Cup distractions cast aside, we’re back to a weekend of Premier League action with no less than four local derby matches amongst the fixtures. Will that impact on Paddy’s clean sheet and goalscoring odds?
Let’s see whether our bookmaker friends give us any further food for thought as the Gameweek deadline nears…
Who Will Keep a Clean Sheet?
- Man City 1.83 (WOL)
- Chelsea 1.83 (BLA)
- Arsenal 2.20 (whm)
- Stoke 2.50 (BOL)
- Sunderland 2.60 (NEW)
- Liverpool 2.62 (EVE)
Man City have not conceded in the last three Premier League fixtures, no surprise then that they lead this weeks Clean Sheet market. Scoring only 0.6 goals per away game, its hard to see where Wolves will make a dent in Man City’s defence, who are fully fit and have eager quality on the bench if needed. Chelsea, also at 1.83, look to redeem themselves at home after a shock defeat at Wolves last week. However, Blackburn’s impressive away goal tally is equal to that of Chelsea’s at 1.27 goals per match. Could Blackburn be more of a threat than Paddy are representing in the odds?
Arsenal appear third in the market, facing off against London rivals West Ham. The Hammers provided a tenacious performance against Birmingham in Tuesday’s 2-1 Carling Cup win. Avram Grant however, stated in a post match interview that his small 16-man squad included players that were only fit enough for a few minutes if called upon – a start contrast to the riches available to opposite number Arsene Wenger.
Stoke, Sunderland and Liverpool complete the table this week, with Liverpool’s fragile back four not fancied to keep out Everton, even though they travel to Anfield without their main attacking threat, Tim Cahill. Both Stoke and Sunderland are given the edge here then – the Potters favoured to keep a previously free-scoring Bolton at bay.
Anytime Goalscorer
- Drogba 1.50 (BLA)
- Dzeko 1.66 (WOL)
- Tevez 1.66 (WOL)
- Van Persie 1.83 (whm)
- Lampard 1.90 (BLA)
- Anelka 1.90 (BLA)
- Sturridge 2.10 (BLA)
- Kalou 2.10 (BLA)
- Chamakh 2.20 (whm)
- Odemwingie 2.40 (BLP)
- D Bent 2.40 (NEW)
- Torres 2.40 (EVE)
- Bendtner 2.40 (whm)
- Nasri 2.40 (whm)
- Berbatov 2.40 (tot)
- Rooney 2.40 (tot)
- Jo 2.60 (WOL)
- Fabregas 2.60 (whm)
- Arshavin 2.60 (whm)
- K Jones 2.62 (BOL)
- Malouda 2.62 (BLA)
- Defoe 2.62 (MUN)
It feels like it’s been a while since Didier Drogba last topped this list. Malaria and a goal drought have cost Drogba, and Chelsea, not only a top four spot, but possibly any real chance at taking the league title this season. The Ivorian is well fancied by Paddy to put Blackburn to the sword, despite suggestions that Carlo Ancelotti could rest the striker and give Daniel Sturridge (at 2.10 in Paddy’s odds) a run-out.
New boy Edin Dzeko and the Argentinian goal machine Carlos Tevez fall in behind Drogba. They will be going all out to prove their partnership and, against the Wolves defence, appear to have the perfect platform to thrive.
Both Robin Van Persie and Frank Lampard have been out for a good portion of the season so far, Paddy believes they are bursting to find the scoresheet with prices shorter than the likes of Chamakh, Nasri and Kalou. Set-pieces could be the key to this, with Lampard in particular likely to be instrumental for Chelsea against Blackburn – a Lampard spot-kick could prove decisive if the strikers stutter again.
Peter Odemwingie hasn’t really blossomed in to the cheap high earner that he promised to be at the start of the season – thanks largely to a spate of injuries that have stalled progress. Rated at 2.25 at home to Blackpool, it’s clear that his potential this weekend should not to be overlooked although concerns over his match fitness remain.
Darren Bent and Fernando Torres certainly are a better bet as they begin to show shoots of progress that suggest strong form is around the corner; both feature in hot-blooded derby matches – often the most unpredictable of encounters.
Paddy’s Money Back Special
This week Paddy heads for White Hart Lane for what, on paper, looks the cream of the weekend fixtures. If Nani or Van Der Vaart score the last goal of the clash between Spurs and United, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st /last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the game.
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