City to take big step towards title
IT has been a rollercoaster couple of weeks for Andre Villas-Boas, but he will be delighted with consecutive
3-0 victories against Newcastle and Valencia. Consistency has been a major issue for Chelsea, though, and they face a stern test at home on Monday night against Manchester City.
The West London side have lost a disappointing four out of 14 league games this season and three of those have come against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. The defenders have really struggled against the best opposition and there has to be a doubt that they’ll be able to handle City’s world class attackers.
Roberto Mancini’s side were knocked out of the Champions League on Wednesday night, despite beating Bayern Munich. That would have hurt the manager and the players, but the Europa League awaits and it means City can now concentrate on wrapping up the title.
The table toppers are unbeaten in their last 17 league games, winning 15 of those, so it is remarkable that they can still be backed at 2/1 with Victor Chandler. Although Chelsea have strung a couple of results together, I wouldn’t trust them and City have to be the bet at 2/1.
The Manchester outfit are one of the highest scoring teams in Premier League history at this stage of the season – registering a staggering 48 goals in 14 games – and Chelsea’s backline has looked suspect this season. Sporting Index are taking a chance with their goals quote of 2.9-3.1 and I would be a buyer at that figure.
Martin O’Neill has taken over the reins at Sunderland and supporters will be hoping for some instant gratification when Blackburn travel to the Stadium of Light on Sunday. The Black Cats looked as though they had picked up their third win of the season at Molineux on Sunday, but poor defending cost them once again.
Blackburn are still in big trouble despite their win against Swansea last weekend and they are yet to win on the road this season. We all know about ‘new manager syndrome’ and O’Neill has been a success wherever he has managed, so I fully expect a home win on Sunday at 10/11 with Blue Square.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if this game was high scoring as there have been three or more goals in five of Sunderland’s last six home matches, while both teams have scored in all of Blackburn’s away games this campaign. The advice again is to buy goals at 2.9 with Sporting Index.
Stoke have won their last two league games, but prior to that they had lost six of eight. Tottenham have been on a brilliant run, taking 31 points from a possible 33, scoring at least two in all 11 games and earning seven HT/FT wins. I’m going to back Spurs at 11/10 with Ladbrokes and wouldn’t put anyone off another HT/FT win at 13/5 with Blue Square.