Welcome to ‘Something For The Weekend’, your ‘one stop fun shop’ preview to the weekend’s action.
Where else is there to start this week than the Manchester Derby at the Etihad? Mancini’s European surrender has been described as the poorest performance in Europe by an Italian since Mussolini. It was also the worst performance by an English side in the history of the Champions League. However, all that will be forgotten if Roberto can inspire his troops to a win on Sunday. United turned in two abject performances against City in the league last season and their defence has been almost non-existent of late, Rafael was pulled and then given his coat last Saturday, a new experience for the facially challenged boy from Brazil. Mario Balotelli missed the birth of his baby girl Pia Fico this week, not the first thing he’s missed this season. There’s not been much to separate these sides this season and the recent performances of the two suggests that goals are in store.
Sky Bet offer 7/2 on a 1-1, 2-2 or 3-3 draw
and that certainly looks better value than Scott Sinclair.
From a game that promises lots of goalmouth action to Aston Villa v Stoke – expect the Bull Ring to be extra busy, as Villa supporters decide that being dragged around to do festive shopping by their other halves is a superior alternative to watching 90 minutes of gritty attrition. Paul Lambert’s aversion to all things Bent is not a form of Scottish homophobia but may be more down to a £3million pound add on if he plays a certain amount of games. Who needs Bent when you’ve got Bent(eke) anyway? I’m expecting a game as sexy as the Brummie accent and Bet 365s 1.57 to 1 on under 2.5 goals is harder to turn down than Tony Pulis’ cap.
West Ham’s form of late has been imperious, a London derby win against Chelsea last week saw Big Fat Sam as happy as he’s been since he got the two for one deal at B.J.’s pie and mash shop. The free scoring Hammers put three past Rafa’s unhappy Roman army last week; in a remarkable coincidence Andy Carroll was not playing. He did however enjoy the Irons’ Christmas party in Dublin at the weekend, where his night ended in an alleged assault and a Burger King. You can take the boy out of Newcastle… Liverpool could well prove to be toothless without the ample toothed street urchin Suarez. With Everton facing an in form Spurs side, I expect the most likely success to come out of Liverpool this weekend to be Christopher Maloney triumphing in X Factor. There was however, relief in Liverpool this week after the announcement of Kate Middleton’s pregnancy, as they had been worried about the government policy to discourage people not working from having kids.
Paddy Power offer 2/1 on a West Ham win
and
4/1 on a Maloney
victory. I’m just waiting for The Sun exposé on Jahmene Douglas and Kyle Walker being the same person.
Where better place to finish than the ‘six-pointer’ (checks Gary Lineker book of cliches) at the DW? QPR’s start to the season – no wins in 14 games is so bad that ‘Arry Redknapp has decided that the team will not be having a Christmas party, this and the fact that none of the team can stand each other. Particularly disappointing for Djibril Cisse who was going to treat himself to a Santa Claus mohican and a few cans of wife beater. Redknapp has overseen two draws since taking the hotseat at Loftus Road and Sky Bet’s 12/5 looks kinder than Tony Fernandes in a transfer window.
Hope you enjoyed this week’s preview and found something for the weekend. I’m off to Wilkinson to take my Jimmy Savile advent calendar back, the flaps only open from 1 to 16. Disappointing stuff.
Written by Jamie Ellis .
