FIRSTLY, a Happy New Year to all readers and I'll keep this short in case you're still blurry-eyed from last night's celebrations.
There are two games in the EPL today with West Brom kicking off against Everton at 12.30pm followed by Sunderland v Man City at 3pm.
I'll start with the second game which will provide Martin O'Neill's men with a huge test. He's started well at the Stadium of Light but will welcome the opening of the transfer window so he can begin building his own team.
Man City's last away game ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw at West Brom but surely Roberto Mancini's men will be going all out to win after shock defeats for Man United and Chelsea on Hogmanay as well as Spurs' draw at Swansea.
It's an ideal opportunity for the Blues to kick on in the title race and I'll be on them at 8-15 with the likes of bet365, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power.
A one-goal win looks the call for City and with Sunderland more resilient at the back take William Hill's 10-11 for the first goal to arrive after 23 minutes.
Sunderland are a biggest 6-1 with the likes of Betfred and Blue Square while the draw pays 17-5 at William Hill.
West Brom won't get it easy against Everton but I fancy them to edge a win simply because of extra firepower up front.
They showed defensive strength to become the first team in the league to shut out Man City last week but netted five in their previous two games.
Peter Odemwingie is a striker in form who generally scores in sequence so consider him for first goal at 6-1 with William Hill, Ladbrokes and bet365.
West Brom are a biggest 13-8 with firms such as William Hill and Paddy Power with Everton 15-8 at Chandler. The draw pays 12-5 with Ladbrokes.
Everton's last six have been under three goals with no to both teams scoring coming up in four of them. However, I can see them hitting one here so if it could be 2-1 West Brom.
Go against the grain with over 2.5 goals at 5-4 at William Hill and both teams to score at
19-20 with the same firm.
Recommendations
First goal after 23 mins at Sunderland
(10-11, William Hill)
Both teams to score at West Brom
(19-20, William Hill
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
