Weekend Football (December 22-23)

All I know about this time of the season is how busy it gets and fixtures come around thick and fast, but there has been another week between games and this is the final calm before the fast run of games that are coming our way in the next ten days.

The most notable news of the week has to come out of the Champions League with a number of eye-catching ties, particularly the one involving my Manchester United and Real Madrid- the media should have an absolute blast with that fixture as it involves the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, the relationship between Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson and obviously the history of the two clubs that have won a combined 12 European Cups.

It was actually the one tie that I wanted to avoid until later in the tournament, but I have begun to look at it another way- either United are going to show they have the class to win the Champions League, something I have very much doubted this season, or they are going to go out of the tournament and won't have to worry about the strain on the squad that Manchester City will not be facing come the end of the season.


Anyway, get ready for a feast of football over this Christmas period... These are my picks for the weekend games in the Premier League.


Wigan Athletic v Arsenal Pick: On Monday night, I had recommended backing over 3.5 goals in the Reading-Arsenal game and that was never in doubt with the way Reading were defending in the contest.

This is another game that could go the same way as Wigan are really struggling for defensive numbers and the fixture is one that has routinely produced goals in the past. The last 4 League games at the DW Stadium have all ended with at least 4 goals scored and I think both sides are good for at least one in this contest.

Arsenal also can put all their attention on this game now that they managed to get their Boxing Day clash with West Ham United called off (despite Fulham and Queens Park Rangers playing home games in London on the same day). This could be a decent bit of entertainment for those who catch it on Saturday afternoon.


Manchester City v Reading Pick: Reading looked absolutely shocking defensively against Arsenal and even the way they played after leading Manchester United in a recent game was disappointing for them to say the least.

That kind of defending will absolutely be punished by Manchester City, a team that looked a lot better at Newcastle United last weekend when pairing Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez up front. City have the power and creativity to open Reading up in this one and anything less would be a surprise to me.

City will also want to up the pressure on Manchester United who won't be playing until Sunday. I just think they can get on the front foot here and put away a Reading side that could easily be more focused on their up coming games against Swansea and West Ham United at home over the next week.


Southampton v Sunderland Pick: Adam Lallana is missing for Southampton in this game, but I still think they can pick up a huge three points against a Sunderland side that have struggled away from home.

Goals have been a problem for Sunderland, but they have begun to find their way on that front. However, they have also looked like a side that will struggle for clean sheets and there is no doubting that Southampton create chances and cause problems for sides, particularly at their St Mary's Stadium.

It wouldn't be a huge surprise if both teams score in this one, but I think Southampton will be a little too strong and earn the three points that will see them move above Sunderland in the League table.


Tottenham Hotspur v Stoke City Pick: Tottenham Hotspur have struggled for consistency this season and they do concede a lot of late goals, but the 1-0 win over Swansea last Sunday will do a lot for their confidence. However, it won't be easy against Stoke who have been one of the toughest teams to beat in the League.

Stoke have also managed to pick up results at White Hart Lane in 2 of their 4 visits since returning to the top flight and they have scored at least one goal in all of those games. They have also found the next at Manchester United this season so I wouldn't be surprised if they did score in this one.

I still can't help but think that Spurs find a way to win and backing them to do so in a game where both sides score looks like the call from this one.


Liverpool v Fulham Pick: This might look a crazy pick at first sight, but there is no way in a million years that Fulham deserve to be 2.80 to avoid defeat at Liverpool. The home side have struggled to turn out wins at Anfield in the entire calender year and I know Fulham are not the best on their travels.

However, they have earned a result in 3 of their last 4 games at Anfield and Fulham can also point to draws at Arsenal and Chelsea to suggest they are capable of causing a surprise here.

Sometimes the layers look at a teams name and they automatically price them far lower than they should be and I really believe this is one of those occasions. In this calender year alone, the likes of Aston Villa (twice), Newcastle, Stoke (twice), West Brom, Fulham and Wigan have all got a result at Anfield so 2.80 looks remarkable value to me.


Swansea v Manchester United Pick: Swansea have been good enough so far this season to think they won't be going down this season, but they have also been a little streaky- however, they have been better at home and I expect them to cause Manchester United some real problems in this one despite losing 3-4 to Norwich City in their last home game.

One thing United have been good for this season is for entertaining the fans, although most will tell you they could do without United falling behind before they start playing this time. The away form has been brilliant again this season and it is important to note that United have won 7 of their 9 away games this season even though they have only kept 1 clean sheet.

The return of Nemanja Vidic should improve the defensive side of things for United going forward, but that might take a little time to settle. I still think United are going to be too good for Swansea in their current form, but don't be surprised if Swansea become the latest side to score against United in this one.


Chelsea v Aston Villa Pick: There clearly wasn't really much of a jet lag issue for Chelsea as they brushed aside Leeds United in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday evening, but I expect this one to be a little tougher for them as Aston Villa have started putting some performances together.

Villa have also performed admirably in visits to Stamford Bridge in recent seasons and I definitely think the layers are under-estimating their chances of causing something of an upset here.

That is not to say that I think Chelsea won't win this game, just that I believe their defensive issues could be exposed and I think Aston Villa are capable of scoring at least one goal in the game, albeit in a losing effort.


MY PICKS: Wigan Athletic-Arsenal Over 3.5 Goals @ 2.63 Coral (1 Unit)
Manchester City - 2.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.05 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
Southampton to Win and Over 2.5 Goals scored in the match @ 3.25 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Both teams to score and Tottenham Hotspur to win @ 3.50 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Fulham + 0.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.80 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Both teams to score and Manchester United to win @ 3.00 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Both teams to score and Chelsea to win @ 3.00 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)



December Update: 15-12-1, + 8.21 Units (34 Units Staked, + 24.1 % Yield)

November Final: 8-21, - 8.25 Units (37 Units Staked, - 22.3% 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)