International punts
Updated: Nov. 20, 2009, 9:00 AM ET
So Liverpool really have to win this Saturday to even stand a chance and that, from a punting point of view, is crucial. Liverpool have made a habit over the decades, and in particular under Benitez, of pulling out a result when they have needed it. They did it against Manchester United a few weeks ago and City are no United - not yet, anyway.
Bet 365 make Liverpool 1.90 to get the win they need and I make that the bet of the weekend. The horrendous injury crisis appears to be easing and, with Steven Gerrard back, they look more like the side that finished second last term than the one foundering in seventh this time.
City have hardly been firing in the goals recently and, though they possess plenty of threats, keeping Liverpool out is likely to be tough, especially at Anfield, where I expect the home fans to really ramp up the volume. Liverpool are always strong at home so get on them now.
It will be interesting to see how Arsenal are affected by the absence of Robin van Persie as they travel to Sunderland on Saturday afternoon. Cesc Fabregas and Andrei Arshavin tend to get most of the plaudits but, if you look back through the Gunners' results over the past few seasons, they are far more effective when Van Persie is fit and firing. He is a classy player who would be missed by anyone, which makes this match interesting.
In theory, Arsenal will outplay them with relative ease but I fancy Sunderland to cause another upset. Darren Bent's prolific form will frighten the life out of Arsenal, even though he is without strike-partner Kenwyne Jones, and as a team they are more than decent, especially at home, where they have won four and lost just one of their six matches.
Arshavin may also be affected by Russia's failure to qualify for the World Cup so, for the weekend punt, try Sunderland to nick it at 6.0.
For the weekend treble, let's start at Hull where it seems one bad result will cost Phil Brown his job. It's ridiculously harsh but that also puts horrible pressure on a team and they could come unstuck when they host West Ham United.
For me, West Ham are underachieving at the moment when you examine the way they have been playing. A win like this would put them clear of the relegation zone and that's an awfully nice carrot to play for, so take them to win this one at 2.50.
Burnley play attractive football but their unbeaten home record is gone and they could well suffer another home loss when Aston Villa come to town. There are few better sides on the counter-attack than Villa, thanks in no small part to their abundant pace, and at 2.20 they are decent value to pinch another three points.
To complete it, let's go for a hard-fought draw in the Bolton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers match at the Reebok. This won't be pretty and there won't be many, if any, goals in it, so take the draw at 3.30.
A successful treble on those three would bring in a whopping 17 times your stake. Good luck!
Cambers' calls
Bet of the weekend - Liverpool to beat Manchester City - 1.91 at Bet 365
Weekend punt - Sunderland to beat Arsenal - 6.0 at Bet 365
Weekend treble - West Ham and Aston Villa to win, Bolton and Blackburn draw - 18.0 at Bet 365
The Premier League returns and our "experts" are making their predictions ahead of another action-packed weekend.
• Robin Hackett: Two successive wins see Robin move up to second after failing with his opening bet. He thinks there will be fewer than 2.5 goals at the KC Stadium on Saturday as Hull host West Ham, with Bet 365 offering odds of 1.75.
• Tom Adams: Back to winning ways, albeit only just, after backing Russia at a meagre 1.36 to beat Slovenia, Tom is now looking to claw his way back into the black as he thinks Wigan can pick up a draw at Spurs. That's on at 4.33 with Bet 365.
• Mark Lomas: Currently bottom of the table, Mark is taking a creative route to success this week as he believes there'll be fewer than 11 corners when Manchester United host Everton on Saturday evening. The odds are 2.10 with Bet 365.
• Jon Carter: Not far below Mark, JC is defying the advice of our tipster and expects Manchester City to hold on for a sixth successive draw in the league when they head to Liverpool. Bet 365 have odds of 3.40.
• Dominic Raynor: Dom's still in the money despite tipping Bahrain to go to the World Cup ahead of New Zealand, and he could see his bank balance to take a healthy boost if Sunderland beat Arsenal this weekend. Bet 365 have odds of 6.00 on that outcome.
• John Brewin:Liverpool need a win against City on Saturday and Steven Gerrard is set to return. Our editor believes the Liverpool skipper will score first, with odds of 6.50 with Bet 365's.
• Brett Taylor: Our Aussie editor is expecting to see Arsenal suffer a hangover following the international break but believes Darren Bent will have recovered from his efforts against Brazil in Qatar. He's backing the former Spurs man to score first against the Gunners, getting odds of 7.50 with Bet 365.
• Dale Johnson: Having expected Ireland to hang on for a 0-0 draw against France at Croke Park, Dale is looking to return to winning ways as he predicts Portsmouth will continue to struggle. He reckons Stoke will beat them 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium, which is on at 7.00 with Bet 365.
Current standings:
1. Dale Johnson: £140
2. Robin Hackett: £27.75
3. Dom Raynor: £11.00
4. John Brewin: -£11.50
5. Tom Adams: -£13.70
6. Brett Taylor -£31.50
7. Jon Carter: -£35.20
8. Mark Lomas: -£45.00
• All odds subject to change, please check individual websites for latest odds
