Odds n Ends

This will be a regular piece from our guest contributor hitting the website every Friday and previewing the weekend's games featuring London clubs. 

The beginning of the season is always a difficult time to find value but that will be my aim as the Premier League gets under way and the rest pick up where they left off nearly a fortnight ago. After England's victory over Scotland during the week had favourites backers on an emotional rollercoaster, will the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea pick up comfortable home wins to get their respective seasons underway or will it be up to sides such as Crystal Palace and AFC Wimbledon to spring a surprise and bust a few coupons. Come this way to find out...

Sunderland v Fulham

It feels like it's going to be an all-or-nothing sort of season for Paulo Di Canio's Sunderland and, in the predictably unpredictable Fulham, they come up against an equally curious opponent. While there's been a complete overhaul at the Stadium of Light, Cottagers boss Martin Jol has added a few shrewd signings to his already solid ranks. Both sides have made changes in defence and two not-yet-settled back fours could spell goal-fest. The value looks to be in over 2.5 goals at 2.1 but the more ambitious backer may want to get on odds of 8 for over 4.5 goals.

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Another summer of frugality at the Emirates, despite promising signs of change, made worse by a few injuries mean that the visit of an Aston Villa side that struggled badly last season may not be as comfortable as expected. The Villains should improve this time out but it would still take a brave man to stake their wage slip on them in North London. A lack of creativity in the Gunners’ squad means they may find it difficult to break down a dogged Villa rearguard bolstered by the signing of Jores Okore. I expect their extra quality to tell in the end and recommend a Half Time/Full Time of Draw/Arsenal at odds of 4.9. The smaller backers might want to take a look at Theo Walcott to score first at 7.4 on the back of his midweek goal in an England shirt.

West Ham v Cardiff

Should be a feisty old contest in East London as Cardiff make their long-awaited Premier League debut. Both sides have made a few expensive purchases over the summer but, with both big money strikers (Andy Carroll and Andreas Cornelius) looking likely to miss out and the two clubs desperate not to start the season with a loss, this could end up in a stalemate. My money will be on 0-0 at 13 and there could be value in there being a red card at odds of 2 in what could be a tetchy affair on and off the pitch.

Crystal Palace v Tottenham

A delicious-looking London derby to start the season and I think we could see a surprise at Selhurst. Tottenham's preparations have been undermined by the Gareth Bale soap opera and, while they have made some astute signings, it could take the new boys a while to settle into English football. Palace will be pumped up for their first game back in the big time - manager Ian Holloway will make sure of that - and a raucous crowd could roar the Eagles on to victory. Spurs have lost their last 5 opening day fixtures away from home and I expect this to be no different. Crystal Palace to win at 5.1.

Chelsea v Hull

The return of the Special One will have all around the Bridge in high spirits on Sunday and I can't see Steve Bruce's Hull doing anything to bring them crashing back down to Earth. The Tigers found scoring goals tricky last time around and Chelsea to win to nil at 1.66 could be the best value here. If those odds don't tickle your fancy get on odds of 24 for John Terry to score first and party like it's 2005.

Reading v Watford

The Hornets have picked up where they left off last season and 2 wins from their opening 2 games point to going one better than the play-off final defeat of the previous campaign. They spanked 6 past Bournemouth last week but face a far sterner test when they visit the Madejski Stadium on Saturday. Having been relegated from the Premier League, Reading have set about trying to get back there with relish, making a promising start under manager Nigel Adkins, and if they can keep key players fit they stand every chance of achieving their goal come May. Both these sides will be relatively happy with a point from this one and I expect a score draw. 1-1 at 7.6 should keep the bailiffs from the door for another week. Adam le Fondre is always good for a goal but wait to see if he starts on the bench, as he did last week, before plumping for him as last scorer.

Barnsley v Charlton

A disappointing start to the campaign for two sides who exceeded expectations in 2012/13. Again, both will be determined to avoid a third straight loss and I foresee another draw at 3.45. Both teams have finished games with ten men already this season so odds of 2 for a red card seem a little long.

Millwall v Huddersfield

It's been an awful start to life at the Den for Steve Lomas and things are unlikely to get any better against an ever-improving Huddersfield outfit who looked mightily impressive as they held QPR to a 1-1 draw last week. The Terriers could nick all three points but play it safe with a Huddersfield DRAW NO BET at 2.6. James Vaughan has looked lively alongside his new teammates and, if he plays, back him to find the old onion bag.

QPR v Ipswich

Ipswich are the very definition of a 'home team' and have historically found life tough on their travels. Therefore, a trip to the home of arguably the most talented squad in the division is not what they would have wished for at this stage of the season. The Hoops have hardly set the world alight so far despite remaining unbeaten but you get the impression it is a matter of time before they spark into life. I expect this to happen tomorrow in front of the Sky cameras and I predict goals in this one. QPR to be winning at Half Time and Full Time at 3.1 is where my money will be going with a small amount on QPR to win 3-1 at 18.5. Having lost 2-1 at Reading on the opening day, the Tractor Boys will go one worse for my money.

Gillingham v Brentford

This is my bet of the week as I definitely fancy the Bees to sting the Gills at odds of 2.16. Unbeaten Brentford should simply have too much class for point-less Gillingham, even with Martin Allen freshening up his side after last week's shellacking at Molineux. The men from Priestfield lack a proven goalscorer at this level and the Bees’ miserly defence means that Brentford to keep a clean sheet at 2.94 looks good value.

Stevenage v Leyton Orient

Another good price for an away win as the Os travel to Broadhall Way. The league's most in-form team take on the side at the bottom of the form table and I can't see past a big win for the East Londoners, who have already found the back of the net eleven times in their first three games. Odds of 2.46 about the away win and over 4.5 goals at 6.8 both look good bets as Stevenage themselves put three past Oldham on the opening day before succumbing to a 4-3 defeat.

Exeter v AFC Wimbledon

Both sides have made a decent start to the campaign with a win and a draw a piece so far. However, the Grecians face something of an injury crisis going in to this one with up to five players missing. The fact that Neal Ardley's men are at full-strength could just tip the scales in their favour and I will be having a tentative punt on the Dons DRAW NO BET at 2.48. 

Scunthorpe v Dagenham and Redbridge

A home banker at Glanford Park as Scunny should ease past the Daggers. There is a gulf in class between these two and odds of 1.92 for a Scunthorpe win look an excellent addition to any accumulator. The Daggers may have seen off a poor York outfit last week but it could be a long, hard season ahead and I expect promotion hopefuls Scunthorpe to run amok here. Chris Iwelumo could make his first United start and expect him to trouble the goalscorers.

*All odds correct as of time of writing on Betfair

Duncan Robinson