Vardy the threat to Saints

We were cruelly denied in the 90th minute when Stevenage made it 3-3 at Exeter last week. Obviously we all have to get used to these things and, in any case, with the amount of time referees add on these days there was probably still quite a while to go.

This weekend I was sorry that Bristol City played on Friday night. It’s difficult for me to update without knowing the latest news but they met Nottingham Forest at a good time and 5/4 was a fair price. Still, it’s in the past and there is no room for ‘after-timing’ on this page.

I think Big Sam will turn Sunderland around but it will take time and they must not be cast adrift at the foot of the Premier League. The game at West Brom is difficult to call, thoughit will probably be low scoring. Maybe Berahino will be the key man in a narrow victory for the Baggies but he has limited support and they do not score many.

Watford have come on in recent weeks and the new faces are blending in quite smoothly. However, ground advantage will not help them all that much against Arsenal, who may go very close in the title race this time around, partly because there are several question marks over their obvious rivals Chelsea, Man Utd and Man City. The Champions League will prove quite a complication to all of them (assuming the Gunners squeeze through, which is doubtful) and there is just the possibility that another team will creep into the top four. I’d have said Tottenham were clear favourites in that regard but for the complication of the Europa League. Everton and Southampton are not out of it but the jury is very definitely out on Liverpool.

Be that as it may, Arsenal can keep up the pressure by winning on Saturday and it has the look of a one-nil to me.

Chelsea’s problems have been well documented and Southampton destroyed them for pace a fortnight ago. However, they should still beat Aston Villa, whose manager Tim Sherwood is talking a bullish case without a great deal to back up his confidence. Chelsea have been stung by the criticism and we may see a very different Blues performance here.

Everton v United looks very tight, a scoring draw perhaps, while SOUTHAMPTON will account for an underrated Leicester team if repeating the form they showed at Stamford Bridge. There are minor problems, however, with Northern Ireland hero Steven Davis having seen plenty of football lately and Shane Long definitely out for two or three weeks. Jamie Vardy looks a potent threat against anyone and Leicester are more than capable of finishing in mid-table but the Saints sometimes look quite something at St Mary’s, especially in the first twenty minutes or so, and they are fair value at 4/5 with Betfred and Hills.

Oldham v Sheffield United looks to have goals in it and in the National League GRIMSBY should win at Torquay, though 4/7 about the away team is never all that tempting. On this occasion I might just give in.

Everton v Manchester United 15 units THE DRAW at 12/5

SOUTHAMPTON 20 units at 4/5 to beat Leicester

GRIMSBY 20 units at 4/7 to beat Torquay