Archived Premier League Football Betting Tips

After the departure of Lawrie Sanchez over a week ago, Roy Hodgson has finally been installed as the new manager and not John Collins as was suspected. Hodgson saw his new charges earn a point at St Andrews but his Fulham side are just one place off the bottom and there is much work to be done; there is a ray of light for the Cottagers in that there are 6 sides above them all in the mix. Fulham have won just once in their last 6 home fixtures and face a Chelsea side enjoying a slice of Christmas fortune over the festive period. Only the officials will know how Kalou got away with his winner against Newcastle but that result leaves them in third position and 6 points behind Arsenal. The good news for Grant is that Cole, Malouda and Lampard should all be available after respective suspensions and injuries. The Blues have won 5 of their last 6 away games, the exception being the defeat at the Emirates, and assuming their luck continues it should be another maximum for Chelsea at the Cottage.

Arsenal were poor in the first half at Goodison Park and deservedly went into the interval a goal down but they reverted to a longer game in the second 45 and ended up running away with the result, although poor defending by the Toffees did hand it to them on a plate. The Gunners have dropped just 2 points at the Emirates and reclaimed top spot after United were beaten at Upton Park with West Ham coming from behind. The Hammers did the double over United and Arsenal last season so based on that principle, they may be worth a shout on New Years Day. West Ham's away form has been reasonably good with 5 wins from 9 games but given the form that Arsenal are in, it's probably too much to expect a Hammers miracle either side of the new year.

Reading scored 4 goals on the road for the second time this season and still ended up on the losing side; they conceded 7 at Fratton Park and 6 at White Hart Lane. Thankfully for Steve Coppell they're at home for this one and will be looking to avenge that 7-4 defeat by Pompey. The Royals' home form has been much better than that on the road and they've dropped just 5 points in their last 6 fixtures at the Madjeski. Portsmouth had been flying away from home until Liverpool set the record straight and either side of that defeat at Anfield, they suffered home defeats by Spurs and Boro; the point at home to Arsenal was a welcome one but the goals have dried up. There's more bad news for Redknapp when his African contingent leave for the African Nations Cup and I suspect they'll be leaving on the back of another defeat.

Spurs were in goal scoring mood at White Hart Lane against Reading but still managed to concede 4 goals and only secured victory in the last 11 minutes. While Ramos will have been pleased with another 3 points he's well aware that there are deep-rooted defensive issues to be resolved. King played 61 minutes in his second game back and Zokora should be available again after a 3 match suspension. Spurs lost their last away fixture (at Arsenal) but did themselves justice and avoided defeat in the 3 away games before that. They visit a Villa side who got back to winning ways at the JJB but it hasn't all been going their way at Villa Park; they're undefeated in their last 6 on the road but it's only been 1 point from their last 3 home games. Villa will be out for revenge after being 4-1 up at the Lane and only leaving with a point; however, another draw looks the best bet.

Newcastle did not deserve to lose the game at Stamford Bridge but you can't make enough allowances for officials. Since the victory at Craven Cottage, the Magpies have had a disappointing run of results with just a point at home to Derby followed by defeats at Wigan and Chelsea. Their recent home form doesn't make such grim reading with no defeat in their last 3 and given the way they played at Chelsea, expect them to cause problems for City especially if Michael Owen returns. City still have their undefeated home record intact but have won just twice on the road although it's only been 2 defeats in their last 6 away fixtures. They only managed a draw at home to Liverpool meaning they failed to jump above their opponents into 4th place. This game could go either way depending on who turns up but big Sam will be desperate to get another home win under his belt.

Sunderland enjoyed their most emphatic win of the season at the weekend with a 3-1 win over Bolton at the Stadium of Light. That victory lifted the Mackems out of the relegation places and almost put a smile on Roy Keane's face. However, they've managed just 2 points on the road and travel to Ewood Park to face a Blackburn side beginning to find some form again; a draw at Man City followed by victory after coming from behind at Pride Park stands them in good stead for the Sunderland visit. Blackburn's home form hasn't been so good with 3 defeats in their last 4 but providing Bentley and Santa Cruz keep up the good work, they should secure the 3 points.

Gary Megson's appointment has rejuvenated Bolton's home form and their run of 3 successive victories at the Reebok has carried them out of the drop zone although their situation remains perilous. Their performances away from home remain below standard, as the defeat at Sunderland illustrated, but they'll expect to take maximum points at home to a Derby side propping up the rest of the league. Derby were again beaten at home by Blackburn last weekend but have taken just 2 points on the road (those coming in the last 5 away games) and until recently had not even scored an away goal. Jewell's side are most certainly doomed to the Championship but at least he has injected some pride into their play. Pride however is not enough and it looks like another defeat for Derby.

Liverpool remain in 4th position after the draw at Eastlands but 10 points separates them from league leaders, Arsenal, and realistically all hopes of the title must have disappeared. The Reds have lost just the once at Anfield this season (to United only a couple of weeks ago) and face a Wigan side benefitting from Steve Bruce's appointment as manager. The Latics may have lost at home to Villa at the weekend but they took 7 points from the 3 fixtures before that. The draw at Craven Cottage ended a run of 7 straight defeats on the road but Wigan remain in the relegation places and will be desperate for something against Liverpool; however, anything but a Liverpool victory seems highly unlikely.