Darren Bent has already scored against Manchester City this season and can do so again for his new club Aston Villa
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The log-jam at the top of the English Premier League could come apart this weekend with Manchester United hoping that Aston Villa will do them a favour by beating neighbours Manchester City and giving them a bit of daylight in front.
United should be too good for Birmingham City at Old Trafford, but City could be in for a real Test when they go to an Aston Villa side that has been hugely disappointing but who have received a big boost with the expensive signing of Darren Bent this week.
The striker is a threat to everyone when he is on his game and the City defence will have to be on their guard against his aerial prowess, particularly if Villa can get some good deliveries into him from the wings.
Cambers' Calls
- Bet of the weekend: Aston Villa to beat Manchester City - 5/2 bet365
- Weekend punt: Darren Bent to score first goal in Aston Villa v Man City - 6/1 bet365
- Weekend treble: Blackburn to win, Fulham and Stoke and Newcastle and Tottenham to draw - 24/1 bet365
Bent had an excellent scoring record at Sunderland and also scored the only goal of the game against City when the two sides played in August. He will obviously be keen to impress and since City are far weaker away than at home, I fancy his and Villa's chances of a good day on Saturday.
I can see him scoring in the match, which is available at 7/4, but why not take a real punt on him to open the scoring in the match. The emphasis is on Villa to attack and he should get chances, so take the 6/1 on him being the first goalscorer and make it the weekend punt.
City have actually won plenty of matches away from home but they are still prone to the odd hiccup and I can see it coming this weekend at a Villa side who will be desperate for the win. At 5/2, they are a massive price and although it's still an outside bet in terms of price, I am going to make it the bet of the weekend.
Sooner or later, Liverpool are going to start winning again and it could well come at Wolves this weekend, though I think they are a little short at 13/10, consideriing they have won away just once all season and since Wolves are doing nicely in the top flight.
With Steven Gerrard still missing through suspension, though, let's leave them alone for now and look elsewhere for the weekend treble, which is not that easy to find this weekend in some one-sided looking matches.
However, as always, you can always find bets if you look hard enough and let's start at Blackburn, who should be buoyed by the fact that Steve Kean has signed a new contract, giving the club some stability.
At home, Blackburn have been reasonably difficult to beat and they should be able to take care of West Bromwich Albion at a nice looking 5/4.
Tottenham are still going strong but I can see them coming unstuck at Newcastle United. Draws may not be part of Spurs' usual repetoire but they could just cancel each other out and at 12/5, the draw is worth backing this time round.
To complete the treble, Fulham and Stoke City looks nailed on for a draw, at 9/4, so put those three together and you get 24/1, which would be a pretty handy return.
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
