It’s back to the Premier League after the midweek European adventures of some Premier League clubs. Last weekend was the first time for a couple of years that none of the traditional big four teams managed to win, could it happen again?

Berbatov playing well for United

Well I think it is highly unlikely, to say the least! 16/1 was on offer this week about all the British teams winning in the a year on and on and on and on and on for a you are or qualify as atle one todayey did, including Rangers.

The big game of the weekend is on Sunday when Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, possibly the game of the season so far. Chelsea were beaten last week for the first time, having won their first five games, at Manchester City. Arsenal were humiliated at home by Bolton, hardly sparkling form from either team.

Arsenal have some high-profile long-term injuries wearers Chelsea have the key absence of Frank Lampard to contend with but for me Chelsea will be too strong and I strongly fancy them to win this game. Chelsea are a maximum bet and I think a very good bet indeed to be Arsenal.

Although their reserve goalkeeper played very well in Europe this week it is a position that is causing Arsene Wenger plenty of exactly where is Chelsea looked rocksolid between the sticks.

Arsenal - face Chelsea

Manchester United should get back to winning ways away at Sunderland. Steve Bruce’s men got a result at Anfield but this is a totally different proposition and for me Manchester United are rock solid here. It is unlikely that Wayne Rooney will figure but I am maintaining that United are a better team without him, currently, given his recent woeful form. He needs to sort out his personal problems so he can come back and apply his mind to the job in hand, that of playing football. I of course wishing well but fully agree with Sir Alex Ferguson (which I am sure he really doesn’t care about) that for the time being Rooney is best left on the sidelines. United are bankers in my view.

On Sunday Liverpool host Blackpool and it would be nothing short of a disaster if Liverpool were not to win, and win decisively, against the Premier League’s new boys. The men in orange have started brightly in fairness in the big league but have been dreadfully exposed when playing the big teams conceding six and four against Arsenal and Chelsea respectively. The way things are and field they would settle for a one nil win bought let’s be honest here, they should destroy Blackpool in the same way that Chelsea and Arsenal did. So Liverpool are taken to win again, if they don’t they could be in big trouble!

Manchester City beat Chelsea at home last week. This time it is Newcastle who they entertain at Eastlands. I think that I will pass on this game for the simple reason that City are just too unpredictable at the moment, brilliant at times, frustrating on occasion. I fully expect city to win but they have not always delivered the goods recently, so I will pass here. Looking at recent stats it would be no surprise to see this game and in a draw, which you may want to consider at a decent price.

After the European midweek action it is back to the Premier League this weekend with the big game being on Sunday as Manchester United host Liverpool. Can Chelsea continue their free scoring Premier League form?

Can United take back the Premier League Crown this season?

Saturday’s fixtures…

• Aston Villa v Bolton 15.00
• Blackburn v Fulham 15.00
• Everton v Newcastle 15.00
• Stoke City v West Ham 12.45
• Sunderland v Arsenal 17.30
• Tottenham v Wolves 15.00
• West Brom v Birmingham 15.00

The best of the action it is definitely on Sunday but there should be easy pickings on Saturday, free football betting tips from racing diary…

Aston Villa V Bolton

Gerard Houllier has taken over at Villa which should study the ship and he could not have wished for a better game than a home fixture against Bolton. The visitors even at this early stage of the season have settled into an mid-table mediocre position which in truth is the best that they can hope for over a season. This is a game that Villa should win. There will be plenty of motivation from the Villa frontline as Houllier has publicly stated that he is interested in bringing Michael Owen to the Midlands from Manchester United. Owen played for Liverpool under Houllier and the Frenchman is a confirmed admirer of the former England star’s talents. With the honeymoon period that usually follows such a managerial appointment Villa look a rock solid bet on Saturday.

Advice: back Aston Villa to beat Bolton.

Everton V Newcastle

After four games played Everton find themselves with only the pointless West Ham below them in the Premier league table. Saturdays visitors to Goodison Park find themselves seventh from bottom as things stand and I suspect if they could end the season there then they would be happy. There is no doubt in my mind that Everton will finish well above Newcastle and certainly in the top half of the Premier League. This is no doubt again that David Moyes will expect to win.

The Toffees start to the season has not been easy but they showed great tenacity and fighting spirit to come back from 3-1 down to Manchester United and probably should have won that game and David Moyes’ outspoken criticism of the referee landed the Everton manager in hot water with the FA.

Steven Pienaar told the press this week that he has recovered from fatigue as a result of playing for South Africa in this summer’s World Cup and is fully focused on helping Everton to a first Premier league win of the season against Newcastle. We could see the return to Premier league action of former England international Sol Campbell who played for Newcastle reserves on Thursday night and could turn out for the magpies on his 35th birthday to shore up the Toon defence. He was an only used substitute in Saturday’s two nil home defeat by Blackpool, hardly form that can inspire us to back Newcastle.

Advice: back Everton to beat Newcastle

Sunderland V Arsenal

If you are considering a multi-bet this weekend then Arsenal are absolute bankers in my opinion. Despite short odds I will be having a nice bets on Arsenal who I think will cruise to victory against Steve Bruce’s side. Once again Arsenal played very well in Europe and should continue their great start to the season which has seen them accumulate 10 points from four games played with only Chelsea having more.

Advice: back Arsenal to beat Sunderland

Sunday…

Manchester United V Liverpool

Had United held on to their 3-1 lead at Goodison Park on Saturday before an injury time collapse then they would have 10 points from a possible 12. Despite the fact that Liverpool are a big-name as punters we have to judge this game on form and this is not on paper a difficult game force of Alex Ferguson’s side.

Unfortunately this fixture is not played on paper it is played on the pitch and Liverpool are always up for a battle at Old Trafford. That said Manchester United for me will prove too good and the best that Liverpool can hope for in my book is a draw. I expect United to win but I advise that our betting strategy is to turn to the betting exchanges and to lay Liverpool, which means should it end in a draw then we get paid. Rangers frustrated Manchester United here at Old Trafford on Tuesday but in truth United never looked like losing. I think we are safe in laying Liverpool here.

Rio Ferdinand told the press this week that he believes beating Liverpool would be a perfect tonic for the nightmare at Goodison Park last weekend. both United draws this season, at Fulham and Everton Ferdinand believes word needlessly conceded and already four points adrift of defending champions Chelsea he says United can ill afford to drop points in such a way.

United will of course be without the ill-fated Antonio Valencia, who will miss most of the season with that horrific ankle injury sustained against Rangers. United big names will be important and will need to be at their best to peg back a Liverpool side buoyed by a 4-1 win in the Europa league against Steaua Buchareston Thursday. I think the fact that United have had a longer break between games is also a crucial factor.

Advice: Lay Liverpool

Chelsea could hit a big total

Chelsea V Blackpool

Blackpool have started life in the Premier League in fine style but against Arsenal at the Emirates they showed just how vulnerable they are against the top sides. Chelsea are in sublime form and this could be a video nasty for the Blackpool fans on Sunday. There is no value as far as backing Chelsea is concerned, it is definitely one for the multi-bet and I think over 2.5 goals is probably nailed on here. So if you are having a coupon Chelsea are probably the best bet of the season, but here are some specials available on this game.

Stan James Premier League specials:

Total Home Wins

Under 4.5 – 13/8

Over 4.5 – 4/9

Total Draws

Under 2.5 – 8/11

Over 2.5 – 1/1

Total Away Wins

Under 2.5 – 4/5

Over 2.5 – 10/11

How many goals will Chelsea score against Blackpool?

0 16/1

1 7/1

2 4/1

3 7/2

4 4/1

5 7/1

6 or more 4/1

Wigan V Manchester City

It has not escaped many people’s notice that Manchester City draw Premier League matches on a regular basis, particularly away from home. I think anything less than a win for the big spending Eastland’s side would be nothing short of a disaster and those of rumblings of discontent and media speculation about the future of Roberto Mancini will start to get louder.

That said I fully expect city to beat an inconsistent, at best, Wigan side and beat them, been them convincingly.

Advice: back Manchester City to beat Wigan.

Premier League Specials….

Man U are 6/4 favourites to remain unbeaten longest in the Premier League with William Hill who also offer 15/8 Chelsea; 7/2 Arsenal; 8/1 Birmingham; 40 Fulham. The market will be settled on the number of consecutive games unbeaten from the start of the season.

MANCINI ODDS-ON FOR CHOP BY END OF SEASON

MANCHESTER CITY boss Roberto Mancini is 8/11 NOT to see out the season in his post with William Hill who also make him 10/3 second favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave his club, behind only 5/2 favourite Avram Grant in the betting. ‘Mancini knew what he was taking on when he accepted the job and a few more games without a win could see him on his way.’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe.
Hills have pushed City out to 14/1 to win the title and they are now 6/5 NOT to finish in the top four.

MANCINI to see out season as City boss?….Evens YES;;8/11 NO
CITY TO FINISH IN TOP FOUR?…..8/13 YES; 6/5 NO
NEXT PREM BOSS OUT…..5/2 Grant; 10/3 Mancini; 7/2 Martinez; 6 McLeish; 8 Hughton; 10 Moyes; 12 Di Matteo; 16 Holloway; Hughes.

CHELSEA 2/1 TO STAY TOP ALL SEASON

Chelsea are now 10/11 favourites to win the Premier League title with William Hill who also make them 2/1 to lead the division all season. ‘Chelsea already look as though they will be tough to peg back’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe.

BETTING ON NORTH-SOUTH DIVIDE

This weekend 6 London clubs face 6 Northern (north of the Watford Gap) clubs in Premier League and Championship games, William Hill are asking which area will win most points:

The games are Stoke v West Ham, Spurs v Wolves, Sunderland v Arsenal, Chelsea v Blackpool, Palace v Burnley and Leicester v QPR.

Hills make London 1/2 favourites with The North 6/4 and a draw 16/1. ‘This is a great opportunity for fans to bet on the great north-south divide in football!’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe.

Hills offer 8/13 that a southern-based team will win the Prem; 6/5 a northern-based club.