty which the in-form forward buried for a 2-0 win.

After a shock 3-3 draw last time out at home to Basel, victory over the group minnows was a necessity and despite not being at their best they had enough to edge home.

The games fist chance fell the way of United's Brazilian midfielder Anderson, however his effort from just outside the area was poor and never threatened the Otelul goal.

The early stages were played in the Galati half, however despite Manchester United's possession dominance they never looked like opening the scoring and in fact it was Galati's Iaon Filip who went the closest as his curling effort went marginally over Andreas Lindegaard's crossbar.

After great work from Nani down the Otelul left, Michael Carrick spurned the best chance of the game. The Portuguese winger did well and his cut back was perfect for the midfielder who blazed over when well placed.

Half time arrived and the Romanian side would've been ecstatic in holding the English Champions to a stalemate at the half way point.

United were slow coming out of the blocks for the second half and again rarely threatened to get in behind a resolute Galati defence.



Rooney narrowly missed the target as United spurned a great chance to open the scoring. Carrick did brilliantly to find Nani whose cross found Rooney who swiveled well but scuffed wide.

Seconds later Rooney found space down the right hand side and his cross was handled by the captain and the referee, correctly so, pointed to the spot. Rooney stepped up to take the spot-kick and put the keeper the wrong way, scoring with ease.

After sixty minutes of poor football, the game burst into life, as moments after Rooneys' goal Manchester United's returning captain Vidic was harshly sent off for a late tackle on Punoševac.

The red card gave Galati more of an opportunity to get back into the game, however they struggled to break down a United side which made two defensive changes due to the red card with Phil Jones and Jonny Evans coming on for Fabio and Antonio Valencia who had a poor game.

With time running out, Galati joined United in finishing the game with ten men as Perendija was sent off for a second yellow card.

After a poor defensive pass, the ball made its way to Nani whose long range effort hit a post with the keeper well beaten in the Galati goal.

Moments later United won their second penalty of the game as Rooney was brought down by Liviu Antal. Again Rooney stepped up to take the penalty and his spot kick was superbly placed past the reach of Branko Grahovac.

The win moves Manchester United up to second in the after Benfica's impressive 2-0 win in Basel. With their city rivals next on Sunday, United will have to improve if they are to leag frog Roberto Mancini's side to top the Premier League table.