We have enjoyed Christmas, got merry in the New Year and even survived the dreadfully dull FA Cup third round (how depressing was last weekend?). But we were entitled to a break – even Ryan Giggs didn’t play away all of the time – and this weekend we are back as the top flight action returns, picking out the best away bets in the Premier League.
Below are this week’s selections – new customers can use their free £20 bet to back any in a single, or in a treble that could potentially return £271.89.
Tottenham to beat QPR @ 4/5
I’m not always that keen on odds-on away chances – the percentage of away wins in the Premier League makes the odds skinny no matter the scenario – but I cannot envisage anything other than a Tottenham Hotspur victory against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
The match is intriguing, with the Harry Redknapp/Spurs/Andre Villas-Boas situation (made an issue entirely by ‘Arry, it must be said) but AVB has by the far the better team and he can show it on Saturday.
Spurs are in great form, winning nine of the last 11 games in all competitions, losing only to Everton at Goodison Park, and have a great record against the teams in the bottom half of the table.
Tottenham have won nine and drawn one of their 12 fixtures against those sides, winning five of the six away matches.
And I still maintain that QPR are dreadful. Just two wins from 21 games tells its own story and I am convinced Spurs’ extra quality will win out against a side that have lost 12 games already this season.
(Read a full betting preview of Tottenham v QPR and AVB v Redknapp here)
Southampton to beat Aston Villa @ 37/20
A relegation six-pointer and no mistake, the match between Aston Villa and Southampton could go a long way towards deciding the fate of both clubs come the end of the season and the way things are shaping up, I like the 37/20 about Saints piling more pressure on beleaguered Paul Lambert.
Villa are woeful and I would back absolutely anybody to beat them at the minute, so I am going to have a go on a Saints side who have goals in them to storm Villa Park.
Nigel Adkins’ team have a decent enough record against teams in the bottom half, taking 15 points from their ten fixtures against fellow strugglers, and the 27 goals they have scored is the best record in the bottom ten, save Fulham.
Villa’s performance against Bradford in midweek was abject and they look like a team who are drowning. With just one win from their last six games – against Championship side Ipswich Town – the Villans have let in 21 goals in that period and Southampton can keep their heads below the water.
(Read a full Aston Villa v Southampton betting preview here)
Manchester City to beat Arsenal @ 33/20
I look at the prices on offer for this game and just have to have a flutter on the 33/20 that Manchester City, champions of England, go to the Emirates and see off erratic Arsenal.
I can never work Arsenal out this season, but my instinct is always to back against them where possible as I think they have too many inconsistent, flaky players and rarely represent value. I will therefore be looking to City, who possess far better players and are easily the better team, to do a number on them in north London on Sunday.
Arsenal have underwhelmed (once again) in their last two fixtures – draws against Southampton in the Premier League and Swansea City in the FA Cup – while City have been in good form since their derby defeat to Manchester United, winning five of their last six.
The Gunners record against teams in the top half – three wins from nine games – doesn’t inspire too much confidence and if Schalke, Chelsea and Swansea can all win at the Emirates this season, Manchester City certainly can too.
