Everton to sink and Murray to soar?

West Brom, unlike their midland rivals, showed encouraging signs and I believe they will stay up. This weekend they host Everton and look overpriced at 2/1 to beat the depleted Merseysiders.

The Baggies have strengthened their squad in pre-season, mainly with the signing of England international goalkeeper Scott Carson.

Last week they tried to avoid defeat at Arsenal by playing just one up front, but expect a more attacking line-up against the Toffees.

In their last 15 home matches they have only lost once, scoring 45 goals, and that gung-ho approach could unhinge Everton.

I predict Everton will struggle this season and they have been the subject of a few wagers at 33/1 for relegation this campaign.

Last season the secret of their success was the defence and early signs from Goodison suggest all is not right. Manager David Moyes has been frustrated by the lack of funds at and he is sorely missing Tim Cahill’s goals from midfield. Moyes has been heavily backed at 8/1 to be the first manager to leave his position and if funds aren’t released quick he could be off.

In the last Premier League outing between the two, in 2005, West Brom beat an Everton side which finished fourth in the table 4-0. I don’t expect a similar score-line but I do expect another home win.
The final tennis Grand Slam gets under way on Monday with the start of the US Open at Flushing Meadow in New York.

Rafael Nadal, who has already walked away with the Stella Artois Championship, Wimbledon and the Olympic title in a fantastic season, goes in as tournament favourite at 7/4 and officially the world’s top player.

It’s incredible to think that Roger Federer is as big as 10/3 and that he could end the season Grand Slamless.

But the man to be on in the Big Apple is Andy Murray at 16/1. Murray has had the best season of his young career and the courts at Flushing Meadow will suit his game.

He has already beaten Federer and Novak Djokovic (twice) this season, most recently in the final of the Masters series in Cincinnati.

It’s very hard to have a serious bet on any tennis player without seeing the draw on Friday, but if Murray is in the opposite half to Nadal he represents a fantastic each-way bet.

RUNNING TOTAL +£140

RECOMMENDED BETS
£25 West Brom to beat Everton @ 2/1
£15 each/way Andy Murray @ 16/1