weekend 17th August Picks

Another full bill of footy action to get stuck into this weekend.

Fulham V Middlesborough
First impressions are that Fulham at 2.2 look good value to beat a Boro side that haven’t really got any momentum going yet. Problem is guessing where and when they will deliver. Boro always strike me as the unpredictable type, winning games when they shouldn’t and losing games they should be winning. They have signed Mido whom I think is a good signing but it will take him a while to settle in at the Riverside. Tomorrow is a game that all points to a Fulham win and this worries me, enough to through me off backing Fulham. Draw in my opinion but a bet I wont be taking.

Tottenham V Derby
Good ole Spurs, as I said somewhere else I never back them at odds on because more often than not they disappoint. 1.5 is just far too skinny for me although I expect them to win. Derby are a battling side, as expected they didn’t show Man City any respect mid week and they won’t shy from tackles in any match. Their squad however is limited and I can see them scoring too many this season. I think once again tomorrow Tottenham players will not have the space and time to create many chances and open free flowing football will be limited, its under 2.5 all the way for me here with a small cover on 2 – 1 and 3 – 0 scoreline to Spurs.

Birmingham V West Ham
Will Birmingham keep scoring? 4 goals in two games but 5 conceded makes less impressive reading. The fact is that they are well able to create goal chances but also not able to keep them out at the back. Queudrue is out but this shouldn’t matter too much.
West Ham were poor against Man City, maybe they believed too much in themselves and rode their summer luck too far. They are however much better than they showed and are similar enough to Birmingham in the fact that they are able to score but are poor in defence. They Signed Kieran Dyer this week, a player whom I will reserve judgement on just yet. To cut a long story short, overs is the pick for me, I haven’t enough faith in Birmingham to back them until they sort out their defence. I think both teams will score and 2 –1 or 2 – 2 is likely.

Reading V Everton
I don’t normally take aways but Everton have played good stuff so far. Reading at the Madejski are usually hard to oppose but I think they will do well to take a point tomorrow. Reading will be without Duberry,K Cisse , D Kitson and Lita.
Once again to cut a long story short, I see Everton scoring tomorrow, however I also think Reading will get one, overs is likely but im taking Everton +0 on the asian. I feel this has a great chance as Everton have had an extra days rest over Reading and coupled with the confidence from their two games so far they have the edge.

That’s it for the time being, if I get time il post a few other bets up tomorrow afternoon between 1 – 2.30

PICKS
Tottenham V Derby Under 2.5 (1.94 @ Pinnacle or 1.96 @ betfair) 3 points
Tottenham 2 –1 scoreline (8.8 @ betfair) ½ a point
Tottanham 3 – 0 scoreline (13.5 @ betfair) ½ a point

Birmingham V West Ham over 2.5 goals (2.2 @ bet365) 2 points

Everton +0 (2.13 @ bet365) 4 points (money back if it’s a draw)