With no form to go on, we'll have to let history guide us to our first
bet. Birmingham City are unbeaten at the Cottage for the last 30 years,
which is the only time you'll see the words 'Birmingham City' and '30
years' without the phrase 'recommended minimum sentence' in the middle.
The Blues have also outplayed Fulham in the transfer market this summer,
11/5 looks real value.

You can't get rich backing Chelsea on Sunday, but they must be the
cornerstone of any accer this weekend. Wigan would need more fight than
Roy Keane, more luck than Phil Neville and more bottle then Kinga in
order to avoid a hammering at the hands of the Champions. Stan James
are offering 10/11 about Chelsea winning by two or more goals, and
that's a definite tempter.

It's been a strange week for Everton, they've signed Phil Neville, took
a spanking in a Champions League qualifier and Tim Cahill has extended
his contract, maybe two wrongs do make a right. Wayne Rooney is warming
up nicely; it'll be another defeat for the Toffees.

Conspiracy theory of the week:

The charge of Soccer AM's Helen Chamberlain to the Poker Million final
has been questioned by many cynical viewers. I have emailed Ladbrokes,
asking if they would offer me odds that the whole tournament will prove
to be an elaborate Ali G style wind-up show, provisionally entitled 'The
prank on the skank.' At the time of writing, there has been no reply.

Stat, you're a liberty:

The M.K. Dons have earned more Premiership points than Manchester City.

Acc of the week:

Man Utd
Birmingham
Tottenham
Arsenal
Chelsea

The five fold pays over 26/1 with Skybet

Specials of the week: (All available at Super Soccer)

"Nice chip" - Arteta to score from outside the area 16/1
"Ivan chips" - Campo to score from outside the area 25/1
"Korean chips" - Park Ji-Sung to score from outside the area 9/1

Weekend Betting:

Everton v Man Utd Saturday 13th August 12.45
Live on Premiership Plus

Everton 7/2 BET 365
Draw 13/5 Sportingbet
Man Utd 10/11 Skybet

Get on: Man Utd

Life is definitely unfair, Man U nick Wayne Rooney from Everton, so the
Scousers retaliate by taking Phil Neville from Man U. Both teams lost
on the opening day of last season, Everton will again.
Match Special:
Man Utd to score four or more goals 7/1 @ Super Soccer

Aston Villa v Bolton Saturday 13th August 15.00

Aston Villa 13/10 BET 365
Draw 9/4 Totesport
Bolton 12/5 Stan James

Get on: Draw

It's too close to call at Villa Park; both managers are exceptional in
the transfer market, with Phillips and Borgetti being the standout
signings of the summer. Obviously, Djemba-Djemba and Diouf are the
exceptions that prove the rule.
Match Special:
Match to finish 2-2 14/1 @ Stan James

Fulham v Birmingham Saturday 13th August 15.00

Fulham 11/8 Super Soccer
Draw 9/4 Coral
Birmingham 11/5 Sportingbet

Get on: Birmingham

Birmingham were involved in the shock of the summer, when they didn't
make a bid for Joey Barton. Helguson looks to be a good signing, but
the Blues are overpriced at 11/5.
Match Special:
Birmingham to win 2-1 10/1 @ Ladbrokes

Man City v West Brom Saturday 13th August 15.00

Man City 5/6 Coral
Draw 12/5 Bet Direct
West Brom 9/2 Boylesports

Get on: Man City

Man City now have an abundance of talent up front, and Andy Cole. The
Baggies are in for a long hard season, Home win.
Match Special:
Vassell to score a hat-trick 40/1 @ Paddy Power

Portsmouth v Tottenham Saturday 13th August 15.00

Portsmouth 9/5 Boylesports
Draw 9/4 VC Bet
Tottenham 8/5 Paddy Power

Get on: Tottenham

Although Tottenham have never scored at Fratton Park in the Premiership,
the arrival of Dutch loon Edgar Davids should inspire Spurs to an easy
win. Tottenham to take it, by a short Ed.
Match Special:
Davids to score the first goal 20/1 @ Skybet

Sunderland v Charlton Saturday 13th August 15.00

Sunderland 7/5 VC Bet
Draw 9/4 Skybet
Charlton 19/10 BET 365

Get on: Draw

A great fixture historically, there's an average of over 4 goals a game
in the Premiership, while the 4-4 draw in the play-off final is possibly
the greatest game ever played. Sportingbet offer even money about
three or more goals in the match, jump on.
Match Special:
Three or more goals in the match Evs @ Sportingbet

West Ham v Blackburn Saturday 13th August 15.00

West Ham 6/4 Sportingbet
Draw 9/4 Coral
Blackburn 15/8 Skybet

Get on: West Ham

Repka meets Savage and Bellamy. Get on the Hammers, get on Savage to
be sent off, and Alan Wiley, get on the wrong train.
Match Special:
Robbie Savage to be sent off 50/1 @ Super Soccer

Middlesbrough v Liverpool Saturday 13th August 17.15
Live on Premiership Plus

Middlesbrough 15/8 BET 365
Draw 9/4 Coral
Liverpool 6/4 Sportingbet

Get on: Draw

The European champions were awful on the road last season, and as this
match has only produced three goals in a game once this century, the
smart money (mine) is on the 0-0.
Match Special:
No goalscorer in the match 8/1 @ Totesport

Arsenal v Newcastle Sunday 14th August 13.30 Live on
Sky

Arsenal 4/9 Coral
Draw 10/3
Newcastle 15/2 Boylesports

Get on: Arsenal

The Gunners are as close to a home banker as you can find on the opening
day of a new season. The Toon army appear to be in a transitional
period, it could be a real shoeing.
Match Special:
Arsenal to score five or more goals 10/1 @ Super Soccer

Wigan v Chelsea Sunday 14th August 16.00 Live on Sky

Wigan 10/1 VC Bet
Draw 19/5 Sportingbet
Chelsea 4/11 BET 365

Get on: Chelsea

Chelsea broke more records than a drunken D.J. last season, expect them
to muller Wigan on their first ever League meeting.
Match Special:
Chelsea to win by two or more goals 10/11 @ Stan James