Archived Premiership Football Betting Tips (25th March 2006)

Somewhat surprisingly after Fulham's good win over Chelsea at the Cottage, Fulham have now moved above Villa in the Premiership and only a single place and point separate these two although Villa do have a game in hand. It's unlikely that either of these will get caught up in the relegation scuffles but both these teams' reports at the end of the season will say 'Need to improve'. Villa have been marginally better away than they have been at home but only 4 home wins explains their poor league position for what are sometimes still referred to as a 'big' club. Fulham are still the only league side without an away win and have only taken 3 points from 16 away fixtures. Recent form just show a string of away losses for Fulham; if any positives are to be taken they should be taken from the fact that having just beaten Chelsea they can approach the Villa game with a degree more confidence and come away with something. Realistically, a Villa win is the more likely option.

With 2 defeats in their last 5 Premiership games (away to Boro and Fuham) and a late winner at home to Spurs, some could be forgiven for thinking that Chelsea's dominance may not be what it once was. Despite the recent dalliances with 'less than perfect' performances Chelsea's home form has been exceptional this season with only 2 points dropped from 15 games. Their opponents, City, were the only team last season to inflict a Premiership defeat on Chelsea but under Pearce's management their great start has petered out to a familiar inconsistency. They have taken only 1 point from their last 6 away games, have 9 defeats from 14 games on the road and are a club embroiled in an injury crisis with 9 first team players on the treatment table. With maybe only 1 player expected back before Saturday, it looks like City won't be in any fit state to threaten Chelsea and a home win looks like a banker.

Any clues as to how Boro are likely to play will be gratefully received. With 5 wins, draws and losses at home inconsistency is the word and though they are through to the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup, the Premiership table doesn't lie; the only positive they can take from their lowly position is that they probably won't be relegated. Bolton are now out of the UEFA Cup after a lengthy run and with their 2 games in hand could well finish in the top 4. Their problem has been reproducing their home form around the country; at the Reebok they score enough and their defence is tight but on the road they find goals harder to come by whilst they concede 3 times as many. They haven't won in the last 6 and either team could win or lose it; the safe bet looks to be for them to cancel each other out.

Spurs, somewhat surprisingly, have managed to hold on to the prestigious 4th place but time will tell and Arsenal, Blackburn and Bolton lie in wait; Bolton also have 2 games in hand to further their cause. Spurs have only lost at home to Chelsea this season and it is their home form that underlies their current Premiership position. West Brom are the visitors to White Hart Lane and their away form is woeful with only 1 win; that coming amongst a 5 point total from the last 6 on the road. There's no doubt West Brom will come for a scrap as they can now feel both Portsmouth and Birmingham breathing down their necks, but Spurs could have Mido back and should be favourites for all 3 points.