Archived Premiership Football Betting Tips (21st January 2006)

Everton may have inflicted Portsmouth's first home defeat under Harry Redknapp but they must now host an Arsenal side that managed to put 7 past Boro. Everton have only won 3 of their 10 home games scoring just 8 goals in the process so it looks tough for a side that after good little winning runs are regularly brought back down to earth with sound beatings. Arsenal were inspirational at the weekend and have more balance to their team now that Cole has returned; Henry is back in scintillating form and an added bonus could be the return of Campbell. Arsenal have only won twice away from home this season so statistically they are not hot favourites but they seem to be getting back to their best. Everton only manage to win games by 1-0 score lines but Arsenal should score at Goodison leaving it unlikely that Everton will get anything from this game.

With Birmingham taking 7 points from their last 3 home games after not being able to win at home all season, it's a big ask for a new look Pompey side to go to St Andrews and get anything when they've only managed 7 points on the road all season. Portsmouth have lost their last 5 successive away games and are firmly entrenched in the drop zone with a 5 point gap developing above them after they lost at the weekend and relegation rivals West Brom managed an away win at Wigan. New players at Portsmouth that aren't necessarily match fit are going to mean it's a few weeks before things start clicking for Redknapp's squad but he's making the right moves to avoid the Championship next season. Bruce has most of his players back from injury and the signing of Sutton will provide a boost in the striking department; they played well at Charlton and were unlucky not to get anything. With Sutton leading the line and Pennant and Izzett providing from midfield their should be light at the end of the tunnel.

Newcastle's injury problems are well documented and it would be a surprise if they don't finish this game with even more given the physical style of some of Blackburn's players. Newcastle have not lost in their last 6 home fixtures but will be facing an improving Blackburn side who won't be afraid to compete at St James. Souness will want his players to do well against his old club and Shearer will be keen to break Milburn's record but most eyes will be on Bellamy; he will be up for it if he starts and he should expect plenty of abuse fom fans and maybe some of his old team mates. Another player singled out for abuse will probably be Savage but given his acting antics he fully deserves it. This one should be fiery and Blackburn could edge it.

Spurs may have been dumped out of the Cup at Leicester but fans won't be too worried as long as they continue their excellent Premiership form. They competed well at Anfield although narrowly losing but their home form is good with only 1 loss this season (to Chelsea) and having won their last 4 they should be full of confidence. Villa have had a topsy turvy season with takeover issues surrounding the club and Eriksson rumoured to covet O'Leary's job. Regardless of those issues Villa have been inconsistent, epitomised by a surprising away win at local rivals West Brom and then losing to West Ham at home after being ahead. They have only lost 4 away and on their day they can be a match for most sides but given Spurs home form all 3 points should stay at the Lane.

The Baggies are gradually climbing away from the relegation places and now have a 5 point safety cushion. Their season is getting better after they managed to secure their first away win at high flying Wigan, and in addition to their good home firm with 5 wins from 11 games, the omens look promising for this home fixture against bottom club Sunderland. The Mackems may have lost 8 of their 9 games on the road but they gave Chelsea a fright last weekend and if they play as well at the Hawthorns they are worth a piece of anyone's money. Given that West Brom have better home form than the majority of sides in the bottom half of the table and Sunderland have only 1 away win from the season so far, West Brom should secure the victory.

Chelsea still have 100% home form with 11 wins from 11 games but if you cast your mind back to earlier rounds of the Carling Cup, you'll remember that Charlton got a draw at Stamford Bridge in normal time and then went on to win on penalties. Since then Charlton have been knocked out of the Carling Cup and their form has dipped alarmingly although they have temporarily recovered of late. With a pair of Bent's up front it remains to be seen whether or not Curbishley will play 4-4-2 at the Bridge; more likely they will play 4-5-1 and soak up the pressure. Though Chelsea have this great home record, bottom club Sunderland showed that anyone can give Chelsea a fright if they play well enough. They may have a couple of players absent because of the African Cup of Nations but they have the depth for this not to impact them too much and should be backed. For better value, go for a half time / full time bet of draw/Chelsea.

No doubt that this is the spicy encounter of the weekend and a United win is by no means a foregone conclusion. Liverpool are only a point and a place behind United with 2 games in hand and given the Scouser's current form they should start as favourites. United have only won 6 of 10 home games and have made hard work of recent games where as Liverpool have 10 wins from their last 11; the exception being a point at Bolton. Until Liverpool's FA Cup game at Luton where they conceded 3 they had been especially tight at the back so we'll assume the Luton game was just a blip. United have 2 new defenders in Vidic and Evra; Evra has already played (against City) and was awful and I doubt Fergie will play both of these in such an important game. Whoever he plays Liverpool may well snatch this one.