Sport

GUIDE TO THE NEXT £1,000,000 1X2 PICK15

GUIDE TO THE NEXT £1,000,000 1X2 PICK15

 

 

Following a gruelling International break which saw England ease past the limited tests of San Marino and Switzerland, normal service can resume with the return of the Premier League this weekend.

Arsenal vs Stoke

Head-to-Head: ARS 53-23-25 STO

Arsenal have enjoyed a fantastic record at home against Stoke in recent years, dating back to 1981. The Gunners have won their last 13 meetings with the Potters at home and are strong favourites to maintain that run on Saturday. Arsene Wenger’s side will be buoyed by their away victory at Newcastle a fortnight ago but will need to improve in front on goal if they wish to be labelled legitimate title contenders this season. Stoke travel to North London without a victory this campaign, though their two away trips have produced a pair of respectable draws to Norwich and Tottenham. They are without Ibrahim Affelay and Charlie Adam for the game following their red card’s against West Brom. Arsenal should prove too good once again.

Selection: HOME

Norwich vs Bournemouth

Head-to-Head: NOR 22-15-17 BOU

Both Norwich and Bournemouth have started their respective seasons in similar form. The Canaries’ early away win at Sunderland would have given fans great belief of another exciting Premier League season. However, they recently found themselves victims of an onslaught from a rejuvenated Southampton side and now must host Bournemouth who are flying with confidence. The Cherries have won two of their last three games in all competitions and have acquired the services of former Crystal Palace talisman Glenn Murray. They hold no pressure when away from home and will be confident of another bold showing this weekend.

Selection: DRAW & AWAY

Watford vs Swansea

Head-to-Head: WAT 13-9-20 SWA

Watford fans will be relatively pleased with their teams start to the season, although they are yet to secure their first victory back in the Premier League. Three solid draws from their opening three games were followed by a defeat to Manchester City a fortnight ago. The Hornets seem to be lacking in front of goal after failing to produce a single shot on target in their last two games, it is a factor that must change for Flores’ men to avoid relegation next May. Swansea will travel to London this weekend in fantastic form. They are undefeated from five games in all competitions this season and recently secured a 2-1 victory over Manchester United, their third in succession over the Red Devils. Garry Monk has his team playing with a real attacking flair thanks to the signing of Andre Ayew. The Ghanaian caused the United defence issues all afternoon and will likely prove difficult once again here.

Selection: DRAW & AWAY

West Brom vs Southampton

Head-to-Head: WBA 23-23-26 SOT

West Brom may have defeated Stoke two weeks ago but they made hard work of it following the home side losing two players to red cards. Tony Pulis’ men were far too slow in possession and will have to improve upon that to stand any chance against a slick Southampton side. The Saints registered their first win of the season against Norwich a fortnight ago following their departure from the Europa League qualifiers. The European defeat to FC MIdtjylland was a wake-up call for Koeman’s men who got back to winning ways against Norwich and will be eager to maintain that form on Saturday.

Selection: AWAY

Brighton vs Hull

Head-to-Head: BRI 21-13-14 HUL

Brighton lead the Championship following four victories from their opening five league games. Their most recent success over Ipswich showcased the side’s great counter-attacking threat as they lead the Tractor Boys 0-2 after 12 minutes. Hull, likewise, have enjoyed a positive start to life in England’s second division, though they seem to be better at home than on the road. Victories over Preston in the league and Rochdale in the League Cup will give Steve Bruce delight in securing back-to-back clean sheets. I expect this to be another lively encounter between two sides hungry for Premier League promotion.

Selection: HOME

Burnley vs Sheffield Wednesday

Head-to-Head: BUR 42-19-39 SHW

Burnley host Sheffield Wednesday this weekend following back-to-back victories in the league. They sit in ninth place with eight points and are playing with confidence following the signing of striker Andre Gray. Sheffield Wednesday are stronger on their own turf and seem to struggle away from home. No victory on the road this season will give Burnley fans belief that their team can pull through. Both teams frequently become embroiled in close encounters and the same can be expected here.

Selection: HOME & DRAW

Leeds vs Brentford

Head-to-Head: LEE 11-10-9 BRE

Leeds are winless against Brentford in their last four meetings. However, their recent form suggests they will be tough to overcome on Saturday. An away victory over Derby two weeks ago saw them register their first victory of the season after five consecutive draws, in all competitions. On the other hand, Brentford travel to Leeds on the back of two defeats to Burnley and Reading respectively. They are proving to be a shadow of the side that finished fifth last season and are clearly lacking in confidence. It is a factor that should see the home side prevail come 5pm Saturday afternoon.

Selection: HOME

Manchester United vs Liverpool

Head-to-Head: MUN 85-61-74 LIV

Manchester United have enjoyed a solid record against their bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford in the last few years. Since 2009, United have only lost once to their counterparts at home – including the double last season. Louis van Gaal’s men have endured a sloppy start to their campaign, following a 2-1 defeat to Swansea a fortnight ago. The Red Devils are sat in fourth place with seven points, though have only produced three goals from their opening four league outings. Liverpool, like United, must respond from a recent loss after being completely outplayed by West Ham at Anfield a couple of weeks ago. Brendan Rodgers’ side are lacking in front of goal and are still seeking a true replacement for Luis Suarez. Daniel Sturridge remains on the sidelines and Christian Benteke has yet to spark in to life in a Liverpool shirt. I see this being a cagey affair but Manchester United should prove just too strong on the day.

Selection: HOME

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona

Atletico will be buoyed by a good away victory over Sevilla in August and will be hoping to maintain that form when they host Barcelona on Saturday evening. The Catalans have only scored two goals from their opening two La Liga games, albeit if the opposition has ‘parked the bus’ somewhat. Messi and company will be eager to truly kick-start their campaign with a bang against their title rivals this weekend and it’s hard to see them doing otherwise, with the European champions winning the last four encounters between the two sides.

Selection: AWAY

Fulham vs Blackburn

Head-to-Head: FUL 26-24-37 BLA

Fulham’s laboured the start to the season is behind them after securing two consecutive victories over Sheffield United and Rotherham, respectively. Their win over the latter saw them boss possession for the majority of the game before a sloppy penalty late-on. Manager Kit Symons was pleased with the success and is confident that they’ll build on it. Blackburn, on the other hand, are winless thus far this season and have just three points from their opening five games. Against Bolton, they produced 18 shots at goal, but only one was on-target – a worry statistic for Rovers fans. The home side will be looking to capitalise on the away side’s recent form and should come out on top.

Selection: HOME & DRAW

Sunderland vs Tottenham

Head-to-Head: SUN 37-30-47 TOT

Sunderland will be concerned with their recent record against Tottenham. Since April 2010, the Black Cats are winless in ten meetings with Spurs which includes seven defeats. This season, Sunderland have started their campaign poorly with just two points from their opening four games. Two defeats followed by two draws in the Premier League has led to many Sunderland fans calling for manager Dick Advocaat to be sacked by the board. However, the Dutchman is keen to weather the early season storm and help build momentum as the games pass by. Tottenham, likewise, have begun their campaign in a laboured manner. The North London side are without a victory from their first four league games and are clearly lacking in confidence. However their recent record against Sunderland will give them hope of securing their first league win.

Selection: DRAW & AWAY

Leicester vs Aston Villa

Head-to-Head: LEI 40-23-33 ASV

Leicester have started the season in tremendous fashion. New manager Claudio Ranieri has got his side playing attractive, attacking football thanks to a number of talented summer signings. They are unbeaten in all of their five games this season, in all competitions, and are full of self-belief and confidence. They host an Aston Villa side who are in inconsistent form. Tim Sherwood’s men performed well on the opening day away at Bournemouth but have failed to build on the outing, securing just one victory in their next four games. I expect another bold Leicester performance here.

Selection: HOME

Inter Milan vs AC Milan

Inter have started better of the two Milan sides following back-to-back league victories over Atalanta and Carpi, respectively. Their counterparts, AC Milan, recently defeated Empoli after being outplayed against Fiorentina on the opening day. The recent signing of Mario Balotelli will give many around Milan plenty of belief that they can return to the level they showed a few years. However, I think Inter will maintain their 100% record with another victory this weekend.

Selection: HOME

West Ham vs Newcastle

Head-to-Head: WHU 39-37-51 NEW

It’s obvious that the Hammers are performing better on the road this season, compared to at Upton Park. This could be because of the high expectations perceived by fans or an alternative reason, but West Ham just do not seem the team of last season on their own turf. Their away form, however, is excellent. Victories at the Emirates and Anfield will give supporters of the East London side confidence that they can sustain a serious European push this season. Newcastle, on the other hand, are without a victory and are lacking on the goalscoring front. Two league goals in four games sees Steve McClaren’s side sit in 19th place. They travel to London knowing that they are up against a team back in form and full of confidence.

Selection: HOME

Manchester City vs Juventus

Manchester City have successfully returned to the well-oiled machine that saw them dominate the Premier League two seasons ago. Manuel Pellegrini’s side have won all of their opening four league games without conceding a single goal. They have made a number of lucrative signings this summer, including Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, and are the rightful favourites to regain their English crown from Chelsea in May. Juventus are struggling following two consecutive defeats to Udinese and Roma in Serie A. The departure of Tevez, Pirlo and Vidal has left a deep hole in the Italian side who will arrive in Manchester on Tuesday with a mountain to climb.

Selection: HOME