Premier League – Liverpool vs Fulham

Liverpool vs Fulham betting preview

Liverpool League Position: 11th League Form: WLLDW

Liverpool registered their first league win under the newly re-instated King Kenny Daglish. A brace from Fernando Torres and a wonder goal from Roy Hodgson signing Raul Merieles left Liverpool as 3-0 winners at Molineux at the weekend. Could this be the sign of rejuvenation under Kenny Daglish, Wednesday’s fixture against Fulham could be an indicator as to whether their season is to turn around. Liverpool’s heroes at the weekend have in Steven Gerrard’s absence stepped up to the plate and showed that they can set Anfield alight again, so a bet on Fernando Torres and Raul Merieles at odds of 1.83 on StanJames and 4.5 on Coral respectively to score at any time is a good looking one.

Liverpool’s defensive record has also improved under Daglish, namely down to the recalling of Daniel Agger and the replacement of Paul Konchesky with Stephen Kelly. So Liverpool can be happy that they will not concede as freely as they did earlier in the season under Daglish, so a bet on a home clean sheet at the odds of 2.1 with Bet 365 looks like a decent one.

Fulham League Position:  14th League Form: WLWDW

Fulham’s season was always going to be a difficult one after Roy Hodgson left the club and Mark Huges replaced him. However it looks like 2011 could be the year when Mark Hughes’s tenure at Craven Cottage really takes off. The injury of Bobby Zamora has done Mark Hughes no favours, as he has only been able to manage 1 goal and 4 games, and he doesn’t look like returning soon. American attacking midfielder Clint Dempsey has used this as an opportunity though to cement his place in the Fulham team and to score a magnificent 8 goals from midfield, third only to Rafael Van De Vaart and Tim Cahill in goals scored by a midfielder. He therefore is magnificent value at 11.0 on Betfred to open the scoring.

Fulham’s season may be on the up, but that is coinciding with what looks like a Liverpool up thrust also. While both teams may be showing why they are premier league teams lately it looks like the home crowd advantage and the return to form of Fernando Torres could win it for Liverpool.

Highlighted Bets

Anytime Goalscorer Fernando Torres 1.83 StanJames
Anytime Goalscorer Raul Merieles 4.5 Coral
Home Clean Sheet 2.1 with Bet 365
First Goalscorer Clint Dempsey 11.0 BetFred
Outright Liverpool 1.62 Bet365

By John Fernandez

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Premier League betting – Liverpool vs. Manchester City

Liverpool vs. Manchester City betting odds, tips & free bets

Liverpool League Position: 6th League Form: DLWWL

Liverpool have been dealt two late injury blows with Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger being sidelined for the next 4 weeks, this adds to Liverpool’s defensive worries with Martin Kelly still out. Fabio Aurelio has been declared fit though which will be a boost for Kenny Dalglish’s men. The biggest boost however will be if influential Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is declared fit for the tie.

Liverpool though will be looking to their big name signings in winter to lead the line forward and attack the Manchester City back four, Luis Suarez has been in fine scoring form in the last few fixtures and has been mystifying Premier league defences since his arrival from Ajax. He is good value therefore at odds of 6.5 to open the scoring in front of the Anfield faithful. England international and £35 million man Andy Carroll is yet to score since his arrival, but much of this is down to injury and his performance in an England shirt did show he is still one of the Premier Leagues deadliest finishers. His aerial ability will cause City some problems so why not have a bet on the tiring Manchester City defences to let Andy Carroll score the last goal in the game? He is priced at odds of 7.0 on Coral to score last in the fixture.

Manchester City League Position: 3rd League Form: LDWDW

Manchester City dominated a strong Sunderland side at Eastlands last weekend 5-0, much of this was down to Roberto’s Mancini’s ditching of the system of 3 central midfielders in the squad. He instead went with a versatile 4-2-3-1 with bad boy Mario Ballotelli leading the line and Carlos Tevez dropping deep into midfield. The game saw Adam Johnson’s ninth start of the season and saw him score his 4th goal of the season and after such an impressive showing he may be called upon again to terrorise whoever Liverpool decide to play at left back (Most likely the nowhere near fit Fabio Aurelio.) So a bet on him being the first Goalscorer may be god for anyone feeling like supporting the ‘Noisy Neighbours’ at odds of 13.0 on Coral.

Top Goalscorer and captain extraordinaire Carlos Tevez has scored 19 goals this season and in any game let alone against a Liverpool defence plagued with injuries can be expected to score at any time so why not have a bet at odds of 3.0 on Coral.

Apart from that a high goal scoring game does seem likely for two teams who are both in good form and will be fighting hard for the points so a bet on their being over 2 goals at odds of 2.25 on Coral is another interesting offer.

Highlighted Bets:

First Goalscorer Luis Suarez 6.5 VC Bet

Last Goalscorer Andy Carroll 7.0 Coral        

First Goalscorer Adam Johnson 13.0 Coral

Anytime Goalscorer Carlos Tevez 3.0 Coral

Over 2.5 total goals 1.7 Bet 365

By Sam Markham

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Premier League betting – Liverpool vs Man Utd

Liverpool vs Man Utd betting odds, tips & free bets

Liverpool: League Position: 6th, League Form: WWWDL

The Dalglish revival was pegged back a touch last Sunday at Upton Park. Overcome by pace and intensity, Liverpool barely threatened relegation battling West Ham and looked blunt in attack. A reality check before the clash with rivals Manchester United? Or just a blip?

To be fair to the side, they had finished a Europa League tie only 3 days earlier, and may benefit from not having to play this midweek. It also gave Steven Gerrard a game to return to full fitness, and although mostly ineffective in the game, he also stayed the whole 90 minutes. And Suarez got another match under his belt, creating the Liverpool goal with skill, pace and trickery that will cause problems for a weakened United backline.

They will, however, have to convert back to 4-4-2 this weekend with Martin Kelly, one of the seasons success stories, out injured. They looked worse for it in the game against West Ham, and it seriously affected their attacking width. Another concern would be their lack of goals, with Meireles their top goalscorer in the league with five.

Manchester United: League Position: 1st, League Form: WLWWL

An intensity filled, attacking first half at Chelsea looked set to give United a massive three points on the road, and one hand firmly on the Premiership trophy. Instead, they wilted to defeat in the second half, and, although refereeing decisions went against them, their weakness on the road continued.

It was their first loss of the season against a side in the top half, and usually Ferguson’s sides wake up in the big games. This weekend they’ll be looking for the lesser lights to shine, as Nemanja Vidic’s silly second yellow leaves him suspended for this match, joining Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans on the absentee list. The ever-improving Chris Smalling will be joined by Wes Brown, a good defensive duo, but by no means a title winning one.

The positives are all at Wayne Rooney’s feet. He missed a couple of great chances, but took his goal with the class we all know he has. And at least now he’s finding himself in the position to miss chances. His manager says the striker scores in bursts, and if he can do just that then he could lead his side to victory on Sunday.

Match Prediction: Manchester United Win – 2.63 Bet Fred

Without Vidic and Ferdinand United look a weaker prospect defensively, and this may force Ferguson to consider defending with his attack. Dimitar Berbatov has fond memories of playing Liverpool this season after a stunning hat trick in the reverse tie, whilst Rooney will always be inspired against Liverpool. Add to that the growing maturity of winger Nani, and United have an attacking trio to scare any defence, with Hernandez waiting to be thrown into the mix too.

The Liverpool defence had only conceded six goals in the ten matches Dalglish had been in charge before last Sunday, but West Ham proved that their defence can be got at with the dual threat of Piquonne and Ba.

For Liverpool, the talk is of whether Andy Carroll can feature. If he does, he will certainly use his presence to threaten the thrown together United centre backs, and it’s easy to see him being too much for them to handle. The movement of Suarez will also be interesting to watch. His acceleration and flair make him a hassle to compete with, but he was silenced for the majority of the game on Sunday.

The onus is on United here, two games without a win will give Arsenal the chance to go top. This should force their hand, and possibly make the game more exciting than the usual big side clash. If Liverpool do take the lead, it may be important to know that they’ve dropped 19 points from winning positions, the second highest total in the league.

Highlighted Bets:-

Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals – 2.25 Stan James
First Goalscorer: Nani – 10.00 Stan James
Correct Score: 2-1 Manchester United – 11.00 Sky Bet
To Come From Behind and Draw or Win: Manchester United – 5.5 William Hill

By Chris Wilkerson

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Premier League betting – Liverpool vs Newcastle

Liverpool vs Newcastle betting odds, tips & free bets

Liverpool League Position: 6th League Form: WLWDW

The big story surrounding this game will be the return of Andy Carroll to his childhood club after his £35 million move to Liverpool on the January transfer window deadline day. The question is, after being rested for Liverpool’s rout of Birmingham will he be risked against his old club, and if so will he come back to haunt the Toon Army? Carroll is tipped at 5.0 on Bet365 to open the scoring at Anfield in this fixture and the controversial among you must definitely be tempted by that figure.

The other big story surrounding Liverpool’s players of late is the emergence of young full backs John Flanagan and Phil Robinson who have ably stepped into the first team after injuries to Glen Johnson, Martin Kelly and Fabio Aurelio left King Kenny short on options at full back. In the last week both have put in assured first team performances which are sure to give Daglish a selection headache when injuries have cleared up. In the 3 games since John Flanagan made his debut at right back, in games against Arsenal, Manchester City and Birmingham the Reds have only conceded 1 goal, and that was only a Robin Van Persie penalty. So with Newcastle struggling to find the goals after Carroll’s departure why not bet on a home clean sheet at odds of 2.2 with Bet 365.

Liverpool’s top scorer Dirk Kuyt has also been in deadly form of late netting in all 3 of Liverpool’s last games so a bet on the battle hardened Dutch forward score could be a promising one with odds of 2.63 on Bet365 could prove to be a valuable one.

Newcastle League Position: 11th League Form: LWLDD

Newcastle’s season has been one marred by injuries to their valuable midfielders and this week they were dealt a further blow, after news of Stephen Irelands injury keeping him out until the end of the season. This coupled with injuries to Frenchmen Hartem Ben Arfa, youngster Dan Gosling, veteran Alan Smith and occasional injuries to captain Kevin Nolan and defensive midfielder Joey Barton has left Newcastle a disappointing 7 points from relegation.

That said for a team only promoted last season mid table obscurity had to be the most expected from Pardew’s men, especially after the loss of their prize asset in the winter. Newcastle’s striking problems are not eased by the fact that Leon Best is injured now meaning that the Toon will have to partner out of form hitman Shola Ameobi and seasoned pro Peter Lovenkrands, who between them have only scored 10 goals in 45 appearances.

Instead Newcastle will rely on their midfield hero and top scorer Kevin Nolan to provide the goals today and with odds of 5.5 to score at any time on SkyBet.

Highlighted Bets:

First Goalscorer Andy Carroll 5.0 Bet365
Home Clean Sheet 2.2 Bet 365
Anytime Goalscorer Dirk Kuyt 2.63 Bet365
Anytime Goalscorer Kevin Nolan 5.5 SkyBet

By John Fernandez

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Premier League betting – Liverpool vs West Ham

Liverpool vs West Ham betting preview

Liverpool League Position: 11th League Form:  WWWDL

Liverpool’s defeat of Chelsea has long since been forgotten after their successive two showing against Wigan and Stoke have shown them return to losing ways again. Last week’s 2-0 loss against Stoke showed a team that lacked any passion and dynamism in the final third, so Liverpool will be looking at this fixture as the prime opportunity to pick up 3 points. The reds have looked much more comfortable at Anfield this season picking up 11 of their 16 points at home.

Liverpool continue to suffer with the absence of Glen Johnson and look a much less potent force going forward without the England right-back. Fernando Torres looked back to his World cup hangover self at Stoke last weekend and Liverpool must be hoping that was an off week; however a boost to Liverpool’s fortunes has been the return of Dirk Kuyt who has looked dangerous and with him priced at 13/2 on Bet 365 to score first it could be worth a look in. However someone who can always be counted on to bail Liverpool out of a tight spot if their talisman Steven Gerrard, and with the Hammers practically haemorrhaging goals at the moment a bet on a Stevie G hat-trick looks an attractive prospect  at 40/1 on Bet 365.

West Ham League Position: 20th League Form: LLDDD

West Ham’s season has been a torrid one, propping up the table late in November is never a good looking sight. Their 0-0 draw against Blackpool while not being the 3 points they were hoping for showed a spirited Hammers side lacking only one thing, potency in front of goal. In fact the only man who looked even close to scoring at Upton Park last Saturday was Scott Parker, so with odds of 17/2 on bet 365 to score anytime he could be a good shout.

West Ham have picked up all bar one of their points at Upton Park, with their only away point coming against a weak Wolves side, so backing West Ham to win this fixture may look like a dumb idea, but with Liverpool faltering regularly this season odd s of 8/1 on Totesport for a Hammers victory are very tempting.

If West Ham’s season is to be kick started this season then Avram Grants men should look no further than this fixture for a boost, Liverpool’s form is erratic and it just looks as if the Hammers will want this more.

Highlighted Bets:

Dirk Kuyt First Goalscorer 13/2 Bet 365
Steven Gerrard Hat Trick 40/1 Bet 365
Scott Parker Anytime Goalscorer 17/2 Bet 365
Wet Ham Winners 8/1 Totesport

By John Fernandez

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Premier League betting – Man City vs Arsenal betting preview

Man City vs Arsenal betting preview

Manchester City

League Position: 2nd     Form: LDWWWW

Roberto Mancini rested several first team players in midweek and watched his side continue their good start to the season with victory over Lech Poznan. While in the league they are starting to look like real contenders, moving up to second, having only lost once all season and going unbeaten in their last 5 games.  Carlos Tevez is expected to return to the Citizens line up after being rested in midweek and the current Premier League top scorer looks a good price at 5/1 with StanJames to break the deadlock.  City will still be without long term absentees Mario Balotelli and Aleksandar Kolarov, while Kolo Toure is also a doubt to face his former club.

Arsenal

League Position: 3rd     Form: WWDLLW

A fine midweek display from Arsenal saw them ease to a 5-1 rout over Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the Uefa Champions League. The Gunners will be hoping to build on their 2-1 win over Birmingham last time out, after losing to London rivals Chelsea and slipping up at home embarrassingly against West Brom. Unfortunately for Arsenal a lengthy list of absentees which includes, Bacary Sagna, Manuel Almunia, Aaron Ramsey, Robin Van Persie and Jack Wilshere will affect their chances. But if you think Wenger’s side can get that win then plenty of bookmakers such as Totesport are offering odds of 2/1. Similarly, if you think Fabregas can build on his goal in midweek, then odds of 10/1 on totesport for him to open the scoring look very good.

Recommended bets

Man City to win at best odds 6/4 Bet365 – get £200 in free bets from Bet 365

This fixture at Eastlands has consistently produced goals over the last few years, with the home side coming out on top on the last three meetings. Whilst Roberto Mancini has made his City side more efficient in grinding out results, Arsenal still have plenty of firepower and are more than capable of grabbing a goal. However they have struggled at the back, keeping only one clean sheet in the Premier League this season against Blackpool. Taking this into account a 2-1 win for City is well worth taking a look at with skybet offering odds of 9-1. With the safer bet being a Man City win best priced at 6/4 with Bet365.

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Premier League betting – Man City vs Aston Villa

Man City vs Aston Villa betting preview

Manchester City League Form: WDWWLW Position: 2nd

Manchester City recovered from a home defeat to Everton last time out, to claim an impressive victory away at Newcastle on Boxing day to climb to 2nd in the league.
Consequently, the Citizens go into the tie against lowly Aston Villa firm favourites and best priced at 4/7 with Stan James. Although it does seem Roberto Mancini’s men save their best form for the road after winning just two of their last 6 games at home. With Carlos Tevez back in form after scoring twice at the weekend, the Argentinian is a great price at 9/2 with totesport to score 2 or more goals in the game. There is further good news for Man City as they take on Aston Villa on Tuesday with only Kolo Toure missing through suspension.

Aston Villa League Form: DLLLWL Position: 15th

Aston Villa continue to struggle for form under Gerard Houllier after winning just one of their last 6 league games and consequently dropping as low as 15th and could struggle again on Tuesday. Youngster Marc Albrighton has been a shining light for the Villans this season and scored again at the weekend. The young winger is looking a good bet at 6/1 with William Hill to get on the score sheet at any time. Ashley Young looks set to miss out again for Aston Villa, whose injury list also includes Luke young and Steve Sidwell. Although they will be boosted by the continued return of youngster Fabian Delph who made a comeback on Sunday after nearly 8 months out.

Match Prediction Man City WIN best priced at 4/7 with Stan James

Manchester City should have too much for a Villa side low on confidence, when the two clash at Eastlands on Tuesday as Roberto Mancini will want to continue to put pressure on the other teams around them. Although a home win will not bring particularly large winnings, a 2-0 correct score with Unibet is showing a good offering of 27/4. While the Citizens scored twice in the first half away at Newcastle at the weekend and good odds of 4/1 are being offered by SkyBet for the home side to repeat that feat on Tuesday.

Highlighted Bets

Carlos Tevez to score and Man City win – 7/5 Paddy Power
2-0 Manchester City Win – 27/4 Unibet
Marc Albrighton to score at any time – 6/1 William Hill

By Sam Markham

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Premier League betting – Man City vs Birmingham

Man City vs Birmingham betting preview

Manchester City     League Position: 4th     Form: WWLLWD

Manchester City battled out a 0-0 draw last time out in a fairly uneventful Manchester Derby in midweek. But will be looking to get back to winning ways at the weekend when they take on a struggling Birmingham City. The Citizens go into the home tie firm favourites and best priced at 4/9 with BetFred. Argentine Striker Carlos Tevez is favourite to open the scoring after netting nearly half of all City’s Premier League goals so far this season, but is a very good bet at 10/3 with Bet365. Young striker Mario Balotelli will be missing for the weekend after picking up a three match ban against West Brom, but manager Roberto Mancini has no other injury worries.

Birmingham City     League Position: 17th     Form: LLWDDL

Birmingham City went down 3-2 at Stoke in midweek despite fighting back from two goals down and consequently slipping to fourth bottom in the Premier League. Resiliency has been the key for Alex McLeish’s men this season, seeing them come back from a two goal deficit three times already this season, although on none of those occasions have they been able to go on and win the game. Draws have also been a theme with the Blues drawing half of their games this season, a statistic which is only beaten by Sunderland. Whilst it will be a difficult outing for Birmingham who haven’t won at Manchester City since 1998, there is some good value in a draw with Bet365 and SkyBet offering odds of 7/2. The Blues also travel to Manchester with no new injury doubts but are still without longer term absentees Maik Taylor and James McFadden.

Match Prediction Manchester City at best odds 4/9 Bet Fred

Birmingham were a little unlucky in midweek but have conceded 5 goals in the last two games, whilst Manchester City have conceded none, prompting some criticism of Roberto Mancini’s defensive tactics. Nevertheless, the Manchester side should find enough to see off a struggling Birmingham, who will no doubt come to keep it tight in hope of an upset. In which case a 2-1 City win is the standout bet with odds of 7/1 available at Bet 365.  Whilst Cameron Jerome has scored in his last two outings for Birmingham and is showing good value to open the scoring with odds of 11/1 with Bet 365.

By Sam Markham

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Premier League betting – Liverpool vs Everton 16/01/2011

Liverpool vs Everton betting preview

Liverpool League Position: 13th League Form: LLWLL

The return of King Kenny looked to be the start of a recovery for Liverpool; however this lasted for only hours as they sunk to a defeat to bitter rivals Manchester United. The midweek defeat to Blackpool only confirmed that even in life after Roy Hodgson it was still going to be very difficult. The continued absence of Steven Gerrard is not helping King Kenny’s return however Fernando Torres is starting to slowly look his old dangerous self and if anyone is going to score for Liverpool in this fixture the Spanish hitman has to be favourite at 5.5 with Paddy Power to score first in the fixture, especially in an Everton side lacking in league goals.

The problem though for Liverpool is definitely in their defence, firstly in the fact that one of their key players Glen Johnson has simply not performed this season, providing only 1 assist in the entire season compared to his mammoth total last season. A problem Liverpool have also had this season is that while they have started strongly in games they have not been able to hold onto a lead, therefore a bet on Liverpool leading at half time but Everton going on to win may be clever one especially at the mammoth odds of 41.0 on Sportingbet.

Everton League Position: 12th League Form: DWDLW

Everton this week stunned fans by letting striker Yakubu move on loan to Leicester City for the rest of the season. Especially since one thing Everton are really lacking this season is goals. Top goalscorer Tim Cahill is still away on duty with Australia at the Asian Cup, however Seamus Coleman is in brilliant form and after his midweek goal and is a great price to score anytime at 10.0 on Bet365.

Everton produced a stunning performance last time they faced Liverpool and managed to score a win in front of their home faithful, however the Toffees best performances have come away from home this season with a brilliant victory at title contenders Manchester City and a convincing win at Birmingham. Everton this season have normally employed a shield of two defensive midfielders this season, meaning they have been extremely difficult to score against, meaning a bet on them keeping a clean sheet at 3.5 Bet365 is definitely worth a look in.

With Liverpool struggling and Everton low on goal scorers, this looks to be a discernibly low scoring game with probably one goal edging it, a draw is probably the most likely result with the visitors registering no less than 10 draws this season .  But with tensions high at the Merseyside derby one booking could change it all, so a look at the in-play betting could be a good move in this tight affair.

Highlighted Bets

First Goalscorer Fernando Torres 5.5 Paddy Power
Half Time/Full Time Liverpool/Everton Sportingbet
Seamus Coleman Anytime Goalscorer 10.0 Bet365
Everton Clean Sheet 3.5 Bet365

By John Fernandez

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Premier League betting – Liverpool vs Everton

Liverpool vs Everton betting preview

Saturday lunchtime sees the 182nd top flight Merseyside derby contested between Liverpool and neighbours Everton at Anfield. Rafa Benitez’s men will be aiming to complete a 12th league double over the Toffees live in front of the Sky cameras, as they look to leapfrog Spurs into that fourth Champions League spot. The home side are 4/5 favourites with Sky Bet to extend their unbeaten run in the league to seven games; the visitors are best priced at 4s and the draw pays out at 12/5.

Only Stanley Park separates the two teams in geographical proximity but a 9 point gap exists between the two clubs in the Premier League. However, both teams have been in good form of late, the reds are now just one point behind Spurs in 5th, a feat which seemed unlikely after their poor start to the campaign. Couple their sluggish start to the season with their early Champions League exit and some disgruntled fans were calling for Benitez’s head.

Everton manager David Moyes meanwhile, will have been buoyed by his sides battling 1-0 victory away at Wigan last weekend. Tim Cahill’s headed winner continued Everton’s great winning streak which stretched to nine unbeaten and lifted the Toffees into 9th place. Quite a turnaround considering the Goodison Park club were only 2 points clear of the relegation zone in early December. The return of influential midfielder Mikel Arteta will provide added impetus and creativity they have sorely missed thus far.

A tense affair might be expected on Saturday if recent results are anything to go by. Both sides are bidding to keep fourth successive clean sheets in the league and the goalless draw at 9s with Paddy Power may see some cash. However, Merseyside Derbies are often fiery affairs and with local pride at stake I think both sides will be playing for all three points. Moyes’ men will want to avenge the reverse fixture defeat which saw Liverpool come away from Goodison with a 2-0 win. With Fernando Torres out injured, Local boy Steven Gerrard will be rallying his troops to topple the Toffees and is a good bet at 11/2 to open the scoring and add to his 5 goals already this term. Everton’s main goal threat well lies with Tim Cahill and he has a habit of scoring important goals so lump on the Aussie star at 9s to breach the Liverpool rearguard.

Personally I think this one will be a tight affair but I think Liverpool will make home advantage count and claim victory by the odd goal in this hotly contested local derby. Liverpool are 6/1 to win by a solitary goal but are good value at 13/2 to win  2-0 considering they have amassed this score line no fewer than five times already this term, four of those at Anfield. The referee will be in for long 90 minutes as recent encounters have been marred by sendings off with 17 red cards in the Premier League. This is the highest tally for any fixture and Betfair are offering a plausible 19/10 that someone receives their marching orders.

Recommended bets: Tim Cahill first goalscorer at 9/1 with Sportingbet – click for free bet

Any player to be sent off 19/10 with Betfair – click for £25 free bet

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