Archived Premiership Football Betting Tips (2nd December 2006)

Two defeats on the road, at Bolton and Fulham, and Wenger is bleating on about fixture congestion; he has a point in that Spurs haven't played since last weekend but if the Gunners had won both away games they'd have been walking tall before this feisty encounter. Arsenal are currently in unfamiliar territory in 6th place and Wenger has conceded the title race but this is one game that both sets of players will move heaven and earth to win; in fact, Spurs may be more up for it given their larger English contingent. Arsenal may remain undefeated at the Emirates but it hasn't been home from home with 4 of ther 7 games ending in disappointing draws. Spurs have been poor away from home and are still searching for their first win but form doesn't necessarily dictate the outcome of the North London derby. Jenas could return from injury and there are no other major injury concerns, except Mido, so it should be pretty much the Spurs side that took 3 points off Chelsea at White Hart Lane. Arsenal have squandered so many chances this season and sooner or later they're probably going to batter someone but if Spurs can score first, a share of the spoils seems likely.

Blackburn won't have played a Premiership game for 12 days when this fixture kicks off but who's to say whether or not they'll benefit. Rovers are having a disappointing season languishing below par in 16th place; injuries have played a part but some players, such as Pedersen, just haven't performed to the same level as last season. Their home form isn't great with just 1 point from the last 3 games but the 2 defeats came at the hands of United and Chelsea. They host a Fulham side that have put in some topsy turvy performances; they've turned around their away form with only 2 defeats in 7 games but their home form has suffered in comparison to that of last season. Just when you think Fulham are on a roll they put in abject performances and that could well happen at Ewood Park, especially after the Cottagers' narrow win over Arsenal. Expect Blackburn to be a bit fiery and work hard for the 3 points; Pedersen might even score!

After a spell where they had to play the cream of the Premiersip and lost 4 in succession, Reading have now bounced back in real style winning their last 3. The Royals have only lost twice at home (to Arsenal and Chelsea) and Coppell's philosophy of not being afraid to attack the opposition is paying dividends. Coppell knows that his lightweight squad at this level will be vulnerable to losing players and that they must grasp every opportunity to get points on the board. Sitting proudly in 8th place they now take on a rejuvenated Bolton side defying the odds in the battle for a Champions League place. Bolton recently battered Arsenal and were only just pipped by Chelsea at the Reebok, but their away form has not been so good with only 1 point from their last 2 games. No doubt the Trotters will attempt to outmuscle the home side but it's not been so long since Reading were dealing with that week in week out in the Championship. The home side should be worth a point.

Everton are a greatly weakened attacking force without the services of Tim Cahill and Andy Johnson; we wondered where the goals would come from against Charlton and in the end they were fortunate to grab a point courtesy of a Hreidarsson own goal. At Goodison, their form has not been too bad with only 1 defeat but the pressure will be on Moyes to deliver the goods against a West Ham side slowly making their way up the table after a poor start to the season. The Hammers may have lost their last 6 away games but strange things have been happening in the Premiership recently and nothing is straight forward; they performed well at Stamford Bridge losing to just a single goal and Tevez must be close to netting his first of the season. After player power deemed he should wear a Brazil shirt all week, he must be itching to put back on the claret and blue and convince Pardew he deserves 90 minutes. Both sides are struggling for goals at the moment so a goalless fest looks favourable.