Sunday Premier League and Championship betting preview and free bets
Fulham v Manchester United, Sunday 4pm
The Red Devils were in superlative form when beating Newcastle on Monday, something which has seen their odds on winning the Premier League shorten to 2/1 (bet365 - £200 free bets). However, we should remember that this was against one of the newly-promoted teams in the division and a sterner test awaits Manchester United when they visit Craven Cottage this weekend. Ladbrokes - £25 free bets and Stan James – £25 free betsgo 8/13 that Sir Alex Ferguson’s team are too strong for a Fulham team finding their feet under Mark Hughes.
The Cottagers manager will be encouraged by his team’s goalless draw at Bolton on Saturday, something which could be a sign of things to come under the Welshman. His first task will be to make Fulham hard to beat and bet365 bookmakers offer 3/1 that they manage a morale-boosting draw which will preserve their unbeaten status for the campaign thus far. If you think they can repeat their win over United that was managed last season, Blue Square bookmakers go 11/2, while the same firm offer 125/1 that it’s another 3-0 spanking!
However, that victory in December was achieved when Sir Alex Ferguson had his first-choice defence missing and there’s only Rio Ferdinand out at the moment. Victor Chandler bookies offer 7/2 that Wayne Rooney scores the first goal of the game and the England striker will be looking to end a drought which has gone back to March. Dimitar Berbatov is 5/1 (Paddy Power online bookies) to break the deadlock, just as he did against the Magpies.
It’s easy to see this match being a tight affair, with Hughes not wanting to give anything away against his former team and manager. Therefore, Under 2.5 Goals catches the eye at 4/5 (bet365) and it might be worth a small bet on the Red Devils winning this game by a 1-0 scoreline at 6/1 (Bet Fred online bookmaker). Bobby Zamora is the player most likely to give the United rearguard problems and he’s 9/1 (Sky Bet) to open the scoring.
Newcastle United v Aston Villa, Sunday 1.30pm
James Milner’s two former clubs battle it out at St James’ Park on Sunday, with Kevin MacDonald set to take charge of Aston Villa for the third match running. The caretaker manager has been doing an admirable job since temporarily replacing Martin O’Neill to the extent where the Scot is no bigger than 7/4 (Blue Square online bookmaker) to get the gig on a full-time basis. Sven-Goran Eriksson is a 9/2 chance (William Hills) and Bob Bradley has drifted to 11/2 (Bet Fred).
The Villans got their Premier League campaign off to a perfect start last weekend by beating West Ham United 3-0 and they are 7/5 (Boylesports free bet) to follow this up with another win in the north-east. James Milner won’t be available with the midfielder having joined Manchester City and it will be interesting to see whether Randy Lerner is prepared to re-invest some of that £26 million.
Newcastle United were second best to Manchester United on Monday, although it might stand them in good stead to have faced such a difficult challenge to begin with. The Magpies can now concentrate on amassing some points and bet365 free bet offer a tempting 11/5 that their passionate supporters cheer them on to victory.
Striker Andy Carroll missed a gilt-edged opportunity to score in the 10th minute of the match against United and manager Chris Hughton will hope that the new Newcastle number nine can take the next chance that falls his way. Sky Bet online betting offer a stand-out 13/2 that he breaks the deadlock, with Kevin Nolan surprisingly big at odds of 9/1 (Sporting Bet bookmakers) considering that the midfielder is likely to play in an advanced role up the pitch.
For Hughton, this match is all about the result rather than the performance and bet365 go 8/1 that Newcastle edge matters by a 1-0 scoreline. However, Messrs Agbonlahor (11/2 William Hill) and Carew (6/1 Ladbrokes) will be confident of scoring against a weak-looking Magpies defence, while Marc Albrighton is way too big at 14/1 (Sporting Bet) considering the way in which he got forward against West Ham.
Middlesbrough v Sheffield United, Sunday 1.15pm
Gary Speed has just been appointed as manager of Sheffield United, with Kevin Blackwell lasting just three games before chairman Kevin McCabe deciding he’d seen enough to convince him that a fresh start was required. A 3-0 drubbing at home to QPR would have been especially galling considering that Neil Warnock is manager of the Hoops and the supporters will be hoping a top six position can be achieved under Speed.
Not that a trip to the Riverside Stadium is a welcome opening match, with Ladbrokes – £25 free bets going 10/3 that the Blades come away with a win and make it a dream managerial debut for their new manager. They did land a 1-1 draw at Cardiff in their opening match and so the match will hold no fear and it could be a good time to play a team that have also experienced a slow start to the campaign. Striker Ched Evans is 8/1 with Stan James – £25 free bets to open the scoring as he did in south Wales a fortnight ago.
However, Gordon Strachan was encouraged by Boro’s goalless draw at Leicester on Saturday and it’s possible that the pre-season Championship favourites are coming to the boil nicely for this televised encounter. Bet365 take a massive position by going 11/10 about the home side, with Ladbrokes as short as 8/11 that they can land their first league win of the season against a team that might be asked to change its style under Speed.
We’re yet to see Kris Boyd open his account since moving south from Glasgow Rangers, although the striker has been starved of chances and he’s 9/2 (bet365) to open the scoring in front of the cameras. Strike partner Scott McDonald is 4/1 (Victor Chandler bookmaker) to break the deadlock as he did against Ipswich a fortnight ago.
