PREMIER LEAGUE weekend PREVIEW by David Walker (Friday, October 27, 2006)

A relegation three pointer is live on television in the form of Newcastle vs Charlton on Saturday evening, while Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United will form many banker trebles this weekend as they all tackle opponents they will be expected to beat writes David Walker. Saturday 28 October Sheffield United vs Chelsea The Blades get another lunch time airing on live television, this time against reigning champions Chelsea. There is no point in previewing this match in too much detail as the expected outcome is obvious. Chelsea have won 10 out of their last 11 matches in all competitions and a 1-0, or 2-0 victory is the call. Walker's Word 1x2: Chelsea @ 3/10 (VCBet) AH: Chelsea - 1 1/4 @ 33/40 (Bet365) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 4/5 (Paddy Power) Arsenal vs Everton Not much to say here apart from history is very much on Arsene Wenger's side. Arsenal have won the last 10 at home against Everton and 13 out of 15 in North London since the Premiership's inception. Nine matches have finished over 2.5 goals with the Gunners netting four goals past the hapless Toffees on as many occasions and spanking them 7-0 in 2005. Home banker material. Walker's Word 1x2: Arsenal @ 2/5 (Ladbrokes) AH: Arsenal - 1 1/4 @ 21/20 (Bet365) OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 9/10 (VCBet) Bolton Wanderers vs Manchester United With Chelsea facing a relatively easy task in the steel city, Manchester United face a sterner test at Bolton. Sam Allardyce's side have won their last four matches, notably against Liverpool and away to Newcastle, conceding just one goal in the process. United have won their last three and beat Liverpool comfortably last weekend. United have won four of their last seven visits to Bolton and are unbeaten against the Trotters on their own turf in the Premiership. Walker's Word 1x2: United @ 10/11 (Betfred) AH: United - 1/2 @ 9/10 (Bet365) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 8/11 (Paddy Power) Fulham vs Wigan Athletic Fulham, unbeaten in their last three, are relishing life in the top 10 of the Premiership while last season's surprise package Wigan are hovering dangerously above the relegation zone. However, Wigan will be buoyed by the 4-0 thrashing of Manchester City last week, their first win in seven matches and could earn a point at Craven Cottage. Walker's Word 1x2: Draw @ 9/4 (UK Betting) AH: Wigan + 1/2 @ 4/5 (Bet365) OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 11/10 (VCBet) Liverpool vs Aston Villa Liverpool will not look forward to facing a remarkably still unbeaten Aston Villa side this weekend. The Reds, languishing in 11th place, have lost two of their last three Premiership matches while the Villains are the only undefeated side left in the top four divisions. Villa have drawn their last three matches 1-1 and a similar result could be achieved at Anfield. Walker's Word 1x2: Draw @ 5/2 (VCBet) AH: Villa + 3/4 @ 21/20 (Bet365) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 4/6 (Paddy Power) Portsmouth vs Reading Both Portsmouth and Reading are battling to maintain their top 10 positions but honours could go to the home side on Saturday. Both sides will feel the effects of Carling Cup ties in the week but Pompey's excellent home form, which has seen them win three out of four matches at Fratton Park this season, will see them through. Walker's Word 1x2: Portsmouth @ 17/20 (VCBet) AH: Portsmouth - 1/2 @ 37/40 (Bet365) OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 11/10 (Bet365) Watford vs Tottenham Hotspur Watford are still waiting for their first Premiership win but have proven to be tough competition as five draws in nine matches so far suggests. Tottenham are struggling in mid table but are improving. They have won two of their last three Premiership matches and five of their last six in all competitions and could well condemn the Hornets to just their second home defeat of the season. Walker's Word 1x2: Spurs @ 11/10 (Betfred) AH: Spurs - 1/4 @ 17/20 (Bet365) OU: Over 2.5 goals @ Evens (VCBet) Newcastle United vs Charlton Athletic A televised teatime relegation six pointer. The last two encounters at St James' Park between this pair have been drawn but given Charlton's dire predicament I can't see anything other than a home win. The Addicks are rooted to the foot of the table and are winless in six Premiership matches. Newcastle have also lost four of their last five in the league but Charlton's dismal away record stands out. They are winless in 18 trips on the road and have dropped 50 points out of 54 available in the last year. Walker's Word 1x2: Newcastle @ 4/5 (Coral) AH: Newcastle - 1/2 @ 4/5 (Bet365) OU: Over 2.5 goals @ Evens (VCBet) Sunday 29 October West Ham United vs Blackburn Rovers West Ham need to stop the rot if they are to avoid relegation this season. They have lost their last eight matches in a row and it's 11 since they last saw a win. Marlon Harewood's goal in the humiliating 2-1 Carling Cup defeat at Chesterfield was the first goal the Hammers scored in eight matches. Blackburn are showing decent form, despite losing to Bolton last weekend, but have not won at Upton Park since 1994. A draw may be the sensible option here. Walker's Word 1x2: Draw @ 9/4 (UK Betting) AH: Blackburn level ball @ 23/20 (Bet365) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 4/6 (VCBet) Monday 30 October Manchester City vs Middlesbrough Manchester City are unbeaten in the league at home this season while Middlesbrough have not won on their travels. Simple case of a home win then? Wrong. Manchester City have not beaten Middlesbrough in seven home Premiership attempts, with Boro winning the match 1-0 on four occasions since the top flight was established in 1992/93. This remarkable statistic cannot be ignored. Walker's Word 1x2: Middlesbrough @ 21/10 (VCBet) AH: Middlesbrough + 1/4 @ 7/8 (Bet365) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 4/6 (Paddy Power) Author Resource: 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 @ 7:30 AM << Home