There’s a veritable feast of televised footballing action this weekend if you know where to look. Even on the main channels, there are six interesting domestic games for us to get our teeth into.
We’re looking at Saturday’s televised football action with a view to having a bet in each game.
Newcastle v Arsenal (12.30, TNT Sports)
Suddenly, Eddie Howe is under a little pressure at Newcastle. His forwards are misfiring and there is clearly some anger at forced sales in the summer with no replacements coming in.
For his part, opposite number Mikel Arteta will also be feeling it. His side are now 5 points behind title rivals Manchester City going into what will feel like a tough away game.
That’s how Eddie Howe has to see this anyway, as a game Arsenal are worried about. If his side play the way they did against Man City here recently they can get a result, with Newcastle +1 on the handicap at 4/5 not a bad shout.
Blackburn Rovers v Sheffield United (12.30, Sky Sports+)
Blackburn have surprised us this season with their form and we’re deep enough into the season now to know that it wasn’t simply a “good start”. They have quality, and Sheffield United could be vulnerable away from home.
The home side are around 9/5 for this game which seems too big. Blackburn to win is the call.
Oxford United v Swansea City (12.30, Sky Sports+)
Odds-wise, we have an almost identical setup here to the game at Blackburn. This time, you’d be less confident of home win in all truth.
Oxford’s aggregate score this season is 15-15, while Swansea’s is 8-8. It could be said that most of what Oxford have achieved has been on their own ground, but the Swans will make it difficult. The draw is the wise bet at around 21/10.
Stoke City v Derby County (12.30, Sky Sport Main Event & Football)
Stoke haven’t had the best of times recently and have also beaten Derby only once in their last 8 matches. Their time will come again however, so why not now?
At 6/5 they are reasonable value at home, considering they have a positive goal difference here this season while Derby have been terrible away. Stoke to win.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crystal Palace (5.30, Sky Sports Main Event)
Both teams are a similar price for this game, a horrible one to predict at a glance. Wolves have looked like genuine relegation fodder so far, while it has long been felt that Palace will improve.
Indeed, after a bad start they beat Tottenham last week and they could be value to add another precious 3 points to their haul. Palace to win on the road at 8/5 is the shout.
Celtic v Aberdeen (Premier Sports 1)
While Rangers haven’t offered much of a domestic challenge to Celtic so far, Aberdeen have. In fact, they threw away a two-goal lead against this opposition in the league recently.
Aberdeen aren’t going away and they have a neutral ground to play on here. The two sides’ relative form makes 1/4 about Celtic look daft, with Aberdeen at 10/11 +2 on the handicap look very generous.