AFTER nailing a midweek Premier League double on Wednesday, Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) is back with three more midweek picks.
Hull v West Brom | Saturday 15:00
Hey, you've seen this film before! Chris Graham tipping up Hull. Yup, and that's exactly what I'm doing again this weekend.
As I keep saying every week, I think they're in a false position in the table and should be higher. They've been incredibly unlucky with untimely sending off's and late goals going against them. I'll say it again, it's only a matter of time before they win at huge odds against one of the big sides.
That theory partly came true on Wednesday when they got an excellent draw at Goodison Park and hopefully they can use that as a platform to push their season forward. What was especially pleasing about that draw, was that it followed a dismal defeat against Manchester United four days earlier.
On Saturday Hull face West Brom. The Baggies are on their worst run of the season with four consecutive defeats, and when you think how trigger-happy WBA chairman Jeremy Peace has been in the past, then Alan Irvine must be worried he'll be unemployed by Christmas.
To be fair to Albion, their four defeats have all come against Top 10 sides. But siding with Hull allows me to back up my Hull-are-good theory with hard cash plus support them at a very fat price of 6/4 (BetVictor).
Stoke v Arsenal | Saturday 15:00
Arsenal produced a gritty, vital win on Wednesday night at home to Southampton. On Saturday they travel to Stoke and I think there are solid reasons to take them on.
Let's start with Stoke. I appreciate they've lost three games in a row now and are down to 13th in the table, but they're a side I enjoy backing in these kind of games. They've won at Man City this season, they've won at Spurs this season, the big sides don't fear them. They're 16/5 to win outright with Boylesports.
Pundits have been rightly suggesting that their home form hasn't been as impressive this season. Fair point, but just like on their travels, Stoke tend to take out bigger sides at home. Newcastle and Swansea have both been downed at the Brit in recent weeks.
I'm still not convinced Arsenal have clicked this season. Name me one superb performance when it really mattered? Galatasaray? Pah! Away from the Emirates they've lost to Swansea, dropped points against Leicester and Everton and beaten no one in the current top half.
Now take a look at their record in Stoke. Since the Potters were promoted to the Premier League in 2008, Arsenal have won just once there in seven attempts. Stoke have won four times including a 1-0 win in March this year that signalled the beginning of the end for Arsenal's title challenge.
I'll back Stoke +0.5 on the Asian Handicap at 37/40 with Bet 365. My bet will be paid out as long as Arsenal don't win.
West Ham v Swansea | Sunday 13:30 | Sky Sports 1
Let the back-slapping commence! Both these sides have had great seasons so far and deserve a lot of plaudits but I was a little surprised when I saw the prices.
To see West Ham at almost 6/4 at home against a side of a similar level and below them in the table made me look twice. I've always felt Swansea have been priced up too short this season and this is another example of it.
If I was looking at the fixture blind, I wouldn't underline West Ham as dead certs by any means, but at best-price 29/20 with BetVictor I'll have to get involved.
The Hammers have picked up 13 points from the last 15 available at Upton Park this season. That series of games includes superb wins against champions Man City and Liverpool.
Click on the Away Table and you'll find Swansea in the bottom four! The Welsh side have picked up just five points on foreign soil this season and have no victory to show since that memorable opening day victory at Old Trafford.
These sides respective records at home and away make the 29/20 on West Ham even more attractive. I'll be backing it for sure.
Best Bets
Hull v West Brom – Hull to win (6/4 BetVictor)
Stoke v Arsenal – Stoke +0.5 Asian Handicap (37/40 Bet365)
West Ham v Swansea – West Ham to win (29/20 BetVictor)
