13/10 About Toon and Gloom at the Cottage
Well, what about last week? The FA Cup saw more giant killings than a Jack-and-the-Beanstalk convention. I mean, we all expect the odd shock here and there, but to see so many Premiership teams humbled was beyond anyone's expectation. After a difficult draw for the likes of Bolton, West Ham and Blackburn, the outright market remains largely unchanged. Chelsea (11/4), Man Utd (7/2), Arsenal (13/2) and Liverpool (13/2) still head the betting, with Newcastle offering the best of the rest, after a kind draw, at 14/1.


We're back to the nitty-gritty of league football this weekend, so hopefully matches may go a bit more to form than last weeks madness! For me, the standout bet of the weekend is Fulham to beat Newcastle at 13/10. The reason Fulham occupy 14th place is their away form. At home they've a better record than Bolton, Newcastle and Man City. After last week's disaster against Leyton Orient, Chris Coleman was scathing in his team's performance, so there could be a backlash here.


It's also worth remembering that Newcastle are constantly overrated by the bookmakers. We all remember the glory days of Keegan, Ginola, Asprilla and the like, but it appears that the romanticism of Newcastle and their long-suffering fans affects the odds compilers, who always show the Magpies too much respect. Newcastle (7/4 to win the match) are only 3 points better off than Fulham, and will be without Michael Owen. The Magpies have recorded only one league win in 10 attempts without the England striker, and that came against hapless Sunderland.


Premiership Pick:

Fulham to beat Newcastle @ 13/10