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A few bets stand out in the Premiership this weekend – here is our run-through…

Man City v Middlesbrough

We said before Man City’s game against Blackburn (which they won:)

Man City have a 6-0-5 record at home – somewhat erratic. However, three of those five defeats have come against the Big Four – and one each against Spurs and Everton. So in their games against ‘lesser’ opposition, they have a 6-0 record.

With new signings Cudicini, De Jong, and Bellamy likely to go straight in, and the influential Stephen Ireland returning from suspension, the slight odds on price for Man City looks good value.

This is only compounded by their victory over Blackburn; despite their abject away defeat to Stoke – they have struggled on the road all season – they have been strong recently, and the acquisition of Shay Given, giving the defence more security and organisation, will only help further.

Plus ‘Boro are in an abject run of form, without a win since the 9th November (12 games) – Eastlands is not an easy place to turn that around.

Man City @ 8/13 (Generally Available) – 2 points

Everton v Bolton

Everton’s defensive resilience is well documented, with only four goals conceded in eleven games. And they will be keen to arrest a three game winless streak bybuilding from the back. Bolton tend to keep things tight, and have done up to their two recent games. They’ll find it hard to breach Everton’s defence, and with a lack of strikers it’s difficult to see Everton scoring too many.

Everton v Bolton Under 2.5 goals @ 4/6 (Bet365, 888sport, BlueSq) – 1 point

Wigan v Fulham

Wigan’s last five results – 0-0, 1-1, 0-1, 0-1, 1-0 – so an obvious trend there. Fulham have conceded only 10 goals in 11 matches, and scored only 3 – so a definite lack of goals there, too. Fulham will be extra keen to keep things tight knowing they’ll struggle for goals, and Wigan will be anxious to avoid defeat, losing two of their last four. Everything here points to under goals.

Wigan v Fulham – Under 2.5 goals @ 4/7 (888sport) – 2 points

Sunderland v Stoke

Stoke’s away form is poor – without a win all season, and their defeat of Man City was their only win in 12. Sunderland are inconsistent, capable of good performances but also infuriatingly likely to turn in a substandard one. The bookies obviously fancy the Mackams for this one, the best price available is 4/5 – this may be worth a small punt, but perhaps more value is available in the first goalscorer market. Of Sunderland’s last six league goals five have been scored by either Djibril Cisse or Kenwyne Jones; and with Sunderland likely to score first here, backing them both offers some value.

Kenwyne Jones to score first @ 6/1 (BlueSq) – 1 point
Djibril Cisse to score first @ 6/1 (Stan James) – 1 point

Portsmouth v Liverpool

Liverpool are the new Everton – strikerless, and lacking penetration, but very solid at the back. Torres is still unfit and Gerrard is missing. Portsmouth, although in a bad run, have been a little unlucky of late – and prior to their 3-1 defeat to Fulham last time out, only conceded once in each of their three previous home games, against Villa, Spurs and Arsenal – all arguably a greater threat than Liverpool.

Under goals is the way to go here.

Under 2.5 Goals @ 8/11 (Boyle Sports) – 1 point

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