Archived Premiership Football Betting Tips (11th February 2006)

Liverpool face their third away game on the trot and with 2 defeats already they won't be high on confidence. Additionally, Gerrard won't be available until next week and Benitez's side lack the same drive when Gerrard is not there to inspire them on the pitch. Liverpool have in fact only won 4 of their 12 away games and the JJB is a fairly difficult place to go. Wigan lost every game when they played the top sides earlier in the season but they have learned from these defeats and don't know when they are beaten; a fine example of this was when they knocked Arsenal out of the Carling Cup at Highbury. Wigan have modest home form with 6 wins from 13 games but Liverpool's third consecutive fixture away from home could see them showing their softer side. Wigan to win narrowly.

Arsenal's season has been one of disappointment and individual problems but just when we wrote them off at Birmingham they rallied themselves and won by a couple of goals. Campbell claims he is ready to return; the away fans are bound to barrack him and if his mental state is still fragile things may go from bad to worse. Arsenal have won 9 from 12 at home and with some of their injured defenders possibly returning they will start favourites. They need to win as many games as possible now to keep alive their hopes of Champions League football next season. Bolton could welcome some of their players back from the African Cup of Nations but they are sure to be tired and will not be guaranteed to start; the loss of Fadiga for the rest of the season was a big blow. Bolton have only 4 away wins and if Arsenal are on song they will be fortunate to get a point.

Fulham have a home record worthy of a place in the top six with 8 wins from 12 games and having only dropped 2 points in their last 6. They haven't necessarily had the rub of the green on their travels but have usually given a good account of themselves, evidenced by their performance last weekend at Old Trafford. They host a West Brom side that have great home form but have only take 3 points once on the road, the surprise recent win at Wigan; they also convincingly beat an in-form Blackburn side at the Hawthorns last weekend. Fulham's home form should carry them to victory in what should be a good game.

The abysmal Boro continue to drift ever closer to the relegation places and McLaren's job looks ever under threat. With only 1 win since Boxing Day in the Premiership (at Sunderland) and only a narrow victory at home in the FA Cup to Coventry the omens do not look good for an overpaid collection of players resting on their laurels. Earlier in the season Boro managed to beat both Arsenal and United at home but they now have to entertain a Chelsea side who need no introductions. The current Premiership champions have only lost one of their away fixtures and now have Essien back from the African Cup of Nations. This looks like being a mismatch if ever there was one.

Portsmouth fans will have been gutted with the news that Stefanovic is to miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury. The team is definitely struggling amongst the relegation places and 7 points is a lot of ground to make up if they are to catch Boro. Recently they have been losing away from home but Harry will be hoping that it is their home form that can save them; the fact is their home form is poor as well with only 2 wins and while the new faces at Fratton Park are still getting used to playing together, a visit from United is a recipe for disaster. United have strong away form with 7 wins from 13 games but it remains to be seen whether Ferguson's new defensive signings will play after poor performances in the very few games they've already played. Their midfield is also not up to par with injuries to key individuals but Giggs could possibly return. Portsmouth just haven't been at the races of late and this shifts the game in United's favour.

Sunderland have accepted their fate and the Championship beckons but the test for McCarthy will be whether or not they can be saved the embaressment of beating their own lowest points record of 19. With no wins and only 3 points from their 13 home games the odds on them getting anything against a confident Spurs side are going to be fairly high. Spurs do sometimes struggle against sides that put up a bit of a fight and if Sunderland turn up they stand a chance. Spurs have lost their last 2 away games but the ranting Mido could return, although the partnership of Defoe and Keane worked against Charlton. They will be missing the experience of Davids but Lennon could return after a dead leg. Spurs should win but this wouldn't be the first time that Spurs have fallen to the weaker sides; remember Leicester and Grimsby.

Only 1 point and 1 place separate these two in mid-table obscurity but both will be hoping for a late surge into Europe. Bearing in mind Charlton's great start to the season their form since just before Christmas has been disappointing, but in comparison Pearce has done better with City as he was inexperienced when he took over but his passion has inspired some great City displays. City are far more confident at home havng only lost 4 games and new life has been breathed into the careers of Cole and Vassell; an intelligent partnership that is working well. Charlton have only taken 1 point from their last 6 away games and this looks like City can wrap up the three points.