Sunday’s action in the Premier League brings us two mouth-watering fixtures, with a north-east derby and a top-four clash all in store. Don’t forget the small matter of Wolves‘ fight against the drop as they take on Fulham as well. With an action-packed day in store we look into whether we can have it a profitable afternoon.
Newcastle v Sunderland 12pm
The day begins at St James’ Park with these two rivals looking to bounce back from disappointing results last weekend. Martin O’Neill’s honeymoon period at Sunderland is well and truly over after last weekend’s 4-0 hammering at West Brom and now he takes his team to Newcastle, a scene of one too many nightmares if you are a Black Cats fan.
Sunderland’s last win at St James’ came 12 years ago in 2000 and since then Newcastle have won four of the six meetings on Tyneside, including last season’s 5-1 hammering of their rivals. The Toon though will have been worried by how they let a two-goal lead slip last weekend – perhaps they thought they were good enough to hold off relegation-threatened Wolves playing in second gear. However, this Newcastle squad isn’t good enough to do that and Alan Pardew will have reminded his team they will have to work hard if are to secure a European spot.
However, with Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse up front Newcastle have two outstanding goal threats and that is what should give them the edge over Sunderland. The Senegalese duo will relish the chance to test a defence that conceded four last weekend. Ba is 5/1 to score two or more, while Cisse is 13/2, and if anyone is going to win what should be a pulsating derby for Newcastle it should be these two. Newcastle are 11/10, with Sunderland 13/5 and the draw 12/5 in the match betting.
Fulham v Wolves 2:05pm
You might look at this fixture as the chance to fit in your Sunday lunch before the main event later in the day but do not underestimate what this game could offer. Under Roy Hodgson and Mark Hughes, Fulham were not great to watch but Martin Jol has them playing a much more pleasing brand of the beautiful game. What hasn’t changed under Jol though is how strong the Cottagers are at home. Fulham have lost just three matches at home all season, taking points off Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle.
Fulham are 8/13 to beat Wolves this weekend and you would expect the game to go that way. However, Wolves are unbeaten in their last six away and proved last week at Newcastle they are not going to slip into the Championship without a fight. Terry Connor might have been a bizarre choice as manager but if he can continue to galvanise the team as he did last weekend then who knows what will happen. Wolves are 11/4 to pick up a point and that would be a great result for them.
Tottenham v Manchester United 4:10pm
Having been humbled by Arsenal last weekend, the last name Tottenham fans would want to see on their fixture list is Manchester United’s. Spurs haven’t beaten the Red Devils in 25 meetings, their last win over Sir Alex Ferguson’s men coming in May 2001. Harry Redknapp’s charges will be desperate to forget about last week’s north London derby and bounce back against United, which will certainly be easier said than done.
Despite last Sunday’s loss, there are still plenty of positives for Tottenham heading into this week’s game, not least their fantastic form at home. Redknapp’s men ripped apart Newcastle in their last outing at White Hart Lane and, given United’s sometimes-fragile defence, will feel they can finally get a win over the Red Devils under their belts. With Gareth Bale also expected to play, it could be a long afternoon for whoever Ferguson’s starts at right-back.
However, this is traditionally United’s time to shine and last weekend’s win at Norwich was typical of how Ferguson’s men perform when the chips are down. United have also been given a boost with the news Wayne Rooney is fit and given the way Tottenham’s backline crumbled last week the England striker will be licking his lips at the prospect of playing on Sunday.
Given the way these two teams have defended at times this season, as well as the attacking talent on show, over 2.5 goals at 8/11 should be a safe bet. As for the result, if Redknapp has moved his team on from last week then there is no reason they can’t put a dent in United’s title hopes. Spurs are 15/8 to win in the match betting, with the draw 23/10 and United 6/4.
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