An awkward weekend for Huddersfield

Much attention surrounds the local derbies in Liverpool and Manchester over the weekend. I think it would be wrong to suggest that the results in the Champions League will have no bearing on the way things turn out and Manchester United will probably benefit from City’s comprehensive beating at the hands of Liverpool. It doesn’t look a betting heat to me and nor does the other one, although Liverpool have the strength in depth to account for their arch rivals across Stanley Park

As you know, I think Crystal Palace will escape the drop and there may well be goals in the game at Bournemouth, where an away win would give the Eagles a welcome boost. I think they’ll score all right but Bournemouth are hard to predict and a draw may be the sensible call.

I went to West Ham last week, where the Hammers looked good in a 3-0 win over a hapless Southampton. Looking at it realistically, the Saints will not stay up on that showing and Mark Hughes simply does not have long enough to shape things his way.

However, the bookmakers will let you have 4/7 about Arsenal when the teams meet on Sunday. That is because the Gunners, gradually winning back some of the disaffected, now have every chance of a place in next season’s Champions League by winning the Europa competition. 4-1 should be easily enough but there must be no slip-ups, no silly mistakes in Moscow. And that is what gives Southampton a chance if they show a great deal more spirit than last week. If Huddersfield lose at Brighton, who need the points to make survival more or less certain, those in the St Marys camp may feel that a single point improves their chances significantly.

I wouldn’t go anywhere near the 2/7 about Chelsea beating West Ham. Things are not right at Stamford Bridge, the Tottenham defeat rocked the faithful and, when someone Gianluca Vialli comes out and says that Conte cannot wait to leave, it can’t help morale.

West Ham played very well last week and Arnautovic can score against anyone. I think the bookmakers may have misjudged the mood in both camps and I’d play the draw again here, with a small bet on the Hammers at 12/1. Arnautovic to score at any time might be a shrewd move.

Arsenal v Southampton 10 units THE DRAW at 7/2 or better

Chelsea v West Ham 10 units THE DRAW at 11/2

West Ham 5 units at 12/1 to win

Football News, Huddersfield, Ian Carnaby, Manchester Derby