Weekend Football Picks (November 10-11)

November has not started off that well after the success of the last three months, but hopefully that won't be the case for the whole month.

These are my picks for the weekend football.


Reading v Norwich City Pick: If it wasn't for Norwich City's struggles to score goals away from home, the over 2.5 goals would be a huge price from this game and I still believe it will come in.

Reading have been scoring and conceding goals for fun at the Majedski Stadium this season and they won't be sitting back in this game as it looks a very winnable one to get off the mark in the Premier League, while they have struggled to hold on to leads so will want to keep scoring goals to ensure the three points are earned.

Reading's defensive struggles are well documented, and Norwich have scored in 3 of their last 4 away games so they should be able to get off the mark, while the Canaries haven't kept an away clean sheet since May 2011.


Southampton v Swansea Pick: This is a simple pick for me as I do think Southampton have been playing well enough at home to pick up the three points here, but I think it is worth backing them to win with at least 3 goals scored in the match.

Southampton can't defend effectively and it would be a real surprise to me if they keep a clean sheet against Swansea who have shown they can create chances.

However, the Swans have a number of defensive problems with injuries taking their toll and Southampton are certainly a side that look dangerous going forward and will be able to create chances themselves.

At 4.00 being offered, goals and a home win look like they go hand in hand and I can't imagine the latter happening without the former so looks the best way to attack this game.


Aston Villa v Manchester United Pick: You have to like Manchester United's chances of extending their winning run in the Premier League at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon, particularly with the form that Robin Van Persie and Javier Hernandez have shown in front of goal in recent games.

However, United will need all the goals they can get as they have still looked a little suspect defensively and I have little doubt that Aston Villa can cause problems with Christian Bentenke looking like a bit of a handful.

It was tough to find an angle for this game but seeing a market for both teams to score and United to win looks the best way to get on, especially at 3.00, considering it would have been a winner in 8 of United's last 9 wins.


Newcastle United v West Ham United Pick: Newcastle United are definitely a stronger side in front of their own supporters as shown by 4 wins in their last 5 games in all competitions and I still believe West Ham United are going to struggle on their travels and build their foundation of their survival of their season at Upton Park.

The Hammers haven't really been tested on their travels in terms of strength of teams they have played, but they have already been beaten at Swansea and Wigan Athletic and I would suggest that Newcastle have a stronger home advantage than those two sides.

Newcastle do have a couple of injury concerns and suspensions in defensive areas, but they have a front three that can cause problems for any team and I expect them to be on the front foot for much of this game.

I imagine Newcastle are going to finish in the top 7 this season and I don't think many, if any at all, of those sides will be odds against to beat West Ham this season so this price has to be taken.


Chelsea v Liverpool Pick: This is a very simple pick for me- I think Chelsea are going to win the game and snap their recent poor run against Liverpool, but I wouldn't be surprised if their defensive vulnerabilities are exposed again and they concede for the fifth straight time at home in all competitions.

Chelsea look like they have enough attacking power to score goals, but they have struggled to find the right balance and we have seen Manchester United and Shakhtar Donetsk come here and expose those issues. Norwich City also scored here so I do expect Liverpool will find their way on to the scoreboard.

However, I think there is enough talent in the home ranks to get through this tricky test and I'll have a small interest in them doing so with both teams scoring at least once.


MY PICKS: Reading-Norwich City Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.83 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
Southampton Win and at least 3 Goals Scored (Quatro) @ 4.00 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Both Teams to Score and Manchester United Win @ 3.00 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Newcastle United @ 2.05 Coral (2 Units)
Both Teams to Score and Chelsea Win @ 3.75 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)



November Update: 2-5, - 1.60 Units (10 Units Staked, - 16% Yield)

October Final: 9-9, + 5.44 Units (27 Units Staked, 20.1% Yield)
September Final: 17-11, + 21.19 Units (46 Units Staked, 46.1% Yield)
August Final: 12-13, + 1.29 Units (40 Units Staked, 3.22% Yield)