PREMIER LEAGUE weekend PREVIEW by David Walker (Friday, September 29, 2006)

There are some great betting opportunities this weekend and Walker's Word now brings you verdicts on three betting markets per game! Saturday should see Arsenal continue their winning ways at The Valley and a first win of the campaign for Sheffield United. Reading are an excellent price on Sunday while Manchester United should also return to winning ways at Old Trafford writes David Walker. Saturday 30 September Bolton Wanderers vs Liverpool Another lunch time kick off for Liverpool, their sixth of the campaign. This time there are up against Bolton Wanderers who forced Portsmouth to concede their first goal of the season and in turn suffer their first defeat. Following a stern test against Galatasaray in midweek, the Reds will not relish a trip to the Reebok Stadium as they have not won there since their 3-2 victory in September 2002. Liverpool could also face a former player in Nicolas Anelka in a match which has ended 2-2 in two of the last three played. Walker's Word 1x2: Draw @ 9/4 (VCBet) AH: Bolton +1/2 @ 33/40 (Bet365) OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 6/4 (VCBet) Charlton Athletic vs Arsenal Charlton, with five defeats in six Premiership games, are bottom but one in the Premiership and will not want to face an Arsenal side who are stepping up a gear. The Gunners have won their last four in all competitions, including a defeat of Manchester United at Old Trafford and breaking their Emirates Stadium duck against Sheffield United. Arsenal have won five out of seven Premiership encounters at the Valley, including four of the last five so confidence will be sky high. Despite this match ending low scoring more often than high, with four out of seven Premiership matches finishing with two goals or under, there is a fear Charlton could collapse as things go from bad to worse under Iain Dowie. Walker's Word 1x2: Arsenal @ 4/7 (Ladbrokes) AH: Arsenal -3/4 @ 4/5 (Bet365) OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 11/10 (Bet365) Chelsea vs Aston Villa Aston Villa have been something of a surprise package under Martin O'Neill but their unbeaten record will face a stiff test at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have won eight out of 14 Premiership encounters against the Villains at home, but more recent seasons have seen them win their last four and seven out of eight. This has often been a tight encounter and that is likely to continue with both sides possessing a mean defence. One goal could settle this. Walker's Word 1x2: Chelsea @ 1/3 (Ladbrokes) AH: Aston Villa + 1.5 @ 4/5 (Bet365) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 19/20 (Bet365) Everton vs Manchester City Following a 1-1 draw against Newcastle last week, Everton will see this match as an ideal opportunity to return to winning ways. Manchester City may have beaten West Ham last weekend, but prior to that have been awful, losing 13 in 16 before victory over the Hammers. Everton have won three out of five since City returned to the Premiership in 2001 and five out of nine overall since the Premiership's inception at Goodison Park. Walker's Word 1x2: Everton @ 4/5 (UK Betting) AH: Everton -1/2 @ 37/40 (Bet365) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 8/13 (Bet365) Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough Two struggling teams meet and home advantage could be the key to success. Middlesbrough have won just once in the Premiership this season, ironically against Chelsea but have failed to win eight away trips stretching back to last season. The Blades are not without their troubles either, just two draws and as many goals in six Premiership matches, despite Neil Warnock having eight strikers on the books. It's a tough one to predict, but I'm going to side with the home team. Just. Walker's Word 1x2: Sheffield United @ 8/5 (Ladbrokes) AH: Sheffield United level ball @ 19/20 (Bet365) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 6/10 (Bet365) Sunday 1 October West Ham United vs Reading Sunday's earliest kick-off sees faltering West Ham take on improving Reading. The introduction of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano appears to have done more harm than good, culminating in a defeat against habitual losers Manchester City last weekend. Reading performed well against Manchester United last weekend to earn a creditable draw and could go one better at Upton Park. Walker's Word 1x2: Reading @ 4/1 (UK Betting) AH: Reading +1/2 @ 4/5 (Ladbrokes) OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 23/20 (Bet365) Blackburn Rovers vs Wigan Athletic Improving Blackburn earned a morale boosting win at Middlesbrough last weekend, but with just one win in three Premiership matches at Ewood Park, are not full of confidence on home soil. Wigan find themselves in the lower reaches of the league table but are battlers on the road, earning draws against both Watford and Everton in their last two away matches. This is a local derby which will give proceedings and extra edge and a repeat of last season's 1-1 draw is the sensible call. Walker's Word 1x2: Draw @ 12/5 (VCBet) AH: Wigan +1/2 @ 9/10 (Ladbrokes) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 4/6 (UK Betting) Manchester United vs Newcastle United Despite a sound start to the season, Manchester United have wobbled, losing to Arsenal and only managing a draw with Reading. They have a great chance to make amends against Newcastle who are traditionally iffy on the road and a bit suspect in defence. Recently, United have been dominant in this fixture, winning six out of the last seven meetings at Old Trafford and eight out of 13 home encounters since the Newcastle arrived in the Premiership in 1993. Walker's Word 1x2: Manchester United @ 1/3 (Betfred) AH: Manchester United -1 1/4 @ 31/40 (Bet365) OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 5/6 (UK Betting) Tottenham Hotspur vs Portsmouth Tottenham have played well in recent games but have had no reward while former table toppers Portsmouth suffered their first defeat of the season against Bolton on Monday. Former Spurs defender Sol Campbell will have his work cut out when he return to North London because in three Premiership meetings at White Hart Lane, Tottenham have won twice by a 3-1 margin and once in a 4-3 goalfest. It could prove profitable to back goals being scored in this match and the odds represent real value given past meetings. Walker's Word 1x2: Tottenham Hotspur @ 10/11 (Betfred) AH: Tottenham -1/2 @ 7/8 (Ladbrokes) OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 5/4 (VCBet) Monday 2 October Watford vs Fulham As predicted, Watford are at the wrong end of the table early on but they have an opportunity to climb out of the bottom three with a win against London rivals Fulham. Chris Coleman's side were dire on the road last season and Hornet's manager Aidy Boothroyd will hope that form will show itself at Vicarage Road. Walker's Word 1x2: Watford @ 6/4 (Coral) AH: Watford level ball @ 4/5 (Bet365) OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 6/5 (UK Betting) 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 @ 5:57 AM << Home