PREMIER LEAGUE weekend PREVIEW by David Walker (Friday, November 10, 2006)

More misery will be heaped on Charlton Athletic and Newcastle United this weekend, while Manchester United should win at Ewood Park for this first time since 1998 writes David Walker. Saturday 11 November Manchester City vs Newcastle United Two teams battling against relegation will slug it out in this lunch time horror show. Things have got so bad at City, they have even started losing against Charlton, enduring a 1-0 reverse last weekend. Things are not much better in Newcastle either, bottom but one in the table and a home defeat against goal shy Sheffield United on Saturday. City have won three of their last four home encounters against the Magpies following their return to the Premiership in 2002 so a welcome home win is the call. Walker's Word 1x2: City @ 11/10 (Paddy Power) AH: City - 1/4 @ 37/40 (Bet365) OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 5/4 (VCBet) Chelsea vs Watford Chelsea to ?get back to winning ways' in what is likely to be a dour, low scoring, affair at Stamford Bridge. Yawn. Walker's Word 1x2: Chelsea @ 1/6 (Betfred) AH: Chelsea - 1 3/4 @ 4/5 (Bet365) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 6/5 (VCBet) Everton vs Aston Villa Everton are without a win in their last three, including a midweek home defeat against a youthful Arsenal side in the Carling Cup while Villa have lost their last two on the road, including Wednesday's 4-0 thrashing by Chelsea in the much maligned knockout competition. The Toffees have a good record against Villa, winning four out of the last five Premiership encounters at Goodison Park and could push themselves up the table at Martin O'Neill's expense. Walker's Word 1x2: Everton @ 6/5 (Ladbrokes) AH: Everton - 1/4 (Bet365) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 8/13 (VCBet) Middlesbrough vs West Ham United Middlesbrough are hovering just above the relegation zone after losing their last two matches and four of their last six. However, they have won their last two matches at the Riverside Stadium and have an exceptional record against the Hammers, winning seven out of their last eight league meetings in the North East. Alan Pardew's side, now in fifteenth and level on points with the Boro, have won their last two league games including a memorable defeat of Arsenal last weekend, but could return to London with nothing on Saturday. Walker's Word 1x2: Boro @ 6/5 (Betfred) AH: Boro - 1/4 @ 19/20 (Bet365) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 8/13 (VCBet) Portsmouth vs Fulham Portsmouth early season form has dipped slightly following a barn storming srart to the campaign, but two league defeats in their last four matches were against Chelsea and Manchester United. Fulham are opponents Harry Redknapp will fancy his chances against and Portmsouth have won two of their last three Premiership meetings against the Cottagers at Fratton Park. Walker's Word 1x2: Portsmouth @ 9/10 (VCBet) AH: Portsmouth - 1/2 @ 19/20 (Bet365) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 4/6 (VCBet) Sheffield United vs Bolton Wanderers Sheffield United scored their first goal in four Premiership matches against Newcastle last weekend and it proved to be the winner. They face an equally shot shy side in Bolton who haven't scored a goal in their last two league matches and have hit the back of the net just once during the last four in all competitions. Watching paint dry may be a more exciting option than visiting Bramall Lane in a match which could peter out to a goalless draw. Walker's Word 1x2: Draw @ 11/5 (Paddy Power) AH: Sheffield United + 1/4 @ 17/20 (Bet365) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 8/13 (Bet365) Wigan Athletic vs Charlton Athletic Wigan are an improving side and now their new players are starting to gel they have won three league games on the bounce, including two away from home. Rock bottom Charlton are also improving slightly and are unbeaten in their last three Premiership matches, culminating in a home win against Manchester City last weekend. Last season was the first time the pair ever played each other and Wigan crushed the Addicks 3-0. The way Paul Jewell's side have been playing recently, a similar result is not out of the question. Walker's Word 1x2: Wigan @ 5/6 (Betfred) AH: Wigan - 1/2 @ 19/20 (Bet365) OU: Over 2.5 goals @ 6/5 (Bet365) Blackburn Rovers vs Manchester United United will not have a better opportunity to end their Ewood Park hoodoo than on Saturday night. The Reds have not won at Blackburn in the league since 1998 and since then Rovers have won three out of five, the other two being draws. However, top of the table United will be licking their wounds following a midweek Carling Cup exit at the hands of Southend United and Mark Hughes' side are ravaged by injuries. Walker's Word 1x2: Man Utd @ 4/7 (Paddy Power) AH: Man Utd - 3/4 @ 33/40 (Bet365) OU: Over 2.5 goals @ evens (VCBet Sunday 12 November Reading vs Tottenham Hotspur Two teams in mid table, both with contrasting opinions of being there. Reading, with survival as their priority, have lost their last four, while Tottenham have come off the back of a momentous 2-1 defeat of Chelsea last weekend. Prior to that result, Spurs won just three out of 10 Premiership matches and this fixture is a good opportunity for the Royals to stop the rot. Honours to finish even. Walker's Word 1x2: Draw @ 9/4 (UK Betting) AH: Reading + 1/4 @ 17/20 (Bet365) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 8/13 (VCBet) Arsenal vs Liverpool Arsenal are climbing back up the table slowly but faced a setback against West Ham last weekend. Liverpool, while going great guns in the cup competitions they are involved in, have not performed in the Premiership this term, but they have won their last two matches. Arsenal have won the last three league encounters between the pair at Highbury, but have not hit the same heights at the new Emirates Stadium, winning two of their last five Premiership matches in their new home. Walker's Word 1x2: Draw @ 9/4 (Betfred) AH: Liverpoool + 1/2 @ 4/5 (Bet365) OU: Under 2.5 goals @ 8/13 (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 @ 6:05 AM << Home