Midweek Football Picks 2016 (September 27-29)

The next international break is fast approaching, but before that we have Match Day 2 of the European competitions and then a final round of domestic football to play this weekend.

At least the next set of World Cup Qualifiers are a double header, but I can't help feel the break in the domestic season is as frustrating for the players and managers as it is for the fans. Momentum can be blocked, plus you never know what kind of condition players will return in.

This time around the two week break will be followed by a huge Liverpool vs Manchester United clash on Monday Night Football after the last one was followed by the Manchester derby, but it is a shame there has to be a break between the fixtures this weekend and the ones that will follow.


Match Day 2 won't make or break any team's chances of moving through to the Knock Out Stage of the Champions League and Europa League, but there are a couple of the English teams in a tough position right now. Neither Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester United can afford another loss already having been beaten in Match Day 1 and I think it is the former who have the tougher test, but Manchester United have the difficulty of Match Day 3 landing in a really awkward spot between fixtures at Liverpool and Chelsea so the pressure is on to win this week.


September has proven to be a very good month for the picks which has put the season totals in a strong place. There are still three important days to go in the month (I am putting Friday's games with the October totals) and I am just looking for a strong end to make sure nothing is given back now.


CSKA Moscow v Tottenham Hotspur Pick: This is a pretty big Champions League game for both CSKA Moscow and Tottenham Hotspur considering it is only Match Day 2, but both teams will be looking at the fixture as one they need to get something from. A draw probably doesn't do either team that good, although I imagine Tottenham Hotspur would take that outcome right now, but for CSKA Moscow the importance of winning their home games will not have been lost on them.

That could make this a very interesting game of football as Tottenham Hotspur are likely to earn some space on the counter attack, while CSKA Moscow will get forward looking for goals.

I am anticipating goals in this one, especially when you consider CSKA Moscow had played 6 straight Champions League games here where both teams had scored before the 0-2 defeat to Wolfsburg. That includes a 1-1 draw with Manchester United last season and I do think Tottenham Hotspur can score goals even in the absence of Harry Kane.

Tottenham Hotspur have not looked as strong defensively in the early going of this season as they did last season and I think CSKA Moscow will be urged to get forward by the fans. That should mean there being chances at both ends with Tottenham Hotspur very comfortable countering teams that are coming onto them while CSKA Moscow have scored in all 13 home games since their loss to Wolfsburg in the Champions League.

I am looking for at least three goals to be shared out in this one as both clubs look for the first win in the competition and it looks a big price at odds against for three goals to be seen.


Copenhagen v Club Brugge Pick: After earning a 1-1 draw in Porto, Copenhagen will know that was a wasted effort if they cannot back it up by beating Club Brugge. Doing that will mean the double header with Leicester City will give Copenhagen a great chance of making it through to the Last 16 if they can earn four points from those two games too and I am backing Copenhagen to earn the three points from this game.

I thought Club Brugge may be the weakest team in the section when the draw was made, but not many would have tipped Leicester City to win as easily in Belgium as they did. The 0-3 home loss means Club Brugge are already battling for third place in the Group and a place in the Europa League Knock Out, but they have had a difficult start to the new season.

They might be the reigning Belgian Champions, but Club Brugge have opened the season in poor form and had lost 3 in a row away from home before the 0-3 win at Royal Excel Mouscron. Club Brugge will now face the Danish Champions who have won 12 of 13 at home in all competitions and Copenhagen have also won all 3 home games in the Qualifiers for the Champions League Group Stage.

Both teams do have goals in the side and Copenhagen have shortened in the markets over the last few days, but they still look worthy of being backed to win this game. Copenhagen have beaten the likes of Astra and APOEL already at home this season in the Champions League and I do think they will be slightly stronger than Club Brugge and I will back the home side to take the very important three points on offer.


Leicester City v Porto Pick: Being Champions of England meant Leicester City benefited by being a First Seed in the Champions League Group Stage despite their low co-efficient. The Group came out pretty nicely for Leicester City and a win on Tuesday would put them in a very strong position to quality for the Last 16 as potential winners of the section.

Claudio Ranieri is unlikely to allow his team to look too far ahead though and no one will be taking Porto for granted even if they do have The Dragon Slayer in their ranks in Islam Slimani. His knowledge of the visitors will help, and I think Leicester City are going to cause Porto problems considering they have scored at least twice in 6 of their last 7 games at the King Power Stadium including the last 3 in a row.

This might not be the Porto side to rival the one that won the Champions League in 2004, but they are not one to be underestimated as they showed in an impressive 0-3 win in Roma in the Qualifiers. They have scored in 9 of their last 10 away games in the Champions League, but Porto have also conceded at least twice in 3 of their last 5 on their travels.

I can see both teams combining for goals in this one too as there will likely be times when both Leicester City and Porto are in control of this match. A draw isn't the worst result for either team, but the win would help put up a crucial three points and that reward should encourage attacking football.

Both teams have been scoring goals and conceding goals and 6 of the last 9 Porto away games in the Champions League have produced at least three goals. At odds against, I am backing Leicester City and Porto to combine for at least three goals in this one and I am leaning towards the home team earning another three points to move into a strong position to qualify for the Second Round.


Monaco v Bayer Leverkusen Pick: There are very few times when you really don't understand what the layers are thinking when they price up their markets. For the life of me, I cannot understand why Monaco are the home underdog against Bayer Leverkusen and I think the French side are worthy of a small interest to win this one.

Monaco have made a strong start to their domestic campaign and they have won 4 in a row at home in all competitions. They have also beaten Fenerbahce and Villarreal in the Champions League Qualifiers and two seasons ago beat Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 here in the Group Stage.

It does have to be noted that Bayer Leverkusen had a solid 2-3 win at Mainz last weekend, but that snapped a run of consecutive away defeats. Bayer Leverkusen have now failed to win any of their last 6 away games in the Champions League and they had lost 4 in a row before the 1-1 draw at BATE Borisov in the Group last season.

The German side do have goals in the side which makes them dangerous as Monaco are not likely to score too many themselves, but I think the odds are the wrong way around.

I thought Monaco would come in as the more likely winner and I am going to have a small interest in them keeping the home winning run going with another Champions League win to put themselves in a strong position to move into the Second Round for the second time in three seasons.


Arsenal v Basel Pick: Manchester City and Liverpool might be taking all of the headlines in England, but Arsenal have quietly moved into a decent position in the Premier League. The fixture list should see them continue their run through the international break and into late October, but first they would like to get their Champions League Group commitments moving in the right direction.

A solid point was earned in Paris, but it won't mean anything if Arsenal can't win this home game against Basel. They have lost 3 of their last 5 Champions League games at The Emirates Stadium, but Arsenal are in very strong form and been scoring goals for fun with 11 goals scored in 3 games.

With the talent in the squad, Arsenal are the right favourites in this game, but they can't overlook Basel who have won 11 of 12 games in all competitions. The 1-1 draw with Ludogorets in the Champions League was a big disappointment for Basel, but Arsenal fans have to be aware that this is a club that has had plenty of success against English clubs in recent years.

Basel have lost just 1 of their last 5 away games against English clubs in Europe which includes draws at Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur and a win over Chelsea. That makes them more than capable of current form of upsetting the home team in this one, but I think Arsenal are flying at the moment and are clearly a superior team.

The confidence from the 3-0 win over Chelsea at the weekend should see Arsenal come into this one with some momentum and I think they may break down Basel early and then pull away. There are still some questions about Arsenal from a defensive standpoint, but I fancy them to be too good for Basel on Wednesday and I will back The Gunners to cover the Asian Handicap.


Celtic v Manchester City Pick: This fixture will be described as a 'Battle of Britain' and it seems fair with both Celtic and Manchester City favourites to win the titles in Scotland and England respectively. That is where the similarity ends though as Manchester City can bring in some of the biggest names in world football compared with Celtic who have to try and build their squad in a much different manner.

The layers are expecting that to show up on the pitch on Wednesday especially in the light of the Celtic hammering at Barcelona on Match Day 1. To be fair, anything but a Manchester City win would be a surprise, but losing the talents of Kevin De Bruyne is a blow that can't be underestimated.

On the other hand, Manchester City played and beat Manchester United without Sergio Aguero so they are clearly buying into what Pep Guardiola is selling. They should have too much going forward for Celtic, but I also think the latter are going to be inspired by the home crowd and I expect they can cause one or two problems for a team that has not defended that well.

Celtic have been better at home than on their travels in European football and just months after Guardiola left Barcelona they were beating them 2-1 here. It would be a big surprise if they could do that to his current Manchester City team, but I do think Celtic will score in this one.

With the talent in the away squad even without De Bruyne, I can't imagine they don't score in this one and I am going to back both teams to get on the scoreboard.


Rostov v PSV Eindhoven Pick: This is a Champions League game that might only really have an impact as to which of the clubs gets into the Europa League. Both Rostov and PSV Eindhoven are not really expected to challenge Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid in the Group and their opening losses to those clubs has suggested that is not likely to change.

I will have to say I am surprised that Rostov are the underdog at home against PSV Eindhoven and probably has much to do with the experience the latter have compared with Rostov in European football. However Rostov hammered Ajax here in the Champions League Qualifiers and I like their chances of getting something from this game.

Rostov also managed to avoid defeat against Anderlecht in the Qualifiers and you can't ignore the fact that PSV Eindhoven have failed to win any of their last 6 away European games. They were also beaten in Russia by CSKA Moscow in the Group Stage last season and I simply can't have PSV Eindhoven as a favourite to win here despite their strong away results to open this season.

While PSV Eindhoven have a strong run of away results, Rostov are unbeaten in 24 at home in all competitions which includes the win over Ajax in the Qualifiers. Having a chance to back them with a start on the Asian Handicap looks very tempting and I do think they are the more likely winners in this match.

I will back Rostov to at least find a way to avoid defeat in this one and keep alive their chances of at least finishing third in the Group.


Fiorentina v Qarabag Pick: When you look at these teams on paper you would have to think the Italian side would be stronger than the one from Azerbaijan especially on home soil.

However Fiorentina have just been having a difficult time of late in turning draws into wins while they have also struggled at home in the Europa League despite getting to the later stages of the competition. The likes of Lech Poznan and Basel have won in Florence so Qarabag won't feel overawed especially as the latter have had tight losses in Tottenham Hotspur, Anderlecht and Monaco last season.

I do think Qarabag will sit back and try to make life as difficult for Fiorentina for as long as possible and perhaps nick a goal on the counter attack. The problem they will have is that Fiorentina have defended well at home in recent games and are yet to concede a goal here this season.

That should give Fiorentina enough of an edge to earn a narrow win in this one and I will back them to win this game by a single goal margin.


Hapoel Be'er Sheva v Southampton Pick: Both Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Southampton made winning starts to their Europa League Group and you have to say that a draw would likely suit both on Match Day 2. However I don't think either will settle for a point knowing that Inter Milan look an improved line up under Frank de Boer and so the three points on offer in this one could give the winner a real chance of progressing through to the Last 32.

There are likely to be some changes to the Southampton line up, but they can't take Hapoel Be'er Sheva for granted after the Israeli Champions won in Milan and also came close to beating Celtic in the Champions League Play Off Round.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva have scored at least twice in their last 4 home games in all competitions, although they will have to penetrate a Southampton team that have kept 4 clean sheets in a row. Most of those games have come at St Mary's though and I think Hapoel Be'er Sheva will cause problems for their visitors, although Charlie Austin is in the kind of form to punish any mistakes the home team may make.

It should be a fun game to watch and I think Hapoel Be'er Sheva will drag Southampton into an intense match. They have shown they can create chances against any team they face at home and I think the home team have every chance of winning this game. The recent Southampton form means I think they play a part in this one too and I will back at least three goals to be shared out by them this week.


Shakhtar Donetsk v Sporting Braga Pick: Both Shakhtar Donetsk and Sporting Braga look to be the strongest teams in this Europa League Group, but only the former proved that in the first round of games in the Group. That means the pressure is on Sporting Braga to earn some sort of result in their visit to the Ukraine, but that might be a tough ask for a team that were beaten 6-1 on aggregate against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Quarter Final of the Europa League a few months ago.

Shakhtar Donetsk are looking to show they are the best team in Ukraine and have made a very strong start to their domestic League. They might not be as strong as recent teams that Shakhtar Donetsk have been able to put out, but they look more than capable at this level rather than the Champions League and have won plenty of games in the Ukraine.

Compare that to Sporting Braga's relatively poor away record in recent European games and I have to favour the home team to beat them for the third time in the space of a few months.

I can't imagine Shakhtar Donetsk are able to rip through Sporting Braga as they did in the 4-0 home win in the Quarter Final, but I do expect them to win with some comfort. I will back the home team to cover the Asian Handicap and win by a couple of goals at least.


Sparta Prague v Inter Milan Pick: Both Sparta Prague and Inter Milan were beaten on Match Day 1 and that means neither team can afford another loss at this moment if they are going to challenge for one of the top two positions in the Group.

That pressure might suggest we are going to see a tight game where the teams are almost more afraid to lose than to risk winning the game, but I actually believe it might develop into a fixture that produces at least three goals at a big price.

Inter Milan have scored twice in their last couple of away games and Sparta Prague have been conceding goals at home at an alarming rate. In fact 4 of the last 5 Sparta Prague home games has seen them conceded at least twice, but they had also scored two or more in 4 straight games before the 0-2 defeat to Slavia Prague.

Goals have flowed in the last couple of home Sparta Prague games in the Europa League too and I am anticipating both teams trying to earn what could be a vital three points in this one with some attacking football being used. It feels like this could be a 2-1 scoreline either way for me and so backing goals at the prices looks the call.


Genk v Sassuolo Pick: This might be one of the more entertaining games in the Europa League on Thursday on Match Day 2 as both Genk and Sassuolo are likely to take an attacking approach to their game against one another. Sassuolo already have an important three points on the board thanks to an impressive win over Athletic Bilbao, but they can't expect it to get easier against Genk who were unfortunate to lose two weeks ago.

They have been very tough to play at home and Genk will give Sassuolo some issues when they get forward. Recent form is not the best and Genk have looked poor defensively, but Sassuolo have conceded in 4 of their 5 away games in all competitions themselves.

I do think both teams can score in this one with the opportunities they are likely to create and the 1-1 scoreline is perhaps the most dangerous one for my pick.

However I do think both Genk and Sassuolo will know the importance of winning this game and what it could mean for them and so I am not anticipating either settles for that score. I do see a situation where one of these teams will score a second goal and a 2-1 win either way is likely to be the outcome of this one so backing at least three goals to be shared out at odds against.

MY PICKS: CSKA Moscow-Tottenham Hotspur Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.10 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Copenhagen @ 1.80 William Hill (2 Units)
Leicester City-Porto Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.10 Sky Bet (2 Units)
Monaco @ 3.00 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Arsenal - 1.25 Asian Handicap @ 1.73 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Celtic-Manchester City BTTS @ 1.80 Coral (2 Units)
Rostov + 0.25 Asian Handicap @ 1.81 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Fiorentina to Win by One Goal @ 3.50 Sky Bet (1 Unit)
Hapoel Be'er Sheva-Southampton Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.25 Coral (2 Units)
Shakhtar Donetsk - 1.25 Asian Handicap @ 2.06 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Sparta Prague-Inter Milan Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.30 William Hill (2 Units)
Genk-Sassuolo Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.00 Bet365 (2 Units)

September Update: 36-23-1, + 30.98 Units (111 Units Staked, + 27.91% Yield)
August Final: 31-38-2, - 9 Units (124 Units Staked, - 7.26% Yield)

Season 2015/16: 133-174-2, + 0.89 Units (669 Units Staked, + 0% Yield)

Season 2014/15: 159-208-5, - 20.22 Units (647 Units Staked, - 3.13% Yield)

Season 2013/14: 164-185-3, + 15.84 Units (577 Units Staked, + 2.75% Yield

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

Weekend Football Picks 2014 (September 27-29)

Last weekend produced a lot of high-scoring games with some stunning results as the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Manchester United all were defeated. Strange refereeing decisions contributed to some of the results and it just shows how tough the Premier League has been with a number of 'strange' results in the first five rounds of fixtures.


The Manchester United game is still not quite fully understood from my part as the team were firmly in control of the game and looked set to record a very big win at the King Power Stadium. Mark Clattenburg certainly changed the momentum with back to back outrageous decisions that led to the Leicester City penalty to halve their deficit, but the defending from that point was embarrassing to say the least.

Wayne Rooney might have got the big-time pictures after the third goal went in as he chased around the defence to bark at them for the goal, but it was his poor clearance that gave Leicester the ball back in a dangerous position.

I was disappointed with a lack of change made by Louis Van Gaal when the momentum was clearly against United, although the two goals came in quick succession, and he should have made some sort of change to the formation at 3-3. Leicester were clearly getting far too much room and I have no idea why Van Gaal decided to play Adnan Januzaj up front?

The Dutchman did say it was going to be a frustrating three months, but the failure to buy a centre-half looks a poor decision and I am not surprised that Michael Carrick is being suggested as someone who will be used there. I actually thought Carrick would be part of a three that play at the back as a player who would be comfortable with the ball at his feet, but am less convinced if the back four system continues to be used.

It also feels United are missing a big chance to set the marker for the season with five points coming from home games against Swansea and Queens Park Rangers and three away games at Sunderland, Burnley and Leicester City. When the fixture list was announced, I would have expected United to be much closer to 13 points and the only saving grace is that the top four haven't gotten away from the side.

However, I agree with Juan Mata that United have to win the next two games before the international break with both taking place at Old Trafford, if only to get some momentum before a run of games where the side take on Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal in the space of a few weeks.


I just can't catch much of a break with the picks at the moment as I just feel things are conspiring against me. It's a bit disappointing to be honest, but I also feel that it will turnaround as long as I don't panic and make radical changes to what has produced two winning seasons in a row.


Chelsea v Aston Villa Pick: After drawing 1-1 with Schalke and Manchester City in consecutive games, the feeling is that Chelsea will be itching to get back to winning ways this weekend and Aston Villa may have been exposed by Arsenal last weekend in a 0-3 home loss.

However, Aston Villa have looked a more effective away team for a couple of seasons now and I think they will have a chance to counter a Chelsea team that definitely looks more proactive going forward. Jose Mourinho is delivering the attacking football he failed to in his first stint in West London and there are definitely goals in the home side, but they have also looked more vulnerable defensively than they did in that first time as manager.

Aston Villa have shown in their performances at Stoke City and Liverpool that they can cause problems when going forward, but I think the best they can hope for this weekend is getting on the scoreboard.

That won't be easy for a Villa side that doesn't seem to have a lot of goals in the side, but they could grab something late as Chelsea turn their attention to the Champions League game at Sporting Lisbon during the week. However, I think Chelsea win so a small interest on the home side winning a game where both teams score is the call.


Hull City v Manchester City Pick: It has been a rough few weeks for Manchester City who have not started the defence of their title in the manner they would have liked, while some are comparing this season to the one under Roberto Mancini when defending that title in 2012. However, the players seem to be a lot happier under Manuel Pellegrini and you have to say their fixture list has been far from straight-forward, while some bad luck has also been a factor.

In saying that, Pellegrini was also very comfortable with the way the team has been playing and admitted that the win over Sheffield Wednesday will hopefully be a spark for his side in the Premier League. Going to Hull City is a tough test for many teams these days, but Manchester City will feel confident considering the amount of goals the home side have been conceding in recent games.

One factor that could play a part is that this is another Champions League week and Manchester City have a big home game against Roma that they can't afford to lose. Whether that shows in the team line up on Saturday is anyone's guess at the moment, but the squad should be able to cope with those demands.

Steve Bruce doesn't have to worry about European commitments anymore thanks to Hull City's early exit, but he has to pick up a team that conceded twice in the final minutes at West Brom to exit the League Cup too. While Hull have been playing well going forward, the goals being conceded have to be a real worry for Bruce with survival in the Premier League the real goal of the season.

Games like this are not where Hull will lay the foundation for that survival and it is telling that they lost to the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton by more than a single goal at home last season. Add in the fact that Manchester City did that with ten men too and I do think Manuel Pellegrini can pick a team that highlights the goals being conceded by the home team and covers the one goal Asian Handicap.


Manchester United v West Ham United Pick: The Manchester United teams of years gone by would have been chomping at the bit to remove the bad taste of their last defeat out of their mouths and you have to feel this current squad will believe they are going to do the same thing. There is a lot of attacking quality in the side that will make them dangerous, but Manchester United have to be careful of a new found attacking West Ham United against a makeshift back three/four depending on what formation Louis Van Gaal goes with.

Whenever a team can rely on the likes of Angel Di Maria, Juan Mata, Radamel Falcao, Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie, there should be goals in the side and I have little doubt that Manchester United will provide those this weekend.

The big question is whether they can perform effectively enough at the back to make this a routine win or whether the vulnerabilities highlighted by Leicester City last weekend are shown up again. West Ham United play with wingers and will put in a lot of crosses into the Manchester United box to try and expose the problems the home side have been having and I do hope Van Gaal has prepared for that.

With the way both teams have played this season, there is a huge potential for a few goals to be scored at Old Trafford and I very much doubt Manchester United games will be lacking entertainment. Sam Allardyce might not be quite ready to allow his team to express themselves in games like this and that might be the downfall for West Ham on Saturday and I expect Manchester United to come through with a win by a couple of goals at least.


Southampton v Queens Park Rangers Pick: Queens Park Rangers have suffered back to back heavy losses at sides that finished in the top half of the Premier League table last season and they may struggle to avoid another loss on Saturday at St Mary's.

As much of a motivator that Harry Redknapp has proven to be, his QPR side seem to lack a bit of quality in the forward areas and they were a little fortunate to earn a home result against Stoke City last weekend.

Defensively they have struggled with the pace of the Premier League attacks as Rio Ferdinand's pace is no longer something they can rely upon. That was exposed time after time by Stoke City, while both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United could have scored whenever they felt like in the two away games that Rangers have played.

Southampton have been in very strong form of late to think they are capable of causing plenty of problems for Queens Park Rangers in this one, especially if they start as they did against Newcastle United in their last home game. Ronald Koeman has the side playing very good attacking football and this could become another long day in the office for the Rangers defenders.

Teams simply don't keep conceding four goals in games so I can't imagine Southampton reach that number as the third team in a row against QPR. However, the forward struggles of the away team as well as Southampton's recent form suggests they can win this by a couple of goals at least.


Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur Pick: This is a fascinating North London derby if only because Tottenham Hotspur have looked a far more effective side on their travels than they have at White Hart Lane. There is little doubt that they don't necessarily have the quality to open up teams that are sitting back and defending deep which can happen at White Hart Lane, but they do expose the gaps away from home on the counter attack.

In saying that, there is a distinct lack of quality in some of the attacking play that Tottenham have produced this season and I think their defensive problems are going to be hard to disguise against this Arsenal team.

Arsenal may have lost to Southampton in the League Cup, but the performance at Aston Villa last week showed what they are capable of when they begin to click going forward. Danny Welbeck could be a different player with the confidence of a goal behind him, while the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez should be able to create chances against this Spurs back line.

It will be very difficult for Tottenham to contain Arsenal through this North London derby and I think they will struggle to get much change out of the Gunners. Arsenal have won 4 in a row at home against Spurs and also won all 3 games last season without conceding a goal- at the price, I think Arsenal are likely to grab the three points this week.


Stoke City v Newcastle United Pick: I have backed to Stoke City to beat Aston Villa and Leicester City at the Brittania Stadium already this season and I will look for them to get third time lucky to earn their first home win of the season.

They should have enough to take advantage of a Newcastle United team that have conceded plenty of goals in recent weeks, particularly if Stoke play like they did in their away draw at Queens Park Rangers. At least if Stoke City attack in that manner, they should have a real chance of exposing the Newcastle defensive issues, but Mark Hughes will also be expecting his team to perform much better at the back.

Alan Pardew remains an unpopular manager at Newcastle, but his side have shown tremendous heart in the last two games which suggests he is still being backed by his players. They will need all that determination on what has been a difficult trip for Newcastle in recent years and at a ground that is not normally as generous as it has been to Aston Villa and Leicester City already this season.

As long as Stoke City defend a little better than they have at times, they should have a little too much going forward for Newcastle in this one. At odds against, Stoke City are the call for the third time in the hope they can rediscover their home form or bring their away form into these games.

MY PICKS: Both Teams to Score and Chelsea to Win @ 3.50 Coral (1 Unit)
Manchester City - 1 Asian Handicap @ 2.00 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Manchester United - 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.10 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Southampton - 1.25 Asian Handicap @ 2.05 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Arsenal @ 1.80 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
Stoke City @ 2.20 Stan James (2 Units)

September Update: 9-13, - 1.28 Units (27 Units Staked, - 4.74% Yield)
August Final: 8-22, - 19.92 Units (51 Units Staked, - 39.06% Yield)

Season 2014/15: 8-22, - 19.92 Units (51 Units Staked, - 39.06% Yield)
Season 2013/14: 164-185-3, + 15.84 Units (577 Units Staked, + 2.75% Yield)
Season 2012/13: + 4.42 Units (415 Units Staked, + 1.07% Yield)