Wednesday 15 August picks

Tonight sees 6 fixtures in the premiership, as well as a vital fixture for Arsenal away to Sparta Prague in champions league qualifying. I cant admit to knowing a whole pile about Prague but i know enough about Arsenal to say that a best priced 1.83 is not enough to tempt me, especially away from home. Wenger will most likely to be happy with keeping a clean sheet and to finish the job off in the Emirates. Unders if i were to chose.

Il stay closer to home tonight and on first glances Man City at home to Derby looks good as well as Fulham at home to Bolton.

Starting elsewhere first, Birmingham take on Sunderland at home. Sunderland got off to a great start at the weekend albeit taking a late winner to beat Tottenham. Birmingham although going down 3 -2 to Chelsea at Stamford bridge impressed many with their determination and hard work. Birmingham make only one change for this game with Parnaby coming in for Queudrue. Im my opinion going on the weekend form the advantage is slightly in Birminghams favour, i know they lost but were much more impressive in the manner in which they took the game to Chelsea and thats the kind of positive attitude that may keep them up. Sunderland however despite winning, didnt create much of note and were possibly satisfied with the draw untill Chopras late winner. I can see no other finish than a draw here and although im not usually a draw backer im prepared to give it a go here. il go with 1/2 a point on correct score draws of 0 - 0 and 2 - 2 and a single point on the 1 -1 scoreline as it is the one most likely in my opinion.

Man city are bankers against Derby or are they? My only rule last year was never to back Man City or Tottenham at odds on and it saved me many times.
Man City are best priced 1.62 and theres something just not right about seeing them so low, regardless of the opposition. I see this game going either two ways, Derby turn up and play tough physical football and give City no space unlike west ham last week meaning City will struggle to create any chances or, and its a big or, Man City prove last weekends win was no fluke and give derby a beating by 2 or 3 goals. il put 2 points on the second option and take Man City -1 goal on the asian at 2.13. I still feel City can nick this so even if they win by the one goal cushion we'll get our money back.

Finally, Fulham at home to Bolton. A year ago id have probably taken Bolton, how things have changed. Despite tipping Arsenal at the weekend i was very impressed with Fulham, they took an early lead and had several chances to get a second but didnt take any of them, nerves perhaps? im not sure but they should have beaten Arsenal and were most unlucky to go down to two late goals. Warner was fantastic in goal and i hope he has little to do tonight. Bolton were well beaten 3 -1 at home to Newcastle last weekend, Kevin Davies and Vaz Te are both out and Davies especially is a big loss. Andy o Brien looks set to play for Bolton in defence and this wouldnt inspire me much if i were a bolton fan. Fulham to get their home season off to a good start.
In the other game i think Chelsea may sneak a win over Reading, I would also take Portsmouth except for the fact that Tevez is making his first start so anything is possible here and il leave it alone. Wigan should also sneak a win over Boro though im not tempted by it.


PICKS
Birmingham/Sunderland 0 - 0 (9.5 @ VC) 1/2 a point
Birmingham/Sunderland 1 - 1 (7.2 @ betfair) 1 point
Birmingham/Sunderland 2 - 2 (21 @ betfair) 1/2 point

Man City - 1 goal (2.13 @ betfair) 2 points

Fulham win (2.44 @ pinnacle or 2.46 @ betfair) 3 points


A 7 point outlay on the evening, hopefully things will pick up and the month will get back on track.