Football Betting Previews

Premiership Preview by Matthew Chapple (10-11 May 2009) (Thursday, May 07, 2009)

Premiership Previews 10th/11th May Blackburn Rovers V Portsmouth - Saturday 15:00 In what could be described as a multi-million pound game at Ewood Park as Portsmouth make the trip up from the South to take on Sam Allardyce's Blackburn. The pair have put a fairly healthy gap between themselves and the drop but defeat for either side this weekend would see them fall straight back into the relegation trap with the winner almost certain of a spot in next seasons Premiership campaign. Yet another emphatic away defeat at the weekend has left Blackburn still in contention for relegation. The team from Lancashire have put six points between them and the drop zone but with nine points still up for grabs, a defeat at home to Portsmouth would fives those below them a glimmer of hope and leave Blackburn fans with their hearts in their mouths with just two games left to play after this huge game with Pompey. The 3-1 defeat away at Man City was their sixteenth away defeat of the season but not only that, Blackburn have now shipped an alarming amount of goals. Paul Robinson's goal has been breached on no less then eight times in their last four games although one positive in that dreadful statistic is that none of those eight were scored at Ewood Park. Their last visit back home ended in success when they beat Wigan 2-0 and Rovers are now searching for their third consecutive home win after victory's over Wigan and Tottenham. Like their match day opponents, Portsmouth also go into this crucial fixture off the back of a heavy defeat although Portsmouth's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal does look a lot worse with it being in front of their home fans. Not only was the scoreline emphatic but Portsmouth were blooming awful. They had a breath ten minute spell where they really ought to have scored but bar that short stint, Pompey were dreadful and didn't deserve to get anything from that game. This is undoubtedly a much easier game compared to their weekend fixture with Arsenal. However, the fact that Blackburn are also fighting for every single point might make Rovers just as tough to beat as 'The Gunners'. Portsmouth's away form going into this game isn't great. Ok, it's a shambles. They've won just two away games all season and haven't notched up an away win since November last year, twelve away games ago. They will be spurred on with the knowledge that they did beat Blackburn 3-2 back at Fratton Park and they will need a huge improvement on Saturday display if they are to record a similar result this Saturday. Match Odds - Blackburn Rovers 21/20 PaddyPower Draw 12/5 BlueSquare Portsmouth 69/20 Centrebet Prediction - Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers V Sunderland - Saturday 15:00 Gary Megson will know his side are potentially 90 minutes away from securing another season in arguably the best league on the planet. A win for Bolton would make it impossible for them to go down but their opponents aren't as fortunate and Sunderland need a win to maintain the slim gap they currently hold on the bottom three. A win at The Reebok for Sunderland would be huge step towards safety and although this isn't a six-pointer as such, getting the win is still as important as ever for both sides. It hasn't been plain-sailing for Gary Megson and Bolton this year. They are a very frustrating side to follow as Bolton have found it very difficult to put a string a decent run of results together. They have currently hit another flat spot at just the wrong time and Megson has now seen his Bolton side go four games without a win. However, three of their previous four league encounters have been away from their beloved Reebok stadium and I'm sure the fans will be ready and raring to go when Bolton come back to town on Saturday. Their season hasn't been a glistening one and everyone involved with the club is well aware that their side could be in a precarious position come the final set of fixtures were matters on the pitch to continue. However, that could all change with a victory over struggling Sunderland. The manager, the players and none more so then the fans will know that three points would be enough to secure Premiership football for at least one more season and we're sure the fans will get right behind their team in a bid to drive them towards victory. What Ricky Sbragia and Sunderland would do to be in Bolton's position. A dreadful run of games has seen Sunderland's bid to avoid the drop become an even greater challenge but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Were they to earn a surprise victory at The Reebok, it would leave Sbragia's men just one point away from confirming another season in the top flight. The incentive is certainly there for Sunderland but their recent form would suggest that Sunderland have their work cut out if they are to meet the demands of the expectant fans. The 'Black Cats' have now lost six of their last eight league games and are on a dire away run of four games without picking up a single point. They were thumped 3-0 on their last away trip at The Hawthorns and with that poor result in mind, i can't help but think that Bolton maybe too strong for Sunderland at home. Match Odds - Bolton Wanderers 5/4 SkyBet Draw 12/5 Bet365 Sunderland 11/4 Coral Prediction - Bolton Wanderers Everton V Tottenham Hotspur - Saturday 15:00 Both Everton and Tottenham notched up wins last weekend but one sides bid to win back-to-back games will be dashed and with Everton easing past Sunderland last Sunday, they get our vote to make it two from two and complete a league double over Spurs after their narrow 1-0 victory back at White Hart Lane. Goodison is the venue in what should be Everton's eighth home victory of the season. With a European finish in the bag, Everton now set their sights on snatching fifth position out of the grasp of Aston Villa. The gap still remains at three points but a win at home to Tottenham could see them take overtake Villa as Martin O'Neill's side face a tricky away trip at Craven Cottage. It won't be easy though for Everton as Spurs have shown signs of improved form in recent weeks and they themselves will be eyeing up Everton as possible enemies next season for a European spot. David Moyes's decision to field his strongest possible side last weekend away at Sunderland was his biggest indication yet that he he desperately wants to finish the season in fifth position. With an FA Cup final over the horizon, we did have an inkling that he might rest a few but that wasn't the case and Everton ran out worthy winners at The Stadium of Light last Sunday. Another high-class performance this Saturday would make them very hard to beat and we certainly won't be opposing Everton. With European football assured for Everton fans, the same cannot be said for fans of Tottenham after a disappointing league campaign. I'm also puzzled about Redknapp's commitment to the UEFA Cup, or as it's now known - The Europa League. He practically walked out of this season's UEFA cup so why he would want to jump straight back into the competition he so desperately wanted out of is beyond me. I suppose the added revenue and prize money is what the board will say along with trying to regain some pride with a half decent finish in the league table. Some of their recent performances have shown us all that Spurs are worthy of a top ten finish and that they should be capable of competing in the upper half of the table next season. For now, they will need to concentrate on winning as many of their remaining fixtures as possible, starting with a tough away trip to Everton. Match Odds - Everton 13/10 Bet365 Draw 12/5 VCBet Tottenham Hotspur 9/4 Ladbrokes Prediction - Everton Fulham V Aston Villa - Saturday 15:00 With Villa now assured of a spot in next season Europa League. It's now down to Fulham to fill one of the two remaining places but were they to do so, they would need to finish in seventh place and will have to fend off several challengers in doing so. A win at home to Villa would give them the edge so we expect Fulham to push Aston Villa all the way in this fixture. Roy Hodgeson has done a fantastic job at the helm of Fulham this season. Not only did he guide them to Premiership safety with plenty of games to spare but he has also carried his side into European contention with just three games left to play. Were they to win this Saturday and notch up their eleventh home win of the season, they would indeed hold the aces as West Ham and Man City face tough games against Man Utd and Liverpool respectively. When you take into consideration that Villa are already certain of a place in Europe next season. You do have to fancy the chances of Fulham. They still have a target to aim for and the incentive of European football for the players is massive and one that should be a huge carrot for the squad. Luckily for them, this game will be played in front of their home fans and Fulham have been very hard to beat at home this season, losing just four of their seventeen home fixtures this term. Their immense home form is the main reason why they avoided the drop and why they may spring a surprise and just sneak into Europe. Although Villa are now certain of a place in next season Europa League. They showed no signs of taking their foot off the gas when they recorded their 16th win of the season at home to struggling Hull. The surprising factor about Villa's season has been their better away form in comparison to their form at home. Ten of their sixteen victories in the league have come on their travels and Fulham will be well aware of the threat Villa may and probably will cause them. However, despite Martin O'Neill wanting to land a fifth place finish, the players will know the season is done and dusted for them and they may have one eye on their summer holidays with the WAG's. That has shown in their recent form with Villa winning just one of their previous eleven league fixtures and when you consider that Villa's solitary victory in eleven came at home to a win less Hull side. Fulham do look a good bet and we suggest Villa be opposed this Saturday. Match Odds - Fulham 7/4 Bet365 Draw 23/10 Coral Aston Villa 19/10 Boylesports Prediction - Fulham Hull City V Stoke City - Saturday 15:00 These two may have come up from the Championship together but only one can realistically go down this season and that does appear to be Hull City. They can't buy a victory right now but the visit of Stoke does represent a decent opportunity for Phil Brown's men and this looks a huge match for Hull and it's followers. Stoke on the other hand are one point away from confirming another season in the Premiership and a draw would suffice for them. After this match, Hull have to face both Bolton and league leaders Manchester United, both away from The KC stadium. With that in mind, this game takes even more significance as Hull's remaining fixtures do look extremely hard and ones they may struggle to attain any points in. The arrival of Stoke will be Hull's easiest game left by a country mile and were they not to win, i would strongly fancy there chances of relegation. Hull's form going into this game with Stoke isn't ideal. Ok, that's putting it lightly. It's a shambles. They've one win to their name in eight games, one win since the start of 2009 and currently on a run of four straight defeats. If I'm to be believed, that's perfect relegation material. What's more is that two of those four defeats came against teams in close proximity and sides of similar ability to their match day opponents. Hull have to win and that doesn't necessarily mean they will but anything but a victory would leave them in serious trouble. Tony Pulis has also done an immense job in charge of Stoke City. After an emphatic opening day defeat away at Bolton, even i thought they were certain for a bottom three finish. Thanks to some gritty displays, i have been made to eat some humble pie and Stoke can now rub salt in the wounds by confirming survival with a single point this Saturday. Fortunately for Hull, Stoke's superb home form hasn't been repeated in their away fixtures. Tony Pulis and Stoke have only managed to win the one away game this season and that came against bottom of the league West Brom last month. They've also lost twelve of their seventeen away fixtures this term and although Hull's form is patchy to say the very least, this does look their best chance of putting three vital points on the board. Match Odds - Hull City 6/5 PaddyPower Draw 12/5 Coral Stoke City 57/20 Centrebet Prediction - Hull City West Brom V Wigan Athletic - Saturday 15:00 Its' pretty simple for Tony Mowbray and West Brom. Lose and relegation is a certainty, win and the dream of pulling off what would be the greatest ever escape, would still be alive...just!Wigan on the other hand still have high hopes of finishing in a European position and with Steve Bruce's side currently having a game in hand over most sides in the upper half of the table, they will have the slight edge were they to win at The Hawthorns. The task of avoiding the enviably drop was always a tough one but even if West Brom were to say goodbye to the Premiership, which we think they will, Tony Mowbray has restored some pride down at The Hawthorns. Their 3-0 drubbing of Sunderland was just their seventh win all season and their failure to convert draws into wins is their main reason why West Brom do find themselves at the very foot of the summit. If West Brom are to give their loyal fans some shade of light then they must win this match what with a fixture against Liverpool over the horizon. Six of their seven vicotires this term have come at home so West Brom do merit some for of respect against what is an out-of-sorts Wigan team. It really would take a miracle for West Brom to escape the drop but West Brom have shown no intentions of just rolling over in their recent games. They thumped Sunderland in front of their home fans while they puhsed both Man City and Tottenham at their respective grounds. They have always remained a battling side and we expect Wigan to get the same treatment this Saturday. Ever since Wigan were touted as possible European candidates, they have flopped week in, week out. Three defeats and one draw from their previous four league outings has meant that Wigan have fallen several places down the table into 11th. They looked certain of a top ten finish at one stage but a dreadful run of games has seen even that look a big ask. They do of course have a game in hand over most but that game is against current league leaders Manchester United so don't hold your breath. It was five games ago when Wigan last won in the Premiership. Even that was an unconvincing win at home to hapless Hull. They scraped past Phil Brown's win less Tigers by a one goal margin and failed to make an impression on anyone else since. Tjeir previous two away days out has seen them get a hammering away at Everton and were soundly beaten at Blackburn so despite West Brom's poor league position, we won't be touching Wigan, not even with a free bet. Match Odds - West Brom 8/5 Bet365 Draw 12/5 SportingBet Wigan Athletic 21/10 PaddyPower Prediction - Draw West Ham V Liverpool - Saturday 15:00 Gianfranco Zola has the unenviable task of halting the Rafael Benitez express this Saturday. The Spanish tactician has guided his Liverpool team to seven wins in eight in a bid to exert some form of pressure on league leaders Man Utd. However, West Ham aren't without hope though after they were one of many sides to have taken a share of the spoils at Anfield earlier in the season. West Ham have been a very hard side to beat this season and Liverpool will need to work extremely hard for all three points at Upton Park. In what has been a good season for West Ham, could now turn into a sensational one were they to spring a surprise against title challenging Liverpool. Not only would they be able to boast a victory over one of the greatest sides in Europe but it would take them a step closer towards European football for next season. Something the fans are desperate for Zola and West Ham to achieve this season. The good news for 'The Hammers' is that they did beat Liverpool when they last paid a visit to Upton Park, winning 1-0. However, now the bad news. The previous three visits before that rare 'Hammers' victory all went the way of the away side and with Liverpool in scintillating form right now, it's hard to envisage Liverpool not winning despite West Ham frustrating them earlier at Anfield. To make matters worse for Zola and assistant Steve Clarke, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are primed and ready to start against West Ham. Gerrard made his return from injury last week in Liverpool's comprehensive home victory over Newcastle but Torres missed that game as a precaution but Benitez is ready to start the Spanish international as he seeks out yet more goals. The Reds have been in superb goalscoring form of late, scoring no less then 14 goals in their last four outings in the league and West Ham's defence is in for a bumpy ride this coming Sunday. As a Liverpool fan, I'm a tad reserved about Liverpool chances as they prepare to travel down to London to face a stubborn West Ham side. I've never liked playing West Ham for one reason or another and my gut instinct keeps yelling out that this one may end in a stalemate. I very much doubt Zola will set his side up to attack Liverpool and while Benitez has seen his side go goal crazy in recent games, they have generally found it hard to break defensive sides down. This could be one of many cases where Liverpool create half-a-dozen clear cut chances and fail to put any anyway. I hope that's not the case what with Torres on the brink of starting but i have my doubts unfortunately. Match Odds - West Ham 11/2 Bet365 Draw 11/5 SkyBet Liverpool 4/7 Coral Prediction - Draw Manchester United V Manchester City - Sunday 13:30 After emphatically dumping Arsenal out of the Champions League, United now aim to dent Man City's hopes of securing European football for the second year running. This is the match every City fan eagerly awaits each season and with 'The Sky Blues' registering a rare away win at Old Trafford last season. 'The Red Devils' will be desperate to avenge that bitter Derby defeat. It should be a thrilling encounter in front of the Sky cameras and one we highly advise you don't miss. City's form heading into the Derby is ideal but United's form couldn't be any better. Not only have they booked a place in Rome for the Champions League final but they've also put one hand on the Premiership title after a run of five straight wins. However, some of United's more recent performances, especially at home in front of capacity crowds. United have been putting in some very nervy displays with both Villa and Spurs putting two past a once formidable Van Dar Saar. They did eventually get the result they wanted in both games but Sir Alex Ferguson will be expecting his side to do the business in a more efficient fashion this Sunday. A big boost for United is the probable return of defender Rio Ferdinand who had to sit out United's 3-1 victory at The Emirates last Tuesday. The former England captain has been plagued with injury's of late but he may return to face an old foe. Fergie will also be pleased that none of the players that took part in the Champions League in midweek came back with any major injury concerns but with this being a Derby, we expect 'Fergie' to make a few changes and revert Christiano Ronaldo back to his favourite role on the wing and possibly start with either Berbatov or Tevez up front. Whichever side he does decide to go with, United will be a constants danger to City's goal and it will take a brave man to predict United crumbling at home this weekend. A late surge has seen Man City jump right back into the equation for a European finish after three successive victory's in the league. They will also be boosted massively by their away win at Goodison Park. A venue where very few sides have got the better of Everton this season so City will feel they have every chance of spoiling the United celebrations. After all, they did overhaul 'The Red Devils' at Old Trafford last season so anything is possible, especially with City's most expensive ever signing starting to hit top gear. After City were knocked out of the UEFA Cup, many had thought City's season would come to a slump. That hasn't been the case though and City's recent run of three straight wins is a credit to Mark Hughes and his ability to rally the troops at just the right time. The objective is obviously to attain a top seven finish and those victories have left them with a real chance of returning to European action next season. The reverse fixture back at The City of Manchester stadium wasn't the most entertaining of Derby matches with United etching out a 1-0 victory. Mark Hughes will be desperate to land a blow at Old Trafford after that home defeat to United and we fancy them to push United in what should be a close encounter. Bet365 currently have both United and City to score at 4/5 which looks a stunning bet. Both sides will be doing everything within their power to win this fierce Derby clash and with both sides in a rich vein of form in front of goal, the 4/5 on offer looks a must for any serious punter. Match Odds - Manchester United 2/5 888sport Draw 4/1 Bet365 Manchester City 9/1 Bet365 Prediction - Manchester United Arsenal V Chelsea - Sunday 16:00 Some were suggesting that this fixture could be a preview of the Champions league final but Manchester United and Barcelona dashed the dream of an all London final in midweek. Both teams will be massively disappointed and both Arsene Wenger and Guss Hiddink have to somehow get their players fired up for what is a London Derby between third and fourth place. Unlike Chelsea, Arsenal can't feel hard done by with their midweek exit in the Champions League. They knew their fate early on when both Gibbs and Almunia made costly mistakes to end Arsenal Champions League ambitions. The only positive to take from that game is the experience the young Arsenal side will take from that game although Gibbs maybe wishing he never turned up after an awful howler early on. There was no excuses though and Arsenal were simply outplayed and outclass by United but the perfect way to drown out the critics would be to add to Chelsea's woes this Sunday. Although Arsenal have no chance of winning the title and they have sewn up at least a fourth place finish. They will be well aware that Chelsea are still catchable and Wenger will eye this game as a possible six pointer especially when you consider that only the team that finishes in fourth has to go through the predictable qualifying rounds in order to actually make the group stages. Whoever finishes third will be entitled to a longer holiday and that could be a huge incentive for the Arsenal kids as they could do with a break after a disappointing calender year. The one thing Chelsea do have in common with their London rivals is their exit from the Champions League. The only difference is that Chelsea can feel very hard done by after some dreadful refereeing decisions cost Guss Hiddink and his side a place in the final of Europe's greatest club competition. The players showed their frustration and a hefty fine will be heading Chelsea's way. There is no doubt about that after Drogba, Ballack and Terry got too carried after the final whistle. Manager Guss Hiddink now has to settle his side down and get them to concentrate on the task at hand, and that's a visit to a familiar Emirates stadium. It will be hard for the players to get fired up for this clash after a morale crushing defeat in midweek but if anyone can do it, it's Hiddink. A win is also a must for 'The Blue's as a win for 'The Gunners' would leave Chelsea vulnerable to a fourth place finish. I know this is a Derby match but it's hardly been a thriller or even a feisty affair in the past. Both sides come into this game off the back of morale crushing defeats in midweek, especially Chelsea who are by far the better side of the two. I can see both suffering Champions League hangovers and with that in mind, we can't separate the two. The only plus point for the is that both pair have been picking up the right results in the league but after a disappointing week, we can see this being a low key affair at The Emirates and finish with both sides sharing the spoils. Match Odds - Arsenal 13/8 Bet365 Draw 23/10 Coral Chelsea 19/10 Expekt Prediction - Draw Newcastle United V Middlesborough - Monday 20:00 I cannot put into words how big a game this is for Newcastle and Middlesborough. Ok, i can. It's colossal. This is basically a do or die match for the two sides on Tyneside with the loser almost certain for the drop. With the 'Toon' army behind them, you would have to fancy Alan Shearer and Newcastle for the a rare win but with so much riding on 90 minutes of football, literally anything could and probably will happen. This is certainly a game you don't want to miss and it's live on Setanta Sports on Monday evening. Newcastle's preparations for this crunch clash with bitter rivals Middlesborough couldn't of gone much worse. Not only were they completely outclassed in every department in their away trip to Anfiled last Sunday but Joey Barton's rash tackle on Xabi Alonso has left him with a three match suspension and a hefty fine from his own club. That will not do the already faltering team morale any good and it's now down to Shearer to rally the troops in what is arguably Newcastle's biggest ever match in the Premiership. Alan Shearer will need to make a few more controversial decisions before the season out. None more so then whether he should start with Michael Owen up front or go with the experience of Mark Viduka and Peter Lovenkrands. We fancy the first as the latter partnership just doesn't appear to work and Newcastle need pace and someone who is a proven goalscorer. I mean, Newcastle have now gone 270 minutes of football without a goal and if Michael Owen can't get you one, no one can. At least at Newcastle anyway. Although the demise of Newcastle is the shock story of this Premiership campaign, the likelihood of a Middlesborough relegation does leave manager Gareth Southgate under a considerable amount of pressure. Week in - week out, Southgate continuously states that his side are up for the battle but week in - week out, they've shown no fighting spirit whatsoever. Their performance against Man Utd was spineless and simply reiterated that Borough have no backbone. There was a distinct lack of leadership and not one single player stood up and attempted to push their side forward. Either the players have lost heart with the club or Southgate lacks real managerial quality. I'm undecided but i reckon this match with Newcastle will provide us with most the answers. Neither side has any form to shout about going into this match and that comes as no surprise, with both currently sat in the bottom three. Borough have just one win in eight while Newcastle are without a win in ten. That stats don't get much better when you revert to looking at both sides home and away records this season. Newcastle have failed to win any of their previous eight matches in front of their home fans while Middlesborough have managed to win just twice on their travels all season. The logical prediction would point towards a dull draw but this game has too much at stake and with a capacity crowd expected at St. James Park. We will side with Newcastle to win what could be a £50million match. Match Odds - Newcastle 11/10 Boylesports Draw 13/5 Ladbrokes Middlesborough 57/20 Centrebet Prediction - Newcastle Remember - For all the latest team news, including player injuries and suspensions. Please visit our sister site - http://www.online-betting.me.uk/blog/ Labels: premier league betting, premier league preview, premiership betting, premiership preview Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 9:48 AM << Home