Premiership Previews 22nd - 24th November
Chelsea V Newcastle United Saturday 15:00
Joe Kinnear's Newcastle side will make the trip down to London this week in hope they can attain some more points. They have the tough task of going to Stamford Bridge where Phil Scolari's Chelsea team will be expecting to get all three points. Once more, Newcastle haven't picked up a single point in the league when they have gone to Chelsea in the last 5 visits with Chelsea winning all five games between the two sides. The statistics are heavily against the away side but Joe Kinnear will fancy his sides chances nevertheless.
Chelsea have yet to hit a low point this season with their only defeat being against Liverpool and have only dropped points in the league on two occasions against two decent sides in Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. They have a knack of brushing a side the smaller sides in the league and this match should be no different. Since the home defeat to Liverpool they have managed to pick themselves up and win their next four league matches pretty emphatically scoring 13 in 4 games and conceding zero in return. Their rear guard has been in superb form this season but they may be without their captain John Terry who has a foot injury. The defender didn't play in midweek for England and might not feature this weekend. They will also be delighted with the return of Didier Drogba who is starting to get a few games under his belt. However, Nicolas Anelka is good goal scoring form and will be looking to keep the Ivorian forward out of the starting line up. The French man scored a brace on Saturday evening and it would be hard to leave him out of the starting eleven on that performance.
Newcastle fans will be slightly disappointed with their sides results at the weekend when they could only manage a draw at home to Steve Bruce's Wigan Athletic side. The game finished 2-2 but the talking point was the dismissal of Wigan defender Emerson Boyce after what looked a fair challenge only to see a second yellow card brandished. Wigan were looking the better side and that sending off certainly influenced the game. Despite that rather fortuitous result, Newcastle's results and performance on the pitch have improved greatly recently with the Joe Kinnear factor appearing to be the catalyst. They are still at the foot of the table though just two points off the bottom. A defeat this Saturday could realistically see them lye in 20th position if other teams results go against them. Something the Newcastle fans and board won't be satisfied with.
Match odds -
Chelsea 1/5 Bet365
Draw 9/2 Partybets
Newcastle 12/1 Canbet
Prediction - Chelsea
Liverpool V Fulham Saturday 15:00
Liverpool will be looking to build upon their result at the weekend and secure another set of three points as they prepare to play host to Fulham this weekend. With Liverpool winning five of their six home games this season and Fulham yet to register a win on their travels, the end result really looks a formality. The head-to-head doesn't bode well for Fulham either with four of the previous five league encounters between these two sides played at Anfield ending in the home side winning. Liverpool have also scored 14 in those games with Fulham scoring just the two. A tough match ahead for Fulham it would appear.
Rafael Benitez will be fully aware that every single Liverpool fan out there will now have their eyes set on that Premiership title after their impressive start to the season. They are level on points with Chelsea with Chelsea's superior goal difference separating the two sides. Liverpool have had problems with beating some of the smaller sides when they have met at Anfield as most sides tend to play very defensively in hope they can walk away from Liverpool with a point. Liverpool don't have problems with creating chances but it is converting them which is the problem. Robbie Keane scored a couple at Anfield when they played West Brom and many punters expect him to go on from that. His open goal miss from just a few yards on Saturday won't have helped his already low confidence. Fernando Torres made a second half appearance in place on Robbie Keane and also failed to put away a very easy goal opportunity. Fortunately for Liverpool, Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt were on hand to put two chances away and seal the win but if Liverpool are to mount any serious title challenge then the strikers will need to get more involved in the goals.
Gary Hodgeson will know is side will have it all to do if they are to take anything away from Anfield on Saturday. They haven't travelled well this season and have just the one point to show for their efforts away from home in a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth. They do struggle for goal away with just two from five away league matches. Andy Johnson certainly has the potential to score but Fulham do lack a creative player in the middle of the park. Funnily enough their defence hasn't been the problem and have conceded just one away from home in each of their four previous away matches. Some will say that, that is one too many but for a Fulham side who have a reputation for shipping a few, it is a pretty good statistic. They have faced some weak opponents though of late and this will be a much sterner test.
Match odds -
Liverpool ¼ Bet365
Draw 17/4 Sportingbet
Fulham 52/5 Canbet
Prediction - Liverpool
Manchester City V Arsenal Saturday 15:00
By far one of the more attractive matches the Premiership has to offer this weekend as Arsene Wenger will be looking for a much improved performance after Saturday's home defeat. While Manchester City boss Mark Hughes will be desperate to get back to winning ways after going four league games without a win. With the talent on show this really does have the potential to be a very good game with a lot of attacking football. It is Arsenal though who go into the game with the better record over City with Arsenal winning the nine of the previous ten league encounters between the two sides. Manchester City's only league victory over Arsenal coming back in 2006 in Manchester.
Mark Hughes's has been backed by the board to turn City's fortunes around and has been rumoured to be on the verge of receiving a very large transfer fund when the January transfer window opens. Until then he will have to work with what he has got and get the best out of the players he has available. Something it would appear, he isn't doing too well judging by their recent results in the league. Their away draw at Hull will be seen as a poor result by most football followers but that was their first points in the league for three games with their previous three matches in the league ending in defeats. A cause for concern will be their results against the better sides in the league this season. They have had games at home against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and lost both. If they are to break into the top four then have to beat their nearest competition. City certainly have attacking ability with the likes of Robinho and Wright Philips bombing down the flanks and Stephen Ireland lurking in the centre of the park. These three will be key if they are to pick up a good result on Saturday.
Arsenal are starting to look very inconsistent. Their defeat on Saturday to Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa did come as a surprise as Arsenal have now lost two home games in the early part of the season. Their away form has been a mixed bag with some of their matches ending in comfortable victories for the Londoners while some they have really struggled to match their opponents. Their last away game at Stoke proved this. They were simply out muscled and Stoke fully deserved the win. Their pretty football will work against sides that play open attacking football but when it comes to sides who sit back and hold out, they seem to find no answers. However, Manchester City will look to attack at every opportunity and that is why we fancy the away sides chances despite their poor form of late. We expect City to play right into Arsenal hands and get punished on the break. This should be a very open game and could well be a goal feast for the neutrals.
Match odds -
Manchester City 51/20 Canbet
Draw 23/10 Bet365
Arsenal 6/5 ToteSport
Prediction - Arsenal
Middlesborough V Bolton Saturday 15:00
Gary Megson's Bolton Wanderers side make the trip up to Tyneside on Saturday in desperate need of some points. With the bottom half of the table separated by just a couple of points it means no one is safe from dropping in and out of the bottom three. A defeat for Bolton could see them drop back into the bottom three while a win for Middlesborough could see them close the gap on the teams above. This match has always been a hard one to call and the head-to-head clearly shows this with Middlesborough winning four, Bolton winning three and the other five league encounters ending in draws.
Gareth Southgate's Middlesborough have showed some improve form of late still struggle to win back to back games. Their last five league games have ended with two wins and three draws all alternative to each other. Despite the fact that they are undefeated in five they must be disappointed with the amount of draws they have achieved so far. They played very well against Everton but they could only manage another draw. Their most expensive signing, Alfonso Alves has still not hit any sort of form while Tuncay is starting to show a bit of promise. Middlesborough will certainly get chances on Saturday. It's just whether they can convert them.
Bolton never really looked like get something when they took on Liverpool at The Reebok on Saturday. They did have a goal ruled out for pushing and Gardner could of finished off a slick move but that was the closest they came to breaking through Liverpool's rear guard. Liverpool could of won the game by 5 or 6 and this has to be a massive concern for Gary Megson. His side look very vulnerable at the back while they struggle for penetration in the final third. A terrible combination. Bolton look a side that have every chance of going down this season and will need to show vast improvements if they are to change our minds.
Match odds -
Middlesborough 19/20 Canbet
Draw 5/2 Coral
Bolton 10/3 Coral
Prediction - Middlesborough
Portsmouth V Hull City Saturday 15:00
Tony Adams prepares his side for the arrival of Hull this Saturday with both side eager to make emends for the drop of points at home the following weekend. Both of these sides could only manage draws at home at the weekend with Portsmouth drawing 0-0 against West Ham and Hull City getting a pretty respectable point against the rich boys, Manchester City. Neither side have picked up many points in recent games so both will want an improvement in form.
Tony Adam's has already achieved his first win as Portsmouth manage but is yet to experience a league victory on home soil after Portsmouth lost 2-1 against Wigan Athletic in Adam's first home match of the season. Their draw at home at the weekend will be a little disappointing for the Pompey manager as his side has the better of the chances with Defoe failing to put several chances to bed. Portsmouth have been inconsistent at Fratton park with just three wins at home from six. Jermaine Defoe has been their main goal threat this season and the Portsmouth faithful will be hoping to see him hit the net on Saturday.
Hull City are without a doubt the most surprising and most improved side of the season and are currently sixth in the league table. Their results have dropped though recently and haven't won in four league games picking up just one point. A tough fixture list has seen them lose to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United but their draw at home to Manchester City was creditable. Another key factor for the away side will be that their away form is far better then their home form. Four of their six league victories have come away from home and have lost just once on their travels this season. They don't struggle for goals away either and have actually scored more goals away then Portsmouth have at home. This could be a free flowing match and could go either way.
Match odds -
Portsmouth 9/10 Partybets
Draw 13/5 Bet365
Hull 7/2 Coral
Portsmouth - Draw
Stoke City V West Brom Saturday 15:00
This match could potentially be a six pointer come the end of the season as West Brom make the trip to Stoke City in desperate need of adding some points to their already poor tally. Both sides go into this match off the back off defeats at the weekend and both lye at the foot of the table which makes this match even more important for the teams.
Tony Pulis will be fairly satisfied with his teams start to the season despite them being just one point away from the bottom three. A lot of punters expected Stoke City to struggle this season especially after they were comfortably beaten on the opening day by a poor Bolton side. Since then they have picked up some decent results with the home victory over Arsenal being the highlight. They never looked like causing a threat to Manchester United goal on Saturday and were thrashed 5-0 at Old Trafford. Tony Pulis would have been expecting his side to struggle for a result in Manchester but will certainly see this game as one they can and ought to win. A lot has been said about their aerial prowess and if they can assert that aerial advantage this weekend then they could be too much of a handle for West Brom.
West Brom have made hard work of their time in the Premiership so far and have picked up just 11 points from their opening 13 matches. They also find themselves rock bottom of the Premiership but only three points a drift from safety. They do go into the game though with a bad away record having lost their previous three away matches in the league. Their only away victory coming at Middlesborough. They do play some decent football and can pass the ball around very well. Their main problem is creating clear cut chances and converting them. Scoring on Saturday could be a problem against a physically, strong Stoke side.
Match odds -
Stoke 13/10 Canbet
Draw 23/10 Bet365
West Brom 5/2 Boylesports
Prediction - Stoke City
Aston Villa V Manchester United Saturday 17:30 Setanta Sports
Martin O'neill will be very optimistic about his sides chances on Saturday against the current league champions after pulling off a fantastic result at the weekend at The Emirates. Their 2-0 victory over Arsenal was fully deserved in our opinion and go into this tough fixture with the utmost of respect. Manchester United on the other hand made very light work of Stoke City at Old Trafford and will be looking to carry on their good form into Saturday's evening kick off.
Aston Villa don't have a very good record against Manchester United in the league and have picked up just the one point ion their previous 12 league meetings. Their problem in recent matches has been scoring goals and have managed just 4 goals against Manchester United in 12 games whilst conceding 20 in return. Their win over Arsenal will have given the team a welcome confidence boost and should go into the game fearless of their opposition. They do look the only side at present that could potential cause an upset to the top four and will want to prove they can stick it with the big boys this Saturday. Gabriel Agbonlahor is the clubs top goalscorer this season and he will be their main goal threat on Saturday.
Sir Alex Ferguson will know this is a must win game if they are to keep up with Chelsea and Liverpool at the top of the table. With both of those sides appealingly having fairly easy home fixtures on Saturday . They are already 9 points behind the pair but with a game in hand. A defeat though on Saturday could see them fall 12 points off the pace. Their 5-0 home victory over Stoke City came as no surprise and it was a breathe of fresh air to see Manchester United back in full flow with Ronaldo bagging a brace. Their form of late has been good with their away defeat at Arsenal being their only defeat in eight. Their away form overall has been very sketchy so far though and have won just two of their six away league fixtures. They will need to start playing a lot better on their travels if they are to keep up with the pace setters.
Match odds -
Aston Villa 4/1 Bet365
Draw 12/5 Bet365
West Ham 5/6 888sport
Prediction - Draw
Tottenham Hotspur V Blackburn Rovers Sunday 13:30 Sky Sports
Harry Redknapp suffered his first defeat as Spurs manager on Saturday and will be looking for an improved performance this Sunday as his side host Paul Ince's Blackburn side. With recent form in mind it makes Spurs clear favourites but recent encounters between the two sides have been very close and we expect a similar result this Sunday.
The arrival of Harry Redknapp has certainly rejuvenated the Tottenham side and recent results have shown this. The defeat at Craven Cottage to Fulham was his first as Spurs manager but he has previously won 3 of the first 4 games as manager. Many would have been expecting Spurs to at least get a point on Saturday but came away from London with nothing to show for their efforts. Their performance was a lot better then their display against Liverpool but they didn't get the same result. If they can produce something similar on Sunday then they should have no problems seeing off an out of sorts Blackburn side. Darren Bent looks to be back to his old goal scoring self now Harry is at the helm while summer signing Pavluychenko has also chipped in with a few. The players are certainly playing with a lot more confidence and we expect them to come away from White Hart Lane with all three points this weekend.
Paul Ince certainly has his work cut out as Blackburn manager and is really struggling to pick up results. Three wins from 13 has seen his side slide into the bottom three. They are also without a win in the league in 7 matches with their last victory in the league coming at Newcastle. Blackburn will take heart in the fact that they did beat their opponents at White Hart Lane in the league last season but it will take a vast improved performance form the players for them to repeat that feat.
Match odds -
Tottenham 4/5 Coral
Draw 11/4 Bet365
Blackburn 4/1 Paddypower
Prediction - Tottenham Hotspur
Sunderland V West Ham Sunday 16:00 Sky Sports
Gianfranco Zola takes his West Ham side to Tyneside this coming Sunday in search of a rare win in the league. They will have to overcome a gutsy Sunderland side with Roy Keane also desperate to take all three points. Neither side has set the league alight and both find themselves in the bottom half of the table. A win on Sunday though could push them into the top half depending on other results.
Sunderland go into the match with the momentum after adding to Paul Ince's woes on Saturday seeing off Blackburn 2-1 at Ewood Park. That was their first win in 3 and they do have a fairly poor home record. They have already lost three at home and do have a tendency to struggle for goals at The Stadium of Light. Just six have been scored by the home side all season. Sunderland do play attacking football but are another side who struggle to convert chances. A potent striker could be what they seek in the January transfer market but until then they will more then likely struggle in front of goal with Michael Chopra on the verge of going out on loan at Cardiff.
West Ham have endured a disappointing spell of late and haven't won in 7 league matches. Their last victory in the league coming away at Fulham. That was also their only away victory of the season which make this all the more challenging for West Ham. They have picked up just 5 points from eight games and if their poor form continues then they could find themselves in a precarious position in the league table. With funds at the club very limited we could see some key players exit in January which could spell more woes for the West Ham boss. It is hard to look past the home side with West Ham's recent poor run of form in the league.
Match odds -
Sunderland 6/5 Bet365
Draw 12/5 Bet365
West Ham 5/2 Boylesports
Prediction - Sunderland
Wigan Athletic V Everton Monday 20:00 Setanta Sports
The PFA Manager of the year takes his Everton side to Wigan on Monday with both sides eager to put their weekend draws behind them and concentrate on picking up some points on Monday live on Setanta Sports 1. In what looks a close game to call it would appear Everton have the slight edge going into the match with the better form.
Steve Bruce was furious with the referee on Saturday as he seen Emerson Boyce sent off for a clean and fair challenge at Newcastle. His side were playing the better football but that controversial decision appeared to have influenced the final result as Newcastle pulled one back to pick up a point and deny Wigan all three. He will need to put that to one side though and concentrate on Monday home fixture with Everton. This will be a tough match for the home side and don't go into the game with a good record at home after winning just one of six home fixtures so far. Two draws and a win have seen Wigan end their four game losing streak so Steve Bruce's fortunes appear to be changing for the good.
David Moyes was delighted to have picked up the manager of the year award for last season but will would exchange that award for a win on Monday any day. After a poor start to the season they have picked themselves up and have managed improved results of late. Their draw at Goodison on Saturday against Middlesborough ended their 3 game win streak in the league but David Moyes will be keen to get back to winning ways. They didn't play particularly well on Saturday and will need to put in a better performance on Monday if they are to take the spoils.
Match odds -
Wigan 44/27 Boylesports
Draw 47/25 Bet365
Everton 23/10 Bet365
Prediction - WiganLabels: premier-league-betting, premier-league-preview, premiership-betting, premiership-preview
Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 7:51 AM
 
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