Archived Premiership Football Betting Tips (28th April 2007)

The Blues will be disappointed that they didn't make up ground on United at St James Park after United failed to beat Boro at home, but a point was enough to maintain the pressure. Chelsea have an even likelier chance of catching United this weekend bearing in mind their own home fixture to Bolton and the fact that United have to travel to Everton. Chelsea have won their last 5 Premiership home games but as the business end of the season arrives, keeping players fit is proving key to success; the bonus for Chelsea will have been the scoring return of Joe Cole. Bolton travel to Stamford Bridge with Europe firmly on the agenda but they seem to be doing their best to throw away a European spot. Defeat in the dying minutes at home to rivals for a European place, Reading, could have been a defining moment and not the sort of result you want to take into a game against the Champions. Bolton have lost 4 of their last 6 away games and another defeat looks on the cards.

Everyone has a blip now and again and United had their's at home to Boro but they bounced back in fine style given their defensive injuries against Milan; they've given themselves more than a chance in the San Siro as only a fool would back them not to score. However, they need to get themselves up for this game as Chelsea are hot on their heels and they need a 3 point advantage before the battle at Stamford Bridge. United have won 11 of their 16 Premiership away fixtures this season and though they are unlikely to welcome back any defenders from the treatment room, they will be facing a toothless Everton side without the predatory Andy Johnson. Everton can feel a UEFA Cup place within their grasp and have won their last 3 at Goodison but defeat away to West Ham means their European qualification is by no means certain. The Toffees may have only conceded 13 goals at home this season but the United front line is a tough prospect and if their tails are up, they will surely prevail.

Mark Hughes knows that this game is not a foregone conclusion, especially given Blackburn's safe position and Charlton's desperate need for maximum points. Rovers have little realistic hope of laying claim to a UEFA Cup spot and have won less than half their home games but they will want to put themselves in the best position possible when they play Spurs next week. Charlton know that victory is mandatory but their last 5 away games have resulted in 3 draws and 2 defeats; another significant factor has been their lack of stickability towards the final whistle and no doubt Rovers will be sniffing for victory at the end if they are not already in front. Blackburn have drawn just 5 games in the Premiership this season (joint lowest with United) so victory for either side looks likely. Pardew may well have his players motivated but expect the quality to come from Blackburn.

It's difficult to predict a game between these two without going 'Draw, Draw, Draw!!!'. Stalemate looks to be the operative word and honours even has been the order of the day for both sides in recent weeks; City have drawn their last 3 where as Villa have failed to take the majority of points in their last 4 home fixtures. Only 2 places and 1 point separate the pair and their situations in terms of stepping up a level are not too dissimilar; Barton has gone public with City's lack of infrastructure and inability to look to the future whilst O'Neill is in the early stages of building a squad that can hopefully challenge in the near future. Two fairly resolute defences will attempt to keep out some relatively impotent strikeforces; by all means a goal could nick it but my money's on a goalless shot fest!!

Boro notably salvaged a draw at Old Trafford last weekend with a Viduka equaliser and were denied a match winning penalty in injury time but their form is relatively inconsistent; at home their last 4 games have resulted in 2 defeats and 2 victories. Boro should be safe on 40 points and though they have little left to play for, making Woodgate's loan deal permanent in a £7m move will provide good foundations for Southgate's rebuilding programme during the summer and next season. Spurs themselves have been fairly inconsistent of late but have showed some resilience in their efforts to secure a place in Europe next season; they fought back 3 times for a point at the JJB and managed to equalise in injury team after relinquishing their lead at home to Arsenal. Not qualifying for Europe next season will be seen as a step backward for Jol but they have a game in hand and only 4 points separate 5 teams vying for 3 places. This should be a good game as Spurs will have to make the running but Boro are unlikely to lay down and a draw sounds likely.

Pompey are in contention for a European spot but it's going to be 3 from 5 sides that take the UEFA places and they need maximum points at home to Liverpool if they are to round off a good week; firstly David James beat Seaman's record for the most Premiership shutouts and then Gaydamak released plans for a new stadium. Portsmouth have won their last 2 at home and are fortunate to be playing a Liverpool side that will have at least one eye on next week's must win Champions League semi-final second leg at Anfield. Benitez is bound to rest some players for crucial Chelsea encounter especially given they're already assured of Champions League football next season. Taking that into account, Redknapp will probably see this as a good time to play Liverpool and Pompey could be worth a shout.

Sheffield Utd are once again out of the relegation places but the safety margin is only 2 points and it looks like 1 of 4 sides will fill the last relegation slot. The Blades fought back valiantly for a vital point at the Valley last weekend and had Watford not already been doomed to the Championship, then this might well have been a 6 pointer also. It remains a must win game for Warnock's side but Watford should not be underestimated despite their relegated status. Boothroyd's squad have played with passion and pride all season though results haven't necessarily gone their way; there may be a gap in quality between them and established Premiership sides but they'll still want a say in the final table with just a few games to go. However, the Hornets have just 1 victory to their name on the road this season and given the importance of a victory for Sheffield Utd, a home win looks to be the favoured outcome.

West Ham once again gave themselves a chance of Premiership survival with a vital home win against Everton but they'll not want to repeat their last away fixture where they got hammered to the tune of 3 goals at Bramall Lane; a defeat at the JJB would put another nail in their coffin where as victory would put them on the same points as Wigan and possibly move them out of the drop zone. The Latics are themselves flirting with the possibility of going down and are finding it hard to win games at the moment; they went ahead 3 times at home to Spurs only to share the points and then couldn't avoid defeat at Anfield. If West Ham give it their best shot and all dig in they could get a result but too many times this season not everyone has been fighting the big fight. The reality of relegation is looming large for both sides but West Ham have the quality to take the points if they perform.

Arsenal will have cursed themselves at White Hart Lane after letting Spurs back into the game at the final whistle but the home fixture with Fulham presents a good opportunity for them to get back on track and put some pressure on Liverpool for 3rd place; at least it will mean 2 less qualifying games in next season's Champions League. Recent home form at the Emirates has only been blotted by the defeat to West Ham which is remarkable given the injuries they've suffered to their front line since the turn of the year. Their visitors, Fulham, are still not safe from relegation; it has been a tough call for Sanchez to come in with 5 games to go and ensure they stay up. His record so far is 1 point from 2 games and hindsight at the end of the season may prove that it was an ill-timed rash decision to sack Coleman, not that that should reflect on Sanchez's ability to do the job. Fulham have just 1 away win all season and it looks like it will be a glorious day at the Emirates for the Gunners.