CASCARINO HOPING TO FOLLOW UP LAST WEEK’S CLEAN SWEEP: There are two standout games this weekend with the Merseyside Derby between Everton and Liverpool and Arsenal taking on Man United.
I want to start with United and Arsenal and I think a lot is hanging on where the two clubs are in the Premier League. I’m looking at Arsenal and they have a big game mentality but they have fouled far too often in the big games in recent years. Arsene Wenger is a manager that sees a venture and see players that can win games and when things are going for them, they can be exceptional.
But they are playing an opponent who are quite tricky. Man United play football like it’s a chess match and it’s quite clear that there is a huge amount of work being done at United on the training ground. They are so functional and methodical in what they do, everybody is positioned well and they move and this is a big test for Arsenal.
Arsenal have fallen on their faces all too many times recently with teams that are tactically astute and 
that’s what United are. They also have the added bonus of having two guys with a lot of pace in Memphis and Martial who gives them a bit going forward because they can break so quickly. Juan Mata is another who loves that and where he can play an intricate pass to someone.
Where would be my bet? I would Lay Arsenal. I just don’t think Arsenal are good enough tactically to beat United. I think it’s a United team that’s growing but I don’t think that they are a team that will take the game to one of these big sides and go to win it. I think they will try and ‘suckerpunch’ Arsenal and that’s not a time when Arsenal do well.
I think my only bet will be to Lay Arsenal. I don’t think that they’ve got enough to passed United and I don’t think that United will leave empty handed either.
This is one those games where a draw is a massive player and I would be sticking with the safety net of the Lay bet on Arsenal and I would be surprised if United get beaten.
EVERTON CAN TAKE THE MERSEYSIDE DERBY
To be honest, it doesn’t happen very often that Everton are favourites over Liverpool for a Merseyside Derby. You have to wonder why that has happened and the bottom line is that Everton can play two different ways. They can play attacking football with flair but they can also mix it with you physically. They’ve got some powerful players with the likes of Lukaku and Barclay who can run and drive at the opposition and that’s the difference. I think Liverpool have lost that.
If you think of the Steven Gerrard’s and the Jamie Carragher’s who were the powerful players in the 
Liverpool and they’ve lost those players. Everton are physically a much stronger team, they’re quicker as well and I think they have the edge over Liverpool here.
I’m not convinced that Liverpool can keep a clean sheet and I think that’s been quite clear over that last 8 games. They’ve also lost a lot of leaders and I just don’t see many leaders in their team now with the likes of Gerrard in the squad.
I do, however, think that both teams will score in the game and there’s a good bet in that. It’s a Derby before an International break and both Managers will be looking for a big performance before they move to their countries. This always adds a little more spice to these games.
Everton hold the edge for me and they are a good bet to win along with both teams to score.
CHELSEA ARE TOO BIG AGAINST SOUTHAMPTON
On BETDAQ, Chelsea are 1.85 but you would have to think what price Chelsea would have been for this game 12 months ago? You would have to say that they would have been a lot shorter and I think that even if you can get 1.65 on Chelsea, that would be a really good bet.
It is essentially the same group of players and the price is really showing a massive difference which I don’t think is there. Chelsea’s record at home over the years has been sensational and at home they are, in general, more like a 1.40 shot and the only time that you’ll ever get anywhere near Evens with Chelsea at home is when they play the likes of Arsenal, Man City or Man United. Southampton are a decent team but they are not one of those top clubs but yet you’re getting Chelsea at a similar price and I will be Backing Chelsea.
WEST HAM CAN TAKE AN AWAY WIN
There is a lot not to like about Sunderland I’m afraid. They have been quite poor and they have had some of the worst signings during the transfer window, probably three of the worst signings were at the same club!
They’re a team that can’t buy a clean sheet. They’re very poor defensively and I think West Ham are probably going to be a better away side and with Andy Carroll that is a big plus. They’ve got a lot of pace on their side and Sunderland are in need of a win and I think West Ham will be able to put them away quite easily.
It’s easy to say about Sunderland because they are bottom of the table but by Half Time in most games, they are out of it and the game is dead and buried. They never look like they’re going to score but they do look like they are going to concede and that is not a good combination. I’ll be backing West Ham.
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