Archived Premiership Football Betting Tips (31st January 2006)

Sunderland's injury worries may have eased but the weekend FA cup knockout at Brentford will have knocked their confidence; it was a result they didn't want especially after a good away victory at West Brom. Sunderland are the only side yet to win a home game and are up against an injury-hit Boro side struggling to avoid relegation. Boro have only won 2 games on the road and McLaren has been told he has no money to spend despite his defensive crisis; the constant rumours of Hassebaink leaving will not have helped matters. This is a must win game for both clubs but feel that Sunderland have performed well at home of late and can get the 3 points against a depleted Boro side struggling for form themselves.

With Paul Jewell's side getting to the Carling Cup final in Cardiff and their form in the Premiership still going well, there should be much optimism at the JJB despite the manager's determined efforts to keep his players' feet firmly on the ground; their success has been due to a mixture of talent and hard work. They host an Everton side who have been rejuvenated of late but will be missing key strikers Beattie and McFadden through injury. Everton already have problems scoring goals and with these two injured and Marcus Bent recently sold to Charlton, Moyes will have to rely on Duncan Ferguson and the midfield threat of Tim Cahill. Henchoz and de Zeeuw should be able to soak up the Everton threat and Wigan should win.

Villa have improved of late but still show signs of inconsistency. They have only won 3 of 11 games at home and are currently 6th from bottom. O'Leary will want all his players available for the visit of Chelsea but Bouma is still doubtful after a knee injury. Chelsea travel to Villa Park having only dropped 5 points away all season and having won their last 5 successive away fixtures. There will always be value in betting against Chelsea and they have shown some vulnerability recently but it's not often they slip up. Chelsea to win.

City have been the focus of the back pages recently with Fowler returning to Liverpool on a 6 month contract and Barton not happy with contract negotiations. City have a good record at home with 6 wins from 12 and are a grittier side under Stuart Pearce but you can never be certain which City side will turn up. The only factor that makes this a fairly certain home win is that Newcastle are the opponents. As ever Newcastle's injury list shows little sign of shortening and Souness is probably justified in that he's rarely been able to select anything close to his first eleven. The Magpies have only won 8 from 12 away games and City should come out on top.

Harry's return to Pompey has not been as successful as was initially hoped but the size of the task ahead should not be underestimated. He has already brought in new players for others not deemed to be up to the mark but it will take time for these players to develop as a team; if they are to avoid relegation they need points quick. With only 2 home wins all season three points against a strong Bolton side is a big ask. Bolton may have injuries to Campo, Speed and Pedersen plus the quartet away at the African Cup of Nations but they should still field a strong line up. Fratton Park may well have been a fortress at one point but it's going to take a bit longer for Harry to bolster the defences. Bolton to win.

Arsenal have problems at the back with injuries to Lauren, Cole and Cygan whilst Toure is away at the African Cup of Nations. Reyes and Fabregas are also suspended but Arsenal still have a fairly strong side and their home form is impressive with 9 wins from 11 games. There is no doubt that West Ham will be up for this derby fixture and if the game had been at Upton Park, West Ham would have started favourites especially considering Arsenal's away form but Highbury is a tough place to go. One thing you can guarantee is that Harewood will give Campbell and Senderos a hard game but the likes of Henry and Pires are sure to outscore the Hammers.

This promises to be a spicy encounter given the events of the two legged Carling Cup semi-final between these two recently. Hughes has problems in attack with Bellamy and Dickov both injured but late loan signing Pongolle could come in. United also have problems in midfield with Giggs and O'Shea injured plus Smith suspended. Blackburn are a hard side to beat after an indifferent start to the season but it is likely to be United's away form that will swing this one in their favour. They have 7 wins from 12 away games whilst Blackburn have only lost twice at home; a close call but United should have the edge.