Archived Premiership Football Betting Tips (29th October 2005)

Fourth place Wigan take on a Fulham side who are gradually making some progress after a poor start. Wigan's performance in the top flight has taken most by surprise but it has been their defensive solidity that has provided the foundation for deserved results. Jason Roberts was rested for the midweek Carling Cup game so should start fresh whilst McCulloch looks to be out for the duration with a knee injury. Wigan's only loss at home has been to Chelsea where as Fulham have only taken 2 points away all season. Fulham managed a home win last weekend against Liverpool but given the Reds' away form there is some way to go before they turn the corner. Also going out at home to West Brom in the Carling Cup after extra time may have knocked them a bit. Coleman's position could also be in jeopardy given that Burley is now available. Wigan should take all 3 points.

Probably the game of the weekend, these North London derbies have been less predictable in recent times; the best example being the 4-5 result same place, same time last season. That result showed defensive inadequacies on both parts but also how Spurs have narrowed the gap in terms of creating and taking chances of their own. A 1-1 draw is a favourite for this fixture but Spurs maybe have a little more to offer now. For once they are perched 5 places above Arsenal and have only lost at home to Chelsea this season. With no midweek Carling Cup game after being knocked out by Grimsby in the previous round, they are not blighted by injuries but will miss Edgar Davids due to a 1 match suspension after 5 yellow cards. Arsenal will be buoyed by the return of both Henry and Campbell, but are still missing injured players Ljungberg, Hleb and Cole. The most startling fact for Arsenal is that they have only taken 1 point from 4 away games this season so it looks like the balance of power could be starting to swing Spurs' way. Spurs for a narrow victory.

Charlton are flying high in second place but it is their away form that is keeping them there; they've won all 5 away games whilst only taking 4 points from 4 games at home. Maybe because they play Bent alone up front they fare better away from home playing on the counter where the home team forces the issue. A word of warning for Curbishley is that all his creative input comes through Murphy and he is key to Charlton's season; if form deserts him or injury bites they could slip down the table. Bolton's performances have varied this season but although they have the additional fixtures of playing in Europe on the whole they have done well. Away from home they have only lost twice but these have been their two most recent away games. Bolton have had some key players out through injury such as Okocha, Giannakopolous and Speed but these should be available come Saturday. If so, this should be a tight match and the draw looks to be favourable.

Chelsea finally lost their 100% record last weekend to an Everton side who are currently bottom; although the game was a draw Chelsea were denied a clear winner by the linesman for offside. They may have dropped a couple of points but they should be fully expected to carry on as usual when they host Blackburn, who have got some good results of late but they have only a single win to their name on the road. No doubt Blackburn's aim will be to get amongst the Chelsea players, so you can guarantee Savage will be playing, but players of Chelsea's quality should be able to pick off the Blackburn side. Chelsea back to winning ways.

Liverpool are having one of those seasons and after an inauspicious start now probably have no chance of challenging for the title; have they made progress after the Champions League win last season? Domestically they are awful but in Europe they have the winning mentality. Not only does Benitez not know his best side but a lot of his players don't fancy the more physical side of the Premiership and prefer the slower pace of Continental football; epitomised by their exit from the Carling Cup at the hands of Palace. Gerrard is back fit again but seems to be playing too deep to be as effective as he can be. Fortunately for Liverpool they are at home this weekend where their form is better with 7 points from 4 games but they must take on a West Ham side who are 4 places above them in the table and have impressed since their promotion to the Premiership. The Hammers have only won once and lost once in their 4 away games but their points have come against weaker teams and with the pressure most definitely on Liverpool to get the win Anfield may prove a tough place to get anything. A much needed win for Liverpool.

Both these sides have extensive injury lists but United's seem to be longer term whilst Boro could welcome back some influential players such as Hasselbaink and Ehiogu. Boro appear to be the picture of inconsistency and much of this probably has to do with their form after European games and McLaren's involvement with the England squad. Boro are sitting in mid-table and only have 1 home win from 5 games in which they have only scored 3 goals. United's away form however is good having only dropped 2 points in 5 games; they may concede goals but with the likes of Rooney and van Nistelrooy they are always going to create chances and will make the most of any counter-attacking moves. United to win this one.