Weekend Football Picks 2013 (October 26-27)

Crystal Palace v Arsenal Pick: You can only beat what is in front of you and Arsenal have certainly done that so far, but there has still be an over-reaction to their start to the season, although that is unlikely to be shown up this weekend.

Crystal Palace are a team with a lot of uncertainty around them after losing their manager and coming off a heavy home loss to Fulham. They don't really stop teams playing and that doesn't bode well for them against an Arsenal team that have attacking players that have created chances.

A negative feeling may not be improved much if Arsenal score early in this one and it could be very tough for Crystal Palace to even keep the scoreline looking respectable if that happens. Arsenal will keep coming forward and they have won comfortably at Fulham and Sunderland, two teams that are about what Palace bring to the table.

I am expecting Arsenal to bounce back from their own loss during the week and heap more problems on Palace and I like the away side to win this by a couple of goals.


Aston Villa v Everton Pick: I would be surprised if we don't see goals in this game between two teams that will feel they can cause problems if they get on the front foot in this one.

Both teams have been vulnerable at the back as Aston Villa have shown by conceding at least 2 goals in their last 4 home games in all competitions, while Everton have conceded at least 2 goals in 4 of their last 5 on their travels.

The history of the fixture has also produced quite a lot of goals and you know the two Belgian strikers, Christian Benteke and Romelu Lukaku, will feel they can add to their Premier League goal tally in this one.

The layers have taken a chance by offering the over 2.5 goals at odds against and I do think that is worth backing here.


Manchester United v Stoke City Pick: As a Manchester United fan, I will be the first to tell you that they haven't been the most trust-worthy team to back so far this season as they are still getting used to the new voice in the dressing room.

However, David Moyes has also seen a little bit of luck desert him at times and I think Manchester United would have been comfortable winners last weekend if they had scored the second goal instead of hitting the bar and the post.

There is a feeling that a big win is due for United and I have a feeling that Stoke City could be the team that unfortunately cops that as they visit a ground they haven't had a lot of success at in recent games.

I have been impressed with what Mark Hughes is attempting to do since taking over at Stoke, but they are a team that has struggled for goals although they will be a real threat from set pieces as that is one area United have particularly struggled to defend.

Even with that in mind, I do think there have been signs that United are about ready to explode in terms of goals and I like them to win this one by a couple of goals this weekend.


Sunderland v Newcastle United Pick: It is said that you can usually throw the form book out of the window when it comes to derby games, but there is a clear difference in the way these sides come into the game in terms of mentality.

Sunderland played well last week until they conceded and the heads quickly dropped and it will be interesting to see if they can pick themselves up if they fall behind in this one. On the other hand, Newcastle United have reserved some of their best results for away games and will certainly feel they can add to the woes of the home fans.

The Magpies have scored plenty of goals in recent games and Sunderland have been conceding goals for fun. That is possibly the best way for to back the away side in this one as Ladbrokes are offering 2.70 that Newcastle United score 2 or 3 goals in this one.

I know it came against stronger clubs, but Sunderland have conceded at least 2 home games to Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, while also conceding heavily at Swansea and Crystal Palace. Newcastle themselves have scored at least 2 goals in 4 straight away games and the odds look a little high.

In terms of Newcastle scoring 4 or more away from home, they haven't managed that tally since 2010 in a Carling Cup game at Chelsea, while Newcastle hit 4 at Ipswich Town in the Championship in 2009. It would be a truly shocking collapse if Sunderland conceded 4 to their closest rivals and I think it is much more likely that Newcastle continue their recent run of 2 goals in away games.


Tottenham Hotspur v Hull City Pick: I have been impressed with the way Hull City have gone about their business so far this season, particularly in the effort they have shown in their away games aside from the first half against Chelsea when it looked like the Tigers would be blown away.

However, they have conceded 2 goals in each of their away games which has to be a concern when it comes to their chances of picking up points against one of the strongest Premier League teams.

Tottenham Hotspur don't concede a lot of goals and the 0-3 loss to West Ham United looks an aberration as they have kept clean sheets in their two wins since then. The layers are taking no chances of that happening again, and I am not interested in a win to nil at short prices off the back of a Europa League game where Spurs have struggle before this season.

In saying that, I do think Spurs are going to win this game and instead I will back them on the Asian Handicap to come through with a clear win against a tough Hull City team that is missing too many key players in my opinion.

MY PICKS: Arsenal - 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.05 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Aston Villa-Everton Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.95 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
Manchester United - 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.05 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Newcastle United to score 2-3 Goals @ 2.70 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Tottenham Hotspur - 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.05 Pinnacle (2 Units)