by Tom Allen
The Premier League's big guns made their intentions clear on opening weekend
but both Birmingham and Blackburn will have taken plenty of positives from their
first matches of the new season too and the pair meet on Saturday.
Everton were tipped by many, including myself, to flourish this term and
therefore it was a surprise when David Moyes' side came unstuck at Ewood Park
last weekend. Blackburn were impressive, however, triumphing 1-0, and now face a
Birmingham side that managed to salvage a point, when looked beaten, seven days
ago.
Birmingham rallied from two goals down at the Stadium of Light to earn a
share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw but they were easily second best until
Sunderland's Lee Cattermole was shown a second yellow card and the midfielder's
dismissal clearly handed City the momentum they needed to claw their way back
into the game.
Liam Ridgwell's last minute equaliser was, perhaps, in the end deserved but I
find it hard to ignore just how poorly Alex McLeish's men performed when 22
players were on the field and Blues will have no easy task on Saturday.
Birmingham impressed many last season with their efforts, particularly at St
Andrews, but a quick look at their results show they won less than half their
fixtures in front of their own fans and Blackburn will fancy their chances of
leaving the Midlands still undefeated.
Just six of Birmingham's 19 games on home soil featured three goals or more
and, with that in mind, Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce will no doubt set up his
side to frustrate.
Birmingham are clearly more effective when the onus is on their opponents to
take the game to them but, that approach can only be successful for so long, and
Blackburn look well equipped to cope.
Buoyed by that opening success over the Toffees, I'm confident Blackburn will
get something from the game and the 65/100 with Ladbrokes about them and the
draw in the double chance market appeals.
Opening weekend saw a number of the fancied runners face off, Liverpool
impressed me against Arsenal, denied only when a rare, late Pepe Reina blunder
gifted the Gunners a point, and the pick of the games in round two sees the Reds
visit big-spending Manchester City.
Quite how City, despite all their summer spending, escaped North London with
a point last Saturday lunchtime will be beyond anybody who watched their clash
with Spurs but they should be much more comfortable back at Eastlands and Monday
night's match is one to savour.
Tottenham pounded Roberto Mancini's side for 45 minutes but were unable to
find a breakthrough and Liverpool will hope that England goalkeeper Joe Hart is
not in the same fantastic form that single-handedly won his club side a point.
No bigger than 11/8 to inflict Roy Hodgson's first defeat as Liverpool
manager, I couldn't be getting involved at such cramped odds and another
stalemate beckons for the pair.
Elsewhere, Manchester United face a tricky Sunday afternoon assignment at
Craven Cottage, but are a best-priced 8/13 with
Victor Chandler to follow up their excellent win over Newcastle with three
more points at against Fulham, while Chelsea should breeze to victory over
Wigan.
The hosts at the DW Stadium are 14/1 with Bet 365 to cause an upset and it's
hard to remember any Premier League home side being available at such inflated
odds in recent seasons.
That said, Wigan were humiliated 4-0 in front of their own fans by new boys
Blackpool first time out and it will take a huge effort from Roberto Martinez
and his players to avoid anything other than a comprehensive defeat.
2pts Back Blackburn-Draw Double Result (vs. Birmingham) @ 65/100 (Ladbrokes)
