Bully’s Picks: Former England & Wolves striker Steve Bull predicts the weekend’s Premier League action

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    As a player Steve Bull had plenty to shout about, representing England whilst still a third Division striker and becoming Wolverhampton Wanderers’ all time leading goalscorer, to name just a few of his achievements. Now as a pundit and ambassador for Goal.com’s betting partner Sportingbet, ‘Bully’ will be having his say on the weekend’s action from the Premier League.

    Over to you Bully…

    Putting it in perspective

    It was sad to hear about the passing of Dean Richards last week. I knew him quite well and would consider him a friend of mine, although we lost contact once he went to Spurs. It’s a sad loss because at 36-years-old, that’s no age at all.

    I remember him as a gentle giant. He was a bit like me in the changing room as he could be very quiet, but once he got out on the field he made himself known. He was a great professional and a great bloke.

    I moan and groan like anyone at times but when you see things like that in life, it makes you realise you have to get on with it. It certainly puts a relegation battle in perspective.

    Good luck this weekend,

    Steve Bull

    On Birmingham’s shock League Cup triumph…

    I predicted this game would be a walkover for Arsenal so was surprised to see Birmingham take the game to them. It could have gone either way to be honest but it’s nice to see them win it, even as Wolves’ Midlands rivals.

    I’d have been in the dressing room giving someone an earful after that mistake in the Arsenal defence and I think it’d be the centre-half to be fair. If he’s pulled his leg back to clear that ball, he should follow through and take the goalkeeper’s head off if he has to!

    On big wins for Wolves and Chelsea…

    I thought the writing was on the wall before Manchester United lost to Chelsea, because it’s not a straight forward feat for Man United to win this title. There’s going to be twists and turns before the end and that result puts Arsenal right back in it.

    Wolves’ 4-0 win over Blackpool was equally important but I can tell it like it is – I’ve seen us play better this season and lose! It was a professional performance and although I wasn’t sure if the sending off would help us or not, the lads took the game by the scruff of the neck.

    Birmingham 2-1 West Brom
    Birmingham will be on a high after winning the Carling Cup last weekend but Alex McLeish knows they need to stay in the Premier League as well to make it a successful season. I’m expecting Blues to come out on top in this Midlands derby though, with Sebastian Larsson (14/1) scoring first in a 2-1 win (8/1).

    Arsenal 4-0 Sunderland
    Arsene Wenger will be looking for a response from his team after last Sunday and despite plenty of injuries, I think he’ll get it with a comfortable win against Sunderland. Nicklas Bendtner scored a hat-trick midweek and his hot streak can continue with the opener in this one, which is priced at 100/30, as the Gunners cruise home 4-0 to return 18/1 on your money.

    Bolton 2-2 Aston Villa
    This could be quite an entertaining game at the Reebok as Aston Villa have certainly been better at attacking than defending recently. Bolton should be able to get at least a couple of goals so I’m backing a 2-2 draw at 14/1 and Kevin Davies to get back in amongst it with an any time strike at 2/1.

    Fulham 1-0 Blackburn
    Every week I seem to pick out a Billy boring match and this one gets the nod this time. You can’t expect much from the game – or poor travellers Blackburn – but at least you can look forward to a little profit from a bet on Clint Dempsey to score first (5/1) in a 1-0 home victory (9/2).

    Newcastle 0-2 Everton
    Everton have been inconsistent all season so having crashed out the FA Cup at home to Reading in the week – and undone all their hard work in beating Chelsea – it would be typical of them to win at Newcastle. That’s why my money will be on a 2-0 win for the Toffees at 12/1, with Jermaine Beckford finding the net again at any time, priced 9/5.

    West Ham 1-3 Stoke
    The Hammers had a good month in February but I think they’ll come back to earth in March, with Stoke set to outmuscle them at Upton Park on Saturday. Just to cap it off I think Carlton Cole will give them the lead (6/1 first goal), only for them to end up losing 3-1 (28/1) to the visiting Potters.

    Man City 3-0 Wigan
    There haven’t been many foregone conclusions this season but I just can’t see Wigan getting anything at City on Saturday teatime. It’s tough to predict the City line-up these days so I’m going for City to lead at both half-time and full-time in the Double Result market at 17/20, with the 8/1 for a 3-0 final scoreline looking good value.

    Liverpool 2-1 Man United
    If you thought Chelsea beating United put the cat amongst the pigeons then I’m predicting more heartache for the Red Devils this weekend as Liverpool hand Sir Alex a second straight defeat. I’m expecting drama at Anfield too, so how about Wayne Rooney to score first at 5/1 but Liverpool to come back – just like Chelsea did – to win 2-1 (9/1).

    Wolves 1-1 Tottenham
    Wolves have been in great form against the big guns this season, especially at Molineux, but I’d be delighted to get even a point against Spurs on Sunday afternoon. They’re a dangerous opponent but I think Mick and the lads can grind out another point, with 5/1 for 1-1 and 11/2. My best bets for David Edwards to get on the scoresheet is my best bets for the game.

    Blackpool 1-3 Chelsea
    Blackpool were poor last weekend and while they’ve pulled off plenty of shocks this season, there’s only going to be one winner at Bloomfield Road on Monday night. Beating Man United should inspire Chelsea to kick on so I’m backing them at 9/1 for a 3-1 victory, with Frank Lampard a decent bet to get amongst the goals again at 7/2.

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    Bully’s Picks: Former England & Wolves striker Steve Bull predicts the weekend’s Premier League action