A Look Ahead To The Games That Matter, And Brads Midweek Bets

After booking their place at Wembley on Sunday, focus turns to the league, and a very tricky game at the Etihad Stadium, to face Manchester City.

   

Fellow contenders for 3rd and 4th spot are also in action on Wednesday, as Spurs take on Stoke City at White Hart Lane, and Arsenal face a tricky trip to Goodison Park to face Everton.

   

First, we have a look at the big game at the Etihad:

Man City are boosted by the return of Carlos Tevez, and Joe Hart believes he can be the catalyst to push the side to win their first Premier League crown.

   

Chelsea have their own battle, as their recent turn of form means that Champions League qualification is well within their reach, especially if they can grab points from the two games they face this week.

   

Fernando Torres looks certain to start after his double on the weekend, as he looked glowing with confidence after his first goal on Sunday, although replicating that against Manchester City is a very tall order.

   

I think the game has all the ingredients of a classic, but the visitors should be wary of Tevez’s return, as he has an impeccable goalscoring record against them.

  

Goals have not been of a shortage against the top sides this season, and I can see a similar situation on Wednesday, I am definitely backing the Overs market.

   

Over 2.5 goals – 4/5 – 10 points

Over 3.5 goals – 9/4 – 4 points

Over 4.5 goals – 11/2 – 2 points

   

Man City HT Draw FT – 14/1 – 2 points

   

Prediction: Man City 3 – 3 Chelsea

   

   

Tottenham will put Sundays issues to the back of their mind as they lock horns with Stoke City on Wednesday, looking to end a spell of 3 successive defeats in the league, although manager Harry Redknapp has insisted his side ‘will qualify’ for the Champions League, despite Arsenal and Chelsea hot on their heels.

   

Stoke we’re harshly beaten in their cup Quarter-Final versus Liverpool, but now turn attention to the league, where a win can take them from 14th to 8th, albeit with a 12 goal swing.

   

Despite a narrow loss against Chelsea in their previous league game, they did play the majority of the match with 10 men, and before that, they had won their previous two league games.

   

Stoke like to keep it tight, and Tottenhams dodgy defence could easily be caught out by former striker Peter Crouch, and Stokes awkward tactics.

   

I cant see Tottenham winning this easy, and although Stoke came through a heavy game on the weekend, I fancy a draw in this game. Although my favourite bets for the game are:

   

Stoke or Draw – 7/4 – 8 points

First Goal Method (Header) – 4/1 – 2 points

   

Prediction: Tottenham 1 – 1 Stoke 

   

   

After sneaking an injury time winner against Newcastle last time out, The Gunners are looking to make it six wins on the bounce, but will have their work cut out against an Everton side who have only lost once in their previous 8 games, and beat Tottenham at Goodison in their last home fixture.

   

They drew at the weekend, but only thanks to the heroics of the Sunderland goalkeeper, and Arsenals stopper might have to be at his best in midweek to stop Everton, and the recently signed Jelavic from Rangers.

   

Im backing the following on Wednesday:

   

Draw – 12/5 – 5 points

Over 2.5 goals – 1/1 – 5 points

   

Van Persie FGS – 15/4 – 4 points

Jelavic FGS – 13/2 – 2 points

Cahill to score any time – 12/5 – 5 points

   

Prediction: Everton 2 – 2 Arsenal

   

By Brad Smith