The Editors' Premier League Betting Battle 2014/15: Round 12

Dan is putting his faith in Ronald Koeman's Southampton

Mike Norman continues to lead the way in this season's Battle, with the other three tightly packed in a group behind him. Where are the four B.B editors off to this weekend in search of profit? Read on for their bets...

Mike Norman
Back Arsenal @ 2.265/4 to beat Man Utd
Saturday, 17:30
Live on Sky Sports 1

Manchester United's injury problems have been well documented, and it's for that reason that I feel they must be opposed when they travel to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening.

Daley Blind and David De Gea were the latest players to pick up injuries while on international duty, and there are reports that Luke Shaw and Angel Di Maria could be missing for the trip to London also. When you consider the plethora of players already ruled out through injury then the side that Louis van Gaal fields on Saturday could be one of the weakest for many years to represent the Red Devils.

Blind will be a big miss, and if Michael Carrick is absent also - as he is expected to be - then the United backline (whoever that may consist of) will get very little protection. I really sense it's going to be a back-to-the-walls job.

Arsenal are a bit hit and miss at present, but they're scoring goals and Alexis Sanchez is in sparkling form - 12 goals in his last 14 games.

The Gunners are also extremely strong on home soil in the Premier League, not losing in front of their own fans for 23 games, and while they have a relatively poor recent record against United I doubt Arsene Wenger has ever faced the Old Trafford outfit while they've been in such disarray.

Mike Norman 2014-15 P/L: +12.40

Dan Thomas
Back Southampton/Under 2.5 Goals v Aston Villa at 12/5 (Sportsbook)
Monday, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports 1

Aston Villa finally stopped the rot last time out, with the point earned in the 0-0 draw at West Ham their first in seven games, but it was only an inspired performance from Brad Guzan that kept the dominant Hammers out and Paul Lambert's men were still largely insipid in attack.

It's hard to see the struggling west Midlanders getting anything against a Southampton team who continue to confound all the pre-season expectations, sitting comfortably in second place, four points clear of Man City in third and looking for their sixth win on the bounce.

I wouldn't put anyone off backing Ronald Koeman's men at a decent looking 1.84/5 on the Exchange but I'm looking to stop the rot myself after a few losing bets, so will add a bit of juice to the match odds price by combining it with under 2.5 goals - currently available at 12/5 on the Sportsbook.

With a bit of confidence from that clean sheet at Upton Park, Villa's backline should prove hard to break down for long periods and I can see this game going the same way as Southampton's trip to Hull last time out, when a single Victor Wanyama goal was enough to secure the three points. 

Dan Thomas 2014-15 P/L: -32.70

Luke Moore

Back Newcastle to beat QPR at 1.875/6
Saturday, 15:00

It's tempting to think that QPR are in a bit of resurgent form after their battling draw against Man City and the win against Aston Villa, but the reality is that both of those results came at home and on the road Harry Redknapp's side are utterly atrocious.

What's more, Newcastle are team who actually are in a good patch of form and I couldn't believe the price on them to win on Saturday when I first saw it. The facts are these - Alan Pardew's Newcastle have won four in a row, have a great record in November in general (Opta tell us that they won every league game in November last season), and Rangers' sum total of achievements away from home this season is: two goals and no points.

This price is a steal. Get on it.

Luke Moore 2014-15 P/L: -33

Joe Dyer
Back the Draw @ 3.55/2 in Leicester v Sunderland
Saturday, 15:00

Well, this is getting embarrassing. I've never been quite so deep in the red in the history of the Battle. Frustrating to think that three rounds ago, I was just 5 down and merely seconds away from a decent win on Chelsea at Manchester United only to see the Blues concede that equaliser at the death. 

Of course it's been two straight losers since and I feel I need decent wins to jump back into the competition. Liquidity is flooding into the Premier League markets but I can't chisel out an angle on Stoke to beat Burnley (the 1.758/11 on a home win just not providing enough meat on the bone). I'd like to oppose Liverpool but Crystal Palace appear wholly unreliable betting material in their current form. 

So, it's to the comforts of the Draw I go. A winning bet for me down the years, I'm playing it obvious with a back of the stalemate in a game between two low-scoring sides, neither of whom can point to stunning form. 

Leicester are in fact the Premier League's worst side according to the last six results, with defeats in their last four. Sunderland have enjoyed a small upturn in fortunes with a defeat of Palace and a home draw against Everton, but results have been very middling all season long.

Though losing their fair share, the Foxes haven't been getting battered - losing all of their last four 1-0 or 2-0 - and may find some joy against an unexceptional opponent. 

But, really, I hope it'll just finish 0-0 and I can jump back up the table.  

Joe Dyer 2014-15 P/L -34.10

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: +12.40
2. Dan Thomas: -32.70
3. Luke Moore: -33.00
4. Joe Dyer: -34.10