Saturday 25th August picks

A few matches that catch my eye this weekend,

Wolves V Blackpool
The price on Wolves seems very high to me, (1.89 @ betfair).Wolves main problem has bee scoring and maybe last year but for their poor strike rate they could be playing in the premiership right now. The signing of Freddy Eastwood seems to have boosted their firepower and he and Wolves are playing with great confidence at the moment despite an opening day blunder. Mick McCarthy has managed at the highest level and I fully expect Wolves to push for a top 4 finish this season. They simply have to win games such as today’s and I think Eastwood can push them towards 3 points today

Aston Villa V Fulham
Villa have played some decent stuff this year but haven’t been able to get themselves over the final furlong but I expect them to defeat Fulham at Villa park today. Villa striker John Carew scored both the Norwegian goals in midweek against Argentina so his confidence will be sky high. Berger and Sorenen are out.
Fulham lost both their forwards McBride and Bouazza to injuries last week and they are out of this game. D Kamara will make his full debut instead.
Villa’s home advantage will surely be good enough to get their first 3 points against a slightly depleted Fulham side more renowned for their home form.

West Ham V Wigan
I watched Wigan play Sunderland last week and while they recorded a convincing 3 – 0 win I think it was more a case of Sunderland playing rubbish than Wigan doing anything spectacular. Wigan could have had about 5 penalties such was the weakness of the mackems. West Ham finally got the show up and running away at Birmingham, the game itself wasn’t a classic but it should be a springboard for bigger and better things at Upton Park this season. Lucas Neill is back in action after injury while we won’t know until close to KO if Ljungberg and Parker can play. Bellamy and Zamora should be the difference so once again this weekend, I’m going with the home team to get 3 points.

Finally I think that Arsenal will be able to beat Man City at home. The City goal has lead a charmed life so far but it cant last, Van Persie an co will surely test young Schmeicel out thoroughly and I think Man City’s bubble will be well and truly burst by the gunners. Almunia is in goal for Arsenal because Lehmann is “injured” though that’s a story for another day. After his last few cock ups there is a big chance for Almunia today to stake a claim for a regular starting spot and he should be fired up for this one. Man city didn’t offer much up front last week and I think Arsenal will shut them out today .I’m gonna go a little greedy on this and take Arsenal – 1 goal (money back if they win by the 1)
2.18 at bet365 looks good to me. Will also go with an Arsenal clean sheet

Another game to take note of is Cowdenbeath at home to Raith Rovers in the scottish 2nd division, Cowdenbeath are facing a virus crisis and have had a request to have the game cancelled turned down. They have the bare team to chose from and a first Fife derby of the season is not the best thing to be facing at this time. News has got out and Raith have fallen to 1.7 ish and falling all the time. Ill give Raith a go, but only 2 points mind as I’m a bit cautious of these type of things.
(Many thanks to forum poster “Skittle” at www.goonersguide.com/forum-frame.htm for bringing it to the attention of others)

PICKS

Wolves (1.89 @ betfair) 3 points
Aston Villa (1.82 @ pinnacle) 3 points
West Ham (2.04 @ pinnacle) 3 points
Arsenal – 1 (2.18 @ bet365) 2 points (money back if Arsenal win by 1 goal)
Arsenal clean sheet (2.28 @ betfair) 2 points
Raith Rovers (currently 1.71 @ betfair) 2 points


After last weeks disaster i hope to get back on track