Controversy is typically saved for the final fixtures of a major tournament’s qualifying rounds, but as England’s exploits in both Serbia and Poland have left an indignant taste for many, the return of the Premier League cannot come soon enough. It’s been a fortnight of frustration but can we now find an edge to help us pick our punts in Paddy Power’s special markets? Read on to find out in this week’s Fantasy Flutter…
Liverpool may well be enjoying the spotlight either side of the pond with their light-hearted documentary donning network prime-time, but the grim reality show – featuring six points in seven games – shows a club more likely to get canned than win a BAFTA. Rarely out of the news, Luis Suarez has to grab the goals for Brendan Rodgers’ outfit if they are to emerge from the doldrums; the Uruguayan has at least been in decent form of late, netting once over the international break in addition to racking up five so far domestically. Paddy have Suarez at 2/1 to find the net and for Liverpool to hold out for a clean-sheet against Reading. That might not seem much of a steal but with the Merseysiders’ last two home defeats coming from Man United and Arsenal, there might well be a bit of value to it. We’ll take £5 at the 2’s and pen this in as our banker.
Dimitar Berbatov hasn’t featured on the international scene for a couple of years, giving him a chance to rest up over these fortnight breaks and ready himself for domestic duty. He might still be a bit leggy from his thigh injury when Fulham take on Villa at Craven Cottage on Saturday, but with a pair of goals and an assist in two and a half games so far this term, he’s already made an impact at the Cottage. Paddy are pricing Berbatov up at 5/1 for a goal and a Fulham cleanie at home to Villa and that looks well worth £2 of our money.
West Ham have made a very decent impression on the top flight after gaining a leg-up from the Championship. Sitting in eighth place and with 11 points on the board, their start has been encouraging, and with Andy Carroll barging his way back to fitness, we’re expecting more goals from Big Sam’s lineup. Kevin Nolan’s experience has helped guide them through some tough early fixtures, and he’ll be in and about the box to poach another as Southampton make the trip up to East London. Paddy are offering 6/1 on a Nolan goal and a clean-sheet for West Ham, reflecting both the Hammers’ recent successes and Southampton’s failings. Even though it’s a fair return, we’re only gonna take a quid on this one.
Our last £2 is tentatively riding on a tempting treble which backs a Berbatov goal, a Santi Cazorla assist at Carrow Road and a Man United clean sheet against visiting Stoke. This is a very decent 16/1 treble, featuring form and statistical favour; we’ve struggled getting these ones over the line in recent weeks, so the time is right for us to pick one up.
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