Roker Riches: Chelsea vs Sunderland - Our Betting Picks

Week Thirty-One Recap

Yet another stellar week for Luke as he mounts an impressive charge of late to claiming the top tipster award for this season, last week correctly predicting (as did Karl) a Manchester United win and cleansheet whilst also bolstering his returns with a Juventus victory.

I was able to add a few bob to my tally with my Dimitar Berbatov first goal scorer punt on Bank Holiday Monday as Fulham saw off Queens Park Rangers.

Onto this week's picks:

David Boyle

Its been a whirlwind-week since Saturday lunchtime's inevitable defeat at the hands of the soon-to-be-champions Manchester United and the arrival of Paolo Di Canio has added an extra dimension to picking an angle for this weekend's trip to Stamford Bridge. Will Sunderland benefit from the usual lift that comes with a new manager? Will Chelsea improve their bid to improve upon their current fourth place position? I'm going to stay away from picking a winner and will instead hope there are goals with my over 2.5 goals pick.

Elsewhere I am going to keep the overs bandwagon rolling into Monday night's Manchester derby and back over 3.5 goals.

• Chelsea vs Sunderland, over 2.5 goals - 3/4 - £5 Stake
• Manchester United vs Manchester City - 21/10 - £5 Stake

Luke Bowley

After the craziness of the last few days it's time to see what Sunderland under Di Canio are made of. The team look like they've given up in recent weeks, and if anyone can restore their fight its the Italian. While we wouldn't normally be expecting anything from a trip to Stamford Bridge, with a new manager, and with this game being sandwiched between Chelsea's Europa League ties, the away side could very easily get something from this one. Hopefully we'll show a greater attacking threat than in recent weeks, which is why I'm putting money on both teams to score.

Elsewhere, I'm predicting a win for Brighton at home to Leicester in the Championship. Neither side are in good form, but Leicester look in free-fall at the moment, and are on the verge of getting rid of manager Nigel Pearson. I would therefore expect Brighton to get the win that will boost their chances of reaching the play-offs.

• Chelsea vs Sunderland, both teams to score - 6/5 - £5 stake
• Brighton to beat Leicester - 13/8 - £5 stake

Simon Walsh

Well things can't get much worse for me so I might as well plod on in hope a victory will see me shoot up our little league table.

For all I expect Paolo Di Canio to come in and inspire us a little, I think Chelsea are still too strong for us so a narrow defeat might be the best option from a betting perspective, as much as I hope it doesn't happen in real life.

In the rest of the league I'm looking at Stoke City turning things around against Aston Villa, Charlton to overcome a rudderless Leeds United and like Luke, I fancy Brighton to beat Leicester.

• Chelsea to win and under 2.5 goals scored - 5/2 - £5 Stake
• Stoke, Charlton and Brighton all to win - 12/1 - £5 Stake

Craig Clark

I'm going to get optimistic. Chelsea will be playing their 4th game in 8 days when they meet us and Rafa has a tendency to focus on cups. He's a trophy collector after all. With Di Canio no doubt pushing our under performing lot in training this week, I think they'll be good enough for at least a draw.

Elsewhere I'm going for Italy's top 2 to win comfortable looking home games and Sociedad and Catania to continue their impressive seasons with victories.

• Sunderland to draw or win - 12/5 - £10 Stake
• Napoli, Catania, Juventus and Real Sociedad to win - 5/1- £5 Stake

Karl Jones

Even with the 'response' that Paolo Di Canio's appointment will incite from Sunderland, Chelsea will still fancy themselves to win at home, and the first goalscorer market is where I'll be looking this weekend.

Juan Mata has 18 goals in all competitions this season, so he's a pretty safe option, what with Sunderland's inability to deal with players who flitter between the preconceived lines of defence and midfield.

Elsewhere, four away teams have taken my fancy. Southampton may have won just twice on the road all season, but have steadily improved on their travels - losing just two of six on the road in 2013, one of which being at Old Trafford where they took the lead. Their last two results (home wins against Liverpool and Chelsea) should provide all the confidence needed to improve their record away from St. Mary's.

Manchester United may have cantered to another league title, but I still have reservations about their central midfield (for the level they are operating at). Yaya Toure and David Silva have proven troublesome for United in the past, and the 5/2 price for City is worth a little look in its own right.

To round off this much-traveled multiple, Peterborough (who foiled my bet last time out) remain in the bottom three in the Championship but are now unbeaten in seven. The momentum should be with the Posh. Finally, in League Two, Morecambe have just won once in nine games and face a Rotherham team looking to get back on track with their promotion push.

• Juan Mata To Score First - 5/1 - £5 Stake
• Southampton, Man City, Peterborough & Rotherham all to win - 11/1 - £5 Stake

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