Bet of the weekend: Liverpool to beat Man City - 1.90 at Bet365
If Liverpool don't beat Manchester City this weekend then I think we can finally say that their title hopes will be as good as dead. So Liverpool really have to win this Saturday to even stand a chance and that, from a punting point of view, is crucial. Liverpool have made a habit over the decades, and in particular under Benitez, of pulling out a result when they have needed it. They did it against Manchester United a few weeks ago and City are no United - not yet, anyway. The horrendous injury crisis appears to be easing and, with Steven Gerrard back, they look more like the side that finished second last term than the one foundering in seventh this time. City have hardly been firing in the goals recently and, though they possess plenty of threats, keeping Liverpool out is likely to be tough, especially at Anfield.
Weekend punt: Sunderland to beat Arsenal - 6.00 at Bet365
It will be interesting to see how Arsenal are affected by the absence of Robin van Persie. If you look back through the Gunners' results over the past few seasons, they are far more effective when Van Persie is fit and firing. He is a classy player who would be missed by anyone. Arshavin may also be affected by Russia's failure to qualify for the World Cup. Darren Bent's prolific form will frighten the life out of Arsenal, even though he is without strike-partner Kenwyne Jones, and as a team they are more than decent, especially at home, where they have won four and lost just one of their six matches.
Weekend treble: West Ham and Aston Villa to win, Bolton and Blackburn draw - 18.48 at Bet365
If Liverpool don't beat Manchester City this weekend then I think we can finally say that their title hopes will be as good as dead. So Liverpool really have to win this Saturday to even stand a chance and that, from a punting point of view, is crucial. Liverpool have made a habit over the decades, and in particular under Benitez, of pulling out a result when they have needed it. They did it against Manchester United a few weeks ago and City are no United - not yet, anyway. The horrendous injury crisis appears to be easing and, with Steven Gerrard back, they look more like the side that finished second last term than the one foundering in seventh this time. City have hardly been firing in the goals recently and, though they possess plenty of threats, keeping Liverpool out is likely to be tough, especially at Anfield.
Weekend punt: Sunderland to beat Arsenal - 6.00 at Bet365
It will be interesting to see how Arsenal are affected by the absence of Robin van Persie. If you look back through the Gunners' results over the past few seasons, they are far more effective when Van Persie is fit and firing. He is a classy player who would be missed by anyone. Arshavin may also be affected by Russia's failure to qualify for the World Cup. Darren Bent's prolific form will frighten the life out of Arsenal, even though he is without strike-partner Kenwyne Jones, and as a team they are more than decent, especially at home, where they have won four and lost just one of their six matches.
Weekend treble: West Ham and Aston Villa to win, Bolton and Blackburn draw - 18.48 at Bet365
- It seems one bad result will cost Phil Brown his job. It's ridiculously harsh but that also puts horrible pressure on a Hull team and they could come unstuck. West Ham are underachieving at the moment when you examine the way they have been playing. A win like this would put them clear of the relegation zone and that's an awfully nice carrot to play for.
- Burnley play attractive football but their unbeaten home record is gone and they could well suffer another home loss. There are few better sides on the counter-attack than Villa, thanks in no small part to their abundant pace.
- The Bolton v Blackburn match won't be pretty and there won't be many, if any, goals in it.
Simon Cambers,
ESPN
ESPN
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