Apologies for the hiatus… we’re back with selections from this weekend’s football:

Sheffield Wednesday v QPR

Wednesday bounced back well from a humiliating defeat to Watford by claiming a draw against Bristol City with a squad depleted by swine flu. There is now hot competition for places, and with their home record QPR face a tough task to take all three points, and look underpriced at 6/4 – particularly as they have suffered a dip in form and results.

LAY QPR @ 2.62 (2 point liability)

Reading v Ipswich

A basement battle at the Majedski, with both sides coming into this after a rare win – Reading’s being their first in five, and Ipswich (finally) getting their first of the season. Ipswich’s position is somewhat misleading, and they should kick on after getting their first 3 points. Reading are flimsy and struggle to score goals, so the 21/10 quotes from Boyles and Coral have some appeal.

Ipswich @ 21/10 (Boyles, Coral) – 1 point

Chelsea v Man Utd

Arguably the biggest game o the season so far, and with United shakey and unconvincing, a Chelsea victory is on the cards. They are on a great run of form, scoring goals aind winning, and unless United really pull out something special they will be up against it. Although Chelsea look a little short at first glance, all things considered it still represents value.

Chelsea @ 11/10 (Ladbrokes) – 1 point

Four of the ‘Big Six’ have tough away fixtures this weekend, and there are reasons to oppose all of them.

Sunderland v Liverpool

Sunderland will by buoyed by their performance against Man Utd, and Liverpool have injury worries over Torres, Gerrard, and Kuyt. Obviously without those key players they are easier to oppose but even with them, against an impressive Sunderland side, odds on is too short.

LAY Liverpool @ 1.98 (Betfair) – 1 point liability

Portsmouth v Spurs

Pompey got their first win of the season last time out, and with the stability brought to the club with new funding, should be on a high. Furthermore, if there is an side they will want a result against, it’s Spurs – several ex-Pompey players are in their ranks (likewise the other way round in fact) and of course there is the ‘Arry factor. The whole club will be set on preventing him taking three point from Fratton Park, and again at odds on there is value opposing them.

LAY Spurs @ 1.91 (Betfair) – 1 point liability

Aston Villa v Chelsea

Villa have a strong home record against Chelsea over the past few seasons, and have already beaten one of the Big Four this season (Liverpool, at Anfield) proving they have the mettle. After an international break there is always some uncertainty, and another odds on quote about Chelsea again looks too short.

LAY Chelsea @ 1.84 (Betfair) – 1 point liability

Wigan v Man City

Wigan are somewhat of a bogey team for Man City, with Mark Hughes’ men winning only one of the last eight league meetings between the two. Of course Man City are a somewhat different proposition nowadays, but do not merit the heaviest odds on price of all the Premier League teams.

LAY Man City @ 1.82 (Betfair) – 1 point liability

We’ll also have a little play on the multiples market with these four – Betfair’s LAY multiples market offer the following prices:

Liverpool @ 2.04

Spurs @ 1.98

Chelsea @ 1.89

Man City @ 1.88

Four trebles there, we’ll play 0.25 points on each.

A slightly obscure pick for a Monday night, but one that statistics suggest is fantastic value. Both sides are in the lower half of the Allsvenskan (Swedish league) and, with around 20 games gone, each have failed to score in around half of their matches so far. They have tight defences though – Malmo concede only 0.7 goals per game on average away, while Djurgarden concede on average only 0.7 goals per game at home. And the sides each average under a goal a game in total. Under 2.5 goals rarely looks as appealing as this.

Djurgardens v Malmo under 2.5 goals @ 4/6 (Bet365, PaddyPower, Skybet) – 2 points

The mouth watering prospect of a new Premier League season becomes a reality at the weekend, with a full complement of fixtures over the two days. It’s early days and will take a few games for teams to show their true colours – but scouring through the fixtures there’s one we reckon is worth following.

Stoke v Burnley

Stoke’s home record was fearsome last season, bettered only by the Big Four. The Brittannia is an intimidating venue for visiting teams – and Burnley will experience a baptism of fire. It’s one of the toughest opening fixtures they could ask for, and Stoke are rightly favourites. However, they are still slightly odds against – which represents cracking value against a promoted team, and one with a porous defence to boot.

Stoke @ 2.02 (Betfair) – 1 point

There is one stand-out bet in the Premiership this weekend; and that is Stoke at home to Newcastle.

Stoke have an excellent home record, one of the best in the division, and even won away from home last time out as they consigned West Brom to relegation. Their record at the Britannia is bettered only by the Big Four; and against a side in the relegation zone, as Newcastle are, an odds against price – 6/4 in fact – looks fantastic value.

The ‘Shearer factor’ is the one thing to be aware of (and the thing that amy affect our selection of Newcastle to be relegated) – but considering the last messiah, Kevin Keegan, took nine matches to get off the mark – and Newcastle were arguably in better shape then than now – it may not kick in just yet.

Back Stoke’s excellent home form to continue – and Newcastle’s malaise to deepen.

Stoke @ 6/4 (Bet365, Victor Chandler) – 1 point