Archived Premiership Football Betting Tips (1st January 2007)

Only 2 points separate these 2 sides in 4th and 3rd respectively, so if Liverpool can continue their fantastic home form, they will replace Bolton in 3rd. The Reds remain undefeated at Anfield and have won 8 of their 10 games. They've even got their away form back on track with an important win at the weekend where they put an end to Spurs' 12 game winning run. Bolton have also been impressive winning their last 2 successive games on the road but they have been taken close to the wire in recent games, and travelling to Anfield they will face a home team in fine form and a class above their recent opponents. A close fought contest but Liverpool should be fancied.

Fulham surprised many with their point at Stamford Bridge, but maybe this says more about Chelsea's current problems than Fulham's quality; Coleman's side have shown some resilience in recent performances with the way they came back against both Charlton and Chelsea to claim a point away from home in the dying stages. The Cottagers have only lost once in their last 5 home games and will start favourites against a Watford side yet to win on their travels. The league table may look as though Watford had a rest at the weekend but with their game abandoned due to flooding and a thinner squad than most, they will be tired from the festive fixture congestion. They're still rooted to the foot of the table and with Charlton opening the gap to 5 points, their fate looks sealed. Every manager will prefer points in the bag to games in hand, but Watford will find points hard to come by at the Cottage.

Sheffield Utd climbed 2 places with their win over Arsenal, but more importantly they climbed above Boro and shifted the Teesiders ever closer to the drop zone. Warnock rested some of his better players for the visit of Arsenal and still emerged with 3 points. The Blades can scent survival and it is showing on the pitch where they are giving 110%. Boro are still an inconsistent side that fail to build on results; 5 points in their last 4 home games is not good enough if they are to avoid the relegation battle that they are soon likely to become embroiled in. If United go a goal ahead, they'll probably steal the game and given their run of form over the last month or two, it may not be too much of a shock.

Wigan made an unnecessary trip to Vicarage Road at the weekend where their game was abandoned early in the second half. At home, they've lost their last 4 games, and Jewell will be keen to get things back on track as Sheffield Utd leap above them in the table. Relegation is an issue that will worry them more as the possibility looms closer and will want to put to bed a Blackburn side that have won 3 of their last 4 games. Excepting the Arsenal result where they conceded 6 goals, Hughes appears to have turned things around and Blackburn are slowly climbing the table. Rovers tend to rely on goals from Nonda and McCarthy, and goals from other areas of the pitch would be a welcome bonus. Only 3 points and 2 places separate these 2 sides, and though the contest will be close fought, Blackburn should edge it.

The Magpies were on the end of a battering at Goodison at the weekend, but had they scored the penalty the result could have been so different. After early season disappointment and a host of injuries (many of their players are still unfit), they have now won their last 4 at St James Park. The return of Kieron Dyer has made a hell of a difference but the biggest game of the season is upon them and they must take on a United side 6 points clear of second placed Chelsea. United have dropped just 5 points on the road and Ronaldo is now out on his own as the golden boy of Old Trafford. Twelve Premiership goals to his name, he his close to catching Drogba in the chase for the golden boot and no one would be brave enough to say he won't score against the Magpies; even when he doesn't start he still comes off the bench to score a brace. Newcastle have improved but the gulf between them and United is vast.

The defeat at Bramall Lane must have been a huge body blow to Wenger and should be a reminder that you need to respect some of the less talented sides in whichever division you play. Arsenal didn't have everyone available and rested some players, and ultimately paid the price with defeat. There can be no doubt that the best side available will play against a Charlton side rejuvenated under new manager, Alan Pardew. Charlton's late win at home to Villa gives them hope of escaping their relegation plight but there's plenty of work for Pardew to do; the pleasing factor will have been his team's spirit and perseverance until the end of the game. Charlton have taken just 1 point on the road and Arsenal are yet to lose at the Emirates, which all point to an Arsenal win despite the new manager at the Valley.

Villa have gradually been slipping down the table after taking only 4 points from their last 9 games. Now in 12th place and their last 3 home games all defeats, O'Neill can't wait for the transfer window to open in order to bolster his weakened squad. The red card for captain, Barry, won't have helped either; not only is Barry getting the vast majority of Villa's goals but he is a captain that leads by example and his absence for the Chelsea game will be a big miss. Chelsea themselves are dropping points left, right and centre and the gap between themselves and United has now grown to 6 points. Chelsea are sorely missing the captaincy and solidity of Terry, and are relying too much on the goals of Drogba; the signing of Shevchenko looks to have been one of the biggest flops in recent years. Despite these factors and the home draws against Reading and Fulham, Chelsea have only lost twice on the road and should be backed against an out of sorts Villa.