Arriving dangerously close to the end of the week, here is my usual midweek waltz across the weekend fixture list where I attempt to target the best options for cleanies, goals and instant nausea…
Best For Clean Sheets…
Once again, clean sheet hunting looks tricky outside of the big teams. The two powerhouse defences are normally reliable and although they have away games (Liverpool at Bolton and Chelsea at West Brom) both look decent prospects, particularly Chelsea who face a side who have claimed just three goals at the Hawthorns. Beyond these two, we have United at home to Stoke – the visitors have scored just three goals on their travels, although the Delap throw is the unknown factor here. Vidic and Ferdinand should cope though.
Mid-price and budget defensive points look thin on the ground. The usual home bankers – Bolton and Fulham face games against Liverpool and Spurs respectively and it’s difficult to see home shut-outs in those games. Everton look a fairly decent bet at home to Boro but Southgate’s side are on a high after the win at Villa and notoriously unpredictable. West Ham’s defence is leaking right now, as is Hull’s who face a City side who will be looking to get things back on track after a miserable run. Defensively City are fragile but going forward they can still hurt teams. This game looks to have goals in it.
The darkhorses for clean sheets aren’t exactly fillies worth backing. Newcastle will fancy their chances at home to a Wigan side that is smarting after the beating at the Emirates. Bruce’s side are decent on the road however, so they could easily breach the home defence that has conceded seven in six at St James’.
Blackburn have the worst home record in the division and have conceded 10 goals at Ewood but they are up against a Sunderland side who have hardly been firing away from the Stadium of Light . Four goals in six away games suggests that Rovers could have a chance of just their third clean sheet of the season.
For once, it could be Arsenal’s turn with a home clean sheet. Wenger could employ a 4-5-1 against a Villa side who score goals but just aren’t flowing. The 2-0 defeat at Newcastle on Villa’s last away trip suggests that patient Clichy owners could be rewarded at last.
Best For Goals…
Goals look easier to come by. As I’ve mentioned, Hull vs Man City should bring some attacking points for both sides with Geovanni readying himself for his former club and Robinho still in the mood to score goals.
I also fancy a good few goals in the West Ham vs Pompey encounter with Zola’s side welcoming Carlton Cole back into their lineup and Portsmouth still finding their feet under Adams. This could be a high scoring draw if Adams goes with two up front.
It goes without saying that both United and Chelsea should earn plenty of attacking points in their games. As for Liverpool, I’m expecting more modest returns from a tight game. Arsenal could cut loose against a demoralised Villa outfit and Everton vs Boro looks likely to have 3-4 goals in it.
Best For Frustration…
It would be nice to think that Bent, Modric and Bentley will offer instant rewards for investors from their clash with Fulham but I can see a possible afternoon of frustration for all concerned. Fulham are a well organised side at the Cottage and although Spurs have the form, Hodgson’s men won’t roll over after their win over Newcastle. A narrow win or worse still, a 1-1 scoreline looks on the cards in my opinion.
Elsewhere, as I’ve mentioned I’m not expecting too much from Liverpool at the Reebok so early investors in a fit-again Torres might have to wait for some return. Those with stock in the other big sides – United, Chelsea and Arsenal should all end the weekend with decent profits however.