Jermain Defoe and Tottenham can shock Manchester City this weekend
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Manchester United and Arsenal clash in the obvious big match of the weekend but as so often, the best bets are not always in the blockbuster games.
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The way United played against Tottenham on Monday night was so impressive that if they produce that kind of display again this weekend, the chances are that Arsenal will be swept aside, making bet365's offer of 1/2 on a United win look generous.
But Arsenal played really well themselves to win in Udine on Wednesday and despite the departure of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, they still possess enough firepower to unsettle even a team as good as United.
But the match is too intense to bet on, for me, so the best bets of the weekend are to be found elsewhere, starting at St James's Park, where I struggle to understand why Newcastle United are odds against to beat Fulham.
The hosts did well to avoid defeat against Scunthorpe in the Carling Cup in midweek - an obvious banana skin - and at home, they are usually strong enough to match the top sides and get the better of the lesser sides.
Fulham have been notorious in recent seasons for their poor away form and I don't see too many reasons why that should change this time. They still lack the attacking prowess to score goals on the road, consistently, and Newcastle's home support is usually worth half a goal.
Bet365 make Newcastle 11/10 to win it and that seems a great price to me, so let's make the Magpies the bet of the weekend.
Betting bullets
- Bet of the weekend: Newcastle United to beat Fulham - 11/10 bet365
- The weekend punt - Tottenham Hotspur to beat Manchester City - 15/8 bet365
- The weekend treble - Aston Villa, Stoke and Wigan to win - 16/1 bet365
Manchester City have been signing all and sundry this summer, topped with the arrival of the brilliant Sergio Aguero. They have looked good, and strong, so far, but they are not unbeatable and I just have a feeling that they could come undone at Tottenham this weekend.
Emmanuel Adebayor may not be able to play for his new club (Spurs) against his old club (City) but they still have enormous attacking potential when they are on song. They did not play that badly against Manchester United last time out and when they are at home, they are far more confident than on the road, as so many teams are.
The real test for City, if they are to fight for the title, will be how they do away from home against the better sides and at 15/8, Spurs will give them a real battle. Such a strong battle that they can upset City and land the weekend punt.
Aston Villa have started the season pretty well despite losing Stewart Downing and Ashley Young and at home they are tough to beat. They can begin the weekend treble by seeing off high-flying Wolves in the midlands derby, at 11/10. Wolves have been a revelation so far but derbies don't respect records and Villa can edge it.
Stoke are another side to have enjoyed a good start to the season and they are such a difficult side to beat for the lesser teams, for their physicality as much as their ability. West Bromwich Albion are the side to take them on this weekend and though they are at home, I think they will struggle and Stoke can win it at 11/4.
Finally, QPR got themselves a great win at Everton last weekend but their consistency is going to be the hardest thing for them this season. This weekend they travel to Wigan, who rival them for inconsistency. But home advantage is key in this kind of match and Wigan can complete the treble at 5/4.
Put those three together and a successful treble would work out at more than 16/1, which would put us nicely in profit.
Running total after weekend two = -2.25pts (1 pt per suggestion).
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondent
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Simon Cambers
Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondant Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondant
