PREMIER LEAGUE weekend PREVIEW by David Walker (Friday, October 20, 2006)

Old rivalries and derby matches galore will be played out across two days this weekend. Expect bottom clubs Charlton and Watford to do each other no favours at The Valley on Saturday, while Sunday could produce upsets at Old Trafford and the Riverside Stadium at large odds writes David Walker. Saturday 21 October Wigan Athletic vs Manchester City Last season these teams were involved in a ding-dong Boxing Day encounter which finished 4-3 in Wigan's favour. At the moment, Manchester City are fairing better than Paul Jewell's side in the league, in 12th position on nine points compared to 17th and five points but with two inconsistent teams, home advantage could prevail Walker's Word 1x2: Wigan @ 13/10 (UK Betting) AH: Wigan - 1/4 @ 41/40 (Bet365) OU: Over @ 5/4 (VCBet) Charlton Athletic vs Watford It's the battle at the bottom of the Premiership as last placed Charlton tackle London rivals Watford, themselves just one place and one point better off. This will be a match that neither side want to lose and as a result could end in a draw which won't benefit either of them. Walker's Word 1x2: Draw @ 12/5 (VCBet) AH: Watford + 1/2 @ 9/10 (Ladbrokes) OU: Over @ 11/10 (Bet365) Chelsea vs Portsmouth One for the big hitters who will plough into Chelsea at odds on. Despite Portsmouth's lofty position in the league in which they are just three points behind Jose Mourinho's side there will only be one winner. For those of you who don't want to bet on Chelsea at short odds, taking Portsmouth on the handicap or backing under 2.5 goals could be profitable at a better price. Walker's Word 1x2: Chelsea @ 1/4 (Betfred) AH: Portsmouth + 1 1/2 @ 4/5 (Bet365) OU: Under @ 4/5 (VCBet) Everton vs Sheffield United After a run of four matches without victory, Everton will see this match against the struggling Blades as a must win. Neil Warnock's side are just outside the relegation zone in 16th, but are unbeaten in their last two matches. The bookmakers fancy an Everton cakewalk but it won't be as easy as the odds suggest. Walker's Word 1x2: Everton @ 4/7 (VCBet) AH: Everton - 1 @ 28/25 (Ladbrokes) OU: Under @ 4/6 (Bet365) Aston Villa vs Fulham Both Aston Villa and Fulham are enjoying life in the top half of the table after several seasons in the doldrums but the smart money will be on the home side this weekend. Martin O'Neill's side are not only unbeaten this season but they have won four of the last five encounters against Fulham at Villa Park, apart from last season which finished goalless. Walker's Word 1x2: Aston Villa @ 8/11 (Paddy Power) AH: Villa - 3/4 @ 43/40 (Bet365) OU: Under @ 8/11 (VCBet) Sunday 22 October Manchester United vs Liverpool The jewel in the Premiership fixture list this weekend is undoubtedly United vs Liverpool. Top of the table United tackle stuttering Liverpool who have dropped points against Bolton and Blackburn in their last two matches. However, there could be an upset on the cards. Liverpool have won three of their last six visits to Old Trafford by a single goal and United have already lost at home to Arsenal this season. Walker's Word 1x2: Liverpool @ 7/2 (VCBet) AH: Liverpool + 1/2 @ 43/50 (Ladbrokes) OU: Over @ 7/5 (Bet365) Blackburn Rovers vs Bolton Wanderers This derby fixture is often very tight with few goals to cheer. It finished goalless twice last season and produced two 1-0 away wins the season before. In fact, this encounter has produced home and away draws in three of the last five Premiership seasons and that is not a trend I would want to back against. Walker's Word 1x2: Draw @ 11/5 (Coral) AH: Bolton + 1/4 @ 4/5 (Bet365) OU: Under @ 4/7 (VCBet) Middlesbrough vs Newcastle In the North East derby Middlesbrough will have their work cut out against Newcastle. Middlesbrough have not beaten Newcastle for three seasons at the Riverside Stadium, with recent results finishing in two wins for the Magpies and a 2-2 draw sandwiched in between. Neither side has any form of note, which makes the odds on Glenn Roeder's side all the more tempting. Walker's Word 1x2: Newcastle @ 19/10 (VCBet) AH: Newcastle level ball @ 9/8 (Bet365) OU: Over @ 11/10 (VCBet) Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United The second London derby of the weekend sees struggling Spurs against relegation threatened West Ham. The bookmakers fancy a home win but it's worth pointing out that this encounter has produced only five Premiership wins for Spurs in 11 matches played so the odds on about them does not look too appealing, despite how poorly the Hammers have faired in recent weeks. A tight match is expected, with six of the last eight league meetings finishing with two goals or fewer. Walker's Word 1x2: Draw @ 12/5 (VCBet) AH: West Ham + 1/2 @ 43/40 (Bet365) OU: Under @ 4/6 (Bet365) Reading vs Arsenal After a sluggish start to the season, Arsenal are finding their rhythm and will no doubt be paired together with Chelsea in numerous double bets this weekend. Considering Reading took points of Manchester United and kept Chelsea to within one goal at the Madejski Stadium this season the odds on Arsenal are not tempting. However, an interesting statistic is Reading have lost to Arsenal in all five competitive games ever played between the pair and unsurprisingly an away win is the expected result. Walker's Word 1x2: Arsenal @ 8/15 (Betfred) AH: Arsenal - 1 @ 47/40 (Bet365) OU: Over @ Evens (VCBet) 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 @ 6:04 AM << Home