BACK after the international break, Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) picks his three best bets from the Premier League coupon.
Man City v Swansea | Saturday 15:00
Just one win in six for Manchester City and that spells trouble. It's been a woeful month with a Premier League win in the Manchester Derby sandwiched by a defeat to West Ham and dropped points against QPR.
Manuel Pellegrini's side also exited the Capital One Cup at the (at-the-time) beleaguered Newcastle. Oh yeah, and they're also on the cusp of getting knocked out of Europe after taking just one point from their two Champions League matches with CSKA Moscow. Grim eh?
How will City fare here? I genuinely don't know to be honest. I was going to back Over 3.5 Goals at 11/8 with William Hill but I'm not sure I trust them enough to believe the goals will flow.
Instead I'll get up and close and personal with Swansea and back them to register here at 7/10 with Boylesports. Garry Monk's side are up in fifth after beating Arsenal before the international break, and they look a side capable of scoring here.
Swansea have scored in 11 of their 14 matches this season and have showed scant regard for the big names of the league. They beat Manchester United and Arsenal and scored twice at Stamford Bridge. This is a side who fear no-one, I'm backing them to score here.
Stoke v Burnley | Saturday 15:00
Not particularly original this one but I do think Stoke will be too strong for Burnley, and at 7/10 with Ladbrokes I think they represent value. I wonder what price Southampton or Swansea would be at home to the bottom side? Southampton 2/5 I think and Swansea around 8/15. While those sides are higher in the table, I don't think Stoke are miles behind them.
Stoke are up in ninth after winning at White Hart Lane two weeks ago, and this provides them with an opportunity to boost their position even further. They could be fourth by 5pm on Saturday night so that is something Mark Hughes will want to capitalise on.
The Potters have beaten Man City, Tottenham, Swansea and Newcastle this season and haven't lost at home since mid-September in the league. What I'm trying to say is – THEY'RE A GOOD TEAM!
Burnley scored their first win of the season two weeks ago against Hull, and it's a shame for them that the international break has disrupted that momentum. They kicked off the season with a frugal defence but have conceded Over 1.5 Goals in five of their last six league games.
That win against Hull could kick-start Burnley's season, but I'm happy to side with Stoke here at a price that's too big.
Hull v Tottenham | Sunday 16:00 | Sky Sports 1
My third pick was going to be Hull +1 in this Sunday fixture, but I just can't be backing three odds-on shots. So instead I'll go the whole hog and back them to win at a rather large 27/10 with BetVictor.
Hull have had a funny old season, they've drawn at the Emirates and Anfield, scored twice against Man City and have lost the same number of games as a side who could go Top 4 on Saturday (Stoke). Yet they lie 15th.
I suppose I should point out why they're down in that slot eh? Well, they've won just two games and lost to Burnley two weeks ago. Despite that, I'm not willing to believe they're a 15th place side. I see them finishing mid-table and perhaps top half. I like them. I like their manager. And on their day I see them as a match for most sides (see – Liverpool 0 v 0 Hull, Arsenal 2 v 2 Hull).
Tottenham look unbackable just now. Just two wins in eight have poured the pressure on Mauricio Pochettino and his side lie down in 12th. Defeats to West Brom, Newcastle and Stoke just won't do for the White Hart Lane faithful and I think they might struggle here too.
Hull have lost just two of their seven competitive home games this season and look a good bet at 27/10 with BetVictor on Sunday.
Best Bets
Man City v Swansea – Swansea to score Over 0.5 Goals (7/10 Boylesports)
Stoke v Burnley – Stoke to win (7/10 Ladbrokes)
Hull v Tottenham – Hull to win (27/10 BetVictor)
