Yesterday was a fairly poor day for us on the football front, with most games going against current form. We expected the best side to lose in the Wigan v Boro game though when Arsenal and Fulham failed to win despite superior possession and shot counts, we were on for a bad day. However, the late kick off at Blackburn got us some much needed respite – we predicted a two goal advantage for United, and that’s what we got. A pleasing end to the day.

Today’s matches may throw up similar surprises, but there are some good opportunities to make some profit, with more games taking place on the Sunday than the Saturday this weekend. Read on to see our predictions for today’s (Sunday 5th October) Barclays Premier League matches.

For your convenience, all bookmaker odds links will take you directly to the market concerned.

West Ham v Bolton K.O. 1:30pm Sky Sports 1

Here we have two sides who are looking firmly rooted in the mid-table throng, with slightly different styles. Both are difficult to break down, and commit relatively few men forward in attack. The home advantage means less against a Bolton side who set up a very rigid lineup home or away, and tend to stick to route one tactics.

A difficult match to predict, but the winning margin should be on the low side, as will the total number of goals. Expect either a draw 1-1 or a victory by an odd goal. Slight preference for Bolton.

Advised:

• Correct Score: Lay 0-0 (3 points @ 12.0 Betfair);
• Correct Score: Back 1-1 (1 point @ 7.4) 2-1 (1point @ 9.6) and 1-2 (half point @ 17.5 – All Betfair)

Chelsea v Aston Villa K.O. 3:00pm

Despite the fact that Aston Villa have been performing extremely well so far this season, expect Chelsea to be more than a match for them at Stamford Bridge, where the Blues haven’t lost a game for an inordinate amount of time. With Drogba expected to be out for some time, Chelsea will be looking for their goals elsewhere, however only Anelka has been firing consistently this season.

Expect Chelseas tight rearguard to keep a clean sheet and Lampard and/or Anelka to get on the score-sheet. Chelsea should take this 2-0.

Advised:

• Anelka to score (1 point @ 10/11 Paddy Power)
• Lampard to score (1 point @ 17/10 Paddy Power)
• Asian Handicap – Chelsea -1 Goal (1 point @ 2.22 Betfair)
• Correct score – Chelsea 2-0 (1 point @ 9.0 Betfair)

Man City v Liverpool K.O. 3:00pm

When the new City owners injected their cash into the club, they must have been relishing the prospect of home games against such esteemed clubs as Liverpool FC. However, having only bought one world class player, where Liverpool have at least four in their ranks, winning this game today may prove more difficult than in years to come (or even after January).

This will still be a tight game, but Liverpool are developing a knack for picking up these matches.

Expect Liverpool to win by the odd goal – which will be scored by the irrepressible Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard.

Advised:

• Liverpool to win (1 Point @ 5/4 Ladbrokes)

Portsmouth v Stoke K.O. 3:00pm

Harry Redknapp must be happy with how life at Portsmouth has gone for him. Jermain Defoe looks like one of the best strikers in the Premier League. David James has been the best – and most consistent – goalkeeper for quite some time too.

Newly promoted relegation favourites Stoke will find this this a tough match, and will not deal with Defoe & Crouch’s sharpness. Expect Portsmouth to win by 2 or more.

Advised:

• Portsmouth -1 Goal (2 Points @ 2.3 on Betfair)
• To Score – Defoe (2.26) & Crouch (2.7 – 1 Point each on Betfair)

Tottenham v Hull K.O. 3:00pm

Seven or eight weeks ago, this fixture would have been a no-brainer: Spurs would be a banker to win this match against Hull City. Not so now. Last week Hull beat Arsenal in their back yard, and Tottenham are yet to win any match, home or away, in the Premier League.

Having disposed of three great strikers in the past 10 months, Spurs are finding class in front of goal hard to come by, and their new Russian forward, Pavlyuchenko, has needed time to bed in to the pace of the Premier League.

Brothers Michael and Andy Dawson look likely to face each other for the first time in their professional careers. While brotherly love is likely to fly out of the window, a point is perhaps the best that the elder Andy can hope for with Hull, despite their past two good wins.

Expect Hull to soak up pressure and hit on the counter, with Marlon King a threat. Spurs should control play with possession in mid-field and can find a couple of goals. Tottenham should win this 2-0 or 2-1 – BUT their morale is at rock-bottom, and Hull are on a major high after the past fortnight. A 1-1 draw may be on the cards.

Advised:

• Asian Handicap – Lay Tottenham -1 Goal (1 Point @ 2.13 on Betfair)

Everton v Newcastle 4:00pm Sky Sports 1

Everton are struggling this season, but not as much as Newcastle. Michael Owen and Shay Given look like the only men capable of pulling the Geordies from the mire at present, and the whole back four look entirely flappable and lacking in any confidence whatsoever. Everton can exploit this and, though Newcastle are still dangerous in attack, their defence is dreadful, and goals are slipping in left right and centre.

There will be goals in this match.

Expect shots on target from both sides, with Everton the more likely to come out on top, despite Given’s best efforts.

Advised:

• Over 2.5 goals (1 Point @ 1.98 with Betfair)
• Everton to win with 3 or more goals scored in the match (1 Point @ 21/10 Labrokes’ ‘Quatro’)

With two games live on Sky and plenty of interest available for betting, today look like a genuine Super Sunday of Premier League action. See you next time.