The Editors' Premier League Betting Battle 2014/15: Round 10

Will Neil Warnock serve up a win to put a smile on Dan Thomas' face come Monday night?

Mike Norman is starting to build a healthy lead over the other editors after another successful bet last week - can they start to catch up this weekend? Here are the latest picks...

Mike Norman
Back Any Unquoted Correct Score @ 4.3100/30 in Arsenal v Burnley
Saturday, 15:00

I don't think anyone is surprised to see Burnley struggling at the bottom of the Premier League but it's now getting to the point where you'd be hard pushed to see them recording more than three wins this season.

Sean Dyche's men certainly won't be getting their first win of the campaign at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon (famous last words). Opta tell us that Arsenal are unbeaten on home soil in 22 league games now, a very impressive run when you consider the key injuries they've had in that time and the quality of teams they've faced.

Arsene Wenger is still without the likes of Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud, but Theo Walcott should definitely play some part in this game, Aaron Ramsey is back to full fitness, and Alexis Sanchez is in brilliant form. I fancy the home side to run away with this.

Burnley have conceded 12 goals in their last four league matches including six in two games on home soil and four at West Brom. If the Baggies can score four past the hapless Clarets then odds of 4.3100/30 about the Gunners scoring at least that many look very generous to me.

Mike Norman 2014-15 P/L: +32.40

Dan Thomas
Back Crystal Palace to beat Sunderland at 2.1411/10
Monday, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports 1

Firstly, apologies to any Manchester City fans reading this - by backing a previously red hot Sergio Aguero to score in last week's Battle he immediately became incapable of scoring from six yards out!

It's back to a more straightforward match odds bet this weekend, taking Crystal Palace at what look like generous odds to beat an out-of-sorts Sunderland on Monday night.

I'm not expecting Gus Poyet's men to be handing out any more refunds to the away fans after the game, but Palace were unlucky not to come away with three points last time out at West Brom and performed creditably in their last home game against Chelsea so I think they'll edge this encounter.

Recent history is in favour of the bet - Opta tell us that the Eagles have won their last four home games in all competitions against Sunderland while those of you who like a quirky stat will be interested to note that the Mackems haven't won any of their last 20 Premier League matches on a Monday. 

Dan Thomas 2014-15 P/L: -12.70

Luke Moore
Back Leicester to beat West Brom at 2.3811/8
Saturday, 15:00

A much-needed win for me last week as Queens Park Rangers did the business on Monday night against the hapless Aston Villa. I actually thought Harry Redknapp was spot on with his tactics; he let Villa have the ball and didn't allow them to counter-attack. With no creativity in their midfield they found it hard to break through and QPR were able to use the Bobby Zamora out-ball to great effect.

Right, on to this week. Both of these teams are in pretty grim form, but Leicester have shown me enough this season to suggest they can get back on an even-keel at some point. Chiefly, their forward players have a good balance and are able to hit the back of the net. Leonardo Ulloa is due a goal, and at home is where the Foxes have their best chance of securing their next three points - they've scored ten at home already this season (only Chelsea and Southampton have scored more).

As for West Brom, they're in horrible form, have only won one of their last seven away games and are over-reliant on Saido Berahino for goals. If Nigel Pearson's men can keep him quiet, they can win and put me back in the black. Up the Foxes!

Luke Moore 2014-15 P/L: -13

Joe Dyer
Back The Draw @ 3.814/5 in Newcastle v Liverpool
Saturday, 12:45
Live on BT Sport 1  

Ordinarily I'd find Chelsea conceding a last minute goal rather amusing but not last week. With less than a minute to go at Old Trafford my 2.56/4 win bet on the Blues was down to 1.041/25 or thereabouts and I was ready to swing back into profit. Cue Branislav Ivanovic's foul and sending off on the outside of the box, Angel di Maria's cross and Robin van Persie's equalising goal. Frustratingly, that of course goes down as a losing Battle bet when the beauty of Betfair is that such swings in the odds allow you to trade into a handsome profit. 

Nevertheless, the Battle stops for no man and I must go in again, but worryingly it's a tough little Saturday to solve and lack of markets and liquidity rules out Sunday's games. 

Using the prices as my guide I am drawn then to Newcastle's tussle with Liverpool where Betfair's customers  are happy to back Brendan Rodgers' outfit at near evens for the win. Class may favour Liverpool but current form points to Newcastle side so that looks a poor bet to me and the value has to lie with the home side or the draw.

Alan Pardew has seen his team win three in a row now including victories without conceding at home to Leicester and away to Manchester City alongside that come-from-behind defeat of Tottenham in between. That is impressive and shows Pardew has his team playing for him. 

Liverpool have been labouring ever since destroying Spurs in August. When they've won it's been by a solitary goal while they've tasted defeat at home and abroad, and shared league points with Everton and Hull. 

I think Saturday's early KO  will be tight - far tighter than the match odds suggest - and with Liverpool failing to fire in front of goal and Newcastle showing far improved defensive resolve can envisage this ending with a point apiece so it's a back of the draw at a healthy 3.814/5 for me. 

Joe Dyer 2014-15 P/L -14.10

A 10 bet is placed on each selection on Betfair's Exchange. Profits are calculated before commission.

Editors 2014/15 Season P/L

1. Mike Norman: +32.40
2. Dan Thomas: -12.70
3. Luke Moore: -13.00
4. Joe Dyer: -14.10

Vote for Betfair in the Football Blogging Awards!

We have been nominated in the Gambling category for the 2014 FBAs. Vote for us on Twitter, on Facebook or at the FBA website.