Weekend Action

After the last two selections the blog bankroll is back down to £1081.72.

I wasn't displeased with the last two selections in retrospect. The injuries to the Ajax defence had a bigger impact than expected and the Braga sending off after sixteen minutes changed the dynamic of that game. However, Braga acquitted themselves admirably and saved the Asian Handicap pick by finding the equaliser!

Weekend Action

Big Bucks

Firstly, thoughts on the unbeaten Big Bucks, running at 2.30pm Ascot this afternoon. A slight drift this week from 1/4 to a general 30/100 or 1/3.

This is the first time he will be travelling right handed, some horses don't take to a certain direction over another. However, i'm sure the yard will have given him the necessary schooling. I won't be a backer or layer at the current price but I will certainly be watching with excitement. Big Bucks could well be remembered as one of the greatest horses of all time and is always a pleasure to watch him run.

Premier League

There are a few injuries and doubtful starters at this stage across a number of premiership matches. This heightens the importance of waiting before placing your bets.

However, there is one pick that I am confidently posting.

Man City vs Arsenal

This game arrives at an interesting time for both teams. Man City are coming off the back of their first defeat of the season as well as their exit from the Champions League. Arsenal on the other hand have found some form after their slow start and are currently nine games unbeaten.

Man City

The return of Micah Richards is a huge boost for City. Despite all their spending, Richards has been one of their most effective players and Mancini will welcome him back into the line up.

They started the game at Chelsea brightly and really should have had the result sewn up after thirty minutes. However, what surprised me most about the game was Mancini's approach after the sending off. Taking Aguero and then Silva out of the game surely signalled to his team that he wanting them to have no intention of nicking a goal on the break and to just see out the 1-1. With a Chelsea defence as susceptible to mistakes as it has been, I didnt think these substitutions were the most tactically sound.

Sunday's game will be a different story though. Back at the Etihad, City will look to immediately bounce back to winning ways by going on the offensive. Only the suspended Clichy keeps Mancini from putting out what could be described as a first eleven.

Arsenal

They have shown fantastic heart in recent weeks to grind out results that, at the start of the season, seemed like they were a world away.

The continued goalscoring form of Van Persie, the step up to "world class" statue of Alex Song and the return of Vermaelen has created a brilliant spine for Wenger to build upon. However, they come up against City without the use of a first team full back. This will drag Vermaelen out to left back and thus break up that spine on which their recent success has been built.

With this in mind, I struggle to see how Arsenal will be able to cope with the flowing attacks of City on their home turf.

I don't see a lot of value in the goal markets, but there is still value in the match result as i would have them nearer to 1/2.

Selection

4 point win Manchester City @ 3/4 at V.C