Monday Night Football - Everton & Falcons can pick apart weary travellers

More Monday Night football action as we see a game between two of the Premier League's teams just off the top set when Everton host Newcastle United & an interesting game in the NFL as the defensively strong Denver Broncos try to slow down the passing hotshot that is Matt Ryan for the Atlanta Falcons. Both games are important even this early in the season as all four teams are looking to lay down a marker as they either push for Europe or a playoff place. We've previewed both games & come up with a pair of bets in each as we look to turn a tidy profit at the start of the week.

Everton vs Newcastle United

Everton started their season off at breakneck pace with wins against Manchester United & away to Aston Villa with Marouane Fellaini excelling in particular, they got brought down to earth with a bump when losing to West Brom though & face a tough game against Newcastle United as they look to bounce back. Newcastle will also be looking to improve after they rather huffed & puffed in a 1-1 draw with Villa at home & they have to make do without their good young keeper Tim Krul who picked up an injury on international duty & that is a setback as they haven't kept a clean sheet in the league yet.

(Technical supremo Steven Pienaar could be the key for Everton)

This could be a game where we see classic home & away roles with Newcastle coming with the intention of firstly stopping Everton, being reactive & forcing the Toffees to come forward with the ball, Newcastle know that they hold a threat whenever they come forwards thanks to their Senegalese strikeforce of Ba & Cisse. Everton tend to look a bit better when teams come at them as they have such a solid defence that they feel comfortable when attacked but in Steven Pienaar they have a player who can unlock the toughest defences when on form. With the signings of Kevin Mirallas & Steven Naismith they've added some additional quality & much needed extra options in attack & with the set piece danger from corners & Leighton Baines' free kicks they should be able to knock one past Steve Harper.

Newcastle will again be without their key midfield enforcer in Cheick Tiote & he's a big miss in games like this, if Pienaar gets time on the ball he should be able to create enough chances, even if Newcastle do defend deep, & Everton now have players who can put those chances away. Newcastle have already played 5 times thanks to their European commitments & they've got a Europa League game against Maritimo on Thursday night, although this game will take priority Everton have the advantage & we like the 5/6 available for the home win. We do think Newcastle will make this tough though & a small wager on a correct score bet of 1-0 to Everton could be worth chancing at 13/2.

Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons

(Julio Jones is starting to emerge as a truly elite receiver for the Falcons)

The Peyton Manning led Denver Broncos go on the road to the Atlanta Falcons after a nice start when beating Pittsburgh at home in week one, this is a much different test though as the Falcons are one of the best teams in the league when in the Georgia Dome. The Falcons have lost at home in the regular season just 6 times in the last 4 years (32 games) & quarterback Matt Ryan looks altogether more comfortable when playing inside - of course playing inside won't be a problem for Manning either having spent his career at Indianapolis.

Both teams looked good last week with Atlanta travelling to take on the Kansas City Chiefs & putting 40 points on the board with Ryan looking hugely efficient completing 23 of 31 passes for 299 yards & 3 touchdowns. Julio Jones was Ryan's main target & he looks like he could be about to move to another level of play at receiver & could be having a monstrous season in terms of receiving yards & touchdowns. The Broncos did well against the Steelers but did have the benefit of going up against their poor O-line & the Falcons are much better at protecting the passer, Pittsburgh also looked to struggle without Rashard Mendenhall at running back & the Fakcons have a dependable sort in Michael Turner. The big positive for Denver was clearly how well Manning has settle into the side & he already looks to have established a good understanding with his receivers with Demaryius homas, Eric Decker & Jacon Tamme all getting 5 receptions each - the Falcons' are a little weak in their secondary & this could be a shootout so we expect Peyton to put up yards through the air again.

(Peyton Manning links back up with tight end Jacob Tamme (no.84))

Although we do think this will be high scoring the total points line is high enough at 52 & instead the value looks to be had by siding with the Falcons as they only have to give up 3 points on the handicap - they are a tough proposition at home & can score touchdowns at will once they get into a rhythm. There is value to be had with a Denver touchdown scorer though as tight end Jacob Tamme is available at 6/4 to score a TD at anytime, he got one last week & Peyton Manning loves to aim for tight ends when in & around the red zone & links up with Tamme after previously being together at the Colts, even though we think Atlanta will win they are likely to concede a few points on the way.

Selections:
Everton to beat Newcastle United at 5/6 (Various)
Everton to beat Newcastle United 1-0 at 13/2 (BetVictor & 188Bet)
Atlanta Falcons to beat Denver Broncos with -3.5 point handicap at 20/21 (William Hill)
Jacob Tamme to score a touchdown at anytime at 6/4 (Various)