West Ham v Arsenal
Premier League – 12.30 pm
SkySports
Let’s kick off the best bets of the day for Saturday with a visit to the EPL. West Ham went on a tear of a four-match winning streak through December, but they have slipped back a gear. The Hammers have won one of their last four played now in the Premier League (D1 L2). They have home form of W4 D2 L5 this season so it’s been hit and miss with them. They have lost four of their six home games against current top half of the table sides. But I, like many will be thinking, yeah, but what about Arsenal’s defence?
The Gunners have no clean sheet on the road this season (posting a W4 D3 L3 record). They haven’t take a win in their last four EPL away games, losing two of the last three. So there’s that. Despite that Arsenal are the even-money favourite with leading bookmakers for this game. They did beat West Ham earlier in the season and are unbeaten in their last four away games against them. The Gunners certainly have the scoring power to produce a win (averaging over two goals per away game) but can their defence hold it together?
Leinster v Toulouse
European Champions Cup Rugby – 1.00 pm
Channel 4
It is a huge afternoon in the European Champions Cup pool stage on Saturday. In Pool 1 there is a top two clash between Toulouse and Leinster going down. This is matchday five, with one to play after this, so it is really at the point of no return. Leinster trail leaders Toulouse by two points only. I am so looking forward to this one because the first meeting between them didn’t fail to live up to the hype. Toulouse sneaked a 28-27 win thanks to a converted try twelve minutes from time.
Leinster though got a bonus point for their efforts. Can the Irish side land a win to put them in the driving seat going into matchday six? Given that they have destroyed Wasps and Bath at the RDS Arena in the group (52-3 and 42-15 respectively) they are in a way, justifiable odds-on favourites. Toulouse are backed at a +11 handicap for 10/11 odds with leading bookmakers.
Montpellier v Newcastle
European Champions Cup Rugby – 1.00 pm
Channel 4
I’m sticking with the rugby for the best bets of the day once again, as there could be a thriller out at the ltrade Stadium. Newcastle head to Montpellier in a big Pool 5 clash. This is sort of the last-chance saloon for both of these in the race to get out of the pool. The group leaders are Edinburgh who hold a four-point gap at the top and the powerful Scottish side are likely to seal the group win. But the door isn’t closed for either of these. Whoever gets the win in this one controls second place. Newcastle trail second-placed Montpellier by three points.
Newcastle took a win in France on matchday one, grinding out a one-point win over Toulon. They then beat Montpellier back at Kingston Park thanks to a try in the 88th minute. That’s drama for you. After back to back heavy losses against Edinburgh their challenge has fallen away. An underdog win in this would revive hopes. However, the bookies have Newcastle at a massive +16 handicap. Why? Montpellier have won their two home games and yes, that includes knocking down Edinburgh.
Chelsea v Newcastle
Premier League – 5.30
Sky Sports
Chelsea are holding well in their fight for a top-four finish in the Premier League this season. At home this campaign they have remained unbeaten in four games against current top-six sides. They have only suffered the one loss all term at Stamford Bridge. That was a shock 1-0 loss against Leicester just before Christmas. There has been a hint of a problem for them though. Chelsea have failed to score in three of their last four league games. They haven’t netted in their last two EPL games at Stamford Bridge.
Will they be able to find a way to break down Newcastle? The Magpies are huge 12/1 underdogs to win the match across the top bookmakers, in opposition to the 2/9 favouritism of the Blues. Newcastle have had a tough season but they have only lost one of their last six away games in the top flight. The chance of them actually landing the win, on paper, does look slim. But will they be able to come up with a defensive plan to stop the Blues who aren’t exactly firing on all cylinders in front of goal? This should be very interesting.
Millwall v Blackburn
Championship – 5.30 pm
Sky Sports
Millwall deserve a huge pat on the back for the way they have started to shrug off the threats of relegation. They have stormed their way to a three-match winning streak in the second tier after edging bottom side Ipswich on New Year’s Day. The Lions have only lost one of their last eight games at The Den in the Championship as well, winning their last two there by a 1-0 scoreline. Can they edge out Rovers?
The Lions are even money value at the leading bookmakers to land three points. Blackburn have not been in the greatest form, losing three of their last four away games (D1). However, they blew off all of their poor form on January 1st to beat top-four side West Brom. After holding Premier league side Newcastle to a draw in the FA Cup on the weekend, their confidence has to be growing a bit.
