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Weekend Premiership Football
by Ben, last updated 2006-03-22 22:32:43Gerry's Picks
By Gerry McDonnell
Cruising for a Bruce-ingSometimes, it's not easy being a football fan. A friend of mine was recently asked which team he supported, "I've never been to a football match." he replied, "I rarely leave my house for longer than 20 minutes, as I can't use public toilets due to my minuscule equipment. I can't watch football at home either, because excessive solo lovemaking has led to serious vision problems. As a result, I have no affiliation with football, or any particular team."
He just couldn't admit to being a Birmingham City fan, it would have been too embarrassing.
After a seven goal thumping on their own patch, the Blues must be dreading a trip to Old Trafford. United are the good things of the weekend at 2/9, and the 6/1 on offer for United finding the net six times or more is worth a 2nd look.
There must be something in the water in Birmingham, Aston Villa are also going through a poor spell. Like their neighbours, Villa have been unlucky with injuries. Berger has rarely played, Mellberg has been in and out of the first 11 and perhaps most cruelly of all, Ridgewell has been continuously available for selection. No wonder O'Leary's always moaning.
It's a good job the Villa have a few points in the bag from earlier in the season, as you can't foresee a Villa win under any circumstances. Fulham have steadfastly refused to win away from home, at Villa Park, they have no choice. Fulham are a great bet at 2/1.
In a week where Robbie Savage received a 2nd yellow card and Liverpool strikers were scoring for fun, it was refreshing to see Chelsea players surround the ref in an aggressive fashion and a John Terry challenge in the penalty area go unpunished, ensuring a swift return to normality.
Man City are the next visitors to the Bridge; a bad week for Stuart Pearce is about to take a turn for the worse. The Psycho must regret resting his star players and Darius Vassell in a defeat to Wigan last week, as the Hammers knocked them out of the Cup two days later. City have two chances at Stamford Bridge, slim and none; and slim has just gone on the Atkins. Chelsea are available at 2/7, it's your duty to be on.
Blackburn are a great looking bet at 8/13 to leave the Stadium of Light with three points. Craig Bellamy has scored in his last three matches and netted twice against the Mackems in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. It's 9/2 that the Welshman bags another pair, help yourself to a double Bells.
Everton haven't enjoyed their trips across the park in recent years, they haven't won at Anfield since 1999; pop midget ‘Prince' was so impressed he wrote a song about it. The Reds currently look unplayable; the 8/13 on the table is more than fair.
Liverpool scoring 15 goals in 3 games was surprising, but the fact that all four of their much maligned strikers found the net left me genuinely stunned. Move over the Beatles, Liverpool have a new ‘Fab 4'. Cisse is Ringo (mediocre), Morientes is George (superfluous), Crouch is Paul (over-rated), and Fowler is John (shot). A tough but fair comparison. I'm still not convinced by Crouchy, if you're a believer, he's an 11/8 shot to find the net in the derby.
The weekend specials:
"Rovers return" - Blackburn to win from behind 7/1
"Ed first" - Edgar Davids to score the first goal 14/1
"A fair Kop" - No bookings in the Liverpool v Everton match 7/1
"Mersey Beat" - James Beattie to score two or more goals 9/1
"Duncan doughnut" - Ferguson to be sent off 40/1
"Bruce almighty" - Man U to win 7-1 80/1
Quote of the week:
"Realistically, a club like ours is not going to be able to compete for the title, so you look at the domestic cups - and they're possible. In your career, you don't get too many opportunities to have a real crack at it, and we're in the quarter-finals, at home, so why not?"
Why not, Mr Bruce
Stat, you're a liberty:
Man City are the only team in the Premiership yet to record a 1-0 victory this season. It's a dull stat, but a good stat.
Acc of the week:
Liverpool, Fulham, Blackburn, Arsenal and Middlesbrough are all worth a punt, put the five together; you've got an accer that pays out at 30/1.
Weekend Betting:
Liverpool v Everton Saturday 25th March 12.45 Live on Premiership Plus
Liverpool 8/13
Draw 11/5
Everton 9/2
Get on: Liverpool
Liverpool are the hottest team in the Country; it's four away matches without a win for Everton.
Match Special:
Gerrard to score at any time 7/4
Aston Villa v Fulham Saturday 25th March 15.00
Aston Villa 11/10
Draw 9/4
Fulham 2/1
Get on: Fulham
The Villa have only won one of their last seven, the last three all being defeats. Fulham are still on a high from seeing off the Champions, away all the way.
Match Special:
Fulham to keep a clean sheet 2/1
Chelsea v Man City Saturday 25th March 15.00
Chelsea 2/7
Draw 7/2
Man City 8/1
Get on: Chelsea
A surprising stat, there has been one goal or less in this fixture on the last five occasions they have met. The Champions have won 14 of their 15 home matches; City have managed only one win away from home since August.
Match Special:
HT Draw FT Chelsea 7/2
Sunderland v Blackburn Saturday 25th March 15.00
Sunderland 4/1
Draw 12/5
Blackburn 8/13
Get on: Blackburn
Sunderland have lost five on the bounce; Blackburn have won four from five.
Match Special:
Craig Bellamy to score a hat-trick 20/1
Wigan v West Ham Saturday 25th March 15.00
Wigan Evs
Draw 9/4
West Ham 9/4
Get on: West Ham
Wigan haven't won a league match at the JJB this year; the Hammers have scored 18 goals in their last nine league matches.
Match Special:
Dean Ashton to score with a header 6/1
Portsmouth v Arsenal Saturday 25th March 17.15 Live on Premiership Plus
Portsmouth 10/3
Draw 5/2
Arsenal 4/6
Get on: Arsenal
Pompey's win over poor travellers Man City is their only home win this year; the Gunners have won their last three in the league with breathtaking ease.
Match Special:
Thierry Henry to score direct from a free kick 8/1
Middlesbrough v Bolton Sunday 26th March 13.30 Live on Sky
Middlesbrough 11/8
Draw 11/5
Bolton 13/8
Get on: Middlesbrough
Boro have won their last two in front of their own fans; Bolton have lost their last three on the road.
Match Special:
Viduka to score at any time 6/4
Charlton v Newcastle Sunday 26th March 14.00
Charlton 5/4
Draw 9/4
Newcastle 7/4
Get on: Draw
Charlton have drew a blank four times in recent weeks; after successive league defeats for the Toon army, a scoreless draw will be classed as a good result. The last three matches between these two have resulted in a draw.
Match Special:
No goal scorer in the match 8/1
Man Utd v Birmingham Sunday 26th March 16.00 Live on Sky
Man Utd 2/9
Draw 4/1
Birmingham 9/1
Get on: Man Utd
Every time Birmingham have travelled to Old Trafford in the Premiership, they've been beaten by two goals or more. It's five straight league victories for United; Birmingham have only managed away day victories at Sunderland and West Brom.
Match Special:
Saha and Rooney both to score 9/2
Tottenham v West Brom Monday 27th March 20.00 Live on Sky
Tottenham 2/5
Draw 11/4
West Brom 13/2
Get on: Tottenham
It's 7 months since a visiting team left White Hart Lane with three points. As the Baggies have took 1 point out of a possible 15, that record is not in danger.
Match Special:
Aaron Lennon to score at any time 4/1
Claim your free bet with Canbet
Nigels Picks
from Bet365
EVERTON TO MAKE A POINT AT 13/5Liverpool v Everton
Sa Mar 25 - 12.45 pm ko (PremPlus)
The pick of this weekend's Premiership football has to be the Merseyside derby, especially as both teams are playing so well right now. Liverpool's strikers have certainly found their scoring boots of late, but they could find Everton an altogether different proposition to the likes of Fulham and Birmingham. Everton have also hit form of late, having scored nine goals in the last three games, and they'll fancy their chances of nicking a goal or two. A win at 5/1 might be too much to ask from David Moye's side, but they can certainly come away with the point at 13/5 (Liverpool can be backed at 4/7). Three of the last four meetings between these two have seen them share the spoils, which is further encouragement for the bet.
Live Game Pick: Draw @ 13/5
TITLE CHASE BACK ON FOR 12/1 UNITED?
A few weeks ago, it would have been inconceivable to think that Chelsea were not going to be champions again, but the signs are there that the Blues have hit the wall, having dropped 10 points from 24. On the other hand, United have won their last five to reduce the gap to 12 points and, perhaps crucially, they have a game in hand on the champions, whom they play in the penultimate game of the season. In fact, Newcastle fans will not have to be reminded that United have overhauled a 12-point deficit to win the title before, and a visit from 16/1 Birmingham this weekend is perfect for them.
Birmingham have managed just two away wins all season, and they were against West Brom and Sunderland. The Red Devils have done even better against teams now in the bottom eight and, more interestingly for betting purposes, have nailed the win / win double result on four occasions. They've also scored at least two in each of their last five games, so a punt on a scoreline of 2-0 or 3-0 looks about right.
United / United Double Result @ 2/5 & United to win 2-0 or 3-0 @ 5/1 or 6/1
bet365's latest Premiership betting ... Chelsea 1/66, Man United 12/1 (2/9 ‘Without Chelsea')
SAHA SO GOOD AT 3/1
Ruud van Nistelrooy heads our First Goalscorer market on the game at 11/4, but his future at the club has come under scrutiny in recent weeks. Here at bet365, he's been well-backed to start next season at AC Milan (5/2 from 7/2), and he's not even favourite to be the top goalscorer at the club next season. That honour goes to Wayne Rooney at 5/4, closely followed by Louis Saha at 11/8, with the Dutchman at 3/1. Saha's well-taken double against Birmingham took the Frenchman's tally for a season that only started in November to 13 and, in light of that, he's a 3/1 shot to net first this weekend - money back if he scores the last goal in the game instead!
Bet with bet365
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