Last week’s tips left much to be desired with three agonising draws dooming our Five-Way to a 1/5 success rate. With a bit of luck, we hope that this week brings some accuracy in our predictions and some pennies to your pocket.
Leicester vs. Manchester United – Sunday 21st September – 1.30pm KO
Prediction: AWAY WIN
Odds: 13/20
A tough opening three Premier League fixtures saw the Foxes hold their own and pick up points against the likes of Everton and Arsenal. Had it not been for the profligacy of David Nugent at 0-0 against Chelsea, they may have had more. Record signing Leonardo Ulloa seems to have made the step up from the Championship, scoring three so far this season and earning Leicester their first win against Stoke last weekend with a deft finish. Against a revitalised Manchester United outfit with the services of a certain Angel di María and a certain Radamel Falcao likely to start, however, chance conversion will have to be near perfect to get anything out of the game. It will be close, but with the expensive weapons at his disposal, Van Gaal should make it two wins on the bounce against newly-promoted sides – AWAY WIN.
Everton vs. Crystal Palace – Sunday 21st September – 4pm KO
Prediction: HOME WIN
Odds: 4/9
Brushing aside a talented Wolfsburg side in midweek provided evidence that Everton were reaching the form of last season that was missing in their stuttering start. Steven Naismith amply filled in during the Belgian absence of Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas, from whom the Everton got the most goals last season. With all three fit and available at Goodison Park, the Toffees should be too much for a Crystal Palace side that got away with a point at home to Burnley thanks to a late penalty save – HOME WIN.
Millwall vs. Nottingham Forest – Saturday 20th September – 3pm KO
Prediction: AWAY WIN
Odds: 11/8
Year after year of near-promotions, this could actually be the year for Forest fans. With the managerial appointment of club legend Stuart Pearce in July, Nottingham assembled a young, energetic squad with plenty of depth worthy of getting out of the Championship this time round. And it looks like it has worked so far. Britt Assombalonga, the £5.5 million striker signed from Peterborough, leads the scoring charts with eight goals in seven games, including a midweek hat-trick at the City Ground. Michail Antonio has also impressed from the wing with five goals and five assits. Ian Holloway’s Millwall started the season brightly with strong defensive performances, but the wins were narrow and they have lost two in a row. Expect the free-scoring Forest ranks to break through once again at the Den – AWAY WIN.
Britt Assombalonga leads the scoring charts with eight goals in seven games, including a midweek hat-trick at the City Ground.
Norwich vs. Birmingham – Saturday 20th September – 3pm KO
Prediction: HOME WIN
Odds: 1/2
Out of the three relegated Premier League sides, Norwich have looked the most stable and likely to bounce back at the first time of asking. Keeping hold of their core players and bolstering them with able finishers has allowed Neil Adams’ side to concede only five goals and score 15. Cherry-picking Lewis Grabban from Bournemouth has paid dividends, with the 26-year-old netting five goals for the Canaries to date. A stunning second-half comeback to beat Cardiff 4-2 away showed the application needed to gain points against rivals from losing positions. Finding the net has not been as easy for Birmingham who, in total, have scored five this season. Up against a back line with plenty of experience, this dry spell looks set to continue – HOME WIN.
BRAVEBET
Burnley vs. Sunderland – Saturday 20th September – 3pm KO
Prediction: HOME WIN
Odds: 6/4
Pundits across the country are condemning this Burnley side to relegation at this stage of the year already because, on paper, the Clarets do not have the names expected on a Premier League roster. But, under the leadership of Sean Dyche, Burnley substitute raw talent for hard work and team spirit, with Dyche being able to get the best out of a side that conceded only 37 goals in 46 Championship games last season. If it weren’t for an outstretched Julian Speroni hand in the 85th minute last Saturday, they would have their first three points under their belt. Sunderland, another winless team so far, have failed to continue their late season form this spring, though they rescued an unlikely point last weekend against Spurs due to an own goal from England U21 Harry Kane. Burnley will miss their youth international Danny Ings through a hamstring injury picked up in that draw, but home advantage and a stubborn defence may just be able to see them through to pick up their first W – HOME WIN.
Plumping for these five picks will multiply your stake by a factor of 20, which would be a welcome addition to that imminent loan.
John Mastrini
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Check out past Friday Five-Ways here.
Odds accurate as of 7pm, 18/9/2014 sourced at ladbrokes.com
