Archived Premiership Football Betting Tips (3rd March 2007)

Third plays first in one of the classic Premiership grudge matches; not quite a derby game but just as spicy. Bar their opponents, Liverpool have the best home record and still remain unbeaten at Anfield this season, but United have the best away record by far and will come looking for goals. At home Liverpool have leaked just 3 goals this season and only dropped 2 points in their last 6 games. No doubt Ferguson will be bringing back Rooney and Ronaldo for this one but the concern for the United manager should be the defence. As adept as United are at taking defences apart, they have been slightly fortunate in recent weeks and if Liverpool can keep them out, they have the attack and drive from midfield to cause United problems. If United win this, they will have taken a huge step to winning back the title but lose it, and Chelsea will know what they have to do when they kick off later in the day. In a game that could certainly go either way, home advantage could be the difference.

Arsenal don't yet have 4th place sewn up with Bolton close behind them, but do have 2 games in hand and will want to make the 6 points a reality as they try to rein in a Liverpool side ahead of them by just 4 points. The key stat here is that Arsenal still remain undefeated at the Emirates, although drawing 5 of those 13 games will have disappointed Wenger. Their opponents, Reading, have had a fantastic season but have shown their susceptibility to top class attacks in recent games. Despite going 0-3 down in 6 minutes at home to United, their spirit remained unbroken and they're a credit to themselves, the fans and their manager. On their travels, the Royals have lost half of their games and with the likes of the Arsenal elite back in action this weekend, points for the away team at the Emirates looks unlikely but you can never write them off.

Only goal difference separates these 2 sides in the wrong half of the table. Taking Fulham's FA Cup defeat to Spurs out of the equation, they have put in some fine performances at Craven Cottage and had it not been for their ex-goalkeeper, van der Sar, they would have taken all 3 points against United. Fulham have only lost 4 times at home this season and take on a Villa side undergoing a season of transition. O'Neill is gradually putting his team together and the signing of Carew looks to have added some much needed bulk up front. The key statistic however has been Villa's straight run of 5 defeats away from home and given their lowly position as the season draws to a close, Fulham with their fans behind them may well be more up for it. If the Cottagers can match their performance against United, Villa could be in a bit of trouble.

City have taken just 4 points from their last 6 home games and what was reliable home form early on in the season has now gone by the wayside. They have gradually descended towards the relegation places and 30 points at this stage of the campaign doesn't look like being enough to save them. Wigan are just 1 point and 2 places below City and will be desperate for 3 points to assure themselves of safety. The Latics have rediscovered some good form recently with 2 successive home wins but only 2 points from their last 6 away games means it will be a big ask at Eastlands. Paul Jewell claims the feelgood factor is back at the JJB but target man, Heskey, could be unavailable after limping off in the home victory against Newcastle. Both clubs need the points to cement their position in the Premiership but City with home advantage should have the edge, and Pearce will want his side to get back to winning ways.

Only 1 place and 1 point separate the Tynesiders from the Teesiders in mid-table. At St James Park, the Magpies have only lost 3 times and dropped just 4 points in their last 6. Roeder has performed miracles at Newcastle given the injuries he's had to contend with and I imagine he can't wait until next season and the return of Michael Owen. Their opponents, Boro, have improved after some early season frailties but Southgate has proved to be a quick learner at the management game. He has been helped by somewhat by the strike partnership of Viduka and Yakubu who seem a match for any Premiership defence. For the simple reason that Boro have only won once on the road this season makes it unlikely that they'll have enough to beat Newcastle, but they're probably worthy of a point.

Sheffield United have probably exceeded their expectations for the season but it's not over yet and they could easily be dragged into the relegation mire, especially if other results go against them and given their tough run in. At Bramall Lane, United haven't done too badly and only lost once in their last 6 but they take on an Everton side that went to Vicarage Road last weekend, netted 3 goals and took all 3 points. The Toffees have only lost once in their last 5 on the road and now that they have Johnson fit again and winning penalties, you can be sure he's bound to provoke some sort of outburst from Warnock. The Blades were probably knocked out of their stride last weekend by the red half of Merseyside, and though there may not be too much to choose between them at Bramall Lane, Everton could just have the edge.

Chelsea travel to Fratton Park knowing they have to take all 3 points if they are to stand a chance of making up ground on United. With one piece of silverware already in the trophy cabinet, the Blues have something to cheer about but a tension remains in the air regarding the management and threatens to destabilise their season. On a positive note, it was surprising to see Terry partying into the small hours after recovering from the sickening inury that would have had lesser men out for weeks, and it will be no less of a surprise if he doesn't lead his team out for this encounter. On the road Chelsea have 8 wins from 13 games and look favourites to take all 3 points against a Portsmouth side currently sliding in the wrong direction after some early season promise. Their home form remains good however with just 2 losses this season, but the manner of the defeat at Ewood Park last weekend will have caused concern; particularly the unreliable performances of James and Campbell, and the problems scoring goals of their own. Chelsea manage to grind out results despite not playing well and a single goal could easily see them take all 3 points.

The defeat at White Hart Lane put a severe dent in Bolton's chances of pipping Arsenal or Liverpool for 4th spot, and the last Champions League place. Bolton just couldn't live with Spurs and Sam needs to fire his troops up for the visit of Blackburn. The Trotters have only lost 3 home games and dropped just 4 points in their last 6 at the Reebok. Rovers did well to knock Arsenal out of the FA Cup in the midweek replay but on the road they've lost the last 3 successive Premiership games. Hughes has his side well organised and if results go their way in the last 10 games they would be justified in a shout for a UEFA place. Most likely Blackburn will try to keep Bolton quiet in the early stages of the game and capitalise on any chances thereafter. The points will be fought over heartily but a share of the spoils looks a likely outcome.