A 14/5 winner last week. Cheers, Villa!
On a personal level, can everyone stop inventing new slang words so quickly?
My nephew asked me to “pattern up” last week. I had no idea what he meant. Getting old is crazy.
One wrong pillow angle these days and my neck is on the sick for a week.
Read on for the best bets from Matchweek 24’s Premier League TV games. Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate, The Bookie Basher, has picked out four bets.
Sunday’s big game sees Tottenham host Manchester City.
Chelsea vs West Ham United
West Ham beat Spurs 2-1 in their last Premier League London derby.
I am crazy enough to think they can cause another surprise here.
The Hammers have not kept a clean sheet in their last 20 Premier League games. That makes this bet a risky one.
However, Liam Rosenior has made a positive start as Chelsea boss. I am still not convinced by Chelsea, though.
The Blues have won only three of their last 11 Premier League games.
West Ham, meanwhile, are chasing a third straight win. Nuno’s side recently beat Tottenham and Sunderland.
That form gives me enough confidence to take a chance on the visitors.
Suggested bet: West Ham to win at 21/4 (bet365)
Liverpool vs Newcastle United
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 18 Premier League games against Newcastle. The run includes 13 wins and five draws.
It stretches back more than a decade.
Few people expected Newcastle to lose to Bournemouth. However, the Toon have struggled to score enough goals.
They have plenty of quality across the squad. Even so, they have found the net only sporadically in recent matches.
Newcastle have failed to score in three of their last five games.
Liverpool are not reliable home bankers right now. However, I still see plenty of value in backing them.
The bet also requires fewer than four goals in the game.
Newcastle will take confidence from their gutsy midweek performance against the Champions League holders.
However, their away form in the Premier League remains a concern.
Suggested bet: Liverpool to win & under 3.5 goals at 15/8 (Sky Bet)
Manchester United vs Fulham
So, what are we saying?
If Manchester United finish in the Premier League top four this season, interim boss Michael Carrick should get the job permanently.
The Red Devils look like a completely different team under Carrick.
Manchester United travelled to the Emirates on Sunday and produced a stunning performance.
They scored three brilliant goals against Arsenal. The Gunners had been unbeaten at home and had conceded only six times there all season.
That result came just nine days after United demolished Manchester City in the derby at Old Trafford.
Carrick could not have dreamed of a better start to his time in the Old Trafford hot seat.
There is one negative, though. Patrick Dorgu will miss more than four weeks with an injury.
The defender has enjoyed a major revival under Carrick.
Fulham have also looked erratic away from home this season.
They can cause problems when they click, however. Therefore, I am taking a speculative approach with a 2-1 Manchester United win.
Suggested bet: Manchester United to win 2-1 at 8/1 (bet365)
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City
Are Spurs too good to go down?
Their problems under Thomas Frank show no sign of ending. Tottenham have won only twice at home in the Premier League this season.
That is difficult to explain because they have looked much stronger in Europe.
Manchester City remain firmly in the Premier League title race. They have had a few wobbles since Christmas, but they remain worthy favourites here.
Tottenham have at least scored in their last seven games in all competitions.
They can find the net again against City.
However, I expect Pep Guardiola’s side to get the job done.
The 2/1 price for Manchester City to win with both teams scoring looks fair.
READ NEXT: Man Utd analysis: Is Michael Carrick a long-term contender for Red Devils role?
