Liverpool can strike a major blow
December 31st, 2016 | Ian Carnaby's Sports News
It was another profitable week last week with Aston Villa and Sheffield United completing a short-priced double. Neither was particularly impressive but, against that, we were decidedly unfortunate when a late shot the goalkeeper should have stopped denied us a goalless draw in the Burnley v Boro match.
If you can’t score, you can’t win. That is why Boro are still in danger in the Premier League and, although people will say this is alarmist, Southampton are not without worries on that score either. The Tottenham game fell outside the time frame I was looking at on Christmas Day but Spurs were very generously priced at 7/4 because a single goal will often be enough to beat the Saints unless something is done in the transfer window.
As it happens they scored very early but, once back on level terms, Tottenham gradually took control and won 4-1. In fact I thought Southampton fought on gamely with ten men but there was a gap in class and there will be again when Watford host Spurs on Saturday. I don’t like odds-on about the away team but I’d play at 4/6 here. The strikers aren’t as sharp for Watford this season and they may be sucked into the relegation battle.
The only way to approach Southampton v WBA is as a low-scoring game. The Saints are not genuine odds-on chances here and a single goal from the Baggies might be enough. No bet, although selling the total goals is probably the move.
Arsenal should beat Palace, and Manchester United should account for Boro but the prices are too short. The bookies want new young clients going for accas now and many will make Chelsea automatic choices. This is where I’d be careful. Stoke can be feisty, durable opponents and I’d let the game go. 2/7 is out of the question.
Manchester City’s defence is not good enough to contain a Liverpool attack opting for sheer pace. There will come a day before long when Mane is compared to Suarez and I think both Liverpool and Tottenham will keep up the pressure on the leaders.
LIVERPOOL 20 units at 11/8 to beat Man City
TOTTENHAM 20 units at 4/6 to beat Watford
Burnley v Sunderland 15 units THE DRAW at 9/4
