Betting Recommendations For October 1, 2011

Everton vs Liverpool

Looking ahead to the Merseyside derby, Everton have the edge in terms of derby experience, with every one of last week's line-up having played in this fixture before. Should Liverpool be unchanged they'd have six players experiencing it for the first time - although none of the newcomers are strangers to big local rivalries. Charlie Adam played in eight Old Firm games, whilst Jordan Henderson, Andy Carroll and Jose Enrique are all Tyne & Wear veterans.

It has been a while since these two teams drew at Goodison Park but with neither holding outstanding claims currently, this fixture promises nothing but a feisty encounter. Specifically, this Premier League fixture saw more red cards than any other - 19 to be exact, with 11 in the last 15 meetings between the blue and red of Merseyside.

Liverpool have shown flashes this season to suggest they are top four material but it has been sporadic and mostly centered around Luis Suarez as they try and integrate their summer signings. The striker looks a special player despite his little strop after being substituted last week in the win over Wolves, thus suggesting that he is only going to improve as he adapts to the English game. This will be a good test for him as Everton dealt pretty well with the similar Sergio Aguero although they eventually buckled against Manchester City in their last outing.

With Everton having won just one of their last nine Premier League encounters against Liverpool with a 2-0 victory at Goodison Park last season, and Liverpool having won three of their last four Premier League games at Goodison Park, this fixture appears more favorable to the Reds. As such, a small wager on Liverpool to win this encounter or on Dirk Kuyt to score anytime sounds reasonable.

Sunderland vs West Brom

What a difference a good start makes - and that's exactly what both these clubs were looking for after their comfortable mid-table finishes of last season. Both had added new faces and expectation was high, but that has been replaced by frustration just six games in. Both sides will be looking at this fixture as an ideal opportunity to record a second win of the season and increase the feel-good factor ahead of the international break.

That's particularly the case for Sunderland. However, there seems to be an over-reaction by some on Wearside with all of their defeats have been by a single goal. The failure to convert chances has been a source of annoyance for Steve Bruce so far and someone needs to take responsibility in front of goal.

West Brom's return of four points needs to be put into context too. Only the real optimists felt opening games against Manchester United and Chelsea would provide points, but just one goal since will be a slight concern. Having finished last season so well, they'll be keen to start finding consistency as soon as possible and provide the service to the likes of Long and Odemwingie to help them up the table.

Steve Bruce has yet to beat a team managed by Roy Hodgson in the Premier League: he has three draws and three defeats from their six previous meetings. Sunderland has won just one of their last five home league games, a 4-0 victory against Stoke City. On the contrast, Roy Hodgson's side has only won one of their last six Premier League away games. Nonetheless, Roy Hodgson's side did the double over Sunderland last season so will arrive knowing they have what it takes to heap more misery on the home side.

In addition, a feature of recent meetings has been goals, with 13 in the last four games between the sides, and with West Brom having almost a full complement to pick from and Sunderland without Bramble, this trend looks set to continue this week. Thus, a bet on over 2.25 goals appears promising.

Barclays Premier League Preview

There are massive derbies at the beginning and end of this weekend's action, while in between Manchester United and Manchester City will jostle for superiority at the top of the table. It is already shaping up to be a fascinating 2011/12 Premier League campaign but every team in the division will be looking to learn from what they have done in the opening few games and push on to better things. The likes of Bolton, West Brom and Blackburn may be the most desperate for points as they strive to pull clear of trouble, but others in mid-table will also be looking up rather than down.

Everton and Liverpool are two sides that will certainly hope to finish higher than their current positions, of 11th and 5th respectively, but local bragging rights are also hugely important and that is what supporters will be concerned about as Goodison Park provides the setting for the 216th Merseyside derby on Saturday lunchtime. The Toffees can climb above their rivals with a home victory but it will be no easy task against a Reds side that could welcome back Steven Gerrard for a first start of the season.

North London neighbours Tottenham and Arsenal lock horns in the second major derby of the weekend on Sunday afternoon. Spurs have been in impressive form since the transfer window slammed shut and will fancy their chances of piling more pressure on the Gunners. Arsene Wenger has enjoyed one of his less stressful weeks of the season following back-to-back wins in the Premier League and Europe, and three points against Spurs would provide a massive boost for his 13th-placed side.

Manchester City are another team in need of a boost after a week dominated by negative headlines about Carlos Tevez, who Roberto Mancini says refused to play against Bayern Munich in their UEFA Champions League defeat. Not much has gone wrong for City in the Premier League so far this season but it has been suggested that the Tevez row could damage their title hopes. City will be determined to prove otherwise and they could go top on Saturday by winning at Ewood Park against a Blackburn side whose manager Steve Kean has come under plenty of media scrutiny himself.

If City are to reach the summit there would have to be a slip-up from Manchester United, and Sir Alex Ferguson does not expect that to happen after admitting their surprise 3-3 draw with Basel should provide a wake-up call to his troops. Basel were not expected to get anything from their trip to Old Trafford and neither are newly-promoted Norwich, who have risen into the top half on the back of two straight victories but know they face a different class of opponent this Saturday.

Chelsea trail the Manchester duo by three points ahead of their clash with bottom club Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday before the North London derby. The Blues will be without the suspended Fernando Torres as they seek to stay in touch with the leaders and inflict a sixth straight defeat on the Trotters, who have been cursed by rotten luck with injuries and this week learned Stuart Holden will be sidelined for another six months.

Just above Bolton in the standings are West Brom on four points, and the Baggies will not want to delay their ascent up the table any longer. Roy Hodgson takes his men to the Stadium of Light this Saturday to face a Sunderland side that has shown glimpses of potential but no consistency and are hovering just above the danger zone at present.

Newcastle have made an unbeaten start to the season to take up a place in the top four and, while even the most optimistic of fans will not expect the Magpies to stay there, they will be hoping the run continues at Molineux this weekend. Wolves also began well this term but struggled to maintain that form and are now on a three-match losing streak.

Wigan have also lost three in a row to slide into the bottom six and face a difficult challenge to return to winning ways against an Aston Villa side that has yet to taste defeat. Villa have drawn five of their six games, though, and will now be looking to build on that solid platform by collecting more three-point hauls.

Back to Sunday and another derby, this time in West London between Fulham and Queens Park Rangers. Martin Jol's Cottagers are the only team without a victory in the Premier League this season and would love to break that duck in their first match against QPR since 2001. QPR will be equally determined not to let that happen and are in buoyant mood after performing well since Tony Fernandes' takeover.

Stoke continued their bright start to the season last weekend by becoming the first side to take points off Manchester United, and will now be keen to underline their European credentials when they travel to the Liberty Stadium to meet Swansea. Brendan Rodgers' men are currently just a point outside the relegation zone but won their last home game against West Brom.

Arsenal & Man City Prepare Stunning Mega Money Swap Deal

Both Manchester City and Arsenal are preparing to enter negotiations over a potential swap deal involving Carlos Tevez and Robin van Persie according to the Guardian, with both players seemingly unsettled at their respective clubs.

Tevez – who found himself embroiled in a bitter disagreement with manager Roberto Mancini after refusing to come on as a substitute against Bayern Munich – is desperate to leave Eastlands, although many have suggested that a switch abroad is the most likely destination.

Manchester City officials now believe that they would be lucky to get £20 million for a player Mancini has revealed the club are “finished” with, following his conduct over the past few months. Tevez has persistently remained an unsettling influence at Eastlands, culminating in the club suspending Tevez for two weeks following the incident against Bayern Munich.

Reportedly, Van Persie remains Mancini’s primary target for the summer, although with Tevez’s position at Manchester City now untenable, it is believed a deal may be brought forward to the January transfer window.

Whilst Van Persie has been in excellent form for the Gunners this season, a fact not lost on his current boss Arsene Wenger, his club has now gone six years without a trophy. With the Dutchman quickly establishing himself as one of the top talents in world football, his ambitions may stretch above and beyond a club that currently remain

Van Persie recently refused to enter contract negotiations with Arsenal, suggesting that whilst he still has two years left on his deal there is no rush, but skeptics have suggested he simply refuses to commit to a club that are seemingly on the downturn.

“I still have almost two years left here, so for the moment that’s fine,” Van Persie revealed. “But I don’t know, we will have to look.”

The path between Arsenal and Manchester City is a heavily trodden one, with Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri all making journey in recent years. With the precedent set, and Manchester City seemingly more capable of mounting a serious challenge for genuine silverware than the Gunners are, such a move would seem a very appealing one to Van Persie.

Mancini is reportedly unwilling to allow Tevez to get the move to a big club that he so desperately craves, and with Arsenal seemingly a waning influence in English football, such a deal would potentially represent good value for both clubs.

Genoa Hitman On Tottenham's Radar

Tottenham have joined AC Milan in the race for Genoa hitman Rodrigo Palacio.

The 29-year-old has started the season with a bang, hitting four goals in four in Serie A matches to help Genoa to within a point of early leaders Juventus.

But sources in Italy have indicated that his form has attracted the interest of Harry Redknapp, who currently has three recognized strikers in his squad and could be in the market for a new one in January.

Palacio, who is famous for his unusual 'rat's tail' hair cut, was prolific for former club Boca Juniors before switching to Genoa in 2009.

It is understood that the Argentina international is valued at around £9m and is also wanted by Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri.

Barcelona Looking At Wilfried Zaha.

Barcelona and Bayern Munich have joined the chase for £5m-rated teen sensation Wilfried Zaha.

Crystal Palace attacker Zaha is one of the Championship’s rising stars and has begun the season in sparkling form. And the 18-year-old’s displays have caught the attention of Spanish and European champions Barca and German giants Munich.

Barca registered their interest this week after Zaha played a starring role in Palace’s derby win at bitter rivals Brighton on Tuesday night.

He bagged his fourth goal of the season and inspired Palace’s stunning late comeback from 1-0 down to win 3-1.

Meanwhile, Bayern have had Ivory Coast-born England Under-19 star Zaha watched on numerous occasions this season.

They made a shock swoop for another Football League starlet – Tranmere winger Dale Jennings – in the summer.

And the Bundesliga leaders are considering following that up with a January move for Zaha.

News of Barca and Bayern’s interest will concern the list of English clubs also tracking the pacy and tricky forward, who looks set to have a number of teams scrapping for his signature in January.

Zaha has been a long-term target for Liverpool, who are keen to continue their bid to recruit top English talent.

Moneybags Manchester City is also keen.

Both clubs sent scouts to Selhurst Park to watch Zaha star in Palace’s Carling Cup win over Championship high-fliers Middlesbrough last week.

Meanwhile, Stoke and Fulham, who had approaches for Zaha knocked back during the summer, remain interested.

Zaha penned a four-and-a- half year deal last November tying him to Palace until 2015.

But the club appears resigned to losing Zaha, their young player of the year last season, well before then.

Manchester United Wonderkid Wanted By Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers are the latest club to be linked with a move for Manchester United starlet Paul Pogba.

The French midfielder is considered one of the best young players at Old Trafford, but has so far been unable to gain first team experience with the likes of Anderson, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Tom Cleverly and Ryan Giggs all vying for a starting berth in the centre of midfield.

A number of Championship sides have attempted to get the player on-loan, but United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has so far turned down their advances and instead decided to give the midfielder a chance to impress in the Carling Cup.

Pogba made his debut for United earlier this month in the Carling Cup victory against Leeds United and has now gained even more interest from a host of clubs.

The latest to declare their interest in the 18-year-old is fellow Premier League side Bolton Wanderers who have previously had Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere and Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle has developed a reputation as a manager who helps young players develop and the Scot is hoping that he can persuade Ferguson to loan the player in January for the rest of the season

Arsenal To Make £10m Offer For German Midfield Starlet

Arsenal are reportedly interested in Werder Bremen midfielder Marko Marin and are considering a £10m bid in the January transfer window.

According to footieonline.co.uk, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is a keen admirer of the Germany international and has been monitoring him for the past 12 months.

Marin is reportedly wanted by Serie A club Roma, who will provide Arsenal stiff competition in their pursuit of the 22-year-old.

However, it is thought the north London club are in pole position to capture Marin's signature should Bremen allow him to leave.

The former Borussia Monchengladbach star, who can play in a central playmaker role or out on the wing, has been capped 16 times by Germany and is considered one of the brightest talents the country has produced in recent times.

Newcastle Face Leverkusen Competition For Diego Souza Signing

Newcastle United face competition from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen if they are going to sign Vasco da Gama's Diego Souza.

According to reports in Germany, Bayer Leverkuen is ready to challenge the Magpies for his signature and could make a move as early as January.

Leverkusen wants to add more firepower to the squad with Eren Derdiyok struggling with form recently. Also, Souza is good friends with midfielder Renato Augusto and it is believed, Augusto brought Souza to the attentions of the German side's scouts.

Mike Ashley, the Newcastle chairman, is currently under pressure from fans to spend some money with Andy Carroll leaving for Liverpool in January for £35 million. Even though Demba Ba was signed, it involved no fee and fans want to see money spent.

They failed with a deadline day bid for Fulham striker Bryan Ruiz, who was formerly at Twente, after a bid of around £12 million was accepted. Sources in Brazil say Vasco would demand a similar fee for the prolific Souza who is currently on the fringes of the Brazil squad.

Manchester City Target Napoli Star

Manchester City could make a shock January move for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani as they look for a replacement for Carlos Tevez.

Tevez is unlikely to play for the club again after allegedly refusing to come on as a substitute during Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

And, with City desperate to offload their former captain in the January transfer window, they are weighing up whether to make a bid for Uruguayan forward Cavani as a £35m replacement.

The 24-year-old is one of the hottest properties in European football and clearly impressed Roberto Mancini when he scored against City when Napoli drew 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium earlier this month.

Cavani has a £40m release clause in his contract and, according to Calciomercato and Mediaset, City will test Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis' resolve in January by making a bid.

Chelsea Battle For £8m Real Madrid Midfield Target

Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier is on Andre Villas-Boas’ radar, with the star also being chased by Real Madrid, according to the Daily Express.

Grenier has starred for Lyon since moving into the senior side in 2008, and the 20-year-old has drawn interest from numerous European clubs as a result.

Chelsea in particular want to bring Grenier on board, the paper claims, because they see him as a future star.

While Real Madrid have shown interest in him, with Zinedine Zidane showing a particular interest in the youngster, Chelsea have reportedly sent scouts to a few matches to France to watch Grenier in action.

In particular, Chelsea are said to admire Grenier’s talent from set pieces, and quick ball skills.