Premier League Football Betting, 15th-16th August

Barry Robson's Football Betting

Barry Robson’s Premier League Football Betting Tips….

We welcome Barry Robson to Racing Diary for a regular football betting tips columun. Barry is known to many as a top horseracing tipster, but Barry also makes good money betting on football. Barry is a keen Sunderland supporter, but don’t hold it against him! Every week Barry will give you his best bets for the weekend in the Premier League.

To bet simply click the links below the games. Feel Free to leave Barry a comment, below.

Well it’s back, Premier League football, with no Newcastle (shame!) and I am delighted to be here on RacingDiary.co.uk to give you my football betting advice, free, what good value eh? Here are my football betting tips for the first weekend of the Premier League Season.

Sunderland to beat Bolton

Bolton Wanderers V Sunderland

Bolton Boss Gary Megson has quietly gone about his business this summer, bringing in four proven Premier League players with just a handful of departures which will do little to disturb the sleep of most Trotters fans.

The arrival of Sean Davis on a free transfer, plus Zat Knight and Sam Ricketts for undisclosed fees represent shrewd business by the 50-year-old. The addition of West Brom’s left-back Paul Robinson also adds some steel to the squad and on paper, they look a good bet to avoid the drop.

Sunderland head into the new Premier League season with an understandable air of optimism thanks to key arrivals at the Stadium of Light, especially that of Darren Bent and Lorik Cana…”El Destructeur! ”

Last season’s narrow escape from relegation has been banished to the history books as new manager Steve Bruce and a selection of astute signings, the latest being Lee “Battler” Cattermole from his old club Wigan, give the Wearsiders a realistic chance of establishing themselves in the top half of England’s elite league…”are you watching Mike Ashley?”

Result: Sunderland WIN  First Goal Scorer: Kieron Richardson  Man to Watch: Kieron Richardson

Best Odds- Sunderland 13/10 (Betfred)

Everton v Arsenal

Everton v Arsenal

The Toffees have belied their lack of investment in the last two seasons by finishing in fifth spot and also reaching the FA Cup final last term.

Everton have again been left behind in the transfer market this summer leaving David Moyes increasingly frustrated at not being able to strengthen his squad. New faces have been at a premium due to the lack of finances, but the return of Jo from Manchester City on loan for the season looks like a shrewd piece of business by Moyes.

Arsenal? No trophy since 2005.

Just one or two additions to Wenger’s side could change this situation entirely, but..? The current squad is a strong one should they avoid the curse of injuries that hangs over Arsenal with its usual inevitability…but?

They boast a wealth of attacking options and arguably have one of the most exciting players in the country in Arshavin. But the defensive problems that have been shown in pre-season must be sorted out. In my opinion, Wenger must avoid his readiness to rely so heavily on youth if they are going to do anything, but…?

Result: Everton WIN  First Goal Scorer: Jo  Man to Watch: Tim Cahill

Best Odds- Everton 9/4 (BoyleSports)

Stoke City v Burnley

Tony Pulis has won half the battle in keeping hold of his best players…Seyi Olofinjana’s departure is no loss…but only Dean Whitehead has been added to the first-team ranks.

The former Sunderland captain is a decent addition but more additions are desperately needed and, simply put, Stoke’s success this season depends on who Pulis can get in quickly.

The bottom line is that Stoke will be in the bottom five or six unless Pulis can add to his star quartet of Fuller, Beattie, Etherington or Lawrence. Find another couple of their quality, however, and who knows what they could achieve.

Back in midfield Glen Whelan looks set to be Whitehead’s first-choice partner…Delap will be restricted to bench duty..so Stoke shouldn’t be short of passing ability in the opposition’s half, but they are unlikely to alter their no-nonsense, “big boot”, attitude in their own.

Ryan Shawcross and Abdoulaye Faye are one of the best centre-half pairings outside the top six, Danny Higginbotham is an equally strong defender on the left and Andy Wilkinson is ever improving on the right, but distribution is not their chief concern and nor will it ever be under Pulis.

Pre-season has not gone too well for Owen Coyle and his men, he has stayed loyal to almost all the squad which got him into the Premier League…scary!

Coyle will just be hoping that his pre-season woes do not transfer into the season…scary?

The Burnley side that takes to the field on the opening day against Stoke will have a few new faces in, including club record signing Steven Fletcher.

The Scottish international looks a fine prospect, but his lack of experience at this level could mean he takes a little time to adapt…scary?

Result: Stoke City WIN  First Goal Scorer: James Beattie  Man to Watch: Dean Whitehead

Best Odds- Stoke 21/10 (BoyleSports)

Portsmouth v Fulham

Portsmouth v Fulham

Uncertainty has made for a miserable summer on the South Coast. With Sulaiman Al Fahim’s proposed takeover of Portsmouth still in the balance, the general feeling has spiralled from initial excitement to genuine concern.

Djimi Traore, Sean Davis, Glen Little, Noe Pamarot, Lauren and Jerome Thomas have all followed Peter Crouch and Sol Campbell in seeking exits. Granted, these players are not world-beaters, but they make up a squad. And, right now, one, with all due respect, I would be pushed to label Pompey’s current numbers a ‘squad’. Hart has been left desperately short, and until sufficient funds are made available to him, he is having to work the market as best he can.

Roy Hodgson’s arrival at Craven Cottage in late 2007 was met with plenty of scepticism from those who remembered his disappointing second season with Blackburn, but he is now rightly regarded as one of the most astute British managers in the game.

Should they manage to bring in enough quality players to reinforce the squad, there will be every reason to hope for a comfortable season in the league and a decent run in Europe and the Carling Cup.

Could be this seasons “Dark Horse”…as well as Sunderland of course!

Result: Fulham WIN  First Goal Scorer: Andy Johnson  Man to Watch: Bjorn Helge Riise (yes, Arne`s “little” bro`)

Best Odds- 7/4 (BoyleSports)

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