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| Soccer Betting Previews |
| PREMIERSHIP PREVIEW by David Walker (Friday, April 28, 2006) |
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Manchester United could delay Chelsea's celebrations by a
further week while Portsmouth could relegate both West
Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City this weekend writes
David Walker.
Chelsea vs Manchester United
The clash of the form teams and the result which could confirm
Chelsea's retention of the Premiership should the Blues win.
Chelsea have been impeccable in front of their own fans this
season, winning 17 out of 18 Premiership matches. Indeed,
the only time they have been beaten inside 90 minutes at
home this season was against Barcelona in the Champions
League. Manchester United are the Premiership's form team,
with 10 wins in their last 11 matches and the shocking goalless
draw against Sunderland the only blot on an immaculate
copybook.
United have won just four times at Stamford Bridge in 14
Premiership meetings while Chelsea have experienced the
same success against the Reds on home soil. The match has
finished all square on five occasions so historically there is
not much to split the sides. Chelsea have won the last two
meetings at home 1-0 while United's last success came four
years ago when they won 3-0.
Chelsea go into the match as favourites, but Manchester
United could extend the title "race" to another week with
victory at tempting odds.
Walker's Word: Stubborn United to battle on @ 11/4.
Birmingham City vs Newcastle United
Birmingham are in desperate need of points if they are to
avoid relegation and have slowly turned the corner by
remaining unbeaten in their last three home games. However,
with fellow relegation candidates Portsmouth also hitting form,
Steve Bruce's side may run out of games. The last two meetings
between the pair have finished all square while Newcastle won
2-0 in 2002. Newcastle have hit a rich vein of form under
caretaker manager Glenn Roeder and have won their last five
matches. The Magpies will have a lot to say in the relegation
battle, having beaten West Brom 3-0 last weekend and are
unlikely to do a side which has not beaten them at St. Andrews
since 1977 any favours.
Walker's Word: Newcastle win @ 17/10.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
Liverpool, fresh from dispatching Chelsea out of the FA Cup
will be confident of beating lowly Aston Villa. The Reds have
won their last two against Villa at and three in their last five
meetings at Anfield. While Liverpool have won 14 out of 18
home matches this season, David O'Leary's side have been
dreadful on the road. They have lost their last four, including
two heavy defeats: 5-0 against Arsenal 5-0 and 4-1 at Everton.
Villa are likely to survive relegation by the skin of their teeth
and a better goal difference, but points on the board won't
prevent them from playing like a side tumbling out of the
division on Saturday.
Walker's Word: One for the big hitters - home win @ 4/11.
Manchester City vs Fulham
After a promising start to the season, Manchester City have
plummeted to the lower echelons of the Premiership and will
see this match as a way of restoring some pride. The last two
meetings between the sides have ended as draws, although
City have had the better of previous encounters. The
Citizens dished out a 4-1 hammering in 2003 and enjoyed
a 4-0 win in 2000 and 3-0 victory in 1999 as both sides
progressed through Division's One and Two respectively.
Added to this, Fulham not won at City since 1984 in the
old second division and Stuart Pearce's side could take
full advantage and creep above them in the table.
Walker's Word: Manchester City @ Evens.
Middlesbrough vs Everton
Middlesbrough have experience a congested fixture list in
recent weeks due to their success in the FA and UEFA Cups.
Despite some iffy results on the road, they remain a force
at the Riverside Stadium and have won four of their last
five at home, including the 3-0 defeat of Chelsea. Everton
have not beaten Middlesbrough away since 2000, with Boro
recording two wins and two draws since then. The clash
against Everton will be Middlesbrough's tenth match in
April and with Steve McClaren's side playing a crucial
UEFA Cup semi-final on Thursday, the Toffees have a
chance of returning to Merseyside with at least a point.
Walker's Word: Low scoring draw @ 9/4.
Wigan Athletic vs Portsmouth
Wigan have not fared well recently but have done remarkably
well overall in their first season in the top flight. Just three
wins in their last 13 matches and one victory in their last eight
at home will give a resurgent Portsmouth optimism in their
battle to avoid the drop. The Latics beat Aston Villa 3-2 on
18 April, their first since beating Manchester City on Boxing
Day, but suffered five home reverses in between. Harry
Redknapp's side could relegate West Brom and indeed
Birmingham if they win and Steve Bruce's side lose and are
in pole position to do so. After a dismal campaign, Pompey
have won five of their last eight matches including away
victories at West Ham United and Fulham.
Walker's Word: Portsmouth to survive @ 7/4.
Charlton Athletic vs Blackburn Rovers
Charlton are on course to finish comfortably in mid-table and
this is largely thanks to their solid home form. The Addicks
have not lost at The Valley since Arsenal beat them on Boxing
Day and have won six out of nine home matches since that
defeat. Alan Curbishley's side have a good record against
Rovers, winning three of the last four Premiership meetings
in London. Despite Blackburn being on course for a place in
Europe, they have not fared well away from home. Mark
Hughes' side have won just won in seven matches on the
road, including a 2-1 defeat at Birmingham and 2-2 draw
at Portsmouth in their last two away games.
Walker's Word: Home form to prevail @ 13/8.
Sunday 30 April
Tottenham Hotspur vs Bolton Wanderers
Bolton have been the scourge of Spurs in recent seasons,
winning the last two meetings at White Hart Lane and also
enjoying a 1-0 win at the Reebok Stadium back in November.
Spurs realistically need to win both of their final two games to
confirm a fourth place finish ahead of North London rivals
Arsenal and their solid home form could serve them well here.
Martin Jol's side have won 11 out of 18 matches in front of their
own fans this season and will be buoyed by the 1-1 derby draw
with Arsenal last weekend. Another home win is the sensible
bet here.
Walker's Word: Tottenham Hotspur @ 8/13.
Get all the mentioned odds or even slightly higher in most cases at
Paddypower and  Betfred .
About the Author
David Walker is the resident tipster at a popular free bets website. Feature Walker's Word on your own website, blog or forum for free each week.
Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 12:45 AM
 
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