Archived Premiership Football Betting Tips (5th May 2007)

United will be disappointed with their performance in Milan and never really looked like they could turn the tie around after Kaka had put them in front, but City aren't in the same class as the Italians and could well feel the backlash as United aim to complete the double. City look like they've shot themselves in the foot with Joey Barton exiled after a training ground bust up; when not performing well the last thing Pearce would want is to lose his best player. City are safe from the drop but their results at Eastlands have been awful with just 2 points from 6 games. Much talk has been made regarding a foreign takeover and Allardyce's name has been linked with Pearce's job, so life at City must be a little unsettled, not what you want going into a Manchester derby. In the title race United have effectively a 6 point lead on Chelsea (if you include goal difference) and have it in their hands to throw away; not only will United want to win the biggest game of their season but if they win and Chelsea fail to win at Arsenal, then the title and the first part of the double is theirs. United staged a great comeback at Everton last weekend and should win this time against City without having to do it the hard way.

Only 1 point and 2 places separate these two in the chase for European football next season. Everton may have thrown away 3 points last weekend at home to United after being 2 goals up but they won the 3 home games prior to that. There's been talk of Johnson returning from the treatment table to spearhead their European challenge but not surprisingly he won't be available for the summer internationals. Their opponents, Portsmouth, also have Europe on their mind and this is a must win game for them but Campbell is definitely out with Taylor, Hughes and Stefanovic all major doubts. Last season Pompey just about avoided relegation and they've improved immensely 12 months on, but they've failed to win any of their last 6 away trips and Europe is probably a step too soon; defeat at Goodison could actually do them a favour.

Liverpool are the undoubted Premiership winners of the Champions League showdowns but it will be a tough task to take on an improved Milan side from 2 years ago. The question at Craven Cottage will revolve around what team Benitez puts out; the 120 minutes plus penalties against Chelsea will have been exhausting at this stage of the season and bearing in mind the Reds are already guaranteed European football next season, I'd expect the manager to rest at least half the side that played midweek; the key to Benitez's selection will rely on how much he values finishing in 3rd as opposed to 4th place. Fulham are the hosts and need to rediscover their home form of last season if they are to avoid the drop; they may not be in the bottom three but it's a very fine line they're treading. If they are relegated the decision to sack Coleman will be one of the most foolhardy decisions ever made. Fulham have taken just 3 points from their last 5 home games and though they would fall easy prey to a full strength Liverpool side, the timing of the fixture has been kind to them and they might just pull a vital win out of the bag.

Newcastle's defence has tightened up in recent weeks and the schoolboy errors seem to be a thing of the past; that coupled with the return of Michael Owen will have the Newcastle fans looking forward to their 2 remaining games. Owen unexpectedly played the full 90 minutes at Reading and not surprising looked a little weary as the game progressed but early on he looked sharp and only marginal offside decisions prevented him from getting on the scoresheet. The Magpies have drawn 3 of their last 4 home games and need 3 points to avoid ther worst ever Premiership campaign. Roeder must be feeling the heat especially since Allardyce's future is still unclear but to be fair to Roeder, their season has been blitzed by injury. Blackburn still believe they can snatch a UEFA Cup place but their away form is pretty poor with only 4 points from their last 6 on the road. With Owen due to start, St James Park will be buzzing and a winning goal on his home return would be fitting.

Reading take on relegated side Watford in a game that if they win will surely give them their first taste of European football next season. The Royals have surpassed many people's expectations but Coppell is one man who isn't getting carried away; ever mindful of 'doing an Ipswich' he hasn't ruled out playing the reserves in the UEFA Cup if they qualify. Reading have dropped just 5 points in their last 6 home games and they are more than capable of grinding out a result against a Watford side that will be aiming to restore some pride in their remaining Premiership games. Boothroyd's side haven't let themselves down with their level of commitment; in fact, Carlisle probably went over the top against Sheffield Utd and only Shittu saved the day by stepping in in a case of mistaken identity to prevent Carlisle being sent off. Watford have just the 1 victory on the road this season and are unlikely to salvage anything at the Madjeski, but they look well equipped for a slug out in the Championship next season

It's do or die at Upton Park and West Ham should have the upper hand; not only is it their last home game but the emphatic victory at the JJB last weekend sets this fixture up nicely in terms of the Hammers still in the hunt for Premiership survival. Their last game is at Old Trafford so they're unlikely to take any points there but they play host to a Bolton side still reeling from the shock resignation of manager, Sam Allardyce. Sammy Lee takes the reins and will be hoping to turn around their patchy form especially with a view to keeping hold of 5th place and European football next season. West Ham have won 2 of their last 3 home games and have been boosted by the scoring return of Marlon Harewood and Boa Morte's first goal for the club. If the Hammers stay up, ironically Tevez is likely to be the hero; a home victory would certainly put the cat among the pigeons with 1 game to go.

Boro should be safe but only goal difference currently separates Wigan and Premiership status from relegation and the Championship. The Latics should be concentrating on winning games and not on why West Ham haven't been docked points; against the Hammers his side looked nervous and devoid of ideas and the injury to de Zeeuw will only make things worse for them. Their opponents, Boro, looked like they weren't really at the game for most of it against Spurs and paid dearly but it's only 1 point out of 12 for them and just a single victory on the road all season. Yakubu hasn't hit the back of the net for some time and could be dropped by Southgate but Boro should be worth a point against a Wigan side that have taken just 2 points from their last 4 home games.

Sheffield United's 2 big results were a point at the Valley and victory at home to Watford; this has moved them 2 points clear of Fulham and although they could still be caught they've bought themselves a little breathing space with 2 games to go. That draw at the Valley was their solitary point from their last 6 away fixtures and with 13 away defeats to their name any points at Villa Park look rather doubtful. Villa need to reproduce their away form at Villa Park; 4 draws in their last 4 home games and 3 successive away victories are responsible for their climb up the table in recent weeks. Villa's January signings have made the difference (Young, Carew and Maloney) and O'Neill has been assured the funds to continue the rebuilding work in the summer. Villa have nothing left to play for but the players themselves will be playing for their positions next season and it's about time they turned a home draw into a win.

Chelsea go into a must win game at the Emirates if they are to keep alive their hopes of retaining the title but the defeat at Anfield in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final may have taken more out of them than was expected. Not only did they look weary going into the game but 120 minutes of elite European football plus penalties only to end up on the losing side could have effectively thrown away their Champions status. Mourinho has to get his troops up for this game if they are to have anything to play for against United at Stamford Bridge next week. The Gunners are chasing Liverpool hard for 3rd place and have the incentive given that Liverpool will now be looking to the Champions League final and are already assured of playing top European football next season. Arsenal have done well against the big sides this season and have lost just once at the Emirates; that defeat being the only blott on recent home form which reads 5 wins and 1 defeat in their last 6 games. Chelsea have been used to winning away as well but only took a point at Newcastle and were then held at home by Bolton; the Blues are possibly still suffering the after-effects of their midweek battle and Wenger will be sniffing potential victory.