As well as loving the Hammers and winding up Sp*rs fans, I love a punt (of the footballing kind). So thought I'd share my thoughts on the bets available this weekend.
It's still silly season at the moment, with clubs getting to know newly promoted teams and new players coming in. Wigan started off as world beaters on Saturday against Villa only to come a cropper against Wolves who the Hammers dealt with on Saturday. Burnley threatened to be the whipping boys after a poor start at Stoke and then go and beat Manchester United. The strength seems to be with Arsenal and Chelsea at the moment. Spurs have started well, but we all know that will come to halt at the weekend!
Interesting bets for me are when a Premier Lague team at home are not fancied. This is the case with two teams this weekend, as both Fulham (at home to Chelsea) and Wigan (at home to Man United) are both 6-1.
Wigan have had a mixed start, beating a shaky Villa on the opening day before losing 1-0 to Wolves. Last season, they played Man United and only a late Carrick penalty gave them a 2-1 win. However, Fergie will be hurting from the defeat at Burnley, and it is very rare that United are stung twice, so perhaps backing them at 1/2 may be more sensible.
The Fulham game is more intriguing, I don't know how but Hodgson has made his side into a tough lot who get results. Adding Damien Duff to the squad gives them a new, exciting dimension. They have only won one of sixteen meetings with Chelsea, then again, I don't think they have ever been as strong as they are now. Chelsea are pretty hot but they do have the capability to have an off day. At 6/1 this is worth considering.
My dead cert for the weekend is Man City against Wolves - the first home game of the season at Middle Eastlands and an up for it crown cheering on a raft of new stars against the Premier League new boys. Wolves will get some results this season, but this won't be one of them, and Man City at 1/3 are worth getting some money behind.
Sky Bet will give you a free tenner when place a £10 bet yourself when you use the banner below. Put your tenner on City home win then take theirs and punt it on Fulham at home to Chelsea. Good luck!
