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Weekend football betting tips
by Ben, last updated 2007-05-09 22:57:18Premiership preview from PinnacleSports.com
As the Premiership draws to a close this weekend, clubs will be taking stock of the success of their campaigns. In the same way gamblers will sit down to work out how profitable their season has been, and without doubt those punters who have been taking advantage of www.pinnaclesports.com 's 60% Premiership odds will be in the best position. If you are not a Pinnacle account holder, make sure you improve your chances for start of the new season, by siding with the internet's leading sportsbook.
West Ham Desperate to Spoil United's Title Party
The game between Manchester United and West Ham at Old Trafford on the final day of the season, had for a long time looked like it would be critical for both participants. In the event, the Red Devils have already wrapped up the title, but the Hammers are left in the unenviable position of needing at least a draw from the newly crowned Champions to avoid relegation or hope results elsewhere go in their favour. Alan Curbishley has performed a minor miracle producing six wins from their last eight games, but it will take something special to spoil Alex Ferguson's party at the Theatre of Dreams. If Fergie turns out a similar side to that which earned a draw at Stamford Bridge, there may be hope for the Hammers.
It wouldn't be so bad for the Irons were it not for the fact that United need to maintain their focus for the FA Cup, next weekend. Many squad players will be vying for a place in the first team at the new Wembley, while Fergie won't be happy for momentum to be stalled. As much as anything else, the crowd at the Theatre of Dreams will expect a fitting finale to this glorious season. So where does that leave West Ham? Carlos Tevez has been in outstanding form but the Argentine will get close attention from the new Champions. Should the Londoners sit back and try to settle for a draw they will almost certainly be over-run, take the battle to United and they are open to the counter-attack. Curbishley could do worse than mug up on Sun Tzu's 'the Art of War'. www.pinnaclesports.com don't envisage a bloodbath pricing United 1.730 (-0.5) with West Ham 2.270 (+0.5).
Failure Not an Option For Wigan at Bramall Lane
There are three teams fighting to avoid filling the final relegation place in the Premiership table, and two of them meet at Bramall Lane on Sunday. Wigan and Sheffield United are both in danger of being consigned to the Championship, but their positions are significantly different. The Blades need only a draw to guarantee safety, whereas a win for Wigan will only be good enough if West Ham also lose at Old Trafford. Regardless of the circumstances Sheffield United should be expected to play the game to win. Too many times this season they have had to drag themselves back into games after slow starts, so Neil Warnock will be unlikely to risk a conservative approach. Warnock may also have been alarmed to see a United reserve side turn out at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday; a similarly weakened side would play into West Ham's hands and put greater pressure on Sheffield United to avoid defeat.
Wigan's fate is now out of their own hands, but they have had plenty of opportunities to avoid being in this position. The Latics are without a win in their last eight games, and haven't even scored in a hat-trick of losing Premiership fixtures going into this game. The 3-0 home defeat by relegation rivals West Ham was interpreted by many pundits as flying the white flag of surrender to relegation, and it will take a monumental effort by manager, Paul Jewell, to convince his players that their two year stay in the Premiership is not yet over. www.pinnaclesports.com can't separate the sides on their Asian Handicap pricing Sheffield United 1.746 (0/scratch) with Wigan 2.240 (0/scratch).
Pompey Still Dreaming of European Football
Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth were the only side other than Chelsea and Manchester United to top this season's Premiership table. The Southcoast side were unable to maintain that lofty position, but could still finish in a high enough position to qualify for Europe, which would be a first for a club that has experienced a rags-to-riches story. Recent home form suggests that Pompey have an excellent chance of getting the three points that would give them a chance of getting into a UEFA Cup spot. Portsmouth have lost just three times at home this season, and are looking for a fourth straight win, having recently sent Liverpool, Newcastle and Man Utd packing. They host Arsenal on Sunday, so ex-Gunners, Sol Campbell and Kanu will have a particular point to prove.
Arsenal have been far from impressive towards the tale end of the season, but they have done enough to qualify for next season's Champions League. At present they would however have to negotiate the qualifying rounds, sitting fourth behind Liverpool who have a much easier final fixture, playing already relegated Charlton at home. Wenger must however assume that his side can still over-turn the Scousers with a victory at Fratton Park, and go flat out for three points. The Gunners have an excellent record against Pompey who have never beaten them in the Premiership, a seven game sequence. www.pinnaclesports.com make Arsenal marginal favourites 1.840 (0/scratch) with Portsmouth 2.090 (0/scratch).
Gerry's Picks
by Gerry McDonnell
64 Seconds in ParisI'm not one of those parents who wrap their children up in cotton wool; I refuse to even pay for pyjamas. I do try my best to keep little Goliath away from television that he may find disturbing though, which normally involves avoiding programmes with Noel Edmonds.
Manchester United's title winning celebrations at Eastlands caught me completely off-guard. The sight of a topless Rio Ferdinand should have set alarm bells ringing, but as he was next to a bare-chested Ronaldo; all I could think of was grabbing a can of Tango from the fridge.
Before I could reach the kitchen, the camera switched to widescreen to show Wayne Rooney with his hands gently caressing the bottom of his shirt. As Rooney's intentions became clear, i lurched for the remote control in a desperate yet futile attempt to save Goliath from the grisly spectacle.
The wee man was left traumatised by the ensuing pictures, and he's visited the sea-life centre on many occasions. Manchester United were in a similar state in '95 when the Hammers cost United the title; the Red Devils will finally take revenge at 3/5.
Jose Mourinho has rightly apologised for his over-the-top personal attack on Ronaldo. Judging a man as a result of his background is completely out of order; that’s the kind of thing a Frenchman would do. I’m surrendering to the 8/13 for a Chelsea win over Everton.
Reporting a crime to the filth has a certain stigma attached to it, like being seen in public with a Sweaty, but few would argue with Dabo’s decision to tuck up Joey Barton. Michael Ball’s stamp on Ronaldo would suggest that Barton has been a real influence on his team-mates; I’m putting my foot down, get on Spurs at 1/2 to see off Man City.
Charlton may have suffered the ignominy of relegation, but like Arnold Schwarzenegger, they’ll be back, probably harassing women. I’m getting my hands on the 2/5 for a Liverpool win over the Addicks.
I’m not one to point fingers, unless I see an overweight ginger-haired kid with glasses, but Freddie Shepherd should shoulder the blame for Newcastle’s awful season. A draw between the disappointing Watford and Newcastle will come as no surprise at 12/5.
Paris Hilton has found herself looking at a prison sentence, or to use the correct term; she’s gone for a Barton. (It’s heartbreaking when your favourite movie stars let themselves down.) That young lady needs to be scared straight; it would take me just over a minute. I’m currently getting stuck into the 11/10 for a Blackburn win over Reading.
Cesc Fabregas is a quality footballer, but I suspect that he may also lead a secret life as a superhero. Fabman’s noble quest is to mildly annoy tubby midfielders. An Arsenal win over Pompey is the call at an absolutely fabulous 6/4.
I have to take my hat off to Neil Warnock. The Sheffield United manager has only found himself in one touchline ruck this season; that’s a remarkable show of restraint from the combustible northerner. Sheffield United can put the nail in Wigan’s Premiership coffin at a placid 13/10.
Sammy Lee has always been a winner. The Bolton manager once played a starring role in Liverpool’s FA youth cup winning team; but he was 37 at the time. The wife is also a little person, but it doesn’t hold her back; I just put a chair by the sink. There’s nothing small about the 3/1 for an Aston Villa win over Bolton.
I’ll try anything once, except enter a pie-eating contest with Mark Viduka. I must have a go on Middlesbrough at 10/11 against Fulham.
Paris Hilton and I have a lot in common, we’re both reluctant to do a little bird. Aston Villa, Chelsea, Man Utd and Middlesbrough form a weekend accer that I am genuinely excited about; the payout is a salacious 18/1.
Weekend Betting:
Blackburn v Reading Sunday 13th May 15:00
Blackburn 11/10
Draw 12/5
Reading 13/5
Get on: Blackburn
Match Special:
McCarthy to score two or more goals 13/2
Bolton v Aston Villa Sunday 13th May 15:00
Bolton 10/11
Draw 13/5
Aston Villa 3/1
Get on: Aston Villa
Match Special:
Carew to score the only goal of the game 55/1
Chelsea v Everton Sunday 13th May 15:00
Chelsea 8/13
Draw 14/5
Everton 6/1
Get on: Chelsea
Match Special:
John Terry to score with a header 9/1
Liverpool v Charlton Sunday 13th May 15:00
Liverpool 2/5
Draw 7/2
Charlton 8/1
Get on: Liverpool
Match Special:
Liverpool to keep a clean sheet 10/11
Man Utd v West Ham Sunday 13th May 15:00 Live on Sky
Man Utd 3/5
Draw 11/4
West Ham 5/1
Get on: Man Utd
Match Special:
Rooney to score from outside the penalty area 5/1
Middlesbrough v Fulham Sunday 13th May 15:00
Middlesbrough 10/11
Draw 12/5
Fulham 10/3
Get on: Middlesbrough
Match Special:
Viduka to score the first goal 11/2
Portsmouth v Arsenal Sunday 13th May 15:00
Portsmouth 15/8
Draw 5/2
Arsenal 6/4
Get on: Arsenal
Match Special:
Fabregas to score at any time 13/2
Sheff Utd v Wigan Sunday 13th May 15:00 Live on Sky
Sheff Utd 13/10
Draw 12/5
Wigan 23/10
Get on: Sheff Utd
Match Special:
Sheff Utd to score three or more goals 5/1
Tottenham v Man City Sunday 13th May 15:00
Tottenham 1/2
Draw 16/5
Man City 6/1
Get on: Tottenham
Match Special:
Berbatov to score a hat-trick 20/1
Watford v Newcastle Sunday 13th May 15:00
Watford 9/5
Draw 12/5
Newcastle 7/4
Get on: Draw
Match Special:
No goal scorer in the match 8/1
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