Championship Betting: Back Brum to continue fabulous record against Lions

Lee Clark's Birmingham have a great record against Millwall

With a full midweek list of Championship fixtures, and a further two winners on Saturday, Mike Norman is confident that his three recommended wagers can give us a run for our money on Tuesday night...

Derby 2.1411/10 v Bournemouth 3.814/5; The Draw 3.613/5

Derby have definitely justified their pre-season tags as one of the favourites for promotion following a run of eight league and cup games without defeat and a surge up to sixth in the table, just four points off top spot.

Steve McClaren's men have scored 14 goals in their last six Championship games and they remain unbeaten at Pride Park this term.

The general concensus is that Bournemouth have started the season very well but the fact remains that they've won just one of their last seven league games, hardly the form of a side that has 'started well' given we've only had nine rounds of fixtures so far.

True, Eddie Howe's men don't lose many (three draws in their last five league games) but you'd like to have seen them win more than what they have if you're a layer of Derby in this encounter. The Cherries beat out-of-form Wigan on Saturday, lost to Leeds a fortnight ago, and failed to beat struggling Rotherham the game before that.

I respect any side that seem difficult to beat, but I just feel that Derby have the momentum right now, they're scoring plenty of goals, and that they ought to be a shorter price than they actually are to win this game, hence the Rams being the selection.

Recommended Bet
Back Derby to Win @ 2.26/5

Middlesbrough 1.434/9 v Blackpool 10.09/1; The Draw 4.77/2

Most of you will know that I'm a Middlesbrough fan, but hopefully two facts will prevent you all from saying that I'm backing the Boro just because I want them to win.

The first is that I rarely bet in games involving Middlesbrough but when I do it's always a bet from the head (and not the heart) and I've never been scared to oppose them if I see value in the opposition. And the second fact is that before a ball was kicked this term I said that I didn't expect us to challenge for promotion and that reaching the play-offs would be fantastic.

Obviously reaching the play-offs will still be fantastic but I have to say that my sights are set higher now, I really believe that we can challenge for automatic promotion.

And if that's the case then brushing aside teams like Blackpool is a must. Aitor Karanka's men have already lost a few time at the Riverside Stadium but they put that right last time out with an emphatic victory over Brentford.

Boro are on a good run at the moment (unbeaten in five league and cup games inside 90 minutes) and have a big squad. Leading scorer Grant Leadbitter was rested on Saturday but will return against hapless Blackpool.

The Tangerines are yet to win a single game this term and have scored just four goals in over 900 minutes of football, including just one away from home. They conceded firt half goals in their opening six league and come games this term and I won't be surprised at all if Middlesbrough lead at the interval before going on to take all three points.

Recommended Bet
Back Middlesbrough HT/FT @ 2.186/5

Millwall 2.01/1 v Birmingham 4.57/2; The Draw 3.55/2

Birmingham, for whatever reason, have been the worst team in the country over the last year on home soil. And I literally am talking a year. And I literally am talking THE worst.

It was October 1 2013 that Brum beat Tuesday's opponents Millwall 4-0 at St Andrews but since then it's been a tale of horror.

Lee Clark's men have won just one of 23 league games in front of their own fans in the last 12 months, an incredibly poor home record. They've jut lost back-to-back home games to Sheffield Wednesday and a Fulham side who had previouly taken just one point from 21 available to them.

So hopefully Clark's men will improve now that they are on the road.

Millwall enter this fixture in poor form, winning just one of their last eight league and cup games, a run that has seen them slip to 16th in the table. They are very opposable here.

And the reason I say 'very' opposable is because we know that in the last 12 months Birmingham have been much better away from home. They defeated Millwall 2-3 at the Den in March, and they have a fantastic recent record against Ian Holloway's men, remaining unbeaten in the last 14 meetings in all competitions.

Recommended Bet
Back Birmingham to Win @ 4.57/2 (best bet)

Championship 2014/15 Season P/L

Staked: 36 pts
Returned: 44.2 pts
P/L: + 8.2 pts

*based on 1pt each bet, 2pts best bet

Opta Big Match Stats: Man City's Italian curse to kick in

Gervinho scored twice in Roma's first Champions League group tie

The Opta trends point to Man City being kept waiting for their first Champions League victory...

Man City v Roma
Tuesday, 19:45
Live on ITV

Match Odds: Man City 1.684/6, Roma 5.69/2, The Draw 4.67/2

Man City have won just one of their last seven European meetings with Italian sides

After comfortably qualifying from their Champions League group at the third try last term with 15 points, Man City's narrow 0-1 loss away to Bayern Munich in their opener this time has set the tone for a struggle more in tune with the unsuccessful initial two attempts. Almost every available Opta stat indicates that they won't defeat Roma. The Premier League champions are on a three-game losing streak in the competition, whereas the Italian capital club won their first group tie 5-1 against CSKA Moscow and have triumphed in all six of their fixtures to date this season.

Best Bet: Lay Man City to win @ 1.695/7

Roma have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last nine Champions League matches

The Giallorossi's attacking quality rates it a near-certainty that they will score, particularly as Man City have conceded in seven of their eight clashes with top-flight opposition in 2014/15. However, Rudi Garcia's men aren't quite as hot defensively on the continent as they are back home, allowing CSKA Moscow to take a little shine off of what was their best-ever Champions League win last time out. Opta note that three of Man City's past four collisions with Italian sides finished 1-1, so that is an intriguing option at 9.417/2 if you don't wish to back both teams to score at odds-on.

Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score @ 1.758/11

Sergio Aguero has scored five goals in his last five Champions League appearances at the Etihad Stadium

It doesn't matter whether Man City are playing in the Premier League or the Champions League, at home or on their travels, there is always an impressive Opta insight involving Aguero, illustrating how special a talent he is. Opta add that he averages a goal every two games for the Citizens in Europe, but his figures this season are even more eye-catching: four strikes in four starts.

Recommended Bet: Back Aguero to score @ 2.26/5

Premier League: Monk's big month to shape Swansea's season

Garry Monk's Swansea are set for a good October

Swansea have made a good start to the season under manager Garry Monk and Andy Brassell believes the Welsh outfit are set for a good October with stability, more goals, and likely improvement the key factors...

If autumn shows us how to separate the contenders from the fly-by-nights, then step forward Swansea City.

In a nascent Premier League table that nobody apart from Chelsea seems able to grab by the throat, opportunity is knocking hard. After six matches, the Swans are in fifth place, level on points with Arsenal and just three behind second-placed Southampton.

This is despite a run of two defeats and a loss in the last three Premier League games, with no goals scored in each of the last two. The thoroughly impressive Garry Monk now has a chance to build a solid foundation for lofty ambitions in October, with Newcastle's visit on Saturday followed by a trip to Stoke and another home tie, with Leicester City.

Monk's name may lack the magic conjured by mention of his immediate predecessor Michael Laudrup but having escaped last season's brush with a relegation fight unscathed, he has moved onwards and upwards smoothly.

The style on the pitch and the patter off it bear the unmistakable hallmarks of thinking big. It will be interesting to see how the coming months play out in front of a support wary of how the club and the squad would cope with the demands of European football a second time.

The early signs suggest they would be better set. Perversely, in the wake of Jonathan de Guzman, Michu and Chico Flores all leaving, the squad appears better equipped than last time around.

The feeling of stability that Monk has brought is undoubtedly a considerable positive, underlined by the return of Ki Sung-Yeung and his signing of an extended contract. Wayne Routledge's parallel commitment to a new deal suggests a trend, and the return and quick reintegration of Gylfi Sigurdsson speaks of a continued vision too.

There is plenty of room for improvement in the front third of the pitch, too. Neither last season's top scorer Wilfried Bony or summer signing Bafetimbi Gomis have scored yet in the Premier League this season (Gomis has one in the Capital One Cup), and Swansea's last league goal was Jonjo Shelvey's consolation in the loss at Chelsea on September 13th.

That Swansea have managed, already, to survive difficult situations - like grinding out a point after going down to 10 men at Sunderland, having narrowly failed to do the same in the previous league match against Southampton - talks of an increasing toughness too. They already have five clean sheets in all competitions, so are perhaps in a better position to grind out points when below their dashing best.

Given that, the 1.910/11 to beat struggling Newcastle on Saturday looks good, as does 2.021/1 for both teams not to score, with the Geordies struggling to find their own rhythm at the sharp end of the pitch. It would set Monk's men up well for a month in which they have the chance to take the bull by the horns.

If you think Swansea can make the most of October, it might be a good point to get onto them at 11.5n/a for a surprise Top 6 Finish. With a reliable spine and more goals to come, it is more appropriate for the competition to worry about Swansea than the other way around.

Football Bet of the Day: Railwaymen to hit the buffers again

Steve Davis has received the dreaded vote of confidence

After a winning start to the week, Kevin Hatchard looks for a more profit with a rare England-based selection.

Crewe Alexandra v Notts County
Tuesday September 30, 19:45

We trusted in Rubin Kazan's newly-found attacking style (a footballing glasnost, if you will), and they delivered. Torpedo played their part in our Both Teams To Score wager after just 15 minutes, and although Rubin's two goals came in the final quarter of the match, it was a case of better late than never.

Every globetrotter needs to pop home now and again, and we're spending today in good old Blighty, with a League One clash between Crewe Alexandra and Notts County.

This is a game that evokes plenty of memories from my student days at Nottingham Trent. I based my final university documentary around a wide-ranging interview with Crewe chairman John Bowler, and most nightclubs in Nottingham had Hatchard throwing shapes in them at some stage, with one or two bottles of Irn-Bru WKD in hand.

Crewe fans could be forgiven for turning to the alcopops this season, as it's been a dreadful campaign. The Railwaymen are still stuck in the station, having collected a measly four points from their opening nine games. They have the worst defensive record in the entire Football League, with 24 goals conceded, and in their last two outings they've been battered 6-1 at MK Dons and shredded 3-0 at home by lowly Colchester.

Boss Steve Davis has been given a vote of confidence by Bowler (he's still chairman, 14 years after I interviewed him) and the board, and Crewe aren't a club that pulls the trigger without good reason. However, the stark truth appears to be that many of their players aren't up to performing at this level, and confidence has been shot to pieces.

Notts County are making steady progress under Shaun Derry, and he is making them tough to beat. The Magpies have only lost one of their last eight matches in all competitions, and that was a 2-1 defeat against leaders Bristol City that came courtesy of a 90th-minute winner. Derry has had to mix and match because of injury problems and a tight budget, but he has drilled the defence superbly, and veteran keeper Roy Carroll has been on wonderful form.

County have kept four clean sheets in their last eight games, and they have conceded more than one goal just twice this season. If we go on the basis that they are likely to either keep a clean sheet or concede just the one goal, the question then becomes can they score at the other end?

Crewe have conceded three goals or more in four of their six home games, and they are yet to keep a clean sheet on home turf. Against a Magpies side that is well organised and has shown itself capable of giving the division's top sides a game, I think Crewe will struggle, and I'm happy to recommend the away win at a chunky 2.6213/8.

Recommended Bet
Back Notts County to win at 2.6213/8

2014 P/L (1pt per bet)

Points Staked: 29

Points Returned: 29.06

P/L: +0.06 points

Champions League: Back Spanish clubs to shine and Roma to enjoy City trip

Luiz and co have struggled this season

In the latest edition of his new Champions League column for 2014/15, European football expert James Horncastle picks out five potential bets from the action this week...

1) Old Lady won't lay down for the Mattress makers

Diego Simeone claimed with justification on Saturday that Atletico's 4-0 win against unbeaten Europa League holders Sevilla was his side's best performance of the season so far and Los Colchoneros will be hoping to replicate it as they host Italian champions Juventus at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday night.

Last year's finalists need a result after their 3-2 defeat to Olympiacos in Athens a fortnight ago. Victors over Champions League winners Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup last month, they don't fear anyone.

However, Juventus have been perfect in all competitions this season and haven't conceded since late April. The last goal Gigi Buffon allowed came at the World Cup when Italy lost to Uruguay. Coincidentally it was Atletico's Diego Godin who got it from, where else, but a set-piece.

Will Juventus keep their clean sheet intact? Their style seems more suited to Europe under Max Allegri. Back the draw at 3.3512/5.

2) Blanc under pressure to beat Barca

The anecdote goes like this: Laurent Blanc walks into an Ipanema restaurant with PSG president Nasser al-Khelafi. He bumps into Roy Hodgson. The England manager knows Blanc but doesn't know who he's with and asks the former centre-back: "Why did your club buy David Luiz? He makes mistakes every game. €50m for him is crazy!" It was the cause of some embarrassment for al-Khelafi who had presented the Brazilian as the best in the world.

At fault in Saturday's draw with Toulouse, Luiz has done little to justify the tag. Held six times in all competitions this season, PSG are fourth in Ligue 1 and the pressure is on Blanc. Unfortunately for him, former club Barcelona are next at the Parc fresh from obliterating Granada 6-0 and yet to let in a goal. The odds are against PSG lifting their malaise against the La Liga leaders. Back at Barca win a 2.186/5.

3) Roma to give City the blues

Manchester holds no fond memories for Roma supporters. Beaten 7-1 by United in the second leg of their quarter-final at Old Trafford in seven years ago, many forget they had gone into that game with a 2-1 aggregate lead.

Roma had to go back twice the following season first in the group stage then once again in the last eight only losing 1-0 on both those occasions. Perhaps the blue side of Manchester will hold more luck for them than the red.

This Roma side have maximum points in Serie A, thrashed CSKA Moscow 5-1 on their return to the Champions League, possess winning experience in this competition in Ashley Cole, Seydou Keita and Douglas Maicon, a crop of talented young players and the evergreen Francesco Totti who is still making the difference. Daniele De Rossi is a big miss but City are too short at 1.75/7 - lay the hosts.

4) Ajax exasperated away at APOEL

It's approaching a decade since Ajax last made it out of the group stages. In the meantime Wednesday's opponents APOEL have gone further, reaching the quarter-finals a couple of seasons ago. Only beaten 1-0 by Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Matchday 1, it's been said they faced a second string Catalan XI, but Lionel Messi and Neymar both played the full 90 minutes.

A Lasse Schne free-kick earned Ajax a point on PSG's visit to the Amsterdam Arena earlier this month and their form has picked up with a hat-trick of wins since, including a 1-0 triumph over Feyenoord in the derby.

Unable to win away from home in this competition for three years, though, the likes of Zenit and Porto have fallen at the GSP stadium in recent memory. Back another famous APOEL scalp at 3.1511/5. 

5) Gotze to chill CSKA

Bayern's players spent part of their first night in Moscow ahead of Tuesday's match against CSKA standing outside in the cold, shrouded in blankets after their hotel's fire alarm was set off. Preparation wasn't ideal on their last visit here a year ago either. Bayern had to train in a ballroom but still waltzed to a 3-1 win.

Mario Gotze found the net that night and has been in irresistible form of late. Scorer of the clinching goal in the World Cup final, he has hit three in his last two games for the German champions. Back him to continue his streak and to open Bayern's account as the first goalscorer at 5.69/2. 

Recommended Bets
Back the draw in Atletico and Juventus at 3.3512/5
Back Barcelona to beat PSG at 2.186/5
Lay Manchester City v Roma at 1.75/7
Back APOEL to beat Ajax at 3.1511/5
Back Mario Gotze as first goalscorer in Bayern v CSKA at 5.69/2

In-play Betting Tips: Marseille to defy Bielsa stereotype

Andre-Pierre Gignac has scored five times in his last three games

Michael Lintorn offers in-play betting advice for clashes involving Inter, West Brom and Marseille...

The perception is that this is a less-than-super Sunday, but we reckon than any punters tuning into the following three fixtures won't be disappointed, either due to the enjoyment that they provide or the money-making windows...

Inter v Cagliari
Sunday, 14:00
Live on ESPN

Match Odds: Inter 1.4740/85, Cagliari 8.615/2, The Draw 4.77/2

What better way to set the tone for an entertaining afternoon's box-watching than with one of Europe's most iconic ambassadors of adventurous and attractive football? 67-year-old Zdenek Zeman, formerly of Lazio and Roma, is currently in charge of Cagliari, who are bottom of Serie A despite scoring in three of their first four matches.

Neither they nor opponents Inter tend to net early though. Cagliari haven't struck before the 37th minute in 20 Serie A away dates while - with the exception of their 7-0 hammering of Sassuolo - none of Inter's 13 goals in 2014/15 came earlier than the 28th minute. So if you are enticed by the both-teams-to-score option, consider waiting 25 minutes or so rather than backing now at 1.9620/21.

West Brom v Burnley
Sunday, 16:00
Live on Sky Sports 1

Match Odds: West Brom 2.0421/20, Burnley 4.47/2, The Draw 3.45n/a

Perhaps understandingly given that it is being forced to follow a day in which the Merseyside and north London derbies were crammed into the Premier League TV schedule, punters and pundits alike have low expectations of West Brom v Burnley. The stats support the scepticism, with seven of their ten combined league encounters this season delivering under 2.5 goals, a 1.758/11 prospect.

However, there is an established trend of glamour-light televised Premier League contests justifying their selection. Three this term have involved neither a divisional ever-present (Man United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea and Aston Villa) nor champions Man City and each ended as a score draw: Hull 1-1 Stoke, Hull 2-2 West Ham, QPR 2-2 Stoke. So if the deadlock is broken in the first half, chance a few quid on the draw.

Marseille v St Etienne
Sunday, 20:00
Live on BT Sport 2

Match Odds: Marseille 1.855/6, St Etienne 5.24/1, The Draw 3.65n/a

Opportunity isn't so much knocking as bashing Marseille's door into oblivion at the moment. With Paris St-Germain and Monaco wobbling, the latest project of the celebrated attacking coach Marcelo Bielsa has already earned them top spot in Ligue 1 just seven games and five successive victories in. The visit of fellow ten-time champions St Etienne invites them to extend their lead even further.

Though the perception of Bielsa's sides is that they start sprightly then fade owing to a high-energy approach, 12 of the 16 goals on their present winning streak arrived in the 44th minute or later. They have conceded once in the process, in the 90th minute against Evian. There is consequently a case for deploying lay-to-back tactics on over 2.5 goals, which is priced at 2.1211/10 pre-match.

Football Bet of the Day: AC in the hole

Baresi, Maldini, Costacurta – they wouldn't recognise today's Milan

Tobias Gourlay looks forward to a super Sunday at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi

Cesena v AC Milan
Saturday 14:00

Shouldn't have moved the goalposts.

Wolfsburg 2 Werder Bremen 1 in the Bundesliga. We finally make Over 2.5 Goals - on the day we go for Over 3.5. 

AC Milan's first four games of the Serie A season have brought 18 goals. Half of them in one crazy game with Parma, but that's still an average of three in the rest of them.

So Super Pippo knows as little about defending as ever, but he can't take credit for what went on last season. Since the start of last term 14/21 Milan away matches have produced Over 2.5 Goals.

Cesena are newly returned to Serie A. Their last outing at the Dino Manuzzi brought a 2-2 draw with Empoli. Either side of that there have been three-goal defeats at Lazio and Juventus.

Not even Fernando Torres will put us off this one.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.1411/10 in Cesena v AC Milan

2014 P/L (1pt per bet)

Staked: 34pts
Returned: 32.8pts

-1.2pts

Against All Odds: Plenty of goals at Stade VГ©lodrome

Marcelo Bielsa has his troops in fine form

French duo Marseille and St Etienne have been among the goals this season and Paul Robinson is predicting that to continue this evening.

Marseille v St Etienne
Sunday September 28, 20:00 BST
Live on BT Sport 2

Marseille have made a fantastic start to their campaign as after seven games, they are top of Ligue One with 16 points. They had opened up with a draw and a loss, but since then it's been five straight wins - racking up 16 goals in the process.

Marcelo Bielsa's side have taken full advantage of PSG's slow start to the season and while they probably won't win the title, they have a real shot of making the Champions league.

It's the goal-side of things we're focusing on here though and with 19 scored and six conceded, their matches this year are averaging 3.57 goals each time. That's the highest in the entire division and five of their seven outings have ended with at least three goals being scored. Four of those were in their last four and they netted five times at Reims on Tuesday.

Saint Etienne have made a solid start to their season as last year's fourth placed finishers are in sixth having picked up 14 points from a possible 21. They've only lost once - a 5-0 thrashing at PSG - but they've since put that behind them by winning two and drawing one of their next three.

As far as the goals go, Christophe Galtier's men have scored eight and conceded seven. While that only gives their matches an average of 2.14 goals per 90 minutes, that figure rises to 2.67 if we concentrate solely on their away games. 'Les Verts' put two past Guingamp and while they didn't score in Paris, they found the net at Lens in their last match on the road.

The hosts will be desperate to keep their winning run going and while they have a great chance of doing so, I certainly wouldn't rule out the visitors from scoring. That's why, with under 2.5 goals trading at around the 1.8810/11 mark, I have to make it my lay of the day.  

Recommended Bet
Lay Under 2.5 goals in Marseille v St Etienne @ 1.8810/11

2014 P/L (1pt each bet)

Wagered: 260 pts
Returned: 274.65 pts
P/L: + 14.65 pts (after commission)
(2013 P/L: + 3.80 pts)
(2012 P/L: + 9.60 pts)

Opta Stats: Stoke v Newcastle

Will Alan Pardew be pointing towards the job centre after Newcastle's game with Stoke.

A defeat for Newcastle against Stoke could spell the end for Alan Pardew's time as manager. Opta are on hand with all the vital statistics.

Stoke have won three of their last four Barclays Premier League home games against Newcastle. They are 2.1411/10 to win.

The Magpies have only mustered one clean sheet in 10 previous Premier League encounters with the Potters. Over 2.5 goals is 2.35/4.

After 10 Premier League appearances without a goal or assist, Peter Crouch both scored & assisted against QPR last time out. Crouch is 3.02/1 to score.

Alan Pardew's side have conceded two or more goals in 10 of their last 13 league games. Over 3.5 goals is priced at 4.57/2.           

Stoke are the only team yet to score a home goal in the Premier League this season. Newcastle are 4.03/1 to keep a clean sheet.

Three of Stoke's last four Premier League home games have ended as 0-1 home defeats. Newcastle are 12.011/1 to come away with a 1-0 victory.

Stoke's last three Premier League games on a Monday have ended 1-1. The 1-1 draw is priced at 7.613/2. 

This fixture was on a Monday night in 2011-12 and Demba Ba scored a perfect hat-trick (header, left-foot, right-foot) as Newcastle won 3-1. The odds of a hat-trick being score are 26.025/1.

Newcastle have lost their last four Premier League games on a Monday, conceding 12 goals in the process. Stoke are 3.7511/4 to win half-time/full-time.

Rooney both hero and villain - Manchester United 2-1 West Ham United

Wayne Rooney was both the hero and villain on Saturday

Manchester United clung on to three points at home against West Ham United on Saturday, this says a lot about where they are right now.

Wayne Rooney scored before being sent off as Manchester United got back to winning ways with a 2-1 win over West Ham.

It has been a Jekyll and Hyde start for Louis van Gaal at Manchester United and with the capitulation at Leicester fresh in the mind, it was imperative that his side got back to winning ways sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, the Hammers arrived at Old Trafford with a 3-1 win over Liverpool tucked in their back pocket and looking to capitalise on United's crippling defensive injury list. Shorn of Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and even Michael Carrick, Van Gaal turned to teenager Paddy McNair to make his senior debut.

Attack would need to be the best form of defence for the hosts and so it turned out as the Red Devils made a blistering start with Rooney opening the scoring inside five minutes. Brazilian full-back Rafael da Silva collected the ball on halfway and drove forward before cutting the ball back for Rooney to sweep effortlessly into the far corner of the net.

Almost immediately West Ham should have levelled as Daley Blind's poor back pass was latched on to by Enner Valencia but the Ecuadorian striker blazed high and wide.

United's lead was doubled on 22 minutes with the lively Ander Herrera heavily involved. The Spaniard's ability to time a challenge has been noticeable already in his United career and he snaffled Alex Song before the loose ball fell for Falcao to slide in Robin van Persie and he simply drilled the ball past Adrian.

The defensive nerves were soon jangling once again for the hosts and they conceded sloppily with just eight minutes remaining in the first half. De Gea, usually so reliable, was panicked into coming for a corner he was never getting to reach and after the ball eventually hit the crossbar, it fell for Diafra Sakho to nod home.

West Ham started the second half brightly and they were given a real shot in the arm when Rooney was shown a straight red card just after the hour mark. At first glance it looked a harsh decision with Stewart Downing looking to break and Rooney appearing to just clip his heels, but after a second look it was more of a swipe from the England captain.

Falcao was sacrificed for Darren Fletcher and Van Persie assumed the armband for the remaining half hour or so, but the Dutchman was left with the thankless task of chasing down hopeful clearance after hopeful clearance.

The Hammers piled on the pressure but the makeshift home defence were holding firm. De Gea was called into action just once, to keep out Sakho's volley at the near post after debutant Luke Shaw had been caught under a looping cross.

There were to be two key moments for the hosts to survive and young McNair was the hero for the first. Facing his own goal, just four yards out, with Carlton Cole and Valencia running in, he twisted his body to glance a superb Carl Jenkinson cross away from danger.

Then, in the 90th minute, West Ham were celebrating and United fans had their heads in their hands after Kevin Nolan swept home from close range. The relief inside Old Trafford was palpable when the assistant referee raised his flag to disallow the goal for offside with Nolan just half a yard ahead of play when the cross came in.

It would be the Hammers' final chance as the hosts set about running down the clock before great cheers of relief when the final whistle was blown to end a nervy afternoon at Old Trafford.

Latest on how the Premier League Golden Boot is shaping up

Costa has eight Premier League goals already

Diego Costa has started just how Jose Mourinho anticipated when he splashed the cash on the Spaniard but can he win the Golden Boot?

The Premier League table is starting to take shape after just six games of the season.

With all the teams now in full flow, and the transfer window closed, fans can start to get a good idea of how their side will fare this campaign. It is also plain to see which strikers have hit the ground running and who are taking a little more time to get going.

Given the way he has started the season, the obvious prime candidate to win the Premier League Golden Boot this season is Diego Costa. The 32million striker has scored eight goals in six games to make a real statement of intent in the Premier League. Costa has been a revelation since arriving in west London and indeed the only league game he didn't score in was the draw with Manchester City - but he did come close as he hit the post.

After Chelsea's striking woes last season, the 25-year-old has been a breath of fresh air for the club. Long gone are the frustrating days of seeing Fernando Torres miss chance after chance, now the Chelsea fans will be confident that when Costa gets a sniff of goal, he will find the back of the net.

The Spanish striker boasts an impressive shot accuracy of 85 per cent and truly looks like the lethal scorer Jose Mourinho brought him in to be. He has the physical prowess to trouble Premier League defences all season and, if the Chelsea midfield continue to set him up, he looks capable of scoring for fun.

This is all subject to his fitness however, as Costa is still troubled by hamstring problems. Mourinho has admitted he is barely training and cannot play more than one game a week. He will have to be well managed, but if he can get up to full fitness then Premier League defences should be on red alert. If a hampered Costa can score like he has done so far, imagine what a 100 per cent fit Costa will be like?

Leonardo Ulloa currently sits second in the top scorers' chart with five goals, but even the staunchest Leicester City fan could not imagine the big Argentine continuing this level of strike-rate. However, his compatriot Sergio Aguero has four goals already and he is certainly more than likely to be there or thereabouts come the end of the campaign. There is no doubting the finishing ability that Aguero has, but he has struggled with injuries in the last 12 months. He can be the difference for Manchester City and they need him to be at 100 per cent and showing the kind of predatory instincts he has displayed throughout his career to date. It was Aguero's goals that helped City win their first Premier League title and it looks likely that he and Costa are going to play huge roles in this season's title race.

It would be a big shock if anyone outside those two topped the scoring charts come the end of the season, but there are a few big names out there that have yet to really get going. Daniel Sturridge scored goals for fun with Luis Suarez last season but now must survive without the Uruguayan by his side. The England striker has endured a slow start to the season through injury and it is difficult to imagine him matching the 21 goals he got last year.

Manchester United boast no fewer than three of the top strikers in the Premier League, in the shape of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao. Any of those three is capable of winning the Golden Boot, but their chances are subject to United making massive strides forward. Rooney leads the way with three goals so far yet it remains to be seen if he will play as a striker regularly under Louis van Gaal.

Admittedly it may be early days in the campaign, but it might already be the clear that whoever wins the goalscoring battle between Costa and Aguero might win their side the title and themselves the Premier League Golden Boot.

Tips of the Week: Hughes doubles up on the trebles on a scorching weekend of winners

Andrew's weekend of winners kicked off with Liverpool drawing at home to Everton

Our tipsters hit top form last week with Andrew Hughes standing out after picking out a pair of winning cross sport multiples...

As most punters know, landing a successful multiple is sneakily hard. One of those sure things tends to somehow come unstuck and the big odds bet that couldn't fail to come in somehow doesn't.  

So let's put our hands together for Andrew Hughes who nailed not one but two winning multiples this weekend, kicking off on Saturday with a treble on a draw in the Merseyside derby, Chennai to beat Perth in the Champions League Twenty20 and Northampton to triumph against Bath in the Aviva Premiership. That came home at odds of 6.73n/a. 

And Andrew followed up his strong work on Sunday when bringing in another handsome winning. Using the same three competitions, Andrew picked out West Brom, Kings XI Punjab and Exeter to reward his followers at odds of 5.14/1. 

Elsewhere it was a good week for many of our football regulars with Paul Robinson supplying six winners (from seven bets) with his daily Against All Odds column for a total profit of 6.41pts for the week. The highlight for Paul was a lay of Under 3.5 goals in Hoffenheim v Freiburg at 1.68/13 - the game finishing 3-3!  

Ligue 1 previewer James Eastham enjoyed a phenomenal week in France, his two columns yielding six winners from eight bets, with stakes returned on one bet and just the solitary loser.  James' P&L for the week was a very respectable 5.31pts. 

And continuing the continental joy was Kevin Hatchard, who struck a trio of winning bets in his weekend Bundesliga column to return a profit of 4.95pts. 

But the betting success wasn't restricted to continental competitions, though. Michael Cox and Alan Thompson called the Merseyside Derby correct, landing all their recommended bets including a lay of over 2.5 goals in a match that the vast majority of observers assumed would end with both team scoring a number of times. 

Premier League Review: Chelsea so strong right now but do they have a wobble in them?

John Terry managed 48 games last season - can he do it again this year?

Six Premier League games have yielded five wins and unbeaten Chelsea are already odds-on to win another title but it's early days, says Ralph Ellis, and injuries to any of Jose Mourinho's favourites could upset the champions-elect...

Jose Mourinho claimed Chelsea were just a "little horse" in last year's title race. Right now they look like a combination of Red Rum, Frankel, Kauto Star and Hurricane Fly.

The statistics of the first six games of the new Premier League season are pretty frightening. Unbeaten with five wins, 19 goals scored, a five point lead over champions Manchester City, and a goal difference that's already nearly double that of anybody else.

New striker Diego Costa has hit the ground running with eight goals already to be 2.1411/10 favourite to land the Golden Boot. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois looks an absolute giant with bucket hands, while Cesc Fabregas has slotted seamlessly into midfield to supply the killer passes. Mourinho looks not so much the Special One as the Unbelievably Amazing One.

But before you start sticking your money on the Blues to take the title at the current price of 1.684/6, a word of caution. Since the turn of the century only two teams have been top at the end of September and gone on to be crowned as champions.

One of them was Arsenal's 2004 Invincibles, who led from day one. And the other, it has to be said, was Mourinho's side of 2006 who took until August 24 to reach the top of the pile and were then ahead of the pack for the rest of the way. So the Chelsea manager does know what it takes to ride the favourite from the front.

But the modern Premier League is far too volatile a place to imagine that any side, however good, can have it all their own way and that's why there must be mileage in laying Chelsea now at their massive odds-on price and waiting for a blip to back them again.

They were impressive against Aston Villa on Saturday, but then Paul Lambert's side without Ron Vlaar are a bit of a pushover, to be honest. And if you look at the story so far, Chelsea have faced only one of the other likely top four teams when they drew away to ten-man Manchester City.

There will be issues to confront along the way. If Costa gets injured, how good is the back up strike force when Didier Drogba looks to be a year or two beyond his best if he has to face a top side, and Loic Remy can be inconsistent?  Will John Terry, fantastic warrior though he is, be capable of playing 48 games like he did last season with his 34th birthday looming in December?

Mourinho doesn't do squad rotation. He's used just 18 players so far, and picked the identical back four in every game bar leaving Cesar Azpilicueta out for one Champions League tie. That's fine in the early days of the campaign, but it could be storing trouble - especially when some of his best players are bound to have a bit of a World Cup hangover.

I'm not saying Chelsea won't win the League. They have every chance and are deserved favoutites. It's just that recent history says it won't be so simple and that means a big chance to oppose them now and wait to make use of the joys of the Cash Out button.

Mourinho might have swapped his little horse for a big one - but there are a whole load of hurdles yet to jump before the winning post is even remotely into sight.

Chelsea cruise to victory - Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa

Willian opened the scoring on Saturday

Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 win on Saturday as they continued their undefeated start to the season.

Chelsea made it five wins from their first six Premier League matches of the season with a routine 3-0 win against Aston Villa.

Oscar, Diego Costa and Willian were all on the scoresheet and, in truth, Jose Mourinho's side could easily have scored more goals.

Mourinho started with ten of the line-up that drew 1-1 with Manchester City last weekend with the only change being the introduction of Oscar for Ramires who is struggling with a groin injury.

Villa had managed to shake off the bug that had decimated their squad last weekend and contributed to their 3-0 home defeat to Arsenal and they started the match in the lofty position of third in the table.

In a lively opening, Aly Cissokho gifted Chelsea an early corner with a poor clearance but the impressive Nathan Baker headed the ball clear.

Cesc Fabregas' free-kick was then claimed by Brad Guzan underneath his own crossbar while, when Villa moved forward, John Terry just managed to get his head to Cissokho's cross before Kieran Richardson could latch on to the ball.

However, the league leaders edged ahead in the seventh minute when Oscar fired an angled ten-yard shot into the net after Guzan had done well to save Willian's initial shot.

Gary Cahill's header troubled Guzan as Chelsea pushed for a second goal before Fabregas found some time and space for himself on the edge of the area, only for the former Arsenal and Barcelona man to then drag a shot wide from the edge of the area.

Philippe Senderos timed his challenge well as he dispossessed Costa just when the Spain international was looking dangerous and, as Chelsea continued to dominate, Costa forced Guzan to make a smart save before Branislav Ivanovic directed his powerful header from Fabregas' corner over the bar.

Oscar then found Costa who bent his shot over Guzan's goal while, in a rare Villa foray forward just before half-time, Fabian Delph's effort failed to trouble the under-worked Thibaut Courtois.

Delph had another chance soon after the interval, firing a powerful effort wide, but Chelsea's second goal just before the hour mark effectively ended the match as a contest.

Costa headed Cesar Azpilicueta's cross past Guzan to register his eighth goal in his first six Premier League games and the former Atletico Madrid striker, who cost Mourinho 32million in the summer, could easily have scored a hat-trick against Paul Lambert's side.

Oscar almost immediately made it 3-0 when the ball broke to him off Baker, only for Cissokho to scramble the ball off the line.

Eden Hazard's cross then found Costa who glanced a header wide, but the Spain international striker played a crucial part in Chelsea's third goal which came with 11 minutes remaining.

Costa's shot was saved by Guzan but Willian was on hand to bundle the ball home from a yard out.

From that moment on, Villa appeared to be simply playing out time as they waited for the final whistle while Chelsea were content to play at walking pace as they saved their energy levels in readiness for Tuesday's Champions League Group G clash at Sporting Lisbon.

Substitute Andre Schurrle had two late shots blocked as Chelsea searched for a fourth goal but they had already done the hard work as they sealed another fine win that leaves them three points clear of second-placed Southampton after six matches of the campaign.

Football Bet of the Day: Piast on the job

No one likes to see low goals in Poland

Tobias Gourlay's search for Over 2.5 Goals takes him to Poland

Korona Kielce v Piast Gliwice
Friday 17:00

Hm. One short again.

Degerfors 1 Varnamo 1 in last night's Superettan and, um, we've got very little else to say about that.

To Poland, where all four of Korona Kielce's Ekstraklasa home games have so far gone Over 2.5 Goals. Dive back into last season and the record is 15/22.

Since a goalless draw in their first match at Kielce City Stadium of last term, they've scored twice or more themselves in 12/22, while keeping just four clean sheets.

Tonight's visitors are Piast Gliwice, who have seen 13/24 road games go Over 2.5 Goals. They've scored themselves in 15/24 and conceded at least twice in half of them.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.26/5 in Korona Kielce v Piast Gliwice

2014 P/L (1pt per bet)

Staked: 32pts
Returned: 32.8pts

+0.8pts

Bundesliga Betting: Table-toppers Bayern to rack up another clean sheet

Bayern's Arjen Robben was on fine form against Paderborn

Bayern Munich went top of the Bundesliga table in midweek, and Kevin Hatchard expects them to stay there this weekend.

FC Cologne v Bayern Munich
Saturday September 27, 14:30

Two significant events happened to these sides in midweek. On Wednesday, FC Cologne finally conceded a goal, and therefore suffered their first defeat as they went down 1-0 at Hannover. A day earlier, Bayern Munich went top of the table with a 4-0 win over previous leaders Paderborn.

While the performance against Paderborn wasn't perfect (the visitors squandered several good chances), Bayern had their attacking swagger back. Arjen Robben looked as if he was getting towards full fitness, Mario Gotze boosted his confidence with a welcome brace, and Robert Lewandowski finally scored a competitive goal for Bayern at the Allianz Arena.

Equally heartening for Bayern fans is the fact the team has now kept four consecutive clean sheets. Defensive weakness was a real issue for Pep Guardiola's men in the second half of last season, but the acquisition of the outstanding Xabi Alonso is proving to be a masterstroke. Not only is he screening the back four well, but he's keeping the ball away from the opposition with accurate passing. Toni who?

I raved about Cologne's defending in my midweek column, but the offensive unit is still letting the Billy Goats down. Peter Stoger's men have failed to score in four of their five league games, and they are unlikely to get too many chances against Bayern at the Rhein Energie Stadion this weekend.

I know we were burned recently when we backed Bayern to win to nil at Hamburg (they drew 0-0), but I think Bayern will win this, and I can't see Cologne's struggling attack making an impact. The win to nil looks too big at 2.35/4.

Recommended Bet

Back Bayern to win to nil at 2.35/4 (best bet)

Mainz v Hoffenheim
Friday September 26, 19:30
Live on ESPN

I thought Mainz would really struggle under new coach Kasper Hjulmand, but after a really shaky start that saw them tumble out of the German Cup and the Europa League, the Nullfunfers have got their act together. They rode their luck a bit in last weekend's win over Borussia Dortmund, but they deserve credit for putting together a five-match unbeaten run. They were left frustrated on Tuesday, as they blew a 2-0 lead in Frankfurt, drawing 2-2 with Eintracht.

Shinji Okazaki has had to carry the offensive burden since the departures of Nicolai Muller and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, but the hard-working Japanese international has risen to the occasion, with five goals in five Bundesliga games. At 2.767/4 in the To Score market, he has to be worth backing, as he should be much closer to evens.

Hoffenheim clung onto their unbeaten start to the season by the narrowest of margins in midweek, as Jannik Vestergaard's 93rd-minute equaliser salvaged a 3-3 draw with Freiburg. Hoffe have improved defensively this season, but the old bad habits returned against the men from the Black Forest, and coach Markus Gisdol will be relieved his side fought back to rescue a point. I suspect this defensive shabbiness will prove to be a blip rather than a decline.

I very rarely tip the draw, but I'll make an exception this time. Both teams are unbeaten, and have drawn three of their five games so far, and there's so little to choose between them that 3.65n/a seems like a price that we shouldn't ignore.

Recommended Bets

Back Shinji Okazaki to score at 2.767/4

Back the draw at 3.65n/a

Hamburg v Eintracht Frankfurt
Sunday September 26, 16:30
Live on BT Sport 1

Five games, two points and no goals. That's the sorry tale of Hamburg's awful start to the season, and why they are bottom of the standings. The league's perennial laughing stock have already sacked a coach, and although Mirko Slomka's replacement Joe Zinnbauer has tightened up the defence (0-0 draw v Bayern, 1-0 defeat at Borussia Monchengladbach), that elusive goal hasn't arrived. HSV managed just two goal attempts in the second half of the defeat at Gladbach, and Opta tell us no Bundesliga team has failed to score in their first five games since Bochum in 1979.

The same certainly can't be said for Thomas Schaaf's Eintracht Frankfurt, who are scoring plenty of goals. Three of their five matches have ended 2-2, and they've only failed to score once this term. Strikers Haris Seferovic and Alex Meier have bagged a couple of goals apiece, with Meier scoring in each of the last two games. It's worth noting that in their two away games so far, the Eagles have managed draws at Wolfsburg and Schalke, who both finished in the top five last season.

Frankfurt will be without excellent young keeper Kevin Trapp until mid-December because of an ankle injury, but they have signed the vastly experienced Timo Hildebrand as a replacement, so there shouldn't be too much of an impact. Schaaf now has to find a way of satisfying his attacking tendencies without abandoning the defensive side of the game, but I think he'll be delighted with a record of just one defeat in five games.

I can see no justification for Hamburg being 2.226/5 favourites to win this match. They haven't won a home game since the first week of April, and stretching back into last season they are winless in ten Bundesliga matches. While I do think they have signed some good players, those signings haven't adapted yet, and Eintracht Frankfurt will be dangerous opposition.

Recommended Bet

Lay Hamburg at 2.226/5

Kevin will be commentating on Schalke v Borussia Dortmund and Hamburg v Eintracht Frankfurt this weekend for TuneIn radio with talkSPORT. You can follow him on Twitter @kevinhatchard

2014/15 Bundesliga P/L (1pt per bet)

Points Staked: 19

Points Returned: 15.39

P/L: -3.61 points

Opta Stats: Manchester United v West Ham United

Can Louis van Gaal get Manchester United back on track when they face West Ham?

After a humiliating defeat last weekend, can Manchester United bounce back against West Ham? Opta shines their statistical light.

Manchester United's total of five points from five games is their worst haul at this stage since 1989-90. You can lay Manchester United at 1.444/9.

The Hammers have scored nine goals in 18 Premier League games at Old Trafford and never more than one in a single game. Under 2.5 goals is 2.747/4.

Manchester United have taken 31 points from their last 11 Barclays Premier League games against West Ham. They are 1.434/9 to win.

West Ham have netted a league-high four goals from outside the box this season. Enner Valencia is 6.05/1 to score a goal.

Eight goals conceded after five games is Man Utd's highest total since leaking 10 in their opening five in 2001-02. Over 2.5 goals is 1.558/15.

Sam Allardyce's side have the best cross completion rate in the top-flight this season (24.36%) while only Arsenal's is lower than Manchester United's (12.12%). Carlton Cole is 4.57/2 to score.

Manchester United have conceded six penalties in their last 15 Premier League games - before this run, they hadn't conceded one in 85 PL matches. The odds of a penalty being taken are 3.185/40.

Wayne Rooney has two goals and two assists in five Premier League games this season. Rooney is 2.05n/a to score.

Man Utd have lost 10 of their last 25 Premier League home games. The previous 10 defeats came across a period of 148 games. West Ham are 8.615/2 to score.

West Ham have scored five goals in their last two Premier League away games, more than they managed in the previous six on the road (4). They are 1.674/6 to score a goal.

Opta Stats: Sunderland v Swansea City

Can Garry Monk get Swansea back to winning ways when they face Sunderland?

Already perilously close to the relegation zone, can Sunderland distance themselves from trouble with a win over Swansea? Opta has all the answers.

Sunderland conceded seven goals to Swansea last season, only Arsenal and Tottenham scored as many against the Black Cats. Over 2.5 goals is 2.226/5.

Along with Liverpool, Swansea are one of two teams yet to draw this season. Sunderland have drawn a league-high four times this term. The draw is priced at 3.3512/5.

After winning four games in a row in April/May, Sunderland have now gone six games without a victory (L2 D4). Swansea are 2.789/5 to win.

Sunderland have kept three clean sheets in four Premier League home games against Welsh sides. They are 3.3512/5 to keep a clean sheet.

Swansea have kept only three clean sheets in their last 18 Premier League games. They are 1.42/5 to keep a clean sheet.

Swansea have won just eight corners in five league games this season. Under 2.5 goals is 1.794/5.

Gylfi Sigurdsson has assisted four Premier League goals this season; he has never recorded more than four in a single campaign in England. Sigurdsson is 3.7511/4 to score.

Garry Monk's Premier League win percentage of 42% is better than Brendan Rodgers (32%) or Michael Laudrup (27%) recorded for the Swans. They are 4.3100/30 to win to nil.

Gus Poyet's win percentage of 28% at Sunderland is level with former Black Cats managers Steve Bruce and Roy Keane. Peter Reid (33%) and Martin O'Neill (29%) are the only bosses with a higher rate. Sunderland are 4.77/2 to record a top ten finish.

Transfer Rumours: Mata set to return to former club?

Mata is wanted by Valencia according to reports

Juan Mata sure doesn't look like he's wanted much at Old Trafford and yet another team has been linked with him in the media today.

Chelsea star Eden Hazard will not be leaving Stamford Bridge for Paris Saint-Germain in January, according to the Daily Mail.

The Belgian playmaker is believed to be at the top of PSG boss Laurent Blanc's wishlist in the next transfer window and reports in France suggest they are more than willing to splash the cash.

However, it looks highly unlikely the Blues will entertain the idea of letting Hazard leave London, as manager Jose Mourinho sees the former Lille star as a key member of his title-challenging team.

Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph is reporting Valencia will look to lure back Juan Mata to the Mestalla in January, with the Spanish international down the pecking order at Old Trafford under manager Louis van Gaal. Having made a big-money move from Chelsea to United, the playmaker has struggled to nail down a regular place in the Red Devils' starting XI. Los Che are looking to capitalise on Mata's lack of game time under Van Gaal in the hope of bringing the Spaniard back to the club where he made his name in La Liga.

Staying in the North West and the Daily Star say Liverpool will offer Raheem Sterling a new bumper contract at Anfield in a bid to fend off interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid. The England international has been a standout performer for the Reds this season and performances on the international stage with the Three Lions have not gone unnoticed by Los Blancos. Real are not short of money in the transfer kitty and could try and tempt Sterling away from Merseyside.

Elsewhere, the Daily Mirror is reporting Chelsea's Ryan Bertrand is eager to make his loan deal at Southampton a permanent one having fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge. The highly-rated defender has settled in well on the south coast and is part of a Saints team that has made a flying start to the Premier League campaign. With the Blues having a settled backline they might well be open to a bid from the Saints when the transfer window opens.

China Open Women's Betting: Back Sharapova to claim title in Beijing

Can Sharapova snatch the title in Beijing?

The race to Singapore is still on for some of the top names on the WTA tour, and Abelson Info preview what looks set to be a thrilling week in Beijing...

New tournament, new surroundings, but still the same story as world number one Serena Williams heads to Beijing as the favourite for the China Open.

After securing yet another Grand Slam triumph in New York, Williams will want to finish the season off in style as she heads for Singapore, although it remains to be seen if she has fully recovered from illness.

The 33-year-old withdrew from the Wuhan Open during her second-round match against Alize Cornet, but while she will be confident of getting back to full health in time for this tournament, her rivals have other problems.

Simona Halep, Maria Sharapova, Agnieszka Radwanska and Ana Ivanovic were all unable to avoid early-round exits, and so with such a quick turnaround, there are question marks over whether or not they have had sufficient time to put things right.

Nevertheless, it does suggest that at this stage of the year we are certainly in for a few shocks and upsets this week, and so it may not be down to who can stop Williams.

As mentioned above though, this tournament will have more weight for certain individuals, including Ivanovic, while in-form Wuhan finalists Petra Kvitova and Eugenie Bouchard may not be physically ready to go again so soon after the end of that tournament.

The China Open is worth 1,000 points to the champion, 650 to a finalist and 390 for reaching the semi-finals, and so there is still so much to play for as these big-name players will be desperate to participate in the WTA Finals.

While the likes of Williams, Sharapova and Halep are out of sight, either Kvitova or Bouchard will likely join them depending on who wins in Wuhan. That leaves the loser of that meeting, Radwanska, Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber all scrapping for places.

However, looking at each quarter of the draw, it begins to become a little clearer as to who will have the toughest run in order to get to the latter stages of the tournament.

Williams does in fact potentially face some tricky encounters against the likes of Kirilenko, Giorgi and Wozniacki, while Halep and Bouchard could be on a collision course at the other end.

In contrast, things arguably look a little more straight-forward for Sharapova and particularly Kvitova, so it will ultimately come down to who is able to settle the quickest and get through the early rounds with minimal fuss.

The safe bet would naturally be to back Williams as on her day she is unbeatable, but the value inevitably lies elsewhere and Sharapova, despite her struggle in Wuhan, is amongst those worth backing. Just make sure she isn't behind you while you read this preview as you might end up on Twitter...

Recommended Bets

Back Sharapova to win the China Open 2014 @ 6.411/2
Back Ivanovic to win the China Open 2014 @ 15.5n/a

Transfer Rumours: Liverpool is for another striker?

Gonzalo Higuain might be set for Liverpool...?

Luis Suarez has gone and Liverpool might well still be looking for the right man to replace him. This and other rumours in Friday's transfer rumour round-up.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will make an ambitious attempt to land Gonzalo Higuain in January, according to the Daily Mirror.

The Reds, who currently sit in 11th place in the Premier League, have been looking for the magic formula to replace Luis Suarez at Anfield this season and recent signings Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert have failed to really hit the ground running. England striker Daniel Sturridge will be returning from injury shortly but Rodgers is believed to be keen on luring Napoli striker Higuain to Merseyside.

The Daily Express is reporting Manchester United will look to shore up their defence in January with the signing of Atletico Madrid centre-back Miranda. United have been plagued by injuries at the back, with the likes of Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones all sidelined. Manager Louis van Gaal knows he needs to strengthen his defensive options and believes Brazilian Miranda is the right man to fill the void.

Across the city and Manchester City loan signing Frank Lampard has intimated he is open to extending his short-term deal at the Etihad Stadium. The New York City midfielder is set to return to the MLS outfit in January but reports suggest he could be tempted to lengthen his stay with the Premier League champions.

Juventus full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner has played down speculation he is set to join Paris Saint-Germain in a swap deal for midfielder Adrien Rabiot. The Swiss defender will see his contract in Turin expire at the end of the current Serie A campaign but he could be set for a move to the French capital in January. However, Lichtsteiner is keen to stay with the Italian champions and has played down any move to PSG next year.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are believed to be interested in signing Aston Villa youngster Jack Grealish but Villa boss Paul Lambert is determined to keep hold of the 19-year-old. Lambert has admitted the playmaker is "not the finished article" but feels the midfielder is moving in the right direction. Chelsea are thought to have been impressed with Grealish and could look to make a move.

Reading v Wolves: Make your point at the Madejski

Bakary Sako's goals have helped Wolves to an impressive start to the season

Sky have picked another tricky looking contest for Sunday's live Championship game with two sides harbouring realistic ambitions of competing for promotion, so Andy Tongue thinks that backing the draw is the winning tactic...

Reading v Wolves
Sunday 28 September
13:15
Live on Sky Sports 1

Reading

The Royals have been in good form at the Madejski Stadium so far this season, winning three out of four. Frustratingly for them, that defeat was a surprise reverse against lowly Huddersfield. Since then they've put three past both Millwall and Fulham, although they had to battle hard to see off the Lions, who fought back from 2-0 down to level things up last time out, before Simon Cox's late winner, his fourth goal of the season.

They were disappointed to return from Hillsborough empty-handed last weekend. Glenn Murray, a deadline day signing from Crystal Palace, missed a golden opportunity to put them ahead when he missed a first-half penalty and they conceded the only goal late on via a deflected free-kick. Cox was rested for the 2-0 midweek Capital One Cup defeat and Murray cup-tied as Nigel Adkins made seven changes to his starting line-up but both are set to return for this clash.

With their takeover by an Asian consortium finally confirmed, Adkins is delighted with the prospect of some stability off the field and the likelihood of funds to spend in January if he can show that his team are up there challenging for a play-off spot.

Wolves

Kenny Jackett's side have made a great start to life back in the second tier and currently sit in third place. This has been the result of a series of very impressive defensive performances and they've conceded just three goals in their eight games - the best record in the division. 

Away from Molineux they have won only one of their four games though, drawing twice and suffering their only league defeat so far at Rotherham back in the second week of the season. It's at home where they've won four out of four (beating the likes of Norwich, Cardiff and Blackburn) that they have really caught the eye.

Bakary Sako and Nouha Dicko have continued where they left off last season and both have already shown they have what it takes to cause defences plenty of problems at this level, netting three times and twice respectively. Dicko should be fit despite limping off at half-time during last week's 1-0 home win over Bolton.

Carl Ikeme's brilliant spot-kick save from Owen Garvan preserved the three points in that game and his fine form, along with that of skipper Danny Batth are among the reasons for the five clean sheets they have accrued in the Championship thus far.

Match Odds

The market makes the visitors the 2.56/4 favourites here which could be a slight misreading of their start to the season. Yes, they've been mighty impressive but mainly on the back of the four wins at Molineux. On the road they were beaten at Rotherham and could only manage a goalless draw at struggling Blackpool, while we have to draw a line through the win over Fulham, given how hapless the Londoners have been so far. 

Reading are a better side than any of those three and probably on a par with Charlton, where Jackett's men drew 1-1 10 days ago. The Wolves boss has certainly built a side that isn't used to losing - his men have suffered just one reverse in the last 18 league games. Although some punters will be tempted to back the visitors to record a fifth 1-0 victory of the season, the Royals are generally a strong outfit at home and the draw at 3.412/5 is the recommended bet.

Over/Under 2.5 goals

Wolves' four games away from home have produced just the four goals and it's clear Jackett sets them up to keep things solid defensively as a first priority. His back five are settled, having played together for a while now, and it definitely shows. Where they could struggle as the season develops is at the other end of the pitch. They have scored eight league goals - less than any side in the top-half bar Sheffield Wednesday - and the hope among the Molineux faithful is that a striker can be brought in on-loan over the coming weeks.

In contrast, Reading have scored six times in their last two fixtures but I think they'll find things a lot tougher here given the visitors' miserly rearguard. Although we had our fingers burnt on Monday night when Ipswich's 2-1 win at Wigan breached the 2.5 line, I think we can make up for that here and the 1.855/6 on offer for unders is a tad more generous than I had anticipated, making it a good bet.

Recommended Bets

Back The Draw @ 3.412/5
Back Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.855/6

2014/15 P/L

Staked: 29 pts
Returned: 28.65 pts
P/L: -0.35 pts

*2pts best bet if stated
1pt other recommended bets

Jagielka spoils Gerrard's day - Liverpool 1-1 Everton

Phil Jagielka's wonder-strike earned Everton a point

The Saturday lunchtime game was not full of quality but two wonderful strikes earned each team a point.

Phil Jagielka scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to rescue Everton a 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Liverpool started strongly and Raheem Sterling had the first chance of the game when he struck a low shot straight into the hands of Tim Howard. The hosts dominated the early stages and felt they should have had a penalty when a shot from Sterling appeared to be blocked by a high arm from Gareth Barry.

Everton were thankful to their goalkeeper for keeping them level with a good double save on 10 minutes. Mario Balotelli fired a swerving 35-yard free-kick that Howard turned around the post and, from the resulting corner, Adam Lallana lost his marker and Howard got down really well to keep out his firm downward header.

The visitors slowly came into the game and Romelu Lukaku stung the palms of Simon Mignolet before Leighton Baines got into the box and his pull back across goal was hacked away from danger by Dejan Lovren.

Liverpool continued to pose a threat going forward and Howard was called into action again to keep out a Jordan Henderson shot from the edge of the box. On 32 minutes Balotelli then wasted a great chance when he was unmarked in a fantastic position in the box but completely missed the header.

Balotelli was operating a shoot-on-sight policy for most of the first half and he put a curling effort too close to Howard on 43 minutes, while the Everton goalkeeper had to be at his best a minute later to thwart Sterling. Barry gifted the ball to Henderson who slid in Sterling, but the keeper was quick to come out and block the England winger's shot.

The second half was a bit cagier for long periods until Steven Naismith smashed a powerful swerving effort that was saved by Mignolet.

Liverpool finally broke the deadlock with 65 minutes on the clock after Baines brought down Balotelli to give the Reds a free-kick 20 yards out from the Everton goal. Steven Gerrard stepped up to take it and struck a fantastic curling free-kick that beat the wall and Howard, who did get a hand on the ball but could not keep it out.

Everton almost hit straight back but Lukaku couldn't get his head on the ball when unmarked in the box, and moments later Liverpool had a glorious chance for a second. Sterling nipped past Tony Hibbert down the Liverpool left and his low cross was met on the half-volley by Balotelli. Howard just managed to get enough on the close-range effort to flick it up on to the crossbar and deny the Italian a derby-day goal.

As the game went on Everton stepped up their attempts to get back into it, but Liverpool stood firm and looked organised at the back. It looked like all of Everton's work going forward was going to come to nothing as, despite having good possession and pinning Liverpool back, they struggled to really create any decent openings.

But in injury time Everton silenced the Kop as the ball dropped to Jagielka 25 yards out and the defender unleashed a memorable half-volley that flew into the top corner of the net via the underside of the crossbar.

It was a fantastic strike from the most unlikely of sources and a real goal-of-the-season contender as Everton rescued a point from the Merseyside derby. It might take a while for Liverpool fans to really come to terms with what happened at the end, but it was two points dropped by Brendan Rodgers' side.

Arsenal grab late point - Arsenal 1-1 Spurs

The Ox earned the Arsenal a point on Saturday

Arsenal always looked in control in the late game on Saturday but in the end they had to come back to earn a point against their north London rivals.

Tottenham Hotspur earned a 1-1 draw in the north London derby at Arsenal with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris the star of the show.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger caused something of a surprise in his selection as he left Alexis Sanchez on the bench, fielding 16million signing Danny Welbeck as a lone striker.

Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino made an even more interesting choice as he handed a Premier League debut to youngster Ryan Mason in midfield.

Arsenal made a strong start, with Aaron Ramsey testing Lloris early on, before Welbeck started to exert some influence.

He drilled in a low shot just past the 20-minute mark which again forced a save from Lloris and soon after Jack Wilshere rattled in a piledriver with his left foot which, fortunately for Spurs, was straight at the waiting Lloris.

Soon after Mikel Arteta was forced out of the game by injury, with Mathieu Flamini taking his place in midfield. And that change seemed to alter the momentum of the first half, with Spurs finally causing the home defence some problems.

Former Gunners striker Emmanuel Adebayor passed up a fine chance as he delayed a shot from only eight yards out, allowing a home defender to clear the danger.

Wojciech Szczesny then had to gather a header from team-mate Per Mertesacker following a corner, as the hosts were tested again.

Right on half-time Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain smashed in a 25-yarder which forced Lloris into a low save away to his left, before Nacer Chadli dragged a shot wide when clean through in the home area.

The half finished with Arsenal suffering another injury blow as Ramsey had to be replaced by Santi Cazorla.

Lloris was called into action shortly after the restart to block a Mesut Ozil drive, as the home side looked to break the deadlock.

However, with 56 minutes on the clock it was Spurs who went ahead after Arsenal lost the ball in midfield and Lamela played in Chadli, who this time made no mistake in driving the ball past the advancing Szczesny.

Keeper Lloris then made an astounding save to prevent a Per Mertesacker header from going in before Wenger threw on Sanchez to try and help rescue at least a point.

Calum Chambers rifled a 25-yard drive narrowly over the crossbar before the Gunners got back on level terms.

Spurs failed to deal with a ball into the box from the left and Oxlade-Chamberlain smashed home into the roof of the net, with Lloris helpless to intervene.

The hosts then pushed on in the final few minutes to try and find a winning goal but were unable to puncture the Tottenham backline again and had to settle for a share of the spoils.

The point, earned in a game which saw nine yellow cards dished out, keeps Arsenal in fourth place in the Premier League table and still unbeaten in their six league games to date - although four of them have been draws.

Spurs move up to eighth place, having won two, drawn two, and lost two.

Arsenal move on to take on Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, with Spurs back in action in the league next weekend when they take on Pochettino's former club Southampton at White Hart Lane.

Football Bet of the Day: Expect Russian defences to be Torpedoed

Kurban Berdyev ran a tight ship at Rubin before he was sacked

Kevin Hatchard's back with his atlas in hand, and he's taking us to Russia for our first outing of the week.

Rubin Kazan v Torpedo Moscow
Monday September 29, 17:00

The betting gods can be cruel, and there are giant quilts that have been stitched up less often than my fellow globetrotter Tobias Gourlay was last week. To adapt a phrase from the nuanced and cerebral acting giant that is Arnold Schwarzenegger - he'll be back.

Now then, let's start our week's jaunt in Russia, and a Premier League clash between Rubin Kazan and Torpedo Moscow.

As you may or not know, I've covered a lot of Europa League action for this site over the past few seasons, and Rubin Kazan used to do pretty well in the tournament. Under their long-serving coach Kurban Berdyev, Rubin were achingly dull, but relentlessly effective. They would control games with long spells of possession, slowly sucking the life out of their opponents like some kind of footballing vampire. I must admit, watching some of their matches did drive me to open a second grab-bag of Doritos before the end of the 90 minutes (other corn snacks are available).

However, Berdyev was dismissed by Rubin in December 2013. Current coach Rinat Bilyaletdinov (fun fact - father of former Everton winger Diniyar) hasn't been quite so conservative, and it's shown in the team's games this season. In eight Premier League outings this term, Rubin have kept just one clean sheet, and both teams have netted in six of those matches.

Newly-promoted capital club Torpedo Moscow have made a poor start, and have lost their last four league games. Despite their struggles, they do seem to find the net fairly regularly, and they have only drawn a blank twice in eight matches. It's also worth noting they have kept just one clean sheet in the campaign.

With both teams scoring goals and failing to keep clean sheets, I'm pleasantly surprised to find that Yes in the Both Teams To Score market is trading at above evens at 2.1211/10. You know what to do.

Recommended Bet

Back Yes in the Both Teams To Score market at 2.1211/10

2014 P/L (1pt per bet)

Points Staked: 28

Points Returned: 26.94

P/L: -1.06 points

Arsenal v Tottenham: The view from White Hart Lane

Arteta has been a weak link for Arsenal this season

Early season optimism at Tottenham has been replaced by a familiar dread after some laboured performances but Spurs blogger Chris Miller is expecting his team to be fired up for the derby and is predicting goals and cards...

Arsenal v Tottenham
Saturday, 17:30
Live on Sky Sports 1

Arsenal approach the first north London derby of the season on the back of a disappointing home defeat to Southampton, while Tottenham produced a confidence boosting 20-minute spell to beat Nottingham Forest, both in the League Cup.

In the league, though, it's a different story. Last weekend Arsenal had a thumping 3-0 win at Villa Park, whereas Spurs were beaten at home by West Bromwich Albion. But, of course, the 'form book goes out of the window' in these matches.

Arsenal's team probably picks itself, although there might be a temptation for Arsene Wenger to select the returning Abou Diaby in place of Mikel Arteta as their holding midfield player, such has been the Spaniard's poor form so far this season.

The Spurs line-up is less predictable and will potentially feature some unknown quantities. New boys Benjamin Stambouli and Federico Fazio are pushing for starts, particularly central midfielder Stambouli.

The Frenchman put in a tenacious display against Forest - his five tackles and two interceptions in just 65 minutes might tempt Mauricio Pochettino to use him in an attempt to stifle Arsenal's possession game.

Arsenal's personnel has changed somewhat over the last couple of years, but their style remains familiar. Their game plan is generally to control possession through intelligent use of the ball in midfield, before coming to life and creating overloads in wide areas, while attacking the opposite side of the box with diagonal off-the-ball runs from deep.

That said, Wenger was happy to concede possession to Spurs in this fixture last season, confident that they wouldn't be able to create much - it will be interesting to see which way he plays it on Saturday.

Pochettino's Tottenham have, so far, only managed to show glimpses of the high-intensity pressing and fast, direct passing that made his Southampton side so dangerous last season.

Against West Brom, the build-up play was laboured and drew groans from the crowd, while some of the defending was self-destructive. If Spurs are to get anything from this game, there will need to be significant improvements.

Arsenal had similar defensive problems recently against Borussia Dortmund, a team that has truly mastered their pressing game. The Gunners' midfield simply could not cope with the tempo and conceded chance after chance. 

In the last ten meetings between these two sides there have been 40 goals and, in seven of the ten matches, there have been three goals or more. Opta tell us that if there are four goals in this game then it will become the outright highest scoring fixture in Premier League history (it currently sits on 126 goals).

With both teams' defensive frailties, the recent records in these matches, and the apparent form of Mesut zil and Danny Welbeck, Over 2.5 Goals at 1.834/5 and Over 3.5 Goals at 3.02/1 both look tempting, depending on how brave you want to be.

With pressing galore, the usual competitiveness of a north London derby, and plenty of pace on display - especially from the home side - the chances of a mistimed challenge or two is high. With that in mind, it is worth considering backing a sending off at 3.1511/5.

Recommended Bets
Back Over 2.5 Goals at 1.834/5
Back Over 3.5 Goals at 3.02/1
Back 'yes' in Sending Off? market at 3.1511/5

***

You've read the Tottenham view - now check out the Arsenal preview from ex-Gunner Adrian Clarke

Opta Big Match Stats: Liverpool to earn thrilling victory

This is the kind of occasion on which Mario Balotelli often thrives

The Opta trends flag up two things for the Merseyside derby: a Liverpool win and a lot of goals...

Liverpool v Everton
Saturday, 12:45
Live on BT Sport 1

Match Odds: Liverpool 1.9420/21, Everton 4.47/2, The Draw 3.814/5

Everton have not won away at Liverpool in the league since September 1999 (L7 D7 since)

In the bottom half after five games having lost more than they have won, this obviously hasn't been a vintage start for Liverpool. However, only one of those defeats occurred at Anfield, where they have found a way past second-placed Southampton and first Champions League visitors Ludogorets. Everton have encountered even more early difficulties, winning one of their six domestic fixtures and ending three of the latest four empty-handed. They have been beaten on two of their last three trips to Anfield, being thrashed 0-4 in their debut appearance there under Roberto Martinez.

Recommended Bet: Back Liverpool to win @ 1.9420/21

Liverpool have kept only one clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League games

Everton have a surprisingly shoddy scoring record at Anfield, with Opta noting that they have netted just five goals in their past 12 Premier League ventures across town, but it seems highly unlikely that they will be shut out this time. Despite sitting a lowly 14th, the Toffees have notched at least twice in each of their last seven league matches, equalling their longest sequence. Liverpool contributing to the scoresheet should be a formality: they have fired a mere two blanks across their past 38 outings.

Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score @ 1.654/6

There have been a league-high 24 goals in Everton's Premier League games this season

That's a quite extraordinary average of 4.8 per fixture, as they simultaneously possess the division's most porous defence (13 goals in five matches) and second most productive attack (11 strikes). Adding further flavour to this punchy recipe for a goal-showered derby showdown is the fact that Liverpool's Premier League games averaged a league-high 4.0 goals each last term, with their meetings with Man City and West Ham passing the 3.5-goal mark already this season.

Recommended Bet: Back over 3.5 goals @ 2.6213/8

Eredivisie Betting: Back goals at the Abe Lenstra Stadion

PSV coach Philip Cocu

Will Burns presents another three tips for this weekend's exciting Eredivisie action as Sky Sports 5's coverage continues with two cracking games...

NAC Breda v Ajax
Saturday, 17:30

After last weekend's 'lucky' 1-0 win over bitter rivals Feyenoord, Ajax will expect an easy three points away to NAC Breda on Saturday evening. The Rotterdammers dominated the whole game with 18 shots against Frank de Boer's men but goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen had the game of his life, denying every chance Fred Rutten's side could hurl at him.

The Amsterdammers should have a more comfortable time in Breda however, one guy Ajax will have to keep quiet will be Adnane Tighadouini. The 21-year old Moroccan winger has fired in three goals in six appearances for Breda, which has saw the relegation contenders sit in 12th but only three points off fourth place, in the tight division that is the Eredivisie.

Even with one eye on their Champions League contest against APOEL Nicosia in midweek, I anticipate Ajax to win and with the form that Cillessen is currently in, also keep a clean sheet. Ajax to win to nil is priced at 3.211/5 and could be a great way to start our weekend in the Dutch top flight.

Recommended Bet
Back Ajax Win to Nil @ 3.211/5

Go Ahead Eagles v Feyenoord
Saturday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports 5 via the red button

Go Ahead and Feyenoord have already met each other this week in the Dutch Cup, which saw the Eagles of Deventer run out 2-0 winner over Fred Rutten's men, which puts the head coach under tremendous pressure with just two wins in 12 games of the season in all competitions so far.

With his job under scrutiny, Rutten like last week cannot lose this game and will feel hard done after bossing Ajax for the whole 90 minutes last Sunday. However, performances do not win points and the manager will need the likes of Mitchell te Vrede, Colin Kazim-Richards and Jean-Paul Botius to start finding the net, to move up the league where they currently sit in a horrific 15th place.

Foeke Booy's Eagles are in a similar position, one place above in fact, and need points themselves but will find it hard with main threats Lesley de Sa and Deniz Tr absent with injury.

Look forward to a close match with the raucous atmosphere of the Adelaarshorst providing the soundtrack. The Draw is at 4.03/1 and could provide some real profit come Saturday night and place Rutten in the jobcentre queue come Monday morning.

Recommended Bet
Back The Draw @ 4.03/1

Heerenveen v PSV
Sunday, 15:45
Live on Sky Sports 5

On Sunday afternoon, in what could be the game of weekend, I would expect goals galore as fourth takes on first when Heerenveen host the free-scoring PSV Eindhoven. The visitors have been victorious in seven of their last eight games and they returned to winning ways in great fashion with a 4-0 win over SC Cambuur at the Phillips Stadion last weekend.

Many Eindhoven fans feared the worst when they lost Memphis Depay to injury in their only defeat of the season against PEC Zwolle. However, Philip Cocu's men served well last week with a 1-0 win in Europe over Estoril and as mentioned before smashed four past Cambuur, who themselves have had a good season so far, sitting in fifth place.

Heerenveen coach Dwight Lodeweges should be proud of his side, after the summer sales of Hakim Ziyech and goal machine Alfred Finnbogason, De Superfriezen have eleven points out of six games and are pushing the top three. Young German striker Mark Uth and 19-year-old playmaker Daley Sinkgraven have impressed and Cocu will look to defensive pairing Jeffrey Bruma and Karim Rekik to stop any assaults from them.

Even without the missing Depay, PSV have proven they can score goals and Heerenveen have tasted victory in five of their last six home matches in the league. The result may be too close to call, however you can back Over 3.5 Goals on the exchange at 2.47/5 and I see this price too good to ignore.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 3.5 Goals @ 2.47/5

The Big Match Tactical View: Liverpool v Everton

Steven Gerrard has struggled in recent matches

The weekend's opening Premier League fixture is the Merseyside derby. Traditionally a game with plenty of cards, the stats point to plenty of goals. Here are the verdicts of BB's deadly duo, Michael Cox and Alan Thompson, on the weekend curtain raiser...

Liverpool v Everton
Saturday 12:45, BT Sport 1.
Match Odds: Liverpool 1.9210/11, Everton 4.47/2, The Draw 3.9n/a.

Last season's two Merseyside derbies produced ten goals - and this meeting at Anfield should be another thriller.

Both teams have displayed the same weakness so far this season - neither can defend to save their lives - and when combined with plenty of attacking potential, there will surely be goals at both ends.

The statistics tell the story - Everton's games have averaged 4.8 goals so far this season, and they've scored at least two goals in their last seven Premier League matches. An eighth on the bounce would be a new club record in the Premier League.

They've conceded more goals than any other Premier League side, however, with goalkeeper Tim Howard enduring a particularly miserable start to the campaign. Liverpool traditionally have plenty of shots, and Howard's form must improve if Everton are to stand a chance in this game.

With defensive problems a real concern in the first few weeks, both managers have selection and formation dilemmas. Brendan Rodgers found his diamond outplayed at West Ham last weekend, and switched to a 3-5-2 shape midway through the first half. He's likely to return to a four-man defence, but it remains to be seen whether he chooses a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 diamond - Raheem Sterling and Mario Balotelli could operate either side of Daniel Sturridge, or in a more narrow format.

The diamond would risk allowing Everton's full-backs forward, but I think Rodgers will be brave and go with that shape, which increasingly seems to be his first-choice. Sterling could do significant damage against Gareth Barry and James McCarthy, while the pace of the front two will unsettle Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka.

Rodgers' main selection dilemma will be on the left of the diamond - Adam Lallana could start alongside Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard, although Joe Allen might be a safer bet.

Roberto Martinez has used a 4-2-3-1 system so far this season, but there's a suspicion he might move to more of a 4-3-3 - perhaps using a false nine as he has against Arsenal a couple of times in 2014.

The idea would be simple - it would allow Everton to play with three deep midfielders to help battle against the pace and mobility of Liverpool's central players, perhaps with Muhamed Besic joining Barry and McCarthy.

More importantly, though, it would allow Steven Naismith to mark Steven Gerrard before spinning in behind, the role played expertly by Gabriel Agbonlahor and Stewart Downing over the past couple of weekends. Naismith is an excellent player in a tactical sense, and can expose Gerrard's defensive weakness on the counter-attack. I'll back Gerrard to be shown a card, at 4.216/5.

That would allow Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas (or Aiden McGeady) to play high up and push Liverpool's two Spanish full-backs, Alberto Moreno and Javier Manquillo, back into their own half. Both are talented technical players, but look unconvincing defensively at this stage. Furthermore, it would deny Liverpool width, which is desperately needed from full-back when playing a midfield diamond.

This will probably be an open game, but I believe Martinez will attempt to play relatively cautiously. A tactical game, with a few breakaway chances, will probably favour his side - whereas a fast and furious end-to-end thriller will suit Liverpool, who have the more composed finishers in their ranks. Whether Everton will be able to dictate the tempo remains to be seen - Liverpool started big matches excellently last season, although that's been less obvious in 2014/15.

Either way, backing goals is surely the way to go. There are various markets you could venture into here, but I'm going to stick with a simple 'both teams to score' bet at 1.625/8 - I simply don't trust either of these teams to keep a clean sheet.

Recommended Bets
Back Gerrard to be shown a card at 4.216/5
Both teams to sore at 1.625/8

The Betfair Trader's View: Alan Thompson

It has been the red side of Liverpool that has enjoyed success in this fixture for quite some time - Everton have failed to beat Liverpool (home or away) in their last eight meetings (7 league, 1 FA Cup), and their last win at Anfield was September 27, 1999, (exactly 15 years to the day!).

The Toffees so far this season top the league on average goals per game, their opening five fixtures have produced 24, an average of 4.8, with only one of their five producing less than 3.5 goals. Their neighbours across Stanley Park aren’t that far behind in the goal fest league either, with 15 in their opening five starts (an average of three goals per game). If you then add to the mix their meetings last year produced 10 goals (3-3 at Goodison and 4-0 at Anfield) it’s probably no surprise to find over 2.5 goals priced as short as it is (1.67).

However, it should be pointed out that 18 of 24 goals from the Everton games have come at Goodison and similarly with Liverpool, the vast majority (11) of the 15 goals, have come away from Anfield. I like to take on over 2.5 goals when it is as short as this and their isn't an overwhelming favourite in the match odds. While Liverpool are rightly favourites to win the game they are hardly “home banker” material, in fact I don’t think there is that much between them, for that reason I will be a layer of over 2.5 goals @ 1.68

Championship: Six reasons for Leeds fans to be upbeat

Don't underestimate Leeds' pantomine villain Massimo Cellino

Darko Milanic's arrival at Leeds hasn't provoked a euphoric response, yet Michael Lintorn sees lots to be positive about...

The gravest error has been undone...
Leeds' position was looking pretty bleak even before they had reached the end of August: 21st in the Championship after four matches and three defeats, knocked out of the Capital One Cup by a League One side and with a former Forest Green manager in charge that nobody believed in. Hiring Dave Hockaday was Massimo Cellino's mistake, but he admitted as much and acted quickly to amend it.

...and they have been brilliant since
It is remarkable that, four games after being backed at 3.55/2 and slimmer for the drop and appearing set for a season of struggle, Leeds are in the top half, two points off the play-offs compared to eight shy of the relegation zone, and with that progress made under an inexperienced interim boss. Neil Redfearn did an exceptional job though, winning three and drawing one during his brief dugout stint.

Darko Milanic was a carefully considered appointment
Given how successful Redfearn's caretaker reign was, it would have been easy and cheap for Cellino to make it permanent, particularly as there is a recent example of such a strategy seemingly paying off in the division in Stuart Gray at sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday. However, he resisted any urge, hinting at some long-term thinking by insisting that Redfearn's value to the club's youth setup is far greater. Cellino took four weeks to identify and confirm his man, so this wasn't a whimsical decision.

The new boss has decent pedigree
Some Leeds fans and many pundits wanted Redfearn to be retained, and will dismiss Milanic's four Slovenian titles with Maribor, or even European victories over Rangers and Panathinaikos. Consider this: Slovenia outscored Scotland for UEFA coefficient points since last July, but most - this writer included - would judge former Celtic chief Neil Lennon more than worthy of a Championship job.

The fixture list is friendly
Leeds have lots of momentum and a strong opportunity to maintain it. They visit Brentford at the perfect time given the Bees' successive 0-3 and 0-4 losses to Norwich and Middlesbrough, yet are 4.03/1 to triumph. That is followed by home meetings with Reading and Sheffield Wednesday and then a trip to League One play-off winless Rotherham, who are winless in their last three as hosts.

Cellino knows what he is doing
He might treat managers meaner than Twitter users do Q&A session enthusiasts and make strange comments and decisions, but it is important to remember that Cellino is no clown. He kept Cagliari in Serie A for a decade - they are incidentally bottom early into their first campaign without him - and has assembled a talented squad at Elland Road, as they have started to prove since Hockaday's exit.

Leeds fans, do you share the tentative optimism? If you are really confident, promotion odds of 8.27/1 are available...

Opta Stats: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

Can Mauricio Pochettino and his Tottenham side emerge from their match with Arsenal with their pride intact?

Premier League games don't get much bigger than the North London derby and with both Arsenal and Spurs having made indifferent starts to the season, this is one neither side dare lose. Opta have all the stats.

Arsenal have won four of their last five Barclays Premier League games against Tottenham (two 1-0 wins and two 5-2 wins). They are 1.794/5 to win the match.

Tottenham have won just one of their last 21 Barclays Premier League games away at Arsenal. The Gunners are 2.8615/8 to win half-time/full-time.

Arsenal last failed to score at home to Spurs in the Premier League in November 1998. Since then the Gunners have scored 38 times in 15 games. Over 2.5 goals is 1.814/5. 

Tottenham have conceded six penalties in the Premier League in 2014, only Manchester United have conceded as many. The odds of a penalty being taken are likely to be around 3.55/2.

Arsenal took 25 points from their 10 London derbies in the Premier League last season (W8 D1 L1) and defeated Crystal Palace on the opening weekend this season. They are 2.75n/a to win to nil.

Six of Tottenham's seven league points this season have come in London derbies. Spurs are 5.24/1 to win.

If there are four goals in this game then it will become the outright highest scoring fixture in Premier League history (currently 126 goals). Over 3.5 goals is 2.962/1.

Seven points from five games is Tottenham's slowest start since gaining just two under Juande Ramos in 2008-09. You can lay them to finish in the top six at 1.845/6.

Emmanuel Adebayor has scored more goals than any other player in north London derby history (8 for Arsenal and 2 for Spurs). Adebayor is 3.55/2 to score.

Opta Stats: Liverpool v Everton

Will Brendan Rodgers be applauding after Liverpool's game with Everton?

It's a Merseyside derby with a difference, as both Liverpool and Everton find themselves in the bottom-half of the table. Opta are on hand with the vital statistics.

Liverpool have lost only one of their last 15 Merseyside derbies in the Barclays Premier League. They are 1.9310/11 to win.

Everton have scored only five goals in their last 12 Premier League games at Anfield. Liverpool are 3.39/4 to keep a clean sheet.

The Toffees have not won away at Liverpool in the league since September 1999 (L7 D7 since). The draw is 3.814/5.

Raheem Sterling has been involved in nine goals (six goals, three assists) in his last 10 Premier League appearances. Sterling is 2.89/5 to score.

Mario Balotelli has scored just one goal in his last 19 Premier League games, this despite attempting 37 shots (excl. blocked) in these games. Everton are 6.411/2 to keep a clean sheet.

There have been a league-high 24 goals in Everton's Premier League games this season, an average of 4.8 per game. Over 2.5 goals is 1.674/6.

Last season, Liverpool's Premier League games averaged a league-high 4.0 goals per game (151 in 38 matches). Over 3.5 is 2.6213/8.

Liverpool have kept only one clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League games. Everton are 4.47/2 to win.

Everton have scored at least two goals in each of their last seven Premier League games. The Toffees have never scored 2+ goals in eight successive PL games before. They are 16.015/1 to pull off a 2-1 win.

Sean Calvert: Who to watch out for on the Asian swing

Pablo Andujar is not one to rely on in Asia

The ATP World Tour heads to Asia and tennis expert Sean Calvert has crunched the numbers to find the best and worst players in this section of the season...

The world's best male tennis players are in Asia for the next month, where plenty of titles, ranking points and cash are up for grabs in venues such as Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo.

It also happens to be a matter of weeks away from the end of the season for many and some - such as Aussie whizz kid Nick Kyrgios - have already ended their 2014 campaigns.

It can be a bit of a minefield at this time of year trying to figure out who is trying to earn those titles and who is here for a bit of a holiday and nice pay cheque.

To that end I've assessed the results of the world's top-50 players to attempt to make the next few weeks in the Far East a little easier for punters.

What it has revealed - apart from what we already knew - such as Novak Djokovic having a great record in this section of the tour, is that there are a few players with very poor stats in Asia.

Jerzy Janowicz and Steve Johnson have never played a single match at tour level in Asia, while Leo Mayer has (at the time of writing) not won one in his two matches.

Pablo Andujar has won three matches in 16 in Asia, while Jeremy Chardy has won six from 18 and Fabio Fognini seven from 23.

Kevin Anderson's feet are up at this time of the season too, with the big South African posting a 7-10 mark in Asia, but the highest ranked player of the lot with a losing record in Asia is Grigor Dimitrov.

The talented Bulgarian has managed only five wins in his 14 matches on the Asian continent and he's only once been past the second round in tournaments held in China, Japan, Dubai and Thailand.

That was a quarter final appearance in Bangkok back in 2011 and the Wimbledon semi finalist has to record some better results this time around to avoid being labelled as a non-trier at this stage of the season.

Ernests Gulbis is another member of the top-20 with a poor record in Asia, with the Latvian having managed to compile a 12-15 mark, but that is a little misleading - at this time of the year it's actually worse.

In China he's 0-4 (total sets won = zero); in Japan he's 3-3; Thailand 2-3; and most of his wins have come in Dubai and Doha, so he's vulnerable at this time of the campaign.

Others to watch out for whose records are misleading are tour veterans Tommy Robredo and Lleyton Hewitt.

Rusty has a 31-15 record in Asia, but hasn't been past the second round anywhere on the continent since Tokyo in 2009.

Robredo has a similar recent record, with a 35-27 mark overall, but the Spaniard hasn't been past the second round in Asia since a third round loss in Shanghai also in 2009.

Perhaps one of the most surprisingly bad records in Asia is that of Yen-Hsun Lu - a man from Chinese Taipei, who, in theory, should be used to conditions and he does get a lot of wins here, but not at tour level.

Lu has just 19 wins from 50 matches on the tour in Asia, which puts him near the bottom of the win percentage table at 38 percent.

In terms of win percentage Djokovic tops the table with 87 percent, with Roger Federer and Andy Murray the only others with a win ratio of over 80 percent in Asia.

And perhaps surprisingly, Gael Monfils makes the top-10 with a winning mark of 67 percent in matches played in Asia.

Top-10 in career win percentage in Asia

1) Novak Djokovic 87%
2) Roger Federer 85%
3) Andy Murray 81%
4) Rafael Nadal 77%
5=) Tomas Berdych 69%
5=) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 67%
7=) Gael Monfils 67%
7=) Lleyton Hewitt 67%
7=) Richard Gasquet 67%
10) Marin Cilic 64%

Bottom-10 in career win percentage in Asia

1) Pablo Andujar 19%
2) Fabio Fognini 30%
3) Jeremy Chardy 33%
4) Grigor Dimitrov 36%
5) Yen-Hsun Lu 38%
5=) Lukas Rosol 38%
7=) Sam Querrey 40%
8) Kevin Anderson 41%
9) Ernests Gulbis 44%
10) Nicolas Almagro 44%

The swing began this week with ATP 250s in Kuala Lumpur and Shenzhen, with Murray and Gasquet from the top-10 heading up the betting at the Shenzhen Open.

Murray is currently a 2.35/4 shot for the title there, while Gasquet trades at around 10.09/1.

**Statistics based on the current top-50 players in the ATP World Tour rankings in tournaments played at tour level in Asia**