Paddy Power will be refunding losing bets on selected markets if any of this weekend’s top tier English matches finish all square

This weekend’s Premier League action will start with a bang as Tottenham and Chelsea clash at White Hart Lane in Saturday’s early game. Andre Villas-Boas’ side have been in fine form and currently sit in second place after claiming 12 points from their opening five fixtures.

Chelsea aren’t far behind in fourth and Jose Mourinho’s men are made the marginal outsiders by Paddy Power, priced at 17/10 (2.70) with Spurs available to back at 13/8 (2.62) to claim their fifth consecutive win at home in all competitions. The draw is available to back at 9/4 (3.25) with the same firm.

All of Tottenham’s victories at White Hart Lane this season have been to nil, an outcome that’s priced at 7/2 (4.5) which shows just how much of a step up the bookmakers believe this is for the north London club, albeit Chelsea have yet to score away from home in their two Premier League games on the road this season and suffered a 1-0 loss to Everton in thier last outing.

If any match ends as a draw this weekend then Paddy Power will refund losing first/last goalscorer bets, correct score and scorecast bets on that particular match.

Manchester City will look to close the gap to Arsenal and Spurs as they take on Aston Villa and Manuel Pellegrini’s side are chalked up as 1/2 (1.50) favourites to get the better of thier hosts after recording convincing victories over Manchester United (4-1) in the league and Wigan (5-0) in the Capital One Cup. Villa are 6/1 (7.0) shots to claim three points.

Arsenal will have to wait until 5:30pm on Saturday to try and extend their impressive run of form which now means they’ve tasted victory in every away game since they beat Bayern Munich back in March, a run which now spans 13 games, not including their penalty victory over West Brom in Wednesday’s Capital One Cup tie.

Sunday sees Liverpool as 4/6 (1.67) favourites to overcome Sunderland who will be under the stewardship of caretaker boss Kevin Ball following the departure of Paolo Di Canio. The home side are 9/2 (5.50) to record their first victory of the Premier League campaign.

The final game for this offer sees Everton as firm 8/13 (1.57) favourites as they welcome Newcastle to Goodison Park with Alan Pardew’s men still smarting from a 3-2 defeat to Hull last week, a game in which they led twice only to lose to the battling visitors.

Despite a win over Leeds United in midweek, the visitors are 5/1 (6.0) to record a victory, although they are now on a run of four wins from five games in all competitions. The draw is available at 11/4 (3.75).

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Reds chief Ian Ayre believes the Uruguayan’s actions over the past year have hurt the club, but is pleased to see him back on the pitch

Liverpool’s managing director Ian Ayre admits Luis Suarez’s behaviour has damaged the club’s brand.

Suarez returned to action on Wednesday in Liverpool’s Capital One Cup defeat to Manchester United – his first competitive appearance for the Reds since he was handed a 10-match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic.

In 2011, the controversial Uruguayan was handed an eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra, actions that Ayre says have hurt the club’s global standing.

“It was damaging to the brand but this club is bigger than one player. Luis is a street fighter and we had to deal with it,” Ayre told reporters.

“We’ve worked a lot with him since the Ivanovic incident and he’s back to what he’s best at – terrorising defenders.”

Whilst remaining positive about Suarez’s future with the Merseyside outfit, Ayre insists that there are plans in place should any similar incidents occur.

“We all move on together. Hard work and lessons have been learnt post-Evra and we now have a process in place for any crisis. Not a Suarez crisis, just any one,” he added.

Liverpool’s managing director also revealed progress is being made with the redevelopment of Anfield.

“Our ambition is to stay at Anfield, and we’re about 90 per cent down the road in securing proprieties affected by redevelopment,” he continued.

“I’m reasonably confident, the first phase will be closer to 60,000 capacity.”

The Uruguayan made his long-awaited return for the Reds in Wednesday’s defeat to Manchester United and Ray Houghton believes he remains a key asset

EXCLUSIVE
By Russell Stoddart

Liverpool fans were justified in welcoming “priceless” striker Luis Suarez back with open arms, according to former Reds star Ray Houghton.

Suarez made his long-awaited return to action against Manchester United in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday, having served a 10-match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic.

The Uruguayan could not prevent United triumphing 1-0 at Old Trafford, but Houghton believes he will once again become a key asset to Brendan Rodgers.

“The Liverpool fans are very knowledgeable,” he told Goal.

“You don’t need to tell them that Luis Suarez let them down. But they can be a forgiving lot and if a player competes 100 per cent for the jersey, which Suarez does, then they will get behind him.

“Luis looked okay [against United], I wouldn’t put it any higher than that. He was lacking with the final touch and that will only come with game time.

“It was good to see some Uruguay flags among the big Liverpool support and the only boos I heard directed at him came from the United fans.

“He certainly showed the right appetite and I never doubted that would be the case.

“I know Brendan said it was like welcoming back a £50-£60m striker, but I wouldn’t have put a finger on his value. If he scores the goals that he can, then he is priceless to the club.”

Suarez spent most of the summer publicly trying to engineer a move away from Anfield and Houghton insists the Uruguayan owes himself and the club another stellar season.

“We all know that he wants to play in the Champions League and you can’t blame him because he only has one career,” he added.

“If Liverpool are out of the Champions League running in January, then there might be rumblings about a move away, but that’s still a long way off.

“Suarez owes himself a good season, more so than he owes the club and its fans. He let himself down badly with the 10-game ban for biting and I hope the penny has finally dropped.

“The big test won’t be on nights like this when he knows the eyes of the world are on him, but when the red mist descends and he acts impulsively.”

Wednesday evening also saw Suarez partnered with the in-form Daniel Sturridge for the first time this season, and Houghton believes the duo can form a fearsome partnership.

“There were glimpses of what they will hopefully do when they are at their best,” he continued.

“Both looked like what they are, short of match sharpness, and don’t forget that Sturridge missed pre-season and is catching up.

“In the few games that he played with Suarez before the Uruguayan’s ban last season, there were certainly positive signs.”

Despite suffering consecutive defeats to Southampton and United, Liverpool have enjoyed a promising start to the season. With Suarez’s return, Houghton sees more good times ahead.

“Liverpool have proven they can survive without Suarez, which should tell everyone, including Suarez, that they are not a one-man team,” he insisted.

“It shows Suarez that he cannot take anything for granted. Liverpool ae lucky to have him, but he’s lucky to have Liverpool.

“He looks good in a Liverpool jersey and it was great to see him in one again after I had my doubts.

“These are exciting times ahead, and with Suarez back they are certainly in the mix for the top four.”