Premier League Weekend

If you backed Fulham to beat Arsenal after an opening day loss to Hull, then you are probably better off as a clairvoyant than a punter. Alternatively, you must be a filthy liar, because not even the most brilliant football bettor could have seen that coming. Safe to say that some of the betting on offer has been a bit of a minefield so far this season, so we'll look to keep our betting to a minimum until results become more conducive to our style of betting.

Blackburn travel to East London to face West Ham, who have traditionally not been their favourite opponents. Paul Ince's new side have remarkably lost nine matches in a row at Upton Park, but I am reluctant to back the Hammers after some very indifferent form early on. Instead, I'm looking towards the goals markets, as I fancy there could be plenty. Nine of the last ten meetings between the two sides have finished as over 2.5 goals, and their combined four matches so far this season have seen a total of 13 goals. With the likes of Dean Ashton and Roque Santa Cruz on show, this remarkable trend of goals will surely continue, and I'm happy to jump on board over 2.5 goals at odds-against.

Alarm bells must be ringing at Spurs, with Dimitar Berbatov throwing his toys out of the pram and failing to cover himself in glory as he desperately looks to seal his transfer to Manchester United within the next couple of days. Worryingly, Spurs have lost their opening games to mid-table sides in Sunderland and Middlesbrough, and their defence looks as leaky as ever. Whereas they were once blessed with an embarrassment of riches up front with Keane, Berbatov, Defoe and Bent, Spurs barely have one passable striker at this level in Darren Bent. The imminent arrival of Roman Pavlyuchenko may give them a boost, but they are lightweight all over the park. Chelsea looked to take their foot off the gas against a plucky Wigan last week, but with their formidable record at Stamford Bridge, I am confident that they can take full advantage of a leaky Tottenham defence.

NJ's Bets:

West Ham/Blackburn over 2.5 goals - 2pts @ 2.18 (Betfair )

Chelsea to beat Spurs -1.5AH - 2pts @ 2.23 (PaddyPower)