BURNLEY were seconds away from taking a point against Liverpool last weekend but the computer’s handed them another game at Turf Moor and The Clarets can beat Nottingham Forest at 11/5.
Scott Parker‘s Premier League newbies had already banked a home win against Sunderland three weeks earlier and a Carabao Cup success over Derby earned another home tie against Cardiff this coming Tuesday.
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Home form is going to be key for Burnley’s survival in the top division and while they’ll pick up road points along the way this season, another win against Forest looks key with Manchester City looming at the Etihad next Saturday.
Ange Postecoglou is going to need time to mould his new Tricky Trees into the kind of side he’s made his worldwide reputation with and this game might come too soon after last week’s 3-0 trouncing at Arsenal.
BOURNEMOUTH landed last week’s headline bet at 7/5 with a home win over Brighton and Thursday’s Champions League losers Newcastle made it two out of three in the Premier League with victory over Wolves at 4/9.
The pair meet with the Cherries another side having home advantage for the second week running and much as I fancy both teams to score at the general 4/6, I’m backing Andoni Iraola‘s side to continue their excellent start to the season with another three points at 29/20.
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ARSENAL can make a major title statement by beating last week’s free-scoring Manchester City in the 4.30 kick-off at 10/11 and despite Aston Villa shoring up at Everton last week, I’m backing 12/5 home side SUNDERLAND to give us an ambitious but rewarding Sunday treble at over 14/1.
Manchester City showed little mercy to Salford rivals United last weekend but Arsenal were similarly ruthless against Forest and I’m making Mikel Arteta‘s side the anchor leg of this weekend’s top five after Tuesday’s Champions League win in Bilbao
NORWICH were unfortunate not to take all three points at Coventry last weekend but the Canaries would have been happy with a point beforehand and they’re back at home against Wrexham.
The big-spending Welsh side are struggling to come to terms with their new Championship existence and improving Norwich can justify odds of 3/4 to make an early move into the play-off equation.
DERBY COUNTY had one of the best results anywhere last weekend and the Rams can follow up their 1-0 win at West Brom by beating Preston on home turf at 7/5.
County boss John Eustace has now engineered five points from three games since losing an 8-goal thriller at home to Coventry and Preston looked vulnerable losing the lead twice at home to Middlesbrough last weekend.
GILLINGHAM were tipped up here at 11/8 to beat Notts County last week and I’m backing Gareth Ainsworth to celebrate his League Two Manager of the Month award with another three points away to Newport County.
Second top of the table on goal difference is a heady place for the Gills to be at this stage but Ainsworth is working his former Wycombe magic once again and third bottom Newport look vulnerable against the 21/20 visitors.
Friday night football and a League Cup quarter-final mean just three games in the Scottish Championship and RAITH ROVERS can bounce back from defeat at home to St Johnstone by beating Airdrie at 5/6.
ALLOA can get back on track with a home win over Cove Rangers at 21/20 in League One with EAST FIFE taken to beat Montrose at 8/11.
Saturday SINGLE
I’m struggling to understand the prices at Pittodrie for Aberdeen against MOTHERWELL and the Steelmen get the nod at a lively looking 12/5.
WEEKEND ACCA
Burnley 11/5
Norwich 3/4
Derby 7/5
Gillingham 21/20
Arsenal 10/11
Four Saturday and one Sunday this week with all five teams winning paying out at over 51/1.
DUNDEE V LIVINGSTON
Steven Pressley’s players came from a goal down to take a point at home to Motherwell last weekend and they take on a Livingston side fresh from a goalless draw at Aberdeen.
Davie Martindales’s players have taken five points from five games so far as they settle back into life in the Premiership and last week’s first clean sheet of the season was another step in the right direction.
Most firms just have Livi edging this at 6/4 against the 13/8 ‘Dee but draws are becoming quite a thing in the top division and the 11/5 stalemate appeals.
ABERDEEN V MOTHERWELL 3pm Premier Sports
The Dons have finally registered a league point after last week’s home draw with Livingston but Jimmy Thelin’s side have still to score and they need a goal of some sort to win a cup tie.
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The manager has a Cup in the cupboard to keep the critics at bay in the meantime but and the Dons fans would relish another trip to Hampden if the Reds can justify 11/10 favouritism to win in 90 minutes.
Motherwell’s football hasn’t had the rewards it would seem to deserve but this has to be a good time to pit their wits against the Dons and I’ll take a chance on the visitors getting their noses in front and staying there at a generous 12/5.
RANGERS V HIBERNIAN 5.45pm Premier Sports
Rangers are 7/10 favourites to progress in 90 minutes despite their latest flop at home to Hearts and the book akers must believe that home advantage is somehow going to count.
Hibs have been the better team this season by far but last year’s third placed side can still be backed at 10/3 and better here with extra-time priced up slightly shorter at 29/10.
Hibs showed tremendous resolution to dig out a 3-3 draw at home to Dundee United this week and while the weight of history is on Rangers’ side here, a Jamie McGrath inspired Hibs are more than capable of winning in regulation time.
PARTICK THISTLE V CELTIC Sunday 3.30pm Premier Sports
I tipped HT/FT Draw/Celtic at 3/1 for last Sunday’s game at Rugby Park and punters will have to think out of the box again to get any value from the expected Celtic win at Firhill.
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Mark Wilson’s Jags should give their fans an excellent Sunday afternoon out but Celtic are a best-priced 1/6 here with the home side 16/1 to produce a 90 minute sensation.
Thistle warmed up for the big day with a come from behind win at home to Airdrie but even a much changed Celtic side should win comfortable and HT/FT Celtic/Celtic is a general 4/7.
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