Archived Premiership Football Betting Tips (28th December 2005)

Arsenal have moved up a place to 7th after they won at Charlton and Man City could only lose at Wigan but they are still under-achieving big time; since Wenger took over they have never finished outside the top 2 in the Premiership. The only blot on their home form was their recent defeat to Chelsea where a disallowed goal went against them. At home Arsenal will have a more attacking lineup and there should be much for Harry Redknapp to worry about. Although Portsmouth have taken 4 points from 3 games since Harry took over they are in the relegation places and have only taken 2 victories from 9 away games. Once January arrives there should be much transfer activity around Fratton Park but this will be too late for the trip to Highbury. The Pompey players will be playing for their places but Arsenal should prove too strong.

Seventeen places separate these 2 in the Premiership and there should be no doubt as to who's near the top and who's fighting against relegation. Steve Bruce's men have won once at St. Andrews which is pathetic although they have had their injury problems, but they play host to the side with the best away record in the Premiership; United have 22 points from a possible 27. United also have players scoring from all areas of the pitch, with Paul Scholes back with his goal-scoring touch and Rio Ferdinand also finding the back of the net. Things to get worse for Bruce.

Charlton's dismal run continues and even though Curbishley changed half the team for the Boxing Day game at Arsenal, they still managed to lose despite Arsenal's poor away form. Not only that but Danny Murphy was red-carded meaning that their most influential midfield player will be missing for the trip to St. James Park. Newcastle lost to Liverpool, which was no great shock but their home form has been good and without a loss in 6 games. Much has to be said for the signing of Owen and now that the Geordie squad is returning to fitness the points should start accumulating. Owen to score in a good win for Newcastle.

4th from bottom meets 4th from top in what promises to be less than a straight forward encounter. West Brom are better positioned than this time last year even though they are only just outside the relegation places but they have mediocre home form with 4 wins from 9 games. Spurs have only lost once on the road (to Bolton) indicating they are a much harder side to beat; not only that but they have come from behind to claim points several times. 4th place and 3 places above Arsenal will have the Spurs fans in festive mood; the question is can they maintain their current form.

The Hammers have lost their last 2 at home whilst Wigan have lost their last 3 on the road but these defeats have all come at the hands of top 5 teams with the exception of West Ham's defeat to Newcastle. West Ham have shown lately that they have a lot of spirit in the camp with their equaliser for a point at Portsmouth, plus other spirited displays where they have come back and scored but failed to make up the difference. However, in Wigan, they face one of the hardest working teams in the Premiership and also one of underrated talent. This would be a great victory for West Ham but it is unlikely and Wigan should continue their fine run with another victory.

Blackburn have recently beaten Boro away twice and are slowly climbing the table whilst getting a reputation for snatching victories from unlikely scenarios. Recently they have been trailing games only to come back and win (excepting the defeat at Fulham), showing a steely determination and reflective of their manager. Their opponents, Sunderland, are rooted to the foot of the table with 6 points and although they fought for a good point at home to Bolton their last 4 away games have proved fruitless. Blackburn should secure all 3 points.

The only 2 English clubs still left in the UEFA Cup face each other at the Reebok and domestically they are experiencing very different seasons; Bolton are 5th while Boro lie in a miserable 13th position having won only 5 games all season. Boro have the inconsistent tag this season and their results always seem a bit of a lottery and this is probably due to the heay fixture pile-up that the UEFA Cup brings. Bolton on the other hand have coped admirably and should win this one; confidence would have been higher if they'd have beaten both Sunderland and Villa. They need the points now as in January they will be weakened by a number of their players leaving for the African Nations Cup. Bolton to win.