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Football betting tipsby Ben, last updated 2008-03-20 11:13:35Premiership Betting - Matchday 31 Preview (Mar 22-23)The Premiership title race always hots up in March, considered the most important month in the Premier League calendar. It will reach boiling point this weekend with a grand slam double bill that could have a decisive influence on the outcome on the Premiership race. On Sunday Chelsea host Arsenal for a cracking London Derby, while its an all Red affair at Old Trafford, as Man Utd take on Liverpool. Go to PinnacleSports.com for up to 60% better Premiership betting odds for both key games and the rest of the weekend schedule.
On Sunday, Chelsea face Arsenal in the first of two massive home games that will have a huge say in whether they can snatch the Premiership title. The other critical game is when Man Utd visit Stamford Bridge on April 26th; six points from these games would certainly hand Chelsea the initiative in the title-race. Also at stake is the Blues’ amazing unbeaten home league record which currently stretches back 77 games. The last team to win a Premiership game at the Bridge, were Sunday’s opponents, Arsenal, also the last team to beat Chelsea in the current season. Avram Grant’s side haven’t lost since the 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, and while the Gunners last defeat was one week prior to that game, their recent form is much more of a concern. Arsene Wenger’s side have drawn four consecutive league games, looking jaded and low on confidence. In contrast Chelsea have been revitalised by the return of Frank Lampard, while Didier Drogba should lead the line up front. Wednesday’s 4-4 draw at Spurs, was certainly two points lost for Chelsea, but the Gunners recent form is worse, so the pressure is on Arsenal to pull off another historic win similar to that at the San Siro. PinnacleSports.com make Chelsea marginal favourites 1.909 (0/scratch & -0.5)* with Arsenal 2.020 (0/scratch & +0.5)* – a market priced to less than 102%.
A recent report suggested that it was no coincidence that teams that play in red tend to be successful. Two of the Premiership’s – if not the World’s – most famous ‘red’ teams will do battle at Old Trafford on Sunday, with a huge amount at stake for both clubs. It is unrealistic to suggest that Liverpool could still challenge for the title, but they still have the crucially important task of ensuring a fourth placed finish, so the Scousers have as big a motivation as the defending Champions, Man Utd. The Red Devils’ 1-0 win over Liverpool last March was integral to their title-winning run, and Alex Ferguson will hope that three points on Sunday will provide a similar catalyst. United are without first choice keeper, Edwin Van de Sar, which will thrust either, Tomasz Kuszczak or Ben Foster into the limelight, neither with much ‘big-game’ experience, while Rio Ferdinand is also 50-50. Liverpool’s Fernando Torres will be making his debut at Old Trafford looking to enhance his growing reputation, having recently scored a match-winner at another daunting venue, the San Siro. History however, favours the home side as Liverpool haven’t even scored in the last six league meetings, losing five. PinnacleSports.com make Man Utd marginal favourites 2.080 (-0.5)* with Liverpool 1.855 (+0.5)*.
1.96/1.96 style Asian Handicap pricing (c.102%) on the major European Football Leagues gives gamblers up to 60% better Premiership betting. PinnacleSports.com offers commission-free fixed odds betting with exchange style pricing, as well as the web’s highest guaranteed liquidity and fastest payouts. Get a 10% sign-up bonus, 7% cash back on horse bets and the best odds on all major sports. Bet On Sports this weekend
A Mini Weapon of Mass DestructionBy Gerry McDonnellEven though I was brought up as a Catholic, I have never followed a spiritual path. I blame an over-zealous Priest for my descent into heresy; he was constantly on my back when I was young.If my memory serves me correctly, Easter is a time to reflect upon the resurrection of Christ. It's believed that after three days, He rose again. I don't want to diminish the significance, but I'd fancy Pele to beat that. The Geordies believe that King Keegan is the one true Messiah; it would be sacrilegious not to back Newcastle at 10/11 against Fulham. Jesus may have forgiven Robbie Keane for his petulant reaction to being substituted last weekend, but Juande Ramos was apoplectic. I have a lot of sympathy for Keane in this case; it's an emotional time when you're being pulled off. I'll happily play with the even money for a Tottenham win over Portsmouth. John Carew may not be scoring regularly on the pitch, but if press reports are to be believed, he's managed to bag 'Strictly Come Dancing' star Alesha Dixon. I've seen pictures of Alesha, and one bag may not be enough. I'll need a large container to carry home my winnings after Aston Villa see off Sunderland at 3/5. It's rare that I shower praise upon Steve Bruce, but his decision to drop Titus Bramble was outstanding. Bruce knows what it takes to become a top class defender; he played alongside Gary Pallister. 4/5 had been placed alongside a Blackburn win over Wigan. I'm on. Thaksin Shinawatra is not a happy man. The Thai 'businessman' has reportedly claimed that City are losing too many games in his absence, and he may have to tighten the bolt on his return. If I was Sven, I'd be worried. I'd be ringing up Ulrika, but I'd certainly be worried. Bolton can ensure the bolt is tightened with a win at 6/4. Middlesbrough will be without Mido after he saw red for kicking Gael Clichy in the head. The Egyptian should be ashamed of his actions, as should the players who gave him the lift up. Let's all rise to celebrate the 1/2 for a Middlesbrough win over Derby. I'm quite ashamed to admit that I have something in common with the impious Martin Taylor. We're both often referred to as 'tiny', although for Martin, it's an ironic reference. The 23/20 for a Reading win over Birmingham is healthily proportioned. It's great to see the West Ham production line coming up trumps once again. Freddie Sears looks a great prospect, but I'm not overly impressed with the 'Alan Shearer' goal celebration; it takes too long to kick Neil Lennon, creosote a fence and unsettle the Newcastle management. Everton are going for a treble over the Hammers this season, I have to play at 3/4. Steven Gerrard was upset when Rio Ferdinand claimed that Liverpool were not among the best teams in Europe. To be fair to Rio, he was misquoted - he meant to say that Liverpool were not among the best teams in England. Liverpool have lost their last four league meetings with their bitter rivals, and have failed to score in their last six. United can extend that run at 11/10. Chelsea meet Arsenal in the 2nd part of Grand Slam Super Mega Awesome Sunday, in a dress rehearsal for the Champions League semi-final. I've studied Chelsea's win ratio in the big games under Avram Grant, it didn't take long. Arsenal are turning into draw specialists, I'll happily take the 9/4 for a tie. Jesus would not be happy with the vitriolic abuse aimed at Heather Mills after her divorce from Paul McCartney. I look at is as a value gamble on Heather's part, she risked negative press and the occasional slap for a healthy financial settlement. I was quite surprised that she received as much as £24m; I think she must have shown the judge a little leg. Blackburn, Middlesbrough, Everton and a Chelsea draw form a 13/1 accer that will hopefully lead to an equally impressive return. Weekend Betting: Tottenham v Portsmouth Saturday 22nd March 12:45 Live on Sky Tottenham Evs Draw 5/2 Portsmouth 16/5 Get on: Tottenham Aston Villa v Sunderland Saturday 22nd March 15:00 Aston Villa 3/5 Draw 14/5 Sunderland 11/2 Get on: Aston Villa Blackburn v Wigan Saturday 22nd March 15:00 Blackburn 4/5 Draw 13/5 Wigan 4/1 Get on: Blackburn Bolton v Man City Saturday 22nd March 15:00 Bolton 6/4 Draw 23/10 Man City 2/1 Get on: Bolton Middlesbrough v Derby Saturday 22nd March 15:00 Middlesbrough 1/2 Draw 10/3 Derby 8/1 Get on: Middlesbrough Newcastle v Fulham Saturday 22nd March 15:00 Newcastle 10/11 Draw 12/5 Fulham 10/3 Get on: Newcastle Reading v Birmingham Saturday 22nd March 15:00 Reading 23/20 Draw 5/2 Birmingham 11/4 Get on: Reading Everton v West Ham Saturday 22nd March 17:15 Live on Setanta Everton 3/4 Draw 13/5 West Ham 4/1 Get on: Everton Man Utd v Liverpool Sunday 23rd March 13:30 Live on Sky Man Utd 11/10 Draw 23/10 Liverpool 10/3 Get on: Man Utd Chelsea v Arsenal Sunday 23rd March 16:00 Live on Sky Chelsea 5/4 Draw 9/4 Arsenal 12/5 Get on: Draw ← Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 Next → |
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