Archived Premier League Football Betting Tips

Last time Newcastle played at St James Park they were ripped apart by Portsmouth during a rampant 11 minute spell and ended up losing 4-1; they subsequently travelled to Sunderland and salvaged a point but didn't play particularly well. Everyone thought that Allardyce's
appointment would make them a far more resolute defensive unit and though the gaffer will need time, his signings have failed to dispel the dodgy defensive Newcastle myth. Another blow for the Magpies is the loss of Owen, once again injured during a meaningless international
friendly; no doubt the FA will be compensating a less than happy Newcastle. Liverpool visit St James Park with a much improved away record from last season and remain 1 of only 2 sides (the other being Arsenal) undefeated this campaign. The Reds have conceded just 2 goals on the road and will be looking for another victory to reclaim a spot in the top four, assuming one of the sides above them slips up. The 3 points should go Liverpool's way.

Prior to their draw at home to United, the Gunners had a 100% record at the Emirates this season and though they were fortunate to scrape a point, the surprising factor has been how resilient Wenger's young side is. Currently topping the table, they've taken 2 points from their 2 most difficult games so far (away at Liverpool and at home to United) and then followed that up with a well earned 3 points away at Reading, so it doesn't look like Arsenal will be doing Wigan too many favours when the Latics make the journey south to the Emirates. Much has been happening at the JJB and the home defeat to Chelsea finally prompted Whelan to sack Hutchings; their subsequent match at White Hart Lane resulted in a four goal spanking. The Wigan chairman has now put his money where his mouth is and lured Bruce from Birmingham for his second stint at the club although there remains a quibble over £250k; maybe Bruce felt his opportunites were limited at St Andrews and the £15m transfer pot plus working for a loyal chairman swung it for him, but Wigan are in a worse state than his previous employers and he'll need to do something drastic to lift them from second from bottom. It's impossible to see any turnaround on Saturday and Arsenal should run out comfortable winners.

Bruce has almost cemented the move for pastures old for whatever reasons; the only stopping point appears to be whether or not Eric Black will join him and that £250k. Rumour has it that Birmingham are busy scouring Europe for a top flight manager but may just give Black 3 games at the helm to prove his mettle; whoever said that managers don't get time to justify themselves in this game. The Blues aren't quite in relegation territory but there's not a lot in it and 3 defeats in their last 5 home games outlines the lack of confidence amongst the home side; they appear to give it their all but the results don't justify their efforts. Their opponents, Pompey, are showing they are not a one season wonder and deserve their place in the top six. Their draw at home to City was slightly disappointing but they showed at St James Park that they are perfectly capable of getting results away from home. Portsmouth have won their last 4 fixtures on the road and bearing in mind the turmoil and chaos at St Andrews, Pompey must fancy their chances.

Everton are not necessarily a side you associate with out and out quality but time and time again their resilience shines through and the last gasp point at Stamford Bridge underlines their true worth. They've had a mixed season and need to find some consistency if they're to
stand a chance of improving on their current 9th position. They take on a Sunderland side hovering just above the relegation places but the bare facts don't lie and the Mackems have taken just 2 points on the road this season (1 in their last 6 away fixtures). Keane is doing
a sound job of surviving but it illustrates how difficult it is to make the jump from Championship to Premier league. Sunderland will scrap for everything and hope that Jones provides an outlet but the Toffees love a good scrap and surely will not be outdone.

City are flying high in third and remain the only side with a 100% home record; Sven is enjoying his time back in England and his players have done him proud. At Eastlands, they've conceded just 2 goals in 7 games and should be backed heavily against a Reading side that have taken just 1 point on their travels all season. After spending very little during the summer, Steve Coppell has been handed a £10m war chest for the January transfer window and there's bound to be some activity given their disappointing start. After 5 straight away defeats
there's likely to be no let up at Eastlands especially since the Royals concede an average of at least 3 on the road; City, however, are not the most potent strike force but they should still win this encounter comfortably.

Randy Lerner must be quaking in his boots given the sad demise of English football in the last couple of days, but that would underestimate the loyalty of the Villa manager and why would he
accept the poisoned chalice when his young side are showing such promise. Villa have lost just the once on the road and have probably deserved more than their 6 points have merited. Villa are poised to crack the top six and whilst there are some good sides above them, they are more than capable of challenging the best of them in a one-off scenario. To maintain their momentum they must register a maximum against Villa old boy, Southgate, another manager struggling to hold on to his job. Boro are teetering above the relegation places and though they've salvaged 2 points from their last 2 games, it's hardly a sure sign of progression. The bottom line is that Boro have secured just a single victory at home this season and there
seems to be little strength in depth at the Riverside. Villa will take the game to Boro and should be worthy of the 3 points.

Billy Davies has been rumoured to have 2 games left to save his job. Admittedly the 5 goal mauling at home to West Ham was one of their worst performances but expecting the manager to take points at home to Chelsea and then away at Sunderland seems an unrealistic task. Derby are bottom with just 6 points from 13 games and goal difference of -26; they are fully expected to go down and one would have thought some continuity would have been good for the club if they are to bounce back up next season. Derby drastically need funds but if they get them and spend desperately without achieving success, they could end up in a worse position. They have little chance of getting anything out of Chelsea, especially given that the Blues have now climbed to 4th with just 5 points separating them from the top. Chelsea succumbed to a last minute Cahill goal at home to Everton for a share of the points last time out, and though they've dropped points 3 times on the road this season, a maximum at Pride Park is vital for them to continue their title challenge.

The victory at home to Wigan managed to lift Spurs up to 14th position and it serves to show how tight it is in the bottom half of the Premier league. Ramos's first task has been to shore up a very leaky defence and given the results so far, some success has been achieved in this area with just the single goal conceded since he began his tenure; if Spurs don't improve, their saving grace could be that there are far worse sides below them. Despite not winning any of their last 5 Premier league away fixtures, the Lilywhites have lost just the once so the game is unlikely to go all West Ham's way. That said, Curbishley should have a fitter squad to select from with several key players returning from injury. The Hammers' form has been fairly erratic but they are safely ensconced in mid-table and always love to give their North London rivals a run for their money. A game that could go either way but there should be goals.

Only 6 places separate these 2 sides but the 10 point gap tells the real story. Fulham finally got their second win at the Cottage against a Reading side suffering from poor away form, but they've secured just 9 points there this season and have conceded 12 goals in 7 home games; as many as Spurs and Derby. Part of the reason is down to their gung-ho attacking style but it's rarely a dull game on the banks of the Thames. Blackburn travel south with only 1 defeat on the road this season and fully deserved of their current 7th position. Hughes has built a team with plenty of creativity on the ball, strong defensive qualities and 2 exceptional strikers in Santa Cruz and McCarthy; surely he won't be tempted with the England job if offered. Fulham will find it difficult keeping Rovers at bay and the away side should just nick it.