Brett’s Bets Of The Week: Pre International Break Edition

I hit the ground stumbling with my opening fixtures predictions. With expectations of Leicester repeating their feats of last season dampened down by all the UK and Ranieri, we still expected them to take 3 points off Hull ‘Half A Team’ FC! Hull didn’t just gatecrash the party, they burned the damn place down! Mike Phelan – caretaker manager AKA official party pooper.

Continuing the downtrodden path both Middlesbrough and Stoke scored; part one secured, but then neither of them (to either set of fans disappointment, not to mention mine) scored again.

I finally got an even footing with Crystal Palace and West Brom, who didn’t disappoint. I’m referring to my bet takings of course. The football, by all accounts, was a sight that caused sore eyes!

And onto the last bet of the day. With Liverpool storming into an apparently unassailable lead to almost dropping 2 points at the end, I went from punching the air to almost punching the TV.  Thereby increasing my losses, considering the TV wasn’t mine! But that brought me up all square for the day and ready to fight another week.

 

Crystal Palace – Bournemouth

Rubbing my hands this week with some of the bets and it’s not even cold. Crystal Palace and Bournemouth has draw written all over it. So much so, not even a graffiti artist would bother.

Palace’s goal scoring potential has increased with the signing of Benteke. Although not scoring that many goals last season, albeit due to limited appearances, not limited skill. When Benteke heads, he usually scores. Pardew might have shot himself in the foot, as one protagonist of the assists was Bolasie – who has gone to Everton. With one winger gone and unrest with another – Zaha, whose potential move to Tottenham could put him in the wrong frame of mind for Saturday, or Pardew may decide not to include him in the frame at all. One striker forward, two wingers backward.

Both teams to score (No) – 20/21 – bet365

 

Hull City – Manchester United

Hull have performed well above expectations for the start of this season, while Man Utd performed under expectations for the whole of last season.

With Manchester United hitting dare I say it ‘Championship form’ and Hull reverting to their championship form, this should see a run out for the Manchester millionaires.

Man Utd to win 4-0 – 20/1 – Paddy Power

 

Leicester City – Swansea City

Both had an average to disappointing start. Both ‘City’ clubs. And that’s where the similarity ends, ergo I’m out of ideas!

Swansea lost half their strike force, while Leicester have not only kept their main man Vardy but added to that with the exciting and productive Musa.

Something’s got to give here. There’s been no doubting Leicester’s tenacity this season and if they marry that with their talent then they can get the first win of the season under their championship belt.

Leicester to win – Evens – William Hill

 

West Brom – Middlesbrough

A draw, a stalemate, equal goals scored/not scored – can you see where I’m going with this??

If Middlesbrough were at home I’d be likely to back a home win. West Brom, however, with their nine central defenders and Saido Berahino won’t budge an inch from their own half. Impenetrable as Fort Knox in a radioactive zone – this one’s a no brainer.

Draw – 21/20 – PaddyPower

 

***ODDS CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS. PLEASE GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY.

When it stops being fun, stop!