Weekend Football Preview
Pinnacle Sports rate over 2.5 goals at 1.909. The Red Devils have never lost a Premiership game at Old Trafford against the Magpies, so should be popular at 1.84 (-1 & -1.5) with Pinnacle Sports.
Saturday's game at the Reebok will be overshadowed by 'bung-gate' with the spotlight on Sam Allardyce not his players. Bolton 1.84 (+0.5) defend an unbeaten home record against Liverpool 2.09 (-0.5) revitalised by three recent home wins and some improved defending.
West Ham's home game against Reading assumes great significance for Alan Pardew. The pressure is on the Hammers boss as his side haven't won since the opening game of the season, despite the arrival of Tevez and Mascherano. Pardew will expect no favours from his former club, having left the Royals on bad terms. The Irons are 2.07 (-0.5) with Pinnacle Sports while Reading are rated 1.862 (+0.5).
Arsenal's season is definitely on the up after four straight victories, and signs that Thierry Henry is back to his best. That's bad news for Charlton who've lost five of their six Premiership fixtures, scoring just twice, with a record of five consecutive defeats against the Gunners. The Addicks are 2.2 (+0.5 & +1) with Pinnacle Sports with the visitors 1.769 (-0.5 & -1).
In his short time in charge of Aston Villa, Martin O'Neill has made great strides. The Villans are unbeaten in seven games, but their organised unit faces its greatest test at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea moving ominously up through the gears. The Blues are 2.13 (-1.5) with Pinnacle Sports, while Villa are 1.813 despite a 1.5 goal head-start.
Everton were robbed of three points at St.James' Park by a poor linesman's decision, but retained their unbeaten run. The Toffees will welcome Man City to Goodison Park who haven't won in an amazing sixteen away fixtures, making the Citizens 2.01 underdogs in receipt of half a goal, with Everton rated 1.917 (-0.5) by Pinnacle Sports.
Sheffield United 2.04 (0/scratch) are propping up the table still chasing their first win. The Blades take on Middlesbrough 1.893 (0/scratch) at Bramall Lane, only doing marginally better themselves. Boro have won just once, not scored in three games and lost a Cup-game to Notts County mid-week.
Blackburn face Wigan at Ewood Park in a game that last season was drawn 1-1. Jason Roberts scored for the 'Latics but has since switched sides and should return from injury to torment his former club, who are struggling to emulate last season's blistering start. With just one win from six games Wigan are 1.943 (+0.5) with Rovers 1.98 (-0.5).
The opinion of most football pundits is that Watford's performances so far have merited more than three points. The Hornets are 1.8 (0/scratch) to turn the corner against Fulham 2.15 (0/scratch). The Cottagers won just once on the road last season.
Spurs have made a stuttering start to the season, winning just one of their six Premiership games, and failing to score in the other five. The Lilywhites host Portsmouth at the Lane. Pompey, currently in third, are the surprise package of the season to date and Pinnacle Sports have the visitors 2.03 (+0.5) with Tottenham 1.901 (-0.5) to turn things around.
