Premiership Preview (23rd & 24th Sept)
Saturday’s double-header sees FA Cup holders Liverpool entertain Spurs and Coppell’s Reading take on Man United. Then, there’s a tense clash on Sunday as under-pressure Glenn Roeder looks to win only his third game this season against unbeaten Everton. If you’re looking for a bet that’s a bit different, have a good look at the football markets at Sporting Index.
Liverpool v Tottenham (Saturday: 12.45 PremPlus)
The buzz from Alonso’s stunning midweek strike will still be in the air as Tottenham travel up to Anfield on Saturday. Spurs know that defeat here (if other results go against them) will see them drop into the relegation zone. Martin Jol is yet to emerge victorious against The Reds, although Benitez’s men can only boast of a single victory in their last 7 meetings. Despite this, Sporting Index reckon Gerrard & co. will put their title campaign firmly on track with a win by 0.9 to 1.1 goals. Spurs have struggled in front of goal with only two goals in 450 minutes of league football. With Malbranque, Lennon and Berbatov injured, their attacking options have been blunted. In the last 7 games these two have averaged 1.7 goals per game so the total goals spread of 2.3 to 2.5 is certain to catch the punters’ eye. These games are pretty mild affairs and Sporting estimate 4 yellow cards in the match.
Reading v Man Utd (Sunday: 17.15 PremPlus)
Steve Coppell welcomes his old club to the Madejski Stadium as Reading take on United for the first time in top-flight football. Their last meeting was in the FA Cup over 10 years ago, which United won 3-0. Gary Neville played that day and the current captain will be hoping for more of the same. Giggs was on the scoresheet that January afternoon but his injury shouldn’t trouble Fergie - his strikeforce is fully fit. Reading lie respectably in sixth and have back-to-back wins against Man City and Sheffield United. Leroy Lita scored a brace against Darlington in the League Cup and confidence will be high although their legs may be feeling heavy. United will be fresher and Sporting Index predict they’ll bounce back from the defeat to Arsenal and win by 1.1 to 1.3 goals. The Royals have been pretty tight in the back, marshalled superbly by Ibrahima Sonko. Rooney and Saha will have to trouble him if they’re to contribute to the 2.6 to 2.8 total goals Sporting think will occur. Both teams have begun the season on a disciplined footing, and Sporting see that continuing with only 3 bookings in the match.
Newcastle v Everton (Sunday: 16.00 Sky Sports 1)
Having taken on the red half of Merseyside on Wednesday, attention turns to the blue half for Newcastle. In the corresponding fixture last season, Roeder was riding high on the back of some great form which saw them running out 2-0 winners. He is under pressure this time round with his team losing 3 of the last 4 Premiership games. Ameobi and Martins are yet to find any real spark up front as opposed to the hustling pair of Beattie and league top-scorer Andrew Johnson. They’re sure to cause problems for a Magpies defence looking weak as Given joins Bramble and Taylor on the injury list. However Sporting Index believe that St James Park will witness Everton’s unbeaten Premiership run come to an end. United are expected to win this by 0.2 to 0.4 goals. This fixture has thrown up 37 goals in last 10 games and Sporting’s prediction that there’ll be no more than 2.5 total goals is sure to attract interest. Steve Bennett takes charge of this match and the stern official is expected to caution 5 players.