Arsene! Coffee!

Luck is an alien concept. At a recent fancy dress party to celebrate
my father in law's exit from the closet, the wife turned all 'Paul
Gascoigne' on me. One minute, I was politely chatting to Britney
Spears, the next thing I knew, the wife was repeatedly pommeling
me with an oversized clown's shoe. There's nothing amusing about
domestic violence.

Physical altercations have no place in the home and equally no
place on the touchline. Only an Arsenal victory over Liverpool
can save Rafa Benitez from an Arsene attack; the Gunners are
a superb bet at 11/10 to knock out the Reds.
Peter Crouch is an optimist, he believes that Liverpool can still
win the title. He probably also believes in the tooth fairy, or to
use her Latin name, 'Jermainus Defoe'. It's over five years since
the Scousers last won away at Arsenal, sink your teeth into a
2-0 win for the Gunners at 9/1.
Thierry Henry has asked the Arsenal fans not to leave before
the final whistle. I'm not sure how it works in France, but most
Englishmen struggle to last 90 minutes. Henry has scored five
goals in his last two home appearances against the Pool, he can
keep the fans satisfied by banging in the opener at 9/2.

If West Ham beat Middlesbrough, Alan Pardew has promised
a more subdued celebration; possibly two jigs and a conga.
The Hammers looks a fair investment at 5/2 to waltz away from
the Riverside with three points.

Newcastle are in crisis and the Toon army are revolting. Nobody
wants to kick a man when he's down (although I can't speak for
Arsene Wenger) but the appointment of Roeder was flawed from
the very beginning. Man City can stick the boot in at 11/10.

It was always going to be an uphill task for Watford to avoid
defeat at Stamford Bridge, but without Marlon King, it's like
climbing Mount Everest with Frank Lampard in your rucksack.
Chelsea will win, but there's no value to be found at a top priced 1/6.
Ashley 'I ain't working for no £55,000 a week' Cole believes that
referees are 'robbing' Chelsea. His autobiography retails at
£18.99; he definitely knows his subject matter. You can nick a
few quid off the bookies by covering a 2-0/3-0/4-0 win for
the champions at a much friendlier 6/4.

Aston Villa have only taken one point out of a possible fifteen
at Goodison Park in recent seasons, but that was under David
O'Leary, when they rolled over more than Andy Johnson. It's
a different ball game under Martin O'Neill; the draw looks a
great shout at 9/4.

I'm certainly not an economist, but I believe that the divide
between the north and the south has dramatically diminished.
A West Ham fan could only spare 2p to throw at Robin Van
Persie last week, yet an Everton supporter was more than
happy to clobber Claus Jensen with an inflation busting 50p
piece. Backing 'no goalscorer' at Goodison Park can increase
the wealth at 8/1.

Kanu believes that praying to a higher power has been a contributory
factor towards Portsmouth's superb start to the season.
Unfortunately, my own attempt at prayer proved much less
successful; she came home. Fulham have never won at Fratton
Park in the Premiership; back Pompey at a tambourine shaking 5/6.

Sheffield United v Bolton looks a tough match to call. The Blades
destroyed Newcastle at St James' last week, but Bolton are a far
tougher cookie. I'm edging towards Bolton at 6/4, but only because
Diouf is in excellent striking form.

Henri Camara must have a bad back, he's been carrying Emile
Heskey for three months. Camara netted a hat-trick as Wigan
destroyed Charlton 3-0 at the JJB last season, he'll lead a vastly
improved Wigan to another three points at 10/11.

Tottenham completed a double over Reading the last time they
were in the same league, although the more cynical amongst you
may question the relevance of form from the 1930's. Spurs can
land a royal knockout at 13/10.

A defeat at the hands of Southend was not the anniversary present
Sir Alex was hoping for; he had his fingers crossed for nose make-up.
United will get back on track at Blackburn; they're a confident call at
8/13.
Rio Ferdinand was sent off in this fixture last season, or as he would
put it, he got 'murked'. Like Rio, I know all the cool slang. Saha's
'the blaze', Scholes is 'sick' and Rooney is 'well phat'. I'm backing
Ronaldo at 15/2 to net the opener, it's totally emu.
This week's accer is so solid; Paul Gascoigne, Arsene Wenger and
El Hadji Diouf have all embraced pacifism as a direct result. Arsenal,
Wigan, Portsmouth and an Everton draw are the four beefcakes; the
payout is a burly 21/1.

Weekend Betting:
Man City v Newcastle Saturday 11th November 12:45 Live on Sky
Man City 11/10Draw 9/4Newcastle 11/4
Get on: Man City
Match Special: Samaras to score the first goal 7/1

Chelsea v Watford Saturday 11th November 15:00
Chelsea 1/6Draw 6/1Watford 22/1
Get on: Chelsea
Match Special: Chelsea to win 3-0 13/2

Everton v Aston Villa Saturday 11th November 15:00
Everton 11/10Draw 9/4Aston Villa 11/4
Get on: Draw
Match Special: Phil Neville to be booked 5/2

Middlesbrough v West Ham Saturday 11th November 15:00
Middlesbrough 6/5Draw 9/4West Ham 5/2
Get on: West Ham
Match Special: Harewood to score the only goal of the game 50/1

Portsmouth v Fulham Saturday 11th November 15:00
Portsmouth 5/6Draw 23/10Fulham 7/2
Get on: Portsmouth
Match Special: Portsmouth to win and keep a clean sheet 19/10

Sheff Utd v Bolton Saturday 11th November 15:00
Sheff Utd 19/10Draw 9/4Bolton 6/4
Get on: Bolton
Match Special: Bolton to win 1-0 7/1

Wigan v Charlton Saturday 11th November 15:00
Wigan 10/11Draw 9/4Charlton 3/1
Get on: Wigan
Match Special: Camara to score two or more goals 13/2

Blackburn v Man Utd Saturday 11th November 17:15 Live on Premiership Plus
Blackburn 11/2Draw 11/4Man Utd 8/13
Get on: Man Utd
Match Special: Ronaldo to score direct from a free kick 7/1

Reading v Tottenham Sunday 12th November 13:30 Live on Sky
Reading 11/5Draw 9/4Tottenham 13/10
Get on: Tottenham
Match Special: Tottenham to score three or more goals 9/2

Arsenal v Liverpool Sunday 12th November 16:00 Live on Sky
Arsenal 11/10Draw 9/4Liverpool 11/4
Get on: Arsenal
Match Special: Thierry Henry to score two or more goals 9/2