Premier League Picks November 7

Well thought I would get some regular Premier League picks going. To tell you the truth, I have been doing accumulator bets for the last 4 years and I have won only once so probably best not to use this as your tips for the weekend but let’s see if I can get at least one right over the course of the season.

Saturday

Aston Villa v Bolton
Villa dropped points at West Ham on Monday night but Bolton are also coming into this game on the back of a defeat - a much heavier one. After a 4 goal mauling by Chelsea, a visit to Villa Park is not the ideal place to get back on track. Verdict: Aston Villa 2-0 Bolton

Blackburn v Portsmouth
Looking at the fixture list about 3 weeks ago, Rovers fans would have been relishing this encounter after two tough games and expected defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United but Portsmouth are starting to settle and a good win last weekend will give them more confidence going into this game. Verdict: Blackburn 2-2 Portsmouth

Man City v Burnley
This is an interesting encounter with Manchester City looking to get a win after four straight draws and Burnley looking to get their first point on their travels in the Premier League. However, despite the Clarets only trailing City by four points in the league table, the home side are clear favourites for this one - especially with the return of striker Emmanuel Adebayor. Verdict: Man City 3-0 Burnley

Tottenham v Sunderland
This is going to be a right tweet for Darren Bent as he returns to White Hart Lane for the first time. The striker, who criticised his former club for their handling of his transfer to the Stadium of Light in the summer on social networking site Twitter, will be looking to let his feet do the talking this time and show the Spurs faithful what they are missing. Tottenham have had a tough run of late after a disappointing home defeat to Stoke and a hammering at the hands of rivals Arsenal last week so they will be keen to get back to winning ways. Verdict: Tottenham 3-2 Sunderland

Wolverhampton v Arsenal
The home side will be looking to take their second-half performance against Stoke last week through to this game but they will be up against much stiffer opposition. Arsenal have been outstanding of late with a comprehensive win over Tottenham last week followed up with the comfortable victory over AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday and will have no problems keeping up the pressure on Chelsea and Man United. Verdict: Wolverhampton 0-3 Arsenal

Sunday

Chelsea v Manchester United
The top of the table clash is, as usual, billed as an epic battle but, as usual, will most likely be a tactical encounter. Chelsea are favourites, and rightly so as the Blues have been in good form of late in the league and the Champions haven’t exactly been setting the world alight. United can’t really afford to fall too far behind their title rivals but it looks like five points will be the difference come 6pm on Sunday. Verdict: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United

Hull v Stoke
Phil Brown’s job is apparently still on the line and he will surely have his troops fired up for this one but they were turned over by Burnley last week and Stoke, despite a terrible second half performance, have been looking impressive. It does not look like an exciting game on the tin and it will be exactly what it says. Verdict: Hull 0-1 Stoke

Fulham v Wigan
It must be frustrating to be a Latics fan at the moment, they have been the most inconsistent team this season. They managed to beat Chelsea and Aston Villa, get a draw with Manchester City but suffered disappointing defeats to Burnley and last week’s demolishing by Portsmouth. Fulham had a tough outing in midweek against Roma but, after going the month of October unbeaten, they will be looking to keep their good league form intact. Verdict: Fulham 2-0 Wigan

West Ham v Everton
The Hammers had a great win on Monday night over Aston Villa and boss Gianfranco Zola will be hoping that form continues and they can move away from the drop zone. A win could take them above their opponents Everton who have been struggling of late. David Moyes has been complaining about fixture congestion but they are not the only team with European commitments so they need to get on with it and focus on getting three points. Although, I doubt they will do that on Sunday. Draw for me. Verdict: West Ham 1-1 Everton

Monday

Liverpool v Birmingham
Last week’s defeat to Fulham has left the Reds’ title hopes hanging by a thread and with their chances of Champions League success looking even more precarious, the pressure is on boss Rafa Benitez. Birmingham done well last week to hold Manchester City to a point at St Andrew’s but a trip to Anfield, despite Liverpool’s poor form, will prove a lot more difficult. Verdict: Liverpool 2-1 Birmingham

My Game:
I will do a verdict every week if I am reporting on a game and this week is my first FA Cup assignment.

Oldham v Leeds
Leeds are finally looking good for promotion in League 1 this season and have won their last two games against Yeovil and Bristol Rovers 4-0 but form goes out the window in the Cup as everyone knows so Oldham are without a doubt in with a chance, especially at Boundary Park. However, I think Leeds will just have enough to make it into the second round draw. Verdict: Oldham 0-1 Leeds

Haye to tame 'The Beast' in bore-fest

I’m back and I am promising to be more regular with my rants, oh sorry blogs. Been a long time due to the summer, work and various other commitments but now with the cold and wet winter nights setting in I have nothing better to do!

This weekend many British boxing fans will pay £15 or thereabouts to watch David Haye square up to Nickolai Valuev in what will only be a moderately interesting encounter because of the size difference.

Most are probably interested because of the comedy factor they have seen in this size difference and are expecting either Valuev destroying Haye (not going to happen) or Haye in true ‘Rocky Balboa’ style defying all the odds and knocking out Valuev.

However, I see a tactical encounter with Haye keeping his distance, being cautious and only attempting to go inside on selective occasions. Valuev will, most likely, attempt to keep Haye at bay with his extremely long reach, strength and limited boxing skills. In all a tactical 12 round contest is what I am betting on.

People who pay will complain if they don’t see a war, these are the same people who moaned when they paid to see Ricky Hatton get knocked out in the second round by Manny Pacquiao, when Floyd Mayweather gave Juan Manuel Marquez a boxing lesson and when he dismantled Hatton.

These were advertised in the UK as being epic encounters and they were, but not in the way that most people wanted. True boxing fans were in awe but punters baying for blood were disappointed.

However, I don’t think boxing purists or those looking for an out-and-out scrap will be pleased with what will be on show on Saturday night.

Haye has the opportunity to breed new life into the heavyweight division that has been struggling over the past decade so for the sport’s popularity I hope the Londoner conquers the ‘Beast From The East’.