While Arsenal and Spurs do battle for North London bragging rights
Thursday 25 September 2014 18:52, UK
It was a Super Sunday that had everything. From the madness at the King Power to the intensity and drama at The Etihad.
Punters must have had their fingers burnt with the way the first live game unfolded at Leicester. It was extraordinary. At 3-1 up in the second half, Manchester United were cruising. They were trading at 1/50 with Sky Bet to go on and win the game. They were on the brink of shortening to around 7/1 to win the Premier League title. Then the wheels came off.
What followed was one of the great Premier League comebacks. Leicester got a bit of luck with the referee's decisions but took full advantage and deserve enormous credit. Graeme Souness raved about the performance of Jamie Vardy, who played a part in all five goals. His journey from the seventh tier of English football - while teammate Esteban Cambiasso was winning Champions League - is a brilliant and inspiring one. Leicester are one of the stories of the season. Their work ethic is an example to all sides coming up to the Premier League.
United's defending fell to pieces and now sides will be licking their lips at having a go at the red rearguard. It starts with West Ham at Old Trafford on Saturday. They are 15/2 to heap more misery on Louis van Gaal. Big Sam faces a conundrum this weekend as he'd love to have a go at United's back four with his new, pacey strike force but must also be wary of the threat posed by Di Maria, Falcao and co.
The game that followed on Super Sunday could not have been a bigger contrast. Manchester City and Chelsea played with a ferocious intensity and the likes of Kompany, Mangala and Cahill gave towering performances in defence. That is why messrs Carragher, Souness and Neville agreed that these two sides are currently head and shoulders above the rest of their Premier League title rivals. All three explained how no other side in the Premier League can match their power and defensive prowess. Sky Bet rank Chelsea as the 4/6 title favourites with Manchester City available at 3/1, 9/1 bar. This weekend Chelsea host Aston Villa and City go to Hull.
Saturday is going to be magnificent with the Ryder Cup in full swing, my first visit of the season to St Mary's that afternoon followed by the North London derby on Saturday Night Football. Tottenham (10/3) need to bounce back from the defeat to West Brom, while Arsenal (3/4) were knocked out of the League Cup on Tuesday by Southampton.
Southampton have gone from a supposed summer crisis to five straight wins in all competitions and second in the Barclays Premier League table. It’s early days but still not a bad response to all the doom mongers. Ronald Koeman has got them playing with so much confidence and energy and QPR will have to be 'at it' from the off or Saints will swarm all over them. Koeman's new signings have all hit the ground running but Dusan Tadic remains the standout player. He was superb against Arsenal again in the week and looks a great bet to get on the scoresheet again on Saturday. With Ward-Prowse out injured, Tadic will take all the set pieces, the penalties and is a constant threat in open play. At 6/4 to score any time Tadic is my bet of the week.
What's the most important ingredient to winning the Ryder Cup? Motivation. The US Team will be well and truly fired up this week after the defeat at Medinah and the constant reference to them as underdogs. Tom Watson's team talks will be easy this week. They are 7/4 with Sky Bet to lift the trophy but there's no way I could bring myself to back them!
I have backed Henrik Stenson to be top European points scorer at 8/1 and will again be having a few quid on Martin Kaymer at 10/1. We got very lucky two years ago collecting on Kaymer despite him playing poorly. He was bailed out by his partners on Friday and Saturday before famously sinking 'that' putt in the singles. Kaymer is playing much better this time around and I'm sure he'll partner Rory McIlroy again.
Rickie Fowler is a standout bet at 5/1 to be top US points scorer. He's set to be a busy man this weekend, remains in fantastic form, and thrives in the Ryder Cup environment. Fowler is set to be USA's talisman.
Remember that you get your money back on both markets if USA win the Ryder Cup.
Fair play to Sky Bet for paying out on the first SIX places in the weekend's big race at Newmarket. My esteemed editor has set me the easy task of picking the first six in the correct order. If this comes off I shall retire to Barbados!
1st Bancnuanaheireann @ 33/1 - Impressive off a 5lb lower mark, winning the consolation race twelve months ago. Throw in his staying on fourth behind Bronze Angel in this race two years ago, and he's a solid each-way selection, so much so, the 33/1 currently on offer is a great price.
2nd Cornrow
3rd Soviet Rock
4th Educate
5th Bronze Angel
6th Velox
What a weekend of sport to look forward to. I shall be travelling to St Mary's on Saturday and the Hawthorns on Sunday with Sky Go in full operation!
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