Archived Premiership Football Betting Tips (16th December 2006)

A woeful Charlton got hammered last weekend at White Hart Lane and they could be in the firing line again against a rejuvenated Liverpool. Charlton are no longer rock bottom but there's not much in it and they will need a big improvement if they are to get anything from this one. Surprisingly, at the Valley the Addicks have lost just 3 games and taken 8 points from their last 4 but that's probably a misguided stat as they now have to take on a side of Liverpool's quality. The Reds are steadily moving up the table and more importantly, have halted their abysmal away form; they've taken 4 points from their last 2 on the road and are starting to regularly find the back of the net. Liverpool now have some of their key players injury-free and should roll over a Charlton side bound for the Championship.

Henry may still be out but Arsenal had the luxury of resting some players against Wigan midweek and still came away with 3 points. The top four now has a more familiar look with Arsenal in 3rd and Liverpool just behind them. At home, the Gunners remain undefeated with 4 wins from the last 6. Pompey travel to the Emirates after slipping a few places down the league but ex-Arsenal players, Campbell and Kanu, will be hoping that it's a day to remember for the right reasons. After surprising most with some good early season form away from Fratton Park, Portsmouth are now reverting to type with 4 defeats on the road in their last 5. Matt Taylor made everyone aware of exactly what he can do with his spectacular 'goal of the season' so don't expect him to get too much space. Arsenal are starting to slip into gear now and look set for another 3 points; the 1-1 or 3-0 trend should be bucked at the Emirates at the 9th attempt.

Much has been made of Reading's first season in the Premiership and rightly so, as they have acquitted themselves marvellously. Already with 26 points, Coppell has made his own job easier but he remains cautious and harks back to his Palace side that were still relegated after climbing to 10th in November. Reading don't have strength in depth and will have to rely on key players staying free from injury. Their opponents, Blackburn, are perilously close to the drop zone with only 2 points and 1 place separating them from relegation candidates, West Ham. Rovers have lost their last 3 successive away games and have only scored 3 goals on the road; the partnership of McCarthy and Nonda appears to be working well but goals aren't really coming from anywhere else. Reading are very well organised and should be expected to make the 3 points a formality.

Pardew didn't get long once Magnusson took over and disaster at Bolton was the final straw in his departure. A slightly harsh decision considering last season's success but Magnusson has obviously decided to throw money at survival in January and now has his man in place; no surprise that it's Alan Curbishley. Though the Hammers' home form is not too bad, they play host to a United side that have managed to steal a march on the current Premiership champions to the tune of 5 points and are in scintillating scoring form. United's goals are coming from all over the park at the moment and they have only dropped 2 points on the road, winning their last 5 on the bounce. There's no point in deliberating further; United should win at a romp and Pardew's probably glad he's not in charge for this one.