Football betting tips

 Asian Handicap Pinnacle Preview

There are now just six remaining Premiership fixtures before the end of the season. That may make fans of online soccer betting feel a bit sad, but on the bright side there a half a dozen opportunities for bettors to get 60% better Premiership betting odds on Asian Handicaps at PinnacleSports.com.

United Travel to Riverside in Buoyant Mood

Manchester United will approach Sunday’s Premiership fixture at the Riverside in a buoyant mood, having put themselves in a very strong position to progress to the last four of the Champions League. Alex Ferguson is now eyeing a European and domestic double, with the only blot on a fantastic week being the knee injury Nemanja Vidic sustained in Rome. John O’Shea is however, an able deputy, and should slot into the back four against Middlesbrough, as the Red Devils look to consolidate their five point lead at the top of the Premiership table.

Cristiano Ronaldo continued his unstoppable form scoring against Roma, and given the cushion of the two goal lead against the Italians, Fergie may not feel the need to rest his star striker in preparation for the return leg on the 10th. Certainly, Boro’s manager, Gareth Southgate, would be happy to see the winger on the bench. His side have little left to play for, with an eight point gap between them and relegation, but should be lifted by the visit of the Champions. The Teessiders ran Chelsea close last week at Stamford Bridge, losing by a single goal, but PinnacleSports.com make them underdogs on their Asian Handicap pricing Man Utd 2.00 (-1 & -1.5)* with Middlesbrough 1.926 (+1 & +1.5)* - a market priced to less than 102%.

Arsenal & Liverpool Meet for Part II of Trilogy

Arsenal and Liverpool meet at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday lunchtime for a repeat of Wednesday night’s Champions League quarter-final first leg which ended 1-1, handing the advantage to the Scousers. The Gunners still retain a slim hope of catching Premiership leaders, Man Utd, given they must still visit Old Trafford, but to do that they must realistically win all remaining fixtures. Last weekend’s dramatic fight-back at the Reebok was Arsenal’s first win in five league games, and though it should have restored some confidence, it isn’t enough to dispel the feeling that Arsenal are a spent force.

Liverpool’s win in the Mersey Derby has put them in pole position to finish in the crucial fourth Champions League spot, achieved against a background of boardroom chaos. With a five point cushion to Everton, in fifth, a relatively comfortable run of fixtures to the end of the season, Rafa Benitez may feel justified in shuffling his side ahead of the return Champions League fixture at Anfield on Tuesday night. The most likely candidates to be rested are Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, Liverpool’s proven match-winners. Premiership bettors should play close attention to team news ahead of the game then check out PinnacleSports.com’s Asian Handicap odds, offering 60% value than the traditional bookmakers. Arsenal are priced marginal favourites 1.877 (0/scratch & -0.5)* with Liverpool 2.050 (0/scratch & +0.5)*.

*All odds subject to change

 Lock Stock and Two Smoking Carols

 By Gerry McDonnell