Chelsea still look shaky at the back so West Brom could be in business
Arsenal are tempting 5/1 bet to shock Liverpool at Anfield Celtic Art and Minzaal the horses to follow at Newmarket
With little time to prepare before the start of the new Premier League season, it was always going to be difficult for teams to tweak systems and improve upon weaknesses ahead of the new campaign.
Chelsea seem to be displaying the same defensive fragility that plagued them last year and this time around Frank Lampard has the added problem of trying to integrate five big- money signings into the squad.
Lampard’s side were outplayed by Liverpool last week even before Andreas Christensen was sent off just before half-time and they were flattered by the 3-1 scoreline against Brighton in the opening game of the season, giving up countless chances and being dominated at times by an improving Brighton side.
Chelsea’s defence against West Bromwich Albion this evening will not feature new recruits Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva, so there look certain to be some hairy moments for Chelsea supporters.
It must be remembered that Chelsea had the worst away defensive record in the league last season and kept just one clean sheet, with all three relegated teams scoring at home against them – Bournemouth and Norwich netting twice.
West Brom have conceded eight goals in their two Premier League matches since promotion but they were well in the game against Everton until Kieran Gibbs was sent off at the end of the first half and there were definite signs of improvement before they went down to 10 men.
While they still face a tough task to avoid relegation this season, we can expect them to have some highs
Odds may fluctuate. Please bet responsibly: begambleaware. org. Need help? Call the National Gambling Helpline on 08088 020 133. and they could be overpriced at 15/2 to win here.
Given Chelsea’s frailty at the back, we could be in business if West Brom manage to sneak ahead and there is always the opportunity to cash out if that situation arises.
The rest of the Premier League fixtures look difficult to solve and Arsenal’s price of 5/1 to beat Liverpool at Anfield on Monday was tempting given that Mikel Arteta’s side have not lost to their opponents since Arteta took the helm.
Arsenal have a fantastic record against the Premier League’s top teams, losing just twice in seven matches against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City since Arteta took over in December.
Arsenal’s big problems have come against weaker teams and we can expect a better showing from them than in the game against West Ham last week when they looked poor.
But as tempting as the 5/ 1 is, Liverpool’s start to the season has been impressive and they will probably just have enough to edge a tight game.
Another Saturday, another great day of horse racing at Newmarket. There are two Group One races for juveniles and the historic Cambridgeshire Handicap, which was first run in 1839.
The Cambridgeshire is a huge betting heat and features 29 runners making their way up the expansive Newmarket straight. It can be worth backing outsiders, with 50/1 and 40/1 winners in the past 10
If there is a star on show, it could well be Minzaal. He can take the step up in class in his stride
years and seven of the past 10 successful at a double-figure price.
So we will take a flyer on one at a decent price in the shape of Celtic Art at 25/1. This three-year- old was considered a Classic contender through the winter and was originally being prepped for the French Derby before being pulled out late on and he since seems to be working his way back to fitness, with his disappointing run last time easily blamed on the trip being way too far for him. This distance looks fine and he can spring a surprise.
If there is a potential star on show, it could well be Minzaal, who runs in the Group One Middle Park Stakes. He travelled like a horse of serious ability when winning the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes at York last time and can take the step up in class in his stride to beat his main rival Method, ridden by Frankie Dettori.