Weekend Football Picks 2013 (September 21-22)

It has just been one of those weeks when there has been a lot going on, so I haven't been able to put down a long post.

The Champions League games were probably about as interesting as they get during the first round of matches in the Group Stage, but now we move on to domestic matters as the Premier League and other top flight Leagues continue.


Norwich City v Aston Villa Pick: Away games will certainly still suit Aston Villa more than at home where the onus is on them to attack and the pace they employ in counter attacks will help them out here.

I know Norwich City have a strong home record in recent games and have yet to lose here this season, but they have been fortunate and I think Aston Villa are a stronger team.

Paul Lambert led Villa to 2 wins over Norwich City last season and I think the 3.10 on offer for an away win is too big to ignore.


Newcastle United v Hull City Pick: I am not overly impressed with Newcastle United at odds on to win this game, but they have shown some signs of turning their season around and I do think they have more match winners than Hull City.

The latter have enjoyed visits to St James' Park in the last twenty years, but Newcastle will create chances here and I think their form in recent games gives them the edge. While Hull City looked threatening at times in their games at Chelsea and Manchester City, they still need to find an attacking edge to their play to take the chances they are creating.

That could be a problem for Hull throughout the season as they have scored just 2 goals in their 4 Premier League games and also failed to score at Leyton Orient in the League Cup (in the normal 90 minutes at least).

With Newcastle finding wins in their last 3 games in all competitions, you have to think the Magpies can fly high enough to claim another 3 points in this one.


West Brom v Sunderland Pick: A lack of confidence in both squads makes it tough to make a pick with real confidence, but I do think West Brom at odds against is the call considering their recent success in the fixture.

West Brom haven't scored at home yet, but they have brought in more attacking talent including Stephane Sessegnon from Sunderland and I believe that makes the difference in the game.

The Baggies have also dominated their recent home games against Sunderland and they will enter this game in a more positive frame of mind after earning a late point at Fulham last weekend.

I do think Sunderland also need time to adjust to all the new faces in the dressing room and West Brom at 2.10 looks the call.


Chelsea v Fulham Pick: Chelsea are finding it tough to find their identity under Jose Mourinho and that reached a new low since the Portuguese manager returned to Stamford Bridge with a 1-2 home loss against Basel in the Champions League.

There just isn't the confidence that Chelsea can create enough chances to win games while keeping their own back door shut, especially with the way Mourinho has set his team up to play.

I still don't understand why he can't find a way to give Juan Mata a place in the starting eleven and I do think Fulham have enough attacking options to cause problems, even if some of the fans are beginning to get on Martin Jol's back after Fulham dropped points at home last week.

Fulham are not the pushover of old times on their travels, but Craven Cottage is no longer a fortress either that it had become in recent years. With Dimitar Berbatov, Bryan Ruiz and Darren Bent to call upon, I wouldn't be surprised if both teams score in this one.


Arsenal v Stoke City Pick: Even in the absence of Santi Cazorla, Arsenal will likely create enough chances in this one to win fairly comfortably I would imagine, although they are in a different situation of perhaps having to break down a team with a lot of men behind the ball.

Most of the real flowing football has been played away from the Emirates Stadium this season and that might be shown up in this one as their counter attacking at pace won't be at full effect in this game.

However, confidence has to be incredibly high at the moment in the Arsenal camp and I do expect them to win this game by at least a couple of goals.


Cardiff City v Tottenham Hotspur Pick: I have been impressed with the way Tottenham Hotspur have gone about their business in their opening weeks of the season and Christian Eriksen has the potential to be the game changing player they have missed since selling Rafael Van der Vaart.

A game at Cardiff City will be a real test for any side in the Premier League this season as Manchester City have found out, but both City and Everton will feel they should have come away with three points if they had a little more luck.

It won't be easy for Spurs, but I think they have enough talent to score here and as long as they don't make the mistakes that blighted Manchester City here, I would expect Tottenham to find a way to pick up the three points.


MY PICKS: Aston Villa @ 3.10 Coral (1 Unit)
Newcastle United @ 1.83 Paddy Power (2 Units)
West Brom @ 2.10 Coral (2 Units)
Chelsea-Fulham Both Teams to Score @ 2.20 William Hill (1 Unit)
Arsenal - 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.05 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Tottenham Hotspur @ 1.95 Pinnacle (2 Units)

September Update: 6-6, + 2.10 Units (19 Units Staked, + 11.05% Yield)

August Final: 13-26, - 12.13 Units (54 Units Staked, - 22.46% Yield)

Season 2012/13: + 4.42 Units (415 Units Staked, + 1.07% Yield)