Football Betting Previews

Premiership Preview by Matthew Chapple (16-17 May 2009) (Thursday, May 14, 2009)

Premiership Previews 16th/17th May Manchester United V Arsenal - Saturday 12:45 With United riding their luck on countless times this season, they have now put themselves on the verge of winning an 18th league title and were they to do so, would match the record set by Liverpool. Arsenal could spoil the United celebrations with a win though, but with United getting the better of them at the Emirates a fortnight ago, you would have to fancy the home side to get the result they require to win the Premiership. After yet another comeback from 'The Red Devils' last Wednesday. Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United are now on the verge of winning back-to-back Premiership titles. In fact, it would be their eleventh Premiership title which would be an incredible feat. They are well on course though and it would take a minor miracle for United to lose control, with 'the reds' needing just a single point from their two remaining fixtures. Just Arsenal and Hull City remain for United and we can't see either beating 'The Red Devils'. They haven't been playing too well in all fairness but like great champions do. They get the right result time and time again. They've won their previous six league games and despite several scares, they have still yet relinquish control of top spot. Arsenal should be a tricky encounter for United but with the title just 90 minutes away. I expect Fergie to field a very strong side in a bid to rest several for the Hull game the following week. With no domestic final in sight and fourth position now a certainty. Arsene Wenger can now only look forward to next season and he will certainly be greatly for this year's campaign to come to an end after what has been arsenal's most disappointing season for some time. Their 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea last weekend just summed up a dreadful year for 'The Gunners' and you have to think that United's hunger for the title will get them through, what does look on paper, a tricky fixture. Credit where credits due. Arsenal have still been a very tough side to get the better off this term. Although their weekend defeat at The Emirates was an embarrassing scoreline but their performance didn't fairly reflect how the game panned out and it's also worth noting that the defeat against Chelsea was their first in the league in twenty-one games. That's an incredible run and Fergie will be fully aware that Arsenal can turn on the style and beat absolutely anyone on their day. Match Odds - Manchester United 7/10 Expekt Draw 11/4 BetFred Arsenal 11/2 Stanjames Prediction - Draw Bolton Wanderers V Hull City - Saturday 15:00 Bolton have already wrapped up survival but the same cannot be said for Hull City who have been in free-fall since the turn of the year. Gary Megson will now have one eye on preparations for next season but that doesn't mean he will go easy on Phil Brown's Hull City. In fact, with Hull playing some terrible football of late, we will even back Bolton to add to Hull's woes and notch up their first three points since the beginning of April. A 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland wasn't the finest way to book another season in the top flight but the end product was all that mattered and Gary Megson can now start planning for the future. For now, any ideas that he has for next year will need to be put on hold as they go in search of their first win in five games. Their last victory in the league came did come at this venue when they beat a poor Middlesborough side 4-1. That was their most comprehensive win of the season in front of the home fans and the Bolton faithful will be expecting a similar performance this Saturday as hapless Hull come to The Reebok stadium. Bolton could count themselves somewhat fortunate to have taken a point last weekend. Sunderland dominated from the outset as they desperately needed three points to ensure their own safety and despite the away side peppering Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal. Bolton held out and the draw was actually a good result for them in the end. However, that was one of the poorest team displays i have seen from Bolton this year and although Hull have been playing shockingly bad recently, they cannot afford to underestimate their travelling opponents or they could be in for another rough 90 minutes. I'm lost for words to describe Hull's season or second part of it shall i say. They were looking home and dry before Christmas and even looked to have a decent chance of finishing in the European places. To say how the mighty have fallen is an under statement as Hull will now consider themselves very lucky if they are to avoid the drop after a dreadful run of results. They've now lost five consecutive matches and with Newcastle winning at St. James Park last Monday. Hull now find themselves in the bottom three for the first time this season. Some will say this is Hull's best chance to notch up three points and possibly jump back into safety but i will actually go a step further and say this is probably their last chance to do so. Were they to suffer defeat at The Reebok, they would leave themselves a mountain to climb as they welcome Manchester United to The KC stadium on the last day of the season. A match many will fancy United to stroll through and with Hull playing awful right now, we won't disagree. It certainly is make or break for Phil Brown and Hull City. Match Odds - Bolton Wanderers 13/10 Bet365 Draw 12/5 SkyBet Hull City 23/10 PaddyPower Prediction - Bolton Wanderers Everton V West Ham - Saturday 15:00 With European football now 100% guaranteed for Everton. David Moyes will now set his side the target of nailing down a fifth place finish and two wins from their remaining two league fixtures would see them go mighty close. West Ham on the other hand want what Everton have and that's a spot in next seasons Europa league but manager Gianfranco Zola will be well aware that anything but a win at Goodison Park would see his European ambitions all but disappear. Should be a close fought encounter on Merseyside but Everton do have more quality within their squad and they get our tentative vote. David Moyes had to settle for a point last weekend as Tottenham came to Goodison Park and gave Everton a firm examination. The first half was dominated by the away side but the second half could of gone the way of Everton but in the end, a draw was a fair result. Fortunately for Moyes, Villa also slipped up and Everton are now just a single point behind Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa who occupy fifth position. David Moyes is already concerned about the amount of funds that will be made available for him during the summer. The club has never been one to spend heavily in transfer markets so every penny Moyes can get his hands on will be massive and the difference between finishing fifth and sixth is around £1 million and every little counts at Everton right now. With West Ham possibly low in confidence after their 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool last Sunday, Everton do look a good bet to push Villa for that fifth position and a win this Saturday would be a step in the right direction. West Ham themselves are after one of those elusive European entries but the defeat at Upton Park to title chasing Liverpool dealt their European dreams a massive blow. That was a big set back for Zola and his team and West Ham are now trailing seventh placed Fulham by two points. They can ill-afford another slip up and this does look another big ask for 'The Hammers' as they face yet another side from Merseyside within the space of a week. To be fair, neither side has been setting the world a lite with their recent form with both sides managing to win just one of their last five fixtures. However, you would have to say that Everton's form does outdo West Ham's with Zola's side losing three of their previous five. It doesn't help your cause when the club is cash strapped and looking to sell at any given opportunity but that makes European qualification even more important and Zola will be hoping to guide his side not only into the Europa league but also to more cash. Which at the moment, is like gold dust for West Ham. Match Odds - Everton 4/5 BetFred Draw 13/5 Bet365 West Ham 4/1 PaddyPower Prediction - Everton Middlesborough V Aston Villa - Saturday 15:00 A devastated Middlesborough go in search of a win that just might keep their slim survival hopes alive. Anything but victory would all but seal their fate and one side they certainly don't want to face is Aston Villa despite Villa's poor league form. It's now or never for Borough but we think their fate has already been decided after Monday's Tyneside derby defeat. With just two games left to play. Middlesborough find themselves three points off safety and praying other results go in their favour. Not only was that defeat away at St. James Park a big blow to their already slim hopes of survival but it will also do major damage to their already faltering team morale. It's now three defeats on the bounce for Southgate's side and despite me fancying their chances last Monday. I will now go completely against them and back Villa to add to Borough's woes. In fact, the odds on a Villa win do look very attractive when you consider that Borough are a side rocking after Monday. They've won just one of their last nine Premiership fixtures and have struggled to score in either of their two previous home matches at The Riverside. The signs aren't looking good for Southgate's side and we are dumbstruck by Villa's odds. Martin O'Neill will know his side are assured of European football for a second successive year but he will still want to wrap up a fifth place finish and end the season knowing his team are the best of the rest. However. If Villa want the rights to a fifth place finish then they will need to buck up their performances. Their 3-1 mauling at the hands of Fulham last weekend was just what they deserved after a less then impressive display at Craven Cottage. That poor effort from Villa will be a big plus for Southgate but with Everton now breathing down their necks, we fancy Villa to come good and fortify that fifth position. Villa's form heading up to Tyneside isn't great. Actually, it's pathetic and isn't a lot better than Middlesborough's. They've won just one of their last eleven games and although they haven't lost three on the trot like their opponents, they have still lost their way when it comes to actually winning games although it doesn't take a lot to beat Middlesborough these days. Villa thrashed Boro 3-0 when the pair last met at The Riverside last season and with Villa losing the reverse fixture at home 2-1, Martin O'Neill's side will be out for revenge. Match Odds - Middlesborough 13/8 Boylesports Draw 27/11 Expekt Aston Villa 7/4 BlueSquare Prediction - Aston Villa Newcastle United V Fulham - Saturday 15:00 A rejuvenated Newcastle are gunning down back-to-back wins in the Premiership this weekend as they bid to defy the odds and escape the drop. Fulham on the other hand are after their second successive win but for completely different reasons. They are on the verge of an unbelievable return to Europe and win over relegation threatened Newcastle would leave them in the driving seat with just one game left to play. It should be another stunning atmosphere at St. James Park once again as Newcastle head into their second do or die match this week. After pulling off a sensational comeback at home to Middlesborough last Monday, the Toon Army will once again be out in their droves but will it be enough to aid Newcastle to yet another valuable three points? Only time will tell in what will be a very tricky game for Alan Shearer and Newcastle. The 3-1 win in front of a capacity crowd on Monday was just what the doctor ordered and now Newcastle have a realistic chance of avoiding the drop. A win would see their destiny lye solely in their hands but a draw or worse would leave them vulnerable to relegation with just the one game remaining. That win over local rivals Middlesborough has to be a major boost to the players confidences and with everything to play for, literally anything could happen in their remaining two fixtures. This may well be any normal away fixture for Fulham but they will have more then their fair share cheering them on this Saturday. Both the Hull City and Middlesborough fans will have one eye on this game and will be praying for Roy Hodgeson's side to do some damage at St. James Park. Fulham did beat 'The Magpies' back at Craven Cottage earlier in the season and several will be hoping for a similar scoreline as Fulham bid to do some of the stragglers a big favour. Many will fancy Newcastle's chances after their performance on Monday night but Fulham really will be a tough obstacle to overcome. They pride themselves on being a very hard side to beat and even the leagues finest have struggled against them. They've lost just two of their last eight and both of those defeats were to top four opposition and although Fulham do rarely win on their travels. They could very well spoil the party by nullifying the Newcastle attacks. Match Odds - Newcastle United 20/21 888sport Draw 13/5 Boylesports Fulham 10/3 SkyBet Prediction - Draw Stoke City V Wigan Athletic - Saturday 15:00 With survival assured for Stoke and European football now dead in the water for Wigan. This has turned into a nothing affair with nothing but slightly more finishing prize money at stake. However, if i know Steve Bruce and Tony Pulis, which we think we do. They will both field their strongest possible sides and in order to achieve the best possible result this Saturday. We can't split the two and can see this ending in a stalemate. If form is anything to go by then Stoke could be a shoe in. They've won four of their last eight compared to Wigan's measly two. They also boast a formidable record at The Britania this season, losing just four of their eighteen home fixtures. It's also worth noting that nine of Stoke's eleven victories this season have come in front of their fans but their last visit to The Britania stadium didn't end in celebrations. Their 1-0 defeat against West Ham was their first home defeat for seven games and questions might be asked about complacency now the season is pretty much done and dusted for them. Not a side we would be lumping on but nevertheless, have been a very tricky side to play against all season. Steve Bruce was was quoted as saying he has tried everything he can to bring back the winning feeling for Wigan. Their shambolic away defeat at West Brom was their fourth in five outings and you have to go back six games for Wigan's last Premiership victory when they edged out a win less Hull City side at The JJB. Not only have Wigan been craving a win, they would probably settle for a result in this game. They've now lost three successive away fixtures in the league and all three were in a comprehensive fashion. The Lactic's have shipped nine goals in their previous three away matches and Stoke will take a lot of confidence out of Wigan's hapless defending recently. Match Odds - Stoke City 5/4 SkyBet Draw 23/10 VCBet Wigan Athletic 11/4 Coral Prediction - Draw Tottenham Hotspur V Manchester City - Saturday 15:00 A Europa League six pointer here as Man City head down to the capital where Harry Redknapp's Tottenham lye in waiting. Both sides find themselves trailing Fulham who currently occupy the final European berth but three points would leave one team still in contention heading into the final fixture of the season next weekend. City have been poor away from home in general and with Spurs showing some improved form, they get the nod to do the business this Saturday. A drastic start to the season has been put right with a brilliant finish for Spurs. It's baffling to think that Spurs couldn't buy a win earlier in the season and actually went eight games without a single win, with six of those being defeats. Their last eight games has painted a totally different picture though with Tottenham winning five of their previous eight matches. I know they were assured of safety half-a-dozen weeks ago but the difference in form is incredible as well as Spurs actually playing some decent football, although it was well overdue. Harry Redknapp has obviously had a calming influence since his arrival and the simple fact that Spurs are safe from relegation is a massive achievement in itself after a disastrous start but now Spurs are also on the verge of booking another year in Europe. Even if they don't make it into the Europa league. The fact that Spurs will finish in the top ten is a big credit to the work Redknapp and his back room staff have done at the club and with Tottenham winning their last five games at White Hart Lane. We will stick our pennies on them making it six from six at home this Saturday. Mark Hughes has already named a few of his summer transfer targets and the season isn't even over yet. With big name after big name being linked with the club, you can't help but think that those who are at the club maybe looking over their shoulder with the season nearly out. Everyone will feel they are vulnerable with Hughes more then likely to be given a blank cheque book as he aims to guide his City to bigger and better things next season. Despite the probability of City spending big this summer. We doubt they will match those at the very top and their performance at Old Trafford just reiterated how far behind City are to the so called 'Big Four'. They rarely troubled Van Der Saar in the United goal last Sunday and although Hughes will look to reinforce his side this summer, we feel he would need at least 5 or 6 quality players before he can even start challenging the likes of Everton and Villa let alone Liverpool and Man Utd. City's form before the 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford was good, winning three out of three but their overall away form this season has been very poor with just two away wins all season and we expect Spurs to see off a home sick City side at very generous odds. Match Odds - Tottenham Hotspur 10/11 SkyBet Draw 13/5 Boylesports Manchester City 10/3 Stanjames Prediction - Tottenham Hotspur West Brom V Liverpool - Sunday 13:30 Two sides with everything to play for go head-to-head this weekend as Liverpool take on a resurgent West Brom this Sunday in front of the Sky cameras. In a game which is expected to go the way of the away side, Tony Mowbray will need to produce another master stroke if he is to make the great escape feasible. Should be an entertaining game at The Hawthorns but one that really ought to go Liverpool's way. West Brom's second win in three games has now given them a fighting chance of defying the odds and avoiding what looked an inevitable relegation. They still have plenty of work to do though and they know they must attain some sort of result against Liverpool if they are to stand any chance of surviving. They have a poor goal difference so picking up at least a point in this fixture is a must. The omens aren't good for 'The Baggies'. Not only have they never beaten Liverpool since the Premiership was formed but they've never even registered a draw either, meaning West Brom have lost all seven of the seven previous meetings between the pair. To make matters sound a lot worse, West Brom haven't scored against Liverpool. In all honesty, I'm not sure if I've even see a worse head-to-head record. Yes, West Brom do have their own cause as to why they need the win but Liverpool are and should be way too strong for them this Sunday. Sorry 'Baggie' fans, but it's the brutal truth. As stated above, Liverpool have thoroughly enjoyed this fixture in recent seasons. They've dominated the head-to-head, winning all seven of the meetings between the two and they should make it eight this Sunday although were Man Utd to pick up the points they require to win the title, then Liverpool would have nothing but second place to play for. That could be a huge blow mentally for the Liverpool players and although they still should ease past West Brom. At the odds on offer, i wouldn't be lumping on without watching United first. After picking up the Footballer of the Year award by the Football Writers Association, Steven Gerrard will aiming to show all those who voted for him why he is the best player currently in the Premiership. It came as no surprise to us that he received the award as he has been by far Liverpool's biggest threat and influence this season. It's just unfortunate that both him and Torres have missed so many games. Both are fit for this clash though and i fancy both to score, let alone one. Liverpool have scored seventeen in their last five games and we can see them adding to that prolific goal scoring tally this weekend. Match Odds - West Brom 15/2 Bet365 Draw 4/1 BlueSquare Liverpool 4/11 SportingBet Prediction - Liverpool Chelsea V Blackburn Rovers - Sunday 16:00 Another match with little importance as 'Big Sam' takes his Blackburn side down to London for their daunting away trip at Stamford Bridge. A fixture Blackburn haven't enjoyed in recent years, failing to score in each of their previous five clashes with Chelsea. They've also been dreadful on their travels this season and this does appear to be a straightforward match for Chelsea, if there ever is one. With the title now impossible to win, Chelsea have nothing left to play for in the league and that could play into Blackburn's hands with The Blues eyeing up their FA Cup final against Everton on 30th May. It wouldn't be too surprising to see Guss Hiddink experiment a tad with his line ups in preparation for that final but one thing is for sure, Hiddink won't field a weakened side and i expect Chelsea to get the job done in convincing fashion this Sunday. It was seven league games ago when Chelsea last lost a Premiership fixture in a bitter 1-0 away defeat at local rivals Tottenham. They have since gone on to win five of their following six games and are by far and away the more in form side of the two. They got the better of a resilient Fulham side in their last visit to Stamford Bridge, winning 3-1, while their emphatic 4-1 win over London rivals Arsenal last weekend should leave the players brimming with confidence. This should be another good day at the office for Hiddink as Chelsea go in search for their fourth successive victory in the league. With another season in the Premiership assured, Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce can look forward to what he hopes will be a busy summer in the transfer window. However, he may well have to say goodbye to star forward Roque Santa Cruz after the striker revealed he wanted to move on to new pastures and Allardyce will have a tough task of finding a suitable replacement although he should receive a handsome fee for the Paraguayian. As far as form goes for Blackburn, they have very little. They may have won two of their last three games in the league but both of those came at home and Rovers and been nothing short of abysmal on the road recently. They've won just four away fixtures all season and are on a run of four successive away defeats and despite my heart wanting Chelsea to come a cropper, i simply can't see it with Blackburn's poor away record. They've conceded twelve goals in their last four away matches and that really could rise after their trip to London. Match Odds - Chelsea 6/17 Expekt Draw 9/2 SkyBet Blackburn Rovers 11/1 Boylesports Prediction - Chelsea Labels: premier league betting, premier league preview, premiership betting, premiership preview Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 9:53 AM << Home