Southampton v Man City
There's a real staleness about Manchester City at the moment and the last thing Pep Guardiola needs is a visit to in-form Southampton who look too big at 11/2.
The Saints have the chance to move in to second place if they can repeat their win over City in June. They've lost just once in 11 since Spurs turned them over in September and go in to the game full of confidence.
City on the other hand look a shadow of their former selves; just five wins in 12 league games and only 18 scored – 5 of those against Burnley – is a mile away from championship winning form. Their saving grace has been their defensive record which is the best in the Premier League but I'm keen to find a way to get Southampton on-side.
We can get just over even money (2.050) on Southampton +1 on the Asian Handicap. Man City have won by more than one goal in just three games this season and at the moment Pep would take any kind of win. This bet gives us any kind of Southampton win or draw on our side plus we would get our money back if City win by a single goal.
Bradford City v Cambridge
Bradford are a club heading in the wrong direction and Saturday's visitors Cambridge could take advantage. The Bantams are winless in nine in all competitions and their three victories in the league have all been at the expense of clubs that ocupt the bottom six positions in the table.
Cambridge boast the league's top scorer in Paul Mullin who is averaging almost a goal a game and the U's have scored almost twice as many as their hosts this season. A win at home to Colchester last week will have bouyed Mark Bonner's side and I've have expected them to be a little bit shorter than the 13/8 available.
Abroath v Ayr Utd
Arbroath are rooted to bottom of the table in the Championship with just two points from their opening seven games. More worryingly is the fact they've only scored twice in those seven as well. On the plus side they've only conceded 10 but wins are required and quickly if they're to avoid dropping down to League One in this shortened season.
Goals haven't exactly been flowing for Ayr either but they'll be reasonably happy with their start to the season. With Hearts expected to scoop top spot there real scrap is for play-off places and Ayr are well in the mix. The Honest Men can pick up another three points at Gayfield at 6/4 with Sportingbet.
Annan v Queen's Park
The Spiders would've burst plenty of coupons last week when they came from behind against Endinburgh only to lose their lead twice in a 3-3 draw. But they deserve our support this week again at Annan.
That's now four games in a row they've scored three goals and should have too much firepower for most sides in the division. They'll be popular in accas again but are a wee biot short onw at 8/13 so add them to score two or more to boost the odds to 11/10.
Bayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich
The top two in Germany meet at the BayArena at tea-time on Saturday and it should be a cracker. Leverkusen currently lead Bayern by a point and show no signs of letting up. They've scored four in five of their last ten games in all competitions and go in to the match unbeaten in their opening 12 games in the league.
Bayern haven't quite clicked so far this season but will be desperate to re-stablish their superiority in Germany and get a win that would return them to the top of the table. The game should see goals, the last two meetings have finished 4-2 to Bayern and there's been 39 goals scored in the last eight meetings (4.875 per match) between the two sides.
Over 2.5 is understandably short at just 4/11. Over 3.5 appeals at 10/11 but the best route to value could be on first half goals where you can get Over 1.5 at even money.
Five to Follow
- Southampton +1 on Asian Handicap 2.050 (Bet365)
- Cambridge United 13/8 (Coral)
- Ayr Utd 6/4 (Sportingbet)
- Queen's Park to win and score 2+ 11/10 (bet365)
- Bayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich – Over 1.5 First Half Goals 1/1 (Bet365)
