Again, Portsmouth provide punters with great value!

The match of the round pits the high-flying Everton with the working class ethic against the enigmatic Portsmouth, who's sublime and skillful displays have proved a fatal attraction to many teams this season. The match will be played at Fratton Park where Portsmouth holds an undefeated record this season with two wins, and four draws.

Pompey has sprung towards the top of the table largely on their impressive away form, showing tenacity and panache previously thought unattainable. They have been a punters dream, often winning with value over their head as Harry Redknapp masterminds their assault on the top four. They have the early Golden Boot leader in Benjani who has been on fire early, scoring eight goals and hoping to leave a lasting impression on the Portsmouth faithful before he leaves to the African Cup later this year. An interesting fact between the two clubs is that there has not been a draw between in a league fixture since 1937.

Everton fans were ecstatic last week as they destroyed a demoralized Sunderland on their way to a 7-1 win at Goodison Park. Everton have been a lucky team this year, bearing the highest amount of goals in stoppage time (five) to show they have all the hallmarks of a side that is committed to the end. Yakubu is Everton's highest scorer with six overall, and five in the league and he will be facing his former club, where he spent over two years in a period he is sure to fondly remember.

Portsmouth has never given me a reason to doubt them this campaign, but this will be a torrid affair with former and current staff at the club being investigated for fraudulent activities. If they can bury the dogged Evertonions, it would go a long way in many punters minds that they are the real deal. I would take the odds of $2.15 on offer at Sportsbet Australia

The other match of value this week, has the Citizens of Manchester taking on Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium with victory assuring City of second place, at least until Monday when the Red devils take on Fulham.

A last gasp stoppage time pearler from the mercurial Steven Ireland had sent the blue half of Manchester into 7th Heaven; however they will need to be on their game again this week. The star of the team Elano; has a mild hamstring injury that he aggravated last week, and will miss this week. This will potentially see fan favorite Geovanni given the start. Martin Petrov will need to pick up the slack as he shares the goal-scoring leader-board with four league goals, and hard working Emile Mpenza should return after shaking off a knock from last weekend, perhaps being partnered with the talented but often misguided Georgios Samaras.

Steve Bruce takes the reigns of his new club for the first time this weekend, hoping to end the longest losing streak this season in the EPL of eight games, and eleven without a win. He would have preferred to have taken an easier assignment first up, coming against the club with the second most wins all up this season (nine), pitted against his Wigan which has the second fewest (two). He will be heavily relying on the French midfielder Antoine Sibierski who has three goals this season, along with Marcus Bent who shares top honors with Antoine this season

Wigan has given absolutely no reason for punters to back them, and the juicy odds for the dazzling Manchester City away for home are too hard to resist. I would take the $2.30 for the Citizens and hope the departure of Elano does not have a great effect.

• 
• 
• Email to a friend
• Print