Benitez can nudge O’Neill closer to Sunderland exit
Chelsea are 10/1 at BetVictor for the Europa League after their 6-1 success in the Champions League against modest opposition.
They must now travel to the Stadium of Light on Saturday before embarking on their challenge for the Fifa World Club Cup in Japan next week.
After snatching defeat from the jaws of victory at Upton Park last weekend they can’t afford another slip-up on Wearside and the Blues are strong favourites at 4/5 to win, with Sunderland 19/5 and the draw at 27/10.
Fernando Torres is 11/2 to open the scoring with Juan Mata 15/2.
This game sees the two favourites in our market for the next Premier League manager to lose/leave his post with Black Cats boss Martin O’Neill 13/8 and Rafa Benitez 7/2 (Roberto Mancini well backed and now 5/1).
We bet 4/5 that Chelsea win a major domestic or European competition this season and 10/11 they have a barren season (the World Club Cup is not included in this market).
Rangers travel to Wigan still looking for their first win of the season and you feel this is a game they must avoid defeat in with the Latics having problems in defence with injury and suspensions.
The hosts are 11/8 to take all three points with the R’s 11/5 and the draw at 12/5.
Wigan didn’t have the rub of the green against Newcastle in the north-east on Monday and are a decent side at the DW Stadium, but I think Rangers will get a point.
Jamie Mackie is 12/1 to be first goalscorer and that is the wrong price if, as expected, Mackie continues to play up front instead of Djibril Cisse.
I think a 1-1 draw is the most likely outcome, which is a 11/2 chance.
Rangers remain 8/13 for the drop and 6/5 to stay up and we took a £10,000 bet in our Dublin shop last Friday for them to maintain their Premier League status.
Three points at the weekend would certainly help the cause especially when you consider Wigan themselves are only 15/8 to be playing Championship football next term.
Fulham entertain Newcastle on Monday night and will welcome back skipper Brede Hangeland after his three-match ban as they bid for their first win in eight.
The Magpies have had more than their share of injuries and suspensions so far this season but boss Alan Pardew is optimistic that Demba Ba, Cheick Tiote and Davide Santon – all substituted during Monday’s win against Wigan – will be fit, although the continued loss of French international Yohan Cabaye is a concern for the Geordies.
Fulham are a shade of odds-on at 19/20 at BetVictor but I think they will be slightly bigger than evens come kick-off time even though Fulham have a good record against Newcastle – especially at Craven Cottage, having won the last three on home soil.
Some interesting facts from the game: Newcastle midfielder Tiote has hit more shots this season (10) than any other player in the Premier League without one being on target, and Fulham subs have hit seven goals this season – only Manchester City’s bench has been as productive.
For all your weekend odds check out betvictor.com
Be lucky
Charlie
