Roker Riches: Gunning For The Big Money

Wise Men Say is proving to be apt name indeed as podcast host Stephen Goldsmith lept to the top of the betting table by correctly predicting a 1-0 victory for Arsenal in the North London Derby the week before last. This netted him a tidy £38 pound profit for the week, leaving some gap between him and the rest of the pecking order.

It was slim pickings elsewhere, and I was the only other tipper to find profit, correctly guessing Reading would beat Yeovil. We might have had more luck elsewhere, but Nick Holden was on holiday in the United States, trying to find other people who believe Obama is the Antichrist. In the end he was turned away from all related groups as his views were considered 'too radical'. Anyway, onto this week's tips:

David Boyle

Well, with Arsenal heading to town, now complete with Mesut Ozil in tow, how do we approach the game from a betting perspective? I guess that depends on how you have assessed Sunderland's start to the season and if you're a glass half empty, or half full kind of guy. The optimist may suggest Sunderland could spring a surprise on an Arsenal side that has been hit by a number of injuries, or you may be the pessimist who still see's a side bursting with talent that should have too much for Di Canio's men.

Personally? I like the look of Olivier Giroud at 31/20 to score at anytime. The Frenchman has been in a rich vein of form for the Gunners and has managed a goal in each of his side's three games so far this season. With the likes of Podolski and Sanogo sidelined, it looks likely that Giroud will lead the line for the visitors and the majority of chances created by Arsenal may well fall at his feet.

Away from the Stadium of Light, I am going to head to the continent for my other bet this weekend, focusing on Serie A. The swashbuckling Fiorentina are my pick as they take on Cagliari this Sunday lunch time and I fancy the Viola side to win both halves in the half time/full time market.

• Olivier Giroud to score anytime - 31/20 - £3 Stake
• Fiorentina to win both halves - 11/10 - £3 Stake

Simon Walsh

My reign of terror appears to be over, but I have high hopes of winning it back this week with some cracking selections for you.

In the match up with Arsenal it's really difficult to see a Sunderland win coming... which is why I'm avoiding that like the plague. If I had my way I'd avoid this game entirely, however I have to pick something, so I'm going for this little gem -- Aaron Ramsey to score any time. He's in cracking form, and we're shite, so it makes sense at 5/1.

Elsewhere I'm going for an acca on Huddersfield, Sheffield Wednesday and my upset-special of the week, Stoke.

• Aaron Ramsey to score any time - 5/1 - £3 Stake
• Huddersfield Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City all to win - 21/1 - £2 Stake

Nick Holden

OK, I've not been approaching this with any kind of science or plan, and that's not going to change this week. I was tempted to go on the over/under goals market, but I'm torn on what to go for. My gut says there should be goals in this game, whereas previous encounters suggest it'll be a close one. So instead I'm going to go on anytime scorers; Ladbrokes are offering 9/4 on Steven Fletcher to score anytime. The Scotsman returned with a bang against Crystal Palace in our last game, and as he showed last season he's easily capable of putting a run of goals together. £5 on that one for me!

In a similar vein, I'm also going to throw down £3 at 5/1 on Erik Lamela bagging his first goal for Spurs to open the scoring when Norwich visit White Hart Lane on Saturday. The reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you've got a tricksy South American winger with a nose for goal and a love of dribbling past defenders? (Any winnings this week donated to anyone who spots the reference there...).

• Steven Fletcher to score anytime - 9/4 - £5 stake
• Erik Lamela first goalscorer - 5/1- £3 stake

Luke Bowley

The international break has come to a merciful end, and Sunderland can now look to start their season properly against an Arsenal side revitalised by the record signing of German star Mesut Ozil. It doesn't look all that promising does it. Ozil is an assist master, and with Oliver Giroud on such good form, you'd fancy the Frenchman to thrive. I'd expect him to get another this weekend.

Elsewhere Chelsea are at decent odds to beat Everton, who will be without new signing Romelu Lukaku and, that being the case, you have to wonder where their goals will come from. Mourinho is pretty adept at winning these types of games, so I'd fancy an away win.

• Giroud anytime goalscorer - 31/20 - £3 stake
• Chelsea to beat Everton - 23/17 - £4 stake

Stephen Goldsmith

For my first bet I'm going for a Sunderland win, more out of hope than anything. We often give Arsenal a good game and Di Canio reckon we'll be better in these games, so I'll give him my trust. For now.

Elsewhere, Stoke and Everton are tough places to go but I reckon Man City and Chelsea will both return to their cash piles with maximum points. I'll thrown in Man Utd as well. Seems like a freebie that one.

• Sunderland to beat Arsenal - 19/4 - £3 stake
• Man Utd/Chelsea/Man City treble - 4/1 - £5 stake