The Perfect Weekend Treble: Chelsea, West Brom & Notts County

We all like to dabble in a little football betting from time to time, and this weekend offers some interesting matches to get stuck into. I have been casting my eyes over the English and international football fixture list, and have come up with a treble that may prove profitable, as well as a few other outsiders who might spring a surprise. Whether you choose to follow or not, these are my tips for this weekend’s matches:

Premier League – Chelsea to win at home to Stoke City (1.36)

Last weekend’s 0-0 draw at Loftus Road wasn’t a great result for Chelsea, but over the course of a season every team, however expensively-compiled, will drop points against lower-ranked sides. This weekend, the millionaires will have their chance to pit their skills against a Stoke side that’s perhaps a little more, ahem, industrial. Tony Pulis and his men are generally better at home than they are away – Chelsea have four wins from four against Stoke at Stamford Bridge, with the Potters only managing one goal. I can’t see them adding to that total on Saturday.

Premier League – West Bromwich Albion to win at home to Reading (1.83)

Funny game, football. West Brom have beaten both Merseyside clubs and gained a credible draw at Tottenham as well this season, yet they go and get hammered 3-0 at Fulham last weekend. Manager Steve Clarke has made an excellent fist of things since taking over, and will want to get the train back on the tracks this week with a win against Reading. The Royals are known to be tough opposition on their day, but the Baggies have made some interesting signings in recent months, and I expect them to win this at a canter.

League One – Notts County to win at home to Portsmouth (1.62)

An impressive start to the season has given Notts County fans cause for optimism already, although we all know seasons end in May, not September. Despite a home defeat to Walsall in August, they have looked to be in good form, and appear to be more than a match for a beleaguered Portsmouth. Such is the depth of sympathy many supporters feel about the away side’s plight, it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear the old tune ‘Play Up Pompey’ being adapted into ‘Poor Old Pompey’ in the coming months. One victory against 9-man Crawley is all they have to show so far, and I can’t see things changing this weekend.

>> Check out Inside-Bet.com for more betting tips.

The Treble:

Chelsea (1.36)
West Bromwich Albion (1.83)
Notts County (1.62)

Total return for £5 stake = £20.16

In addition to this treble, there are several other interesting bets in this weekend’s fixture list:

League One – Crawley Town to draw at home to Tranmere Rovers (3.50)

Tranmere have made a sensational start to 2012-13, and sit proudly at the top of League One at the moment. Crawley have been pretty impressive so far as well, so this promises to be an intriguing match-up at the Broadfield Stadium. The game itself could go either way, with both sides looking to score goals from all over the pitch, so I think it’s a good bet that they’ll both find the old onion bag at some point. In some ways, they might actually cancel each other out, so I’m tipping a point each for these high-fliers

Premier League – Both teams to score in the Southampton v Aston Villa match (1.73)

After a hugely impressive finish to last season, the Saints have come down with something of a bump this time around. Four matches and four defeats, including a 6-1 loss at Arsenal last Saturday, leave them at the bottom of the pile, but they are a good side and I can see them breaking their duck this weekend. Aston Villa seem to have gone backwards in recent years, changing from a team that was on the periphery to one that’s perhaps now on the periphery of the periphery. Manager Paul Lambert has something of a job on his hands here, and a goal or two on Saturday will be a big help.

Premier League – Carlos Tevez to score for Manchester City against Arsenal (2.17)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be delighted by the team’s start to the season, especially with the performances of new faces Lukasz Podolski and Santi Cazorla, as well as the defence’s strength. A visit to the Etihad may be a different prospect, however, and the enigmatic Carlos Tevez could run their back line ragged on Sunday. The Argentinean looks to be enjoying life in Manchester once again, and neutrals will be pleased to see that familiar smile replacing the scowl once more. I think this will be a close game, but I can’t see the Gunners keeping him at bay for the whole 90 minutes.

>> Check out Inside-Bet.com for more betting tips.

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