Premiership Betting

Saturday?s lunchtime live game is a repeat of last season?s FA Cup final with Liverpool hosting West Ham at Anfield. Liverpool are best odds 4/9 with Bet365 whilst West Ham are a standout 15/2 with Betfred. If you fancy a repeat of last season?s FA Cup Final 3-2 score line Total Bet offer odds of 28/1.

Another exciting fixture in Saturday?s other TV game Man City vs Arsenal. The Gunners have beaten City in 9 of the last 10 league encounters, and Betfair offer 8/11 about Wenger?s men getting all 3 points this time. If you fancy City to turn the tables on Arsenal and get a win Bet 365 offer odds of 9/2.

Blackburn are best price 6/1 with Stan James to inflict a second defeat on Chelsea in 5 days this Sunday. Mark Hughes will have his troops fired up for the visit of the Blues but will they have enough quality to get their first win of the season? Chelsea are best odds 4/7 with Sky Bet for three points while the draw is a 11/4 with Coral.

Sunday?s other TV match pits Aston Villa, best price 13/10 with Coral against Newcastle 2/1 with VC Bet. The Villains will be popular after taking 4 points from their opening 2 games of the season.

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Premier League betting tips 31/10/09

Arsenal vs Spurs betting preview

As Christmas heads ever closer The Barclays Premier League table is taking its usual shape with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United dominating at the top, with Arsenal doing better than they have in recent years, followed by a resurgent Tottenham Hotspur and a dissapointing Liverpool outfit. Although not a weekend where one of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal or Liverpool take on another of the supposed ‘Big Four’, the North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham takes place at the Emirates Stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off at 12.45, and who knows, next season, this could be a clash of two of the ‘Big Four’.

Arsenal and Spurs have always had a great rivalry with classic moments on and off the pitch, but the best part about the local rivalry is that we still get good games between them. Local Derbies have really gone downhill in recent years, the Merseyside Derby dragging out longer than what’s needed, and with the exception of the game earlier this season, the Manchester Derby has been drab with little or no shocks in recent years. However, the North London Derby has always been fantastic and continues to be so. With Spurs once again looking like a top 4 contender and Arsenal looking like title challengers, this could be a cracker. However, both teams are coming off bad results from last weekend, with Arsenal drawing 2-2 at West Ham, and Stoke City pulling off the shock of the weekend by beating Spurs 0-1 at White Hart Lane.

Most bookmakers are making Arsenal favourites, with Ladbrokes offering 8/13 for an Arsenal win. A Spurs win is backed at 5/1 over at Coral, and may not be a bad shout, but I can see this game heading for a score draw, and think 5/1 for a draw over at Coral has to be taken. Last year Arsenal dominated at home against Spurs, only for Harry Redknapp’s team to score two late goals to make it a draw and share the points. Expect that to happen again, and if you’re feeling lucky take up Ladbrokes 14/1 odds on Arsenal winning at half-time and then the teams drawing come full-time.

Bolton vs Chelsea betting preview

Another  Saturday kick-off is Bolton vs. Chelsea at the Reebok Stadium. The bookmakers are making Chelsea heavy favourites with the best odds over at Ladbrokes with 4/9 for a Chelsea win. Although I cannot see past a Chelsea win, I suggest you take a look at Ladbrokes 15/4 bet for Bolton to score first, and Chelsea to score last. Chelsea have been conceding first in a fair few of their games this season (Hull, Sunderland, Stoke) and with their defence struggling at set-pieces, expect Bolton to take advantage of this with Matty Taylor’s precise set-pieces and Kevin Davies’ aerial strength – don’t forget, last season Bolton were 4-0 down against the Blues and managed to pull back 3 goals in about 20 minutes. However, with the two teams meeting midweek in the Carling Cup and Chelsea winning 4-0, I fully expect Carlo Ancelotti’s men to take all three points.

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Premier League betting tips 28/11/2009

This weekend you can find a fantastic Super Sunday line up featuring the Merseyside and London derby’s respectively. A struggling Liverpool side will travel a few miles across to the blue half of the city to take on Everton at Goodison Park, Arsenal meanwhile host Chelsea at the Emirates in a clash that will not decide the title but may well give us an inclination of both teams’ title aspirations.

Portsmouth vs Man Utd betting preview

Man Utd travel to Portsmouth looking to gain some momentum in a title charge. The same time last year the Red Devils managed to put together a 16 game unbeaten run on the way to winning another successive Premiership title and Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking for his team to do the same again in order to keep the pressure on Chelsea. United have a good history of bouncing back after defeats so I would not pay attention to the midweek Champions League result where they fielded an youthful inexperienced side. The likes of Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher look likely to return. Portsmouth have had another busy week behind the scenes after dispatching the services of Paul Hart that has come somewhat of a surprise even though the team currently languish at the bottom of the table. Currently 4 points off 17th Pompey could do with a win and should be fired up for the game against the champions, a win would do a lot for the confidence of the South Coast club. I would back Man Utd to come away with a narrow victory here, the best odds are given over at Blue Square at 2/5 for a win and Wayne Rooney to be first goal scorer at 7/2.

Everton vs Liverpool betting preview

The first of the Super Sunday games see Everton take on Liverpool, both clubs have been struggling for form in recent weeks with injuries ravaging both their squads. David Moyes men will want to take advantage of Liverpool’s slump and will be buoyed by the return of their influential combative midfielder Marouane Fellaini. Captain Phil Neville is still sidelined after being forced to undergo surgery on the knee he injured against Fulham in September but Steven Pienaar has been training all week and looks likely to start. Liverpool after being dumped out of the Champions League this week will now look to focus on securing a top four finish and will see the Everton game as the spark to reignite their season. Torres will still be sidelined for the fixture but Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson and Javier Mascherano should all start. Despite the return of their influential skipper I think the accumulative injuries of both sides will mean weakened sides being used meaning a draw looks the most likely result, the best odds are offer over at Skybet.com at 12/5.

Arsenal vs Chelsea betting preview

The next of the Super Sunday games see Arsenal host Chelsea, Arsenal will want to get their title challenge back on track after their 1-0 loss to Sunderland last weekend where Arsene Wenger labelled his side ‘chokers’. Arsenal may well look to Theo Walcott to bolster a depleted attacking line up after sustaining injuries to Van Persie and Bendtner respectively, the best odds on him to be first goal scorer can be found over at Betfred.com at 12/1. Chelsea are still going strong in all competitions and kept up their winning way with an impressive away win at Porto, Ancelotti is optimistic that Frank Lampard could be fit for Sunday’s clash. Chelsea are not suffering from any major injuries and the likes of top goal scorer Didier Drogba should return after given a midweek rest. I can see Chelsea nicking an away goal and winning this game, you can find the best odds on them to come away from the Emirates with all three points at Bet365 with odds of 7/4.

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Premier League betting tips 7/11/09

Chelsea vs Man Utd betting preview

The biggest game of the Premiership season so far kicks off on Sunday 8th November, when Chelsea take on Manchester United on home turf at Stamford Bridge. With the teams sitting in 1st and 2nd place in the Premiership, this is a chance for either Chelsea to put some space between themselves and United, or a chance for United to bridge the gap, and possibly take over the Blues at the summit of the league.

Pundits and fans alike share the view that one of these two teams will most likely win the title this year, and both teams know each other is their greatest threat, so do not expect this to be a classic. Fully expect both teams to be cautious in their play and risk little going forward as to not expose themselves at the back.

The bookmakers have Chelsea as favourites with the best odds at 11/10, offered at Skybet, Paddy Power and Ladbrokes. United’s best odds of winning the game are over at Coral who are offering 11/4. Although United are reigning Champions and have quality all over the pitch, do not expect them to win this game. Chelsea are very rarely beaten at home even by the big teams, and with United not looking as ruthless in attack as they were last year they will be hoping at best, for a draw. The best odds for a draw are again over at Coral who are offering 23/10, which would give you returns of over double your money, and with both teams not looking to give much away a draw looks a good bet; Chelsea will be at home, but Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson have been in the top of the Premiership game a long time, much longer than Carlo Ancelotti, who will be getting his first real test of the season after brushing aside a Liverpool team in crisis last month. Ladbrokes are giving odds of 11/2 for a full-time draw at 1-1, which could be the most likely result.

Hull City vs Stoke City betting preview

Also this Sunday Hull City host Stoke City in a game that could save or sack Phil Brown. The Tigers are lying 3rd from bottom and anything but a win against Stoke could seal Brown’s fate. It is hard to draw a definition to who is the bookmakers favourites in this tie, as most bookies will give you returns of just under 2/1 for either team to win.

Hull are best odds over at Paddy Power at 7/4, whilst Stoke’s best odds are also there at 6/4. Coral has the best odds of a draw at 23/10. It looks like Stoke City have finally learned how to put in a good performance away from home this season, and this Match looks like it could be theirs for the taking, as Hull, who have looked spineless all season, will be missing their best player (Geovanni) through suspension, and will not be able to cope with Stoke’s physicality towards the game.

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Premier League betting tips 30/01/09

Burnley vs Chelsea betting preview

Saturdays late kick off pits newly promoted Burnley against favourites for the Premier League crown, Chelsea.  Chelsea are clear favourites to win the match having been priced at 1/3 on, and the draw being priced at 9/2.  The odds then are clearly against Burnley at 10/1, but having already beaten Manchester United and drawn with Arsenal at Turf Moor, the Yorkshire club will go into the fixture with nothing to fear and in search of their first win under former Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws. 

Chelsea are looking to follow up their victory over in form Birmingham, who hadn’t lost in 15 games prior to their meeting, with another victory here.  Chelsea may welcome back African Cup of Nations players Didier Drogba, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou, but Michael Essien, who injured his knee whilst training during the tournament in Angola, is out for an expected six weeks and will definitely miss out.  Burnley however may give a debut to Leon Cort having signed him from Stoke for a fee of 1.5 million in an attempt to tighten up their somewhat leaky defence.  Burnley fans will be hoping their team can bounce back from their one nil defeat at the hands of Bolton on Tuesday night, which will have hurt more so than often as their former manager Owen Coyle left only weeks ago to join Bolton.  This move was seen as a betrayal by some Burnley fans who showed ‘Judas’ posters at the match.

By avoiding defeat on Saturday, Burnley could climb out of the bottom three, with them currently sitting fourth from bottom on goal difference only.  Chelsea meanwhile will be looking to widen their gap on the Manchester United and Arsenal by doing something neither of them could achieve, winning at Turf Moor.

Chelsea’s run of form has improved in recent weeks, after only managing draws against West Ham and Birmingham in recent weeks, Chelsea have now won their last five in all competitions scoring nineteen goals in the process and only conceding three.  This record dispelled any ideas people had that they would struggle when their African players left.  In contrast Burnley have only won one of their last five, against lower league MK Dons.  In this time they have conceded eight goals and only scored two, leaving fans wondering when the strike partnership of David Nugent and Steven Fletcher will begin to hit some form, with the pair only hitting twelve goals between them all season, Fletcher getting 3/4 of this total.

Chelsea then are odds on favourites to win their sixth game in a row and plunge more misery on already struggling Burnley, but football doesn’t always go to the script and Brian Laws will be hoping his side can get their first win under his guidance.

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Premier League betting tips 30/01/2009

Arsenal vs Man Utd betting preview

This mouth watering top of the table clash has rarely had so such significance in recent seasons. Both sides will be desperate to really outline their title credentials with a victory on Sunday that could tip the balance in their favour. Taking Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Stoke out of the equation, The Gunners have been on a wonderful league run since that demoralising home defeat to rival title contenders Chelsea at the back end of November, unbeaten in the league and go into the match as favourites at around the 11/8 mark.

United have also been on a solid league run and despite their critics this year, and a lack of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo, may go into the game top of the league, and as usual will look to improve in the latter stages of the season for a real surge for the title. Odds on a United win are currently at about 15/8 which look like generous odds for the punter considering Arsenal’s injury worries and lack of firepower up front with Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner out, and Eduardo, Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela severely lacking in form.

The draw can be found with odds of about 9/4 and it’s obviously easy to make a case for this outcome. Both sides will be desperate not to lose and this could result in a tactical battle of attrition that results in both sides cancelling each other out.

Looking into some of the other markets and Wayne Rooney is rightly market favourite to score first after this dazzling four goal haul last time out against Hull. Bendtner, who may not even be fit enough for the bench, is Arsenal’s favourite to grab the first goal. Skybet offer intriguing odds of 8/1 that Rooney and Cesc Fabregas – the two form players in the league right now – both get on the scoresheet and this looks an excellent bet as both players have a history of getting on the mark in this fixture.

With an overall look at this game logic would have to go for the draw, Arsenal would settle for this with the run of fixtures they have (Liverpool at home followed by Chelsea away) and as the away team United will settle for a point to take back to Manchester. The outstanding bet for this fixture though would have to be Skybet’s 8/1 offer that Fabregas and Rooney will score and it would be hard to find better value than this in any fixture this weekend.

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Premier League betting – Newcastle vs Spurs

Newcastle vs Spurs betting preview

Newcastle League Position: 9th League Form: LLWWD

Newcastle’s stunning show against West Ham that nullified fears of a lack of goals without Andy Carroll was forgotten as they sunk to a defeat in the FA cup against Stevenage. The Tyne-Wear derby at the weekend produced little in the form of excitement, but ended in a draw which each team probably wouldn’t have been happy with. Again this weekend the Toon army will be without influential striker and top goalscorer Andy Carroll, meaning that a front two of Shola Ameobi and Leon Best is likely. However one thing that is obvious in Newcastle’s stats is that they are a team that are never short of goals, wherever they come from, with a whopping 6 players scoring over 2 goals this season and two players reaching double figures. Attacking midfielder and club captain is one of those players and is therefore good value at 11.0 on Victor Chandler to be the First Goalscorer.

Tottenham League Position: 5th League Form: WWWLD

Tottenham’s season already looks like it is going to be a good one for Harry Redknaps men; bolstered this week by the signing of South African playmaker Steven Pienarr they surely have to be favourites for this match. The return to fitness of Mathew Dawson has brought with it 4 clean sheets in their last 5 games and as well as that some real defensive stability. The big talking point of Spurs season has of course been bargain signing Rafael Van De Vaart who has been nothing short of inspirational this season, scoring and providing more goals than any Premier League midfielder so far this season. Therefore he would definitely be worth a shout to score anytime in the match at odds of 2.88 on Stan James.

Tottenham’s success this season has been built on solid form at their home ground White Hart Lane, with the worst results of the season more often coming away from the Lane. So therefore it is conceivable that Tottenham may struggle against an in form Newcastle side. The Lilywhites good showing against league leaders Manchester United came down to strength in midfield characterised by the stand out performer that day Luka Modric. They managed a whopping 59% of the possession that game and I can see if they play like they did at the weekend Spurs wining this game comfortably.

Highlighted Bets

First Goalscorer Kevin Nolan 11.0 Victor Chandler
Anytime Goalscorer Rafael Van De Vaart 2.88 Stan James
Correct Score Tottenham 3-1 21.0 BlueSquare

By John Fernandez

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Premier League betting – Newcastle vs Liverpool

Newcastle vs Liverpool betting preview

Newcastle     Form: WLDLDL     League Position: 12th

It’s been quite a week for Newcastle after they controversially sacked manager Chris Hughton on Monday, despite taking them up from the Championship last season and keeping them clear of the relegation zone. He was then replaced by Alan Pardew on Thursday morning, who was sacked as manager of Southampton in August this year. But the new boss will have a tough first test against a Liverpool side coming off the back of a 3-0 win against Aston Villa. One of the first things that the new boss will need to look at is the amount of goals conceded, after The Magpies let in 9 in their last three games. They do however, have striker Andy Caroll who already has 9 league goals to his name this season, and the young England striker is a great price at 6/1 with Coral to open the scoring.

Midfielder Joey Barton is set to make his return to the first team after a three game suspension and a hamstring injury, while goalkeeper Steve Harper is also pushing for a return after injury. They will however, still be without Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson who are banned and Ryan Taylor who is injured while Kevin Nolan remains a doubt.

Liverpool     Form: WDLWLW     League Position: 8th

Although Liverpool will go into their game against Newcastle on Saturday evening on the back of a 3-0 win against Villa last time out, their form of late has still been very up and down. They went down against Tottenham and Stoke last month, despite good wins against West Ham and Chelsea. Although they go into the match with Newcastle favourites and best priced at 11/10 with Stan James. Star striker Fernando Torres has struggled to find the net this season but the Spaniard is Liverpool’s top league scorer with 5 goals and worth a bet at 5/1 with SkyBet to score 2 or more goals, given Newcastle’s recent leaky defence. Steven Gerard will continue to miss out through injury and the England midfielder will be sorely missed, with defenders Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger also missing out.

Match Prediction: DRAW Best priced at 5/2 with Victor Chandler

Liverpool have been very unpredictable in the last few weeks with some good results and some slip ups, leaving this one hard to call. The trip to St James’ park will be even harder for Roy Hodgson as he will be without two of his key players in Gerard and Carragher. While Newcastle have only won 1 of their last 6 but they have earned a good win away at Arsenal and a draw at home to Chelsea. The sacking of popular Manager Chris Hughton has also not been met with the best reaction by the players and may leave new man Alan Pardew with plenty to prove. A correct score of 1-1 is looking the best bet at 6/1 with Sky Bet as these two sides may just cancel each other out.

Highlighted Bets

Draw – 6/1 with Sky Bet
Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll to both score – 5/1 Paddy Power
Half time score of Newcastle winning 1-0 – 11/2 Blue Square

By Sam Markham

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Premier League betting – Newcastle vs Chelsea

Newcastle vs Chelsea betting preview

Newcastle League Position: 10th League Form: WWLDL

Newcastle’s form this season is still quite erratic, pulling of commanding wins at the Emirates and then last week losing 5-1 against Bolton. The Toon army will be looking for a good defensive display this week against a team who while they still lead the scoring charts in the league haven’t found the net in their last 2 league games. Odds of a Newcastle clean sheet aren’t helped by the absence of centre back Fabricio Coloccini but still at 8/1 at StanJames for a clean sheet it could be an interesting bet.

Newcastle’s season would without a doubt be very different had it not been for the exploits of Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan, 15 goals between them speak of the teams reliance on their goals. 16/1 odds on SkyBet for them to both score look tempting then, especially against an increasingly frail Chelsea back line.

Chelsea League Position: 1st League Form: WLWLL

Chelsea looked infallible early in the season, they were scoring goals for fun and they hadn’t conceded at home at all this season. Then Sunderland visited Stamford Bridge and their seal of invincibility disappeared over 90 minutes. A lot of their drop in form though can be put down to the injuries to John Terry and Frank Lampard coupled with Didier Drogba’s lapse in form due to his malaria. Without Terry the Chelsea defence have looked very unstable, even the return of Brazilian centre back Alex last week couldn’t stem the flow against Birmingham. Ancelotti’s replacements in two full backs Branislav Ivanovic and Paulo Ferriera filling in, in the centre proved disastrous so it must be about time young Dutch centre back Jeffery Bruma gets a look in alongside Alex.

Top scorer Florent Malouda has found it difficult to hit the net in the last few games along with striker Didier Drogba so it’s only a matter of time before they become the force they were at the start at the season, so at 6/1 for both to score on SkyBet it’s well worth a look in. Chelsea will be looking to show how they still are the best team in the premier league with a commanding display at St. James’s Park this weekend so the odds of 15/8 given by StanJames and 888Sport for Chelsea to be winning at Half Time and winning at Full Time again look like promising bets.

Prediction: Draw 2-2 – best odds 18/1 with Sky Bet

The most likely result for these teams is arguably a draw, earlier in the season a Chelsea win would have been a foregone conclusion. However Chelsea’s form has been surprising and Newcastle’s strong forwards will definitely make Chelsea’s make shift back line work.

Highlighted Bets

Newcastle Clean Sheet 8/1 Stan James

Kevin Nolan & Andy Carroll to Both Score 16/1 Sky Bet
Florent Malouda & Didier Drogba to Both Score 6/1 Sky Bet

Half Time/Full Time Chelsea/Chelsea 15/8 Blue Square

Draw 2-2 18/1 Sky Bet

By John Fernandez

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Premier League betting – Man Utd vs Wolves

Man Utd vs Wolves betting preview

Manchester United League Position: 3rd League Form: DDDWW

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men pulled out a top class performance last week against a Spurs team who this week bested the reigning European Champions. While it may have been helped by Nani’s extremely controversial goal it still can’t be disagreed with that United were on top form that day. They followed that up with a mid-week show typical of United’s efficiency in Europe, beating Bursapor 3-0 away from home and with a weakened side.

The Red Devil’s form vs. teams in the lower reaches of the table has been shaky this season though, with United failing to win 4 of the 5 games played against these teams. The absence of Wayne Rooney in the united squad has allowed his fellow strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez to shine, so with SkyBet offering them at 3/1 to both score it’s worth a fair shout. However united can always be guaranteed to find goals from anywhere on the pitch and with Darren Fletcher and Nemanja Vidic both weighing in with a few goals this season the odds of 16/1 on Coral for Darren Fletcher to score first and 22/1 on BWIN for Nemanja Vidic to score first may look more tempting to those willing to take a risk.

Wolverhampton Wanderers League Position: 19th League Form: LLDLW

Wolves’s start to the season has been a torrid one to say the least, languishing in the relegation zone and being accused of playing ‘Thug Football’ can’t be doing much for morale in the dressing room. Last weekend though showed a glimmer of hope in their victory over high flying Manchester City, yes it may have been helped by City’s extremely poor performance but lets not take it away from Wolves they deservedly won 2-1.

Away from home also the Wanderers have only picked up 1 point this season against rock bottom side West Ham. However they have only failed to score in two games this season, so a bet on Wolves top scorers this season Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Steven Fletcher to score anytime in the game, they are priced at 9/2 and 5/1 respectively on William Hill could be a good one with Rio Ferdinand again missing the game through injury, meaning mistake prone Chris Smalling will most probably deputise.

It looks pretty certain that Wolves will sink to a defeat here at the hands of United and with both teams being leaky at the back lately there should defiantly be some goals in it. So a bet on there being over 3 goals at 11/8 on Blue Square is another tempting opportunity, for the more ambitious punters out there though a bet on there being more than 5.5 goals in the game is looking tasty at 10/1 on Victor Chandler. If you are looking at an accumulator this weekend though you would be hard pressed to find a safer looking bet than an in form United tackling an out of sorts Wolves though..

Recommended Bets:

Both to Score Javier Hernandez & Dimitar Berbatov 3/1 Sky Bet
First Goalscorer Darren Fletcher 16/1 Coral

First Goalscorer Nemanja Vidic 22/1 Bet 365

Total Goals Over 3 11/8 Blue Square

Over 5.5 Goals 10/1 Victor Chandler

By John Fernandez

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