CORRECT SCORE specialist Daniel McCulloch (@danmcc84) delivers his best bets from Saturday's Premier League coupon.
Middlesbrough v Swansea | Saturday 15:00
It was no surprise to this column that we returned to winning ways when top-flight goals began to dry up. A 37-goal weekend followed by a 36-goal marathon certainly did not do us any favours.
I fancy Middlesbrough here for the simple reason that I believe that they have the better manager. I trust Aitor Karanka to build a side capable of beating the sides around him.
The Teesiders three Premier League victories to date have come against Sunderland, Bournemouth and Hull and I believe that they are more than capable of beating another struggler this weekend.
Swansea lost in midweek which makes Bob Bradley huge odds-on to make another half a dozen changes to a side completely unable to find any consistency.
That the manager is yet to put two and two together should be a concern to Swans fans who have seen their side record just a single point from their last six away games.
I think 1-0 to the home side (13/2 Bet365) is the most likely score. Boro emerged victorious by this scoreline on six occasions at The Riverside last season and also managed to overcome Hull in this manner a couple of weeks ago.
I am, however, going to air on the side of caution and take the 19/2 with BetVictor on a more convincing score line of 2-0. I backed Karanka’s men to win 1-0 against Bournemouth and they scored a completely unnecessary second goal.
At the price advertised, I would prefer to play it safe.
West Ham v Hull | Saturday 15:00
Let’s be honest, West Ham had an appalling summer transfer window. To date, it is hard to think of a single signing which has improved their side.
Thankfully for them they face an inferior opponent this weekend, when a depleted Hull side visit The London Stadium.
All four of West Ham’s wins have come by the single goal to nil .
Additionally, Hull have lost by that same score line on three occasions this season. I am therefore shocked that Bet365 are as big at 7/1 on 1-0 to the home side.
Hull’s willingness to concede goals – 35 from 16 games to date – leads me to play on the safe side – again – and take the 8/1 with BetStars on a slightly more comfortable victory for the capital club.
Best Bets
Middlesbrough v Swansea – Middlesbrough 1-0 Swansea (13/2 Bet365)
Middlesbrough v Swansea – Middlesbrough 2-0 Swansea (19/2 BetVictor)
West Ham v Hull – West Ham 1-0 Hull (7/1 Bet365)
West Ham v Hull – West Ham 2-0 Hull (8/1 BetStars)
