Saturday 13th
The first match of the day kicks off at 12.45 and sees last years champions Manchester City visit unbeaten Arsenal at the Emirates. City, rather unexpectedly, lost their last game to Stoke and will be looking to regain momentum in their title pursuit. Arsenal have a win and two draws to their name thus far in the league and will be hoping that Danny Welbeck brings his recent goal-scoring form for England to bear.
As mentioned in a previous post, City may have left themselves a bit short in the striking department over the course of the transfer window and, with rumoured knocks to Jovetic and Aguero, this may influence their success in front of goal. Having said that, City have generally done well against Arsenal in recent seasons and the bookies make them favourites to do the same on Saturday by way of an away victory. The best value for a City win can be found at Betfred at prices of 6/4. Anyone fancying a flutter on the Arsenal win can find odds of 2/1 from Betvictor.
At 15.00 we’re treated to a top-of-the-table clash when Swansea travel from Wales to visit Chelsea, the only other unbeaten team in the league apart from themselves. As it stands, Swansea manager Gary Monk is presently in a race with Jose Mourinho for the first Manager of the Month award of the season, indicative of Swansea’s excellent start season. Swansea, when playing well, have been a very impressive team full of confidence and purpose.
In Shelvey, they have a player of rare skill who, when in proper the mental and physical form, can create opportunities and pick out incisive passes in the most packed of pitches. He’ll need to be on the top of his game to do so against a well-marshaled Mourinho team but if he and Bony can click, the odds of 12/1 for a Swansea win from Betvictor look quite sweet. Having said that, Chelsea are justifiable favourites across the market with 888sport offering the best price at 3/10.
Sunday 14th
16.00 There should better matches to preview than one which sees the 12th place team visit the 14th but this happens to be, respectively, a recently promoted team with threats of large fines hanging over them as a result of Financial Fair Play transgressions taking on a team who has recently spent upward of £100 million on new, galactico-esque signings. Yes, at 16.00, Manchester United take on QPR in Old Trafford. United have had an atrocious start to the season, constantly surprising everyone with some utterly abject displays.
However, in addition to record-breaking signing Angel di Maria, they have also had the good fortune to welcome the considerable talents of el Tigre, Radamel Falcao, to their fold. Even with this ridiculous amount of world class ammunition, United may still stutter. In time, they will surely gel but it may not be for some time yet. Having said that, QPR have not impressed in the slightest thus far and shouldn’t offer any real resistance to United, even if they are still searching for a rhythm. Betfred’s offer of 3/10 is the most generous around.
