Saturday brings a host of matches with big favorites and big underdogs, as only one of the six matches offers much competition. We’ll take a look at the Barclay’s matches to be played on Saturday the 17th of September, 2011. Betting Odds are taken from Bodog.
Blackburn Rovers (63/20) vs. Arsenal (5/6)
Blackburn has yet to win a game this season, but were happy to at least score a goal in the 1-1 tie at Fulham. They have dropped their last five away matches but have lost only one of their last five Premier League games at Ewood Park, with 3 of the non-4 losses being outright victories.
Arsenal has had their problems, but after losing 8-2 to Manchester United, they came back to beat Swansea City 1-0, notching their first Barclays Premier league victory of the season. Aresnal is looking to regain the form they had in 2006, when they reached the Champions’ League Final and lost to Barcelona. In 2003-04 they became only the second team in the league to win the league without losing a single match, and they picked up the name “The Invincibles.” While that monikker may be debateable, they should have no trouble disposing of Blackburn. Though they hav elost 3 of their last 6 matches, the Rovers won’t offer the same challenge they have had in previous weeks.
Aston Villa (20/23) vs. Newcastle United (63/20)
Neither Aston Villa nor Newcastle United has lost yet this season. Seven of the last eight meetings between these teams have been Villa victories, with the last having been a 1-0 thriller. Newcastle has not won at Villa park since their 2-1 victory back in February of 2006. Aston Villa has not lost in their last 6 matches, with 3 victories and 3 draws. They fought to a draw last match 2-2 against Everton, but their dominance over Newcastle cannot be ignored and bettors will be wise to back Aston.
Bolton Wanderers (10/13) vs. Norwich City Trotters (7/2)
Norwich still has yet to win a game back in the Barclays. They have lost their last five visits to Bolton, where they haven;’t won since Matrch of 1982 in the 2nd division.
Norwich City has lost both their home games so far this year, but both came against Manchester Squads, so it wasn’t unexpected. Bolton has owned this team historically and shouldn’t have much trouble winning again Saturday.
Everton (1/2) vs. Wigan Athletic (11/2)
In perhaps the most uneven matchup of the day, the pathetic Wigan squad will take on Everton. Everton tied with Aston Villa last week, and they have won 3 of their last 6 matches, with 2 of the non victories being losses and the other a draw. In 2009-10 they got off to a slow start and rallied in the second half, as they just narrowly missed finishing eighth. This season they are hoping for something similar as they are off to a rough start with only 10 pts in 7 games.
The Latics haven’t won in their first five trips to Goodison Park since September 2005, and have won only one of 11 meetings since. Wigan isn’t talented enough to take on a good number of teams in Barclays, and while that may be in the process of changing, they are still a long ways from being formidable competition for the premier teams in Barclays, not to mention Everton, as mediocre as they are.
Swansea City (8/5) vs. West Bromwich Albio (17/10)
Swansea City still has yet to score their first goal in the Barclays but they haven’t lost at home…since they have managed draws in both matches. West Bromwich won their first game against Norwich last week. Swansea and West Brom have only met twice in the last two decades with the away team winning both games. Swansea has drawn 3 of their last 6 with 2 of the others being victories and one loss. They lost 1-0 to Brighton on May 3rd.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (10/11) vs. Queens Park Rangers (31/10)
Wolverhampton lost their first home match of the season but Queens Park has a host of new players following their takeover, and though they are big underdogs, it’s hard to really get a gauge on them in light of the big turnover in players. The sides haven’t met since January of 1984 and since that time QPR has won 1 and drawn 3 in their 10 visits to Molineux. In the 08-09 Championship, both times the home team won 1-0.
Now that you’ve briefly taken a look at the teams involved in Saturday’s matches, you may feel inclined to want to back up one of your predictions with a wager on Bodog. They offer 10% bonuses and free hassle-free payouts.
On Saturday’s match where Aston Villa played Newcastle United, Aston Villas’ Bannan managed to accumulate a whopping 10 points through assists at Picklive. He scored a further nine through completed crossed and created three points from winning corners. Bannan is a sure bet for my next fantasy football team.
Arsenal’s new signing Mikel Arteta has started with a bang, as the midfielder racked up 59 points in completed passes and 21 points for creating corners at Picklive. In addition, Arteta managed to score a goal, adding to his total points score of 126 – the highest of all the Arsenal players for the game. Although Arsenal lost match, Arteta is positive pick for my future Picklive fantasy football team.
Judging by your e-mail address I can see you are quite the Arsenal fan. Thanks for all the information on the squad!
Interesting…I haven’t dabbled in the fantasy football (soccer here) thing yet. I love fantasy sports though, so perhaps I will soon!