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Football betting tipsby Ben, last updated 2007-12-27 13:36:54Premiership Betting Analysis - Matchday 20 PreviewHalfway through the packed four-game Christmas Premiership schedule, and Manchester United have got their noses in front of Arsenal, leading the table by just a point from the Gunners, now demoted to second place. Both teams are in action this weekend, and then again on New Year’s Day, so everything could quickly change. One thing bettors can however, be sure of is 60% better Premiership betting odds at PinnacleSports.com, so take advantage now!!!
Arsene Wenger appeared outwardly unfazed after his side were held to a goalless draw at Fratton Park on Boxing Day, conceding the lead in the Premiership title race to Alex Ferguson’s, Manchester United. Wenger will however, privately be concerned that the Gunners have taken just two points from their last three away games, and on Saturday face a very tough trip to in-form Everton. So far in the Christmas period the French boss has resisted the temptation to make use of Robin Van Persie, recently returned from injury, but he may feel the Dutchman can make the difference to the Londoners on the road. Everton continued their exceptional run of form beating Bolton 2-0 at Goodison Park on Boxing Day, their sixth straight home win in all competitions. Tim Cahill was again on the score-sheet highlighting his importance to the side, while Spaniard, Mikel Arteta who had been briefly sidelined with illness, also gave another influential performance. The Toffees are maintaining their pressure on the four Champions League places, currently in sixth position. David Moyes’ side have beaten Arsenal on their last two visits by an identical 1-0 score-line, a similar result would see them cover their spread as under-dogs at PinnacleSports.com who go Everton 2.020 (0/scratch & +0.5) with Arsenal 1.909 (0/scratch & -0.5) – a market priced to less than 102%.
West Ham United pulled off one the biggest upsets of last season’s festive schedule when they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Upton Park. Later in the season the Irons performed a remarkable relegation escape act which ended with a win by the same score at Old Trafford. Though the Hammers are in much better shape this time around, they are long odds to repeat that unlikely double. Alan Curbishley’s side are inconsistent at home where they are without a win in four league fixtures, drawing three by the same 1-1 scoreline, having led on each occasion. West Ham will do well to build a lead against the Champions, who have reeled off five straight Premiership wins, including a crucial victory at Anfield, and a 4-0 stroll at Sunderland on Boxing Day. Fergie had the luxury of resting several key players in that win, including Patrice Evra, Carlos Tevez and Ryan Giggs. He may planning to utilise that trio in what could be a much harder game in East London. With Arsenal playing a tough fixture at Goodison Park, Sir Alex could see this as the perfect opportunity to build a cushion at the top of the Premiership table. PinnacleSports.com make Man Utd favourites 2.00 (-1) with West Ham 1.926 (+1).
Obi 1 Hand Solo 0by Gerry McDonnellThe wife and I are similar in many ways, but we disagree on the most prudent way to discipline children. Betty is from the old-school, and believes a small slap is perfectly acceptable. I take the opposite view, and prefer the use of a knuckle-duster.Such actions would not be necessary if it wasn't for our children being led astray by poor role-models, such as Premier League footballers. Even fully grown men occasionally follow their contentious lead; just last Tuesday I enjoyed a lunchtime roast. It's not just the off-field antics that leave a nasty taste in the mouth; the game is still riddled with simulation. There appears to be a growing number of players who embrace the turf more than Jodie Foster. Peter Crouch tried to point the finger at foreign players after trying to dissect Jon Obi Mikel. As Crouch launched into his astonishing tirade, a sheepish Steven Gerrard kept his head down in the background. I hope that Stevie steps up when Liverpool play Manchester City; I'm hitting the Reds at 11/10. Luckily, some players are willing to change. Ashley Young may have been guilty of going down easily in the past, but I have it on good authority that he plans to get a grip of himself over the coming months. The inspirational Young will lead Aston Villa to victory over Wigan at 7/5. Arsene Wenger's decision to release Ashley Cole was truly inspired. Arsenal's new left-back has been a revelation this season, but I disagree with his assertion that players need a winter break. That's just a tired cliché. The 6/5 for an Arsenal win over Everton should be on everybody's lips. David Sullivan has claimed that the departure of Steve Bruce was "the best thing that has ever happened to Birmingham City." He's obviously forgotten about the glorious Auto Windscreens Shield campaign of 1995. The Blues can crack a managerless Fulham at 10/11. Sol Campbell does not appreciate terrace banter. The big man has asked for intervention from the FA, the PFA, and somewhat optimistically, the government. I just can't see Gordon Brown introducing a ministry for the concerns of the slightly deranged. Portsmouth are unbeaten against Boro in their last 10 meets: I'd rather listen to a repeat of the Queen's speech than miss the 7/10 for a Pompey win. I try to stay away from the political arena as a rule, but there is something seriously amiss in this country when the likable Al Bangura is threatened with deportation, yet the campaign to remove Robbie Savage is ignored by the suits in Westminster. The 10/11 for a Blackburn win against the luckless Derby is equally perplexing. Roy Keane has been linked with a move for Robbie Savage in the January window. I'm pleased that the Irishman hasn't allowed Sunderland's perilous position to affect his sense of humour. I'll be laughing like Peter Beardsley's photographer when I take the 6/4 for a Sunderland win over Bolton. Jermain Defoe remains understandably unhappy with his prolonged spell on the bench, as he has to keep a continual eye out for a drunken Alan Davies. Tottenham are firing on all cylinders, I'll happily take a bite out of the 4/7 for a Spurs win against a floundering Reading. Wayne Rooney allegedly made a few risqué suggestions to a Daily Mirror reporter at Manchester United's controversial Christmas bash. A stunned Mr McGovern was forced to make his excuses and leave. I won't be knocking back the 3/1 for a draw between West Ham and Manchester United. Chelsea have been leaking goals since John Terry met with Emmanuel Eboue's studs of immediate justice; but they face a Newcastle side who remain impotent on the road. We should all rise to welcome the 4/9 for a Chelsea win. Alex can consider himself fortunate to be JT's replacement. The Brazilian could stand back-to-back with Frank Lampard and form a perfect circle. Portsmouth, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool form a 10/1 accer that is the literal definition of perfection. Weekend Betting: Birmingham v Fulham Saturday 29th December 15:00 Birmingham 10/11 Draw 5/2 Fulham 10/3 Get on: Birmingham Match Special: Ridgewell to score with a header 14/1 Chelsea v Newcastle Saturday 29th December 15:00 Chelsea 4/9 Draw 7/2 Newcastle 8/1 Get on: Chelsea Match Special: Alex to score at any time 7/1 Portsmouth v Middlesbrough Saturday 29th December 15:00 Portsmouth 7/10 Draw 13/5 Middlesbrough 9/2 Get on: Portsmouth Match Special: Kranjcar to score from outside the penalty area 7/1 Sunderland v Bolton Saturday 29th December 15:00 Sunderland 6/4 Draw 23/10 Bolton 15/8 Get on: Sunderland Match Special: Kenwyne Jones to score two or more goals 13/2 Tottenham v Reading Saturday 29th December 15:00 Tottenham 4/7 Draw 3/1 Reading 13/2 Get on: Tottenham Match Special: Tottenham to win by two or more goals 7/5 West Ham v Man Utd Saturday 29th December 15:00 West Ham 6/1 Draw 3/1 Man Utd 8/15 Get on: Draw Match Special: Solano to score in a 1-1 draw 35/1 Wigan v Aston Villa Saturday 29th December 15:00 Wigan 21/10 Draw 23/10 Aston Villa 7/5 Get on: Aston Villa Match Special: Aston Villa to score a penalty 5/1 Everton v Arsenal Saturday 29th December 17:15 Live on Setanta Everton 13/5 Draw 12/5 Arsenal 6/5 Get on: Arsenal Match Special: Arsenal to score three or more goals 4/1 Derby v Blackburn Sunday 30th December 13:30 Live on Sky Derby 3/1 Draw 5/2 Blackburn 10/11 Get on: Blackburn Match Special: Bentley to score direct from a free-kick 9/1 Man City v Liverpool Sunday 30th December 16:00 Live on Sky Man City 13/5 Draw 12/5 Liverpool 11/10 Get on: Liverpool Match Special: Torres to score the only goal of the game 25/1 ← 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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