ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE OPENING WEEKEND BETTING TIPS

The long hard Saturdays and Sundays are finally finished and we've got plenty of Premier League action for another 10 months or so, followed by a World Cup. I've got a feeling that the 2009/10 period is going to be a stellar one for the football fan. There isn't any exceptionally juicy encounters this weekend in the Premier League, but I actually think that makes it a bit more exciting. I think that a lot of the smaller teams, for the most part, may be sensing that they can take something from one of their games. I think even Birmingham may believe it's a good time to play Man United. You can back a big four accumulator over Saturday and Sunday and actually grab some decent odds. A Chelsea x Man U x Arsenal x Liverpool accumulator will pay out at around 13/2. United and Chelsea are both strong favourites, with Liverpool and Arsenal well-priced at 13/10. I think Liverpool should do the business over Spurs, but that one could very well end in a draw if Spurs get their tactics right. Arsenal/Everton will not be a walk in the park and I'm actually quite intrigued by Everton's price of 11/5- I feel that's solid value for money. I think the only locks for the weekend are Stoke and Manchester United. All the other ones I feel are wide open. You may even want to have a punt on Hull City at 20/1, they did start strongly last year and Jozy Altidore is an unknown quantity in the Premier League who may be able to spring a few surprises. Chelsea should be able to pound Hull 5-0, but I just get a feeling that Phil Brown has something up his sleeve other than a headset from 1998. Liverpool should beat Spurs, but I need to see them play without Alonso before I go putting any serious money on them. Arsenal can struggle against Everton and need to score early to have any chance of winning at Goodison Park. A 1-1 is probably your tip there. I'm backing Fulham to beat Portsmouth in a bit of a dull one. I think West Ham should beat Wolves, but if any of the promoted sides are going to win, I would give them the tip, mostly because they're at home and I think they could turn Molineux into a bit of a fortress this year. They will need to score a few to beat out West Ham though. If Wolves score 2, they'll take this one. I like Sunderland to beat Bolton, I think the Black Cats have made the right signings and I get the feeling all isn't well at Bolton. The Big Four Accumulator: Man U x Arsenal x Chelsea x Liverpool @ 13/2The Upset Accumulator: Hull City x Blackburn x Sunderland @ 235/1The Draw Ticket: Everton/Arsenal x Aston Villa/Wigan x Tottenham/Liverpool @ 34/1The Pick Six: Chelsea x Sunderland x Fulham x Stoke x Wolves x Man U @ 60/1