Archived Premiership Football Betting Tips (4th February 2006)

Birmingham have not lost in their last 4 home games and snatched a midweek draw at Anfield. They are gradually clawing their way out of the drop zone and West Brom are in sight with only a 3 point gap separating them. They face an Arsenal side who are in defensive crisis with players injured, players away at the African Cup of Nations and confidence low in key defender Sol Campbell. It remains to be seen whether Campbell will even travel to St. Andrews such is his current form and confidence. Additionally Arsenal have only won 2 away games this season and it is difficult to see them getting anything against a gritty Blues side especially given the contrasting attitudes of the 2 sides. Birmingham to grab a vital 3 points.

This promises to be a tough fixture between 2 very hard working sides; of the two Wigan play the prettier football but I would expect these teams to fight out a stalemate. Bolton have 6 home wins whilst Wigan have 6 away wins and only 1 point and 2 places are the difference between them. What edges this slightly in Bolton's favour is that they are at home and haven't lost at home in their last 6 games. Despite this I expect Wigan to work hard for a draw.

It was only going to be a matter of time before Souness was asked to leave and Freddy Shepherd needs to get his next appointment right if he's to keep his place at the top of the pile. Roeder and Shearer are taking the helm short term and the players should put in that bit extra for them; after all they're far more likable than Souness. Newcastle have only won 4 at home but Parker and Emre should be fitter after being rushed back. They could have no better opponents than Portsmouth who are infamously poor travellers and have lost 9 of their 12 away fixtures, not taking an away point under new manager Harry Redknapp. Harry is assembling a new look squad and it will take some time for the teamwork to come through. Newcastle to get a vital home win.

The Baggies have lost their last 2 at home and are slipping back towards the relegation spots; they are only 3 points above relegation threatened Birmingham having played 1 more game. The last thing they would want is to play an in form Blackburn side who have won their last 3 away fixtures on the bounce. Blackburn still have Bellamy and Dickov out injured but managed to beat United without these two so the signs don't look good for West Brom.

The Hammers have won almost half of their games at home and should be buoyant after a great win away at Highbury. For a side light on experience they play with a refreshing confidence and should be favoured to beat bottom club Sunderland on their own patch. Sunderland may have won 2 away games but they were beaten at home midweek by a poor Boro side and it seems like everyone at the Stadium of Light has accepted that they are heading for the Championship next season. It will be difficult for them to pick up against the happy Hammers.

United should be able to restore some pride against a Fulham side yet to win away in the Premiership; in fact they are the only side without an away win. United could not cope with a lively Blackburn side and will miss Ferdinand after his dismissal; it seems Sir Alex may have made a mistake playing him in midfield. United have not lost at home in their last 6 and it is difficult to see Fulham get anything give their away form.

Spurs are still in 4th place although this may be more down to the teams below them not performing rather than themselves winning week in week out. Conceding too many last minute goals this season has cost Spurs dear and if they had concentrated until the final whistle they may have been in 2nd or 3rd place. Spurs have been busy in the transfer window but need a striker; especially since they are missing Mido, Rasiak doesn't come up to standard and Defoe is short on confidence. Despite this they have only lost at home to Chelsea this season and should be fancied against a faltering Charlton side. Danny Murphy has made his way from the Valley to the Lane but it has been agreed between the 2 clubs that he will not play. Charlton have only 1 point from their last 5 away games and the odds will be stacked against them at White Hart Lane.