Saturday 17th November

Back over 2.5 goals (4/7, Betfred) in the Arsenal/Spurs game

Today’s 12.45 Kickoff see Arsenal meet Spurs in the first London derby of the season between these 2 rivals.  This fixture is well known for its high tempo and end to end attacking football, you would have to go back to the 2008/09 season to find a 0.0 draw between these two teams, since that stalemate all 7 matches have been over 2.5 goals with last season 2 matches producing 10 goals!

Arsenal last 4 matches have been over 2.5 goals, they are scoring goals but are also leaking goals in defence, they have scored 13 goals in those matches and conceded 12.  Spurs are in a similar position, 4 of their last 5 matches have seen more than 2 goals, scoring 7 goals and conceding 7.  Arsenal and Spurs are better at attacking than defending and with the vast amount of talent on show from both sides today and the bragging rights for the winner this match could go either way but one thing is certain, there will be goals!

Both teams will be looking to put one over their arch rivals today with plenty of goals on the cards in this one.

Back over 2.5 goals (7/10, Bet365) in the QPR/Southampton game

As predicted last week the QPR/Stoke game finished under 2.5 goals.  As I said in last week write-up Mark Hughes has changed his tactical approach in recent weeks, the Hoops are starting games cautiously in order keep a clean at the start of games so they can ease their selves into the game before finding themselves 1.0 down.  The Hoops last 4 games have finished under 2 goals, they have scored 2 goals and conceded 4 in those matches.  That pattern needs to change against fellow strugglers Southampton today and with Mark Hughes time running out he knows this afternoon is a must win game and one where QPR can attack and be the aggressor against a Saints side that have conceded the most goals in the league.  Today is not a day for the Hoops to sit back and soak up the pressure from the opposition, today Hughes needs to show the fans and board that he is the right man to get QPR moving up the table and look positive and attack at home.

8 out of the 11 matches Southampton have played in the Premiership this season have finished with more than 2 goals being scored.   Southampton have conceded a mammoth 29 goals in their opening 11 games and Like QPR Nigel Adkins side have been more cautious in recent weeks and have been more defensive for the same reasons as their opponents.  Saint do have talent within their side and are capable of scoring goals especially against a team with a similar poor defensive record.

Both sides will see today as winnable and a springboard to kick start their season, expect goals.

Back Newcastle (Evs, Betvictor) to beat Swansea

Newcastle are 10th in the League after 11 matches with 3 wins, 5 draws and 3 loses, scoring 12 goals and conceding 15.  All 3 of Newcastle league wins have come at home where the crowd really get behind their team, St James Park is never an easy place to visit.  The Geordie faithful will be looking for a performance and a win from their side after a poor showing last week at home to West Ham where they were haunted by one of their old players, Kevin Nolan.  Coloccini and Cabaye are both absent from the starting line-up today but Newcastle have enough talent in their side to cope and I expect the likes of Ben Arfa, Cisse and Ba to cause problems for Swansea today.

Swansea are 1 point and 1 position behind Newcastle in 11th spot in the league with 3 wins, 4 draws and 4 loses, scoring 16 goals and conceding 15.  The Swans are in poor form away from home in the league at present with no wins from their last 4 matches, losing 3 and drawing last weekend against Southampton who will count themselves unlucky they didn’t win the game.   They have only scored 1 goal in those 4 matches whilst conceding 6.

Expect Newcastle to get back to winning ways against a Swansea side struggling on their travels.

Back Everton (10/11, Betvictor) to beat Reading

Reading are 18th in the Premiership having played 1 game fewer than the rest of the league.  They have 0 win, 6 draws and 4 loses, scoring 12 goals and conceding 18.  Reading home form hasn’t been dreadful this season having only lost 1 game, that coming against Tottenham, the problem is they have drawn 4 of the 5 games they have played and today they face an inform Everton side who are full of confidence and will fancy the challenge of taking maximum points from the Madejeski Stadium.   Reading don’t posses much of a threat upfront and have a poor defence that have conceded 9 goals in their 5 home matches.

Everton are the surprise package of the season, everyone knows how good this side is that David Moyes has built but unlike previous seasons Everton have started the season brightly, they are 4th in the league with 5 wins, 5 draws and 1 lose in their opening 11 games.  After 4 draws in a row Everton got back to winning ways against Sunderland last weekend and will be looking to extend their winning run.  The impressive Mirallas is injured for today’s match but with the likes of Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic and a Leon Osman on a high after a good display on his international debut expect Everton to have too much firepower for Reading to handle

Everton to make it 2 wins from their last 2 matches in the league