CHRIS Graham (@chrisgraham79) gives us his three best bets from the Premier League this weekend.
Everton v Sunderland | Sunday 13:30 | Sky Sports 1
I had Sunderland to finish bottom this season and I was feeling rather smug after the opening two months of the campaign. They looked awful and it was no surprise to see Dick Advocaat leave utterly fed up.
Sadly for me and other Sunderland relegation backers they’ve brought in experienced head San Allardyce. Say what you like about the guy but he gets results and it’s a hammer blow to my To Finish Bottom bet.
After winning yet another Tyne-Wear derby last weekend they come into this match at Goodison on a high and that spells trouble for Everton.
I’m not a fan of backing Everton at short prices, especially at home. They’re always capable of a disappointing performance when three points look a cert, look at the opening day of the season this year when they drew 2-2 at home to Watford for example. Not many sides concede more than one goal against the Hornets – especially at home.
With all this in mind I fancy getting with Sunderland here on the handicap. You can back them with a 1.25 goal start at odds of 4/5 with Bet Victor and that suits me. Sam to the rescue!
Southampton v Bournemouth | Sunday 16:00 | Sky Sports 1
One of my developing strategies this season has been to oppose Bournemouth and I’m not going to stop now. Like the other two promoted sides they tend to go off to short in the betting for me and while I would flirt with taking them on when they were in a stronger positon in September I’m now passionately jumping all over their opponents!
As I’ve already discussed in recent weeks the side have been with a number of unfortunate injuries and this has naturally seen their performances decline. Four defeats in the last five has seen the fear of relegation rear it’s ugly head and they’ve haemorrhaged goals as well to Man City (five) and Tottenham (five) in their last two league games.
Southampton’s season has really started to take shape in recent weeks and they’re in the Top 8 after two wins in their last four games which involved a 3-1 taking apart of Chelsea.
After an encouraging win midweek in the Capital One Cup and a lovely jaunt up the league table I’m expecting them to be too strong for Bournemouth on Sunday and am happy to back them -1 on the Asian Handicap.
Man City v Norwich | Saturday 15:00
As regular readers will know I’m a huge fan of Norwich manager Alex Neil. Cut within the same cloth of no-nonsense Scottish understatement that has served my nation so well in football management he continues to impress. Watch his post-match interviews, whenever his Norwich side lose he’ll shoulder part of the blame and offer no pithy excuses like so many of his contemporaries. How refreshing!
Sadly for Alex, his side are losing too many games at the moment and come into this match against top dogs Man City hoping to avoid a fourth consecutive league defeat. Worryingly, these losses haven’t come against the big dogs but Leicester, Newcastle and West Brom. Come on Alex, show us what you’re made of on Saturday.
Yes this Saturday Man City will be a fearsome opponent but I’m happy to believe that Norwich can score a goal at the Etihad.
City look sensational at times but there’s definitely weaknesses there. They lost 4-1 at Tottenham earlier in the month, were sunk by West Ham at the Etihad and are tentatively making progress in the Champions League.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side have leaked in nine of their last 10 matches while Norwich have found the net in 11 of their 13 matches this season. Those are strong stats. I’m backing Alex Neil’s side to score in this match at 5/6 with Boylesports.
Best Bets
Man City v Norwich – Norwich to score Over 0.5 Goals (5/6 Boylesports)
Everton v Sunderland – Sunderland +1.25 Asian Handicap (4/5 BetVictor)
Southampton v Bournemouth – Southampton -1 Asian Handicap (Evens Paddy Power)
