Archived Premier League Football Betting Tips

If Birmingham can play with the same level of commitment as they showed at the Emirates, then maybe they have a chance against Chelsea. Results have been mixed for Alex McLeish but North London has proved a happy hunting ground (not forgetting the injury time victory at White Hart Lane). They're still in grave relegation danger but their last 3 home games have yielded 5 points and there is room for optimism; however it's not every week that Chelsea come to visit. Even without their African contingent and the likes of Terry and Lampard, Chelsea still managed a comfortable victory at home to Spurs. Anelka's name on the teamsheet could be the shrewdest move of the transfer window (if not the season) and gives them a cutting edge up front in the absence of Drogba. The Blues have lost just one of their last 6 Premier league away fixtures and should have too much for a committed Birmingham side.

Rovers have won their last 3 Premier league games (all against bottom six sides) but the heavy FA Cup defeat at home to Coventry won't have done too much for confidence. After a good start to the season, Blackburn have lost some of that consistency and Boro provides them with their next opportunity to pick up points. With Savage signing for Derby and Mokoena away at the African Cup of Nations, they may be a little light in midfield; an area in which Boro showed considerable improvement in the win over Arsenal. Since then, however, they've tasted defeat at home to West Ham and Everton, and away at Birmingham; admittedly they salvaged a draw at home to Liverpool but the Reds aren't exactly on top of their game. This game could go either way but I'm gonna stick the house on Blackburn and hope they make home advantage count.

Having not yet secured an away victory all season, Reading's home form has been largely responsible for their current 13th position; however, successive home defeats against Portsmouth and Spurs is hardly the best preparation before facing league leaders, United. Ferguson's men once again jumped above Arsenal, this time on goal difference, after the second half demolition of Newcastle at Old Trafford. United have slipped up recently in the Premier league with defeats at the Reebok and Upton Park but it's difficult to bet against them. Having relinquished top spot to Arsenal just after Christmas after being there for a single weekend, they're unlikely to make the same mistake again and there are those who believe Chelsea could be United's closest challengers, not the Gunners.

It seems Spurs are in the market for yet more attacking players; a strange scenario given that Ramos's biggest problem is conceding goals. However, the FA Cup replay victory at the Madjeski marked their first clean sheet in just under a month. Many rumours seem to be circulating White Hart Lane and there's likely to be more shenanigans before the month is out. They face a Sunderland side that have taken just 2 points on the road, but only 4 points separates the Mackems from the home side despite their position in relegation territory. Sunderland inflicted a last gasp defeat on Spurs at the Stadium of Light on the opening day and the home side should be fully expected to exact revenge.

A new era (or is it an old one) has unfolded at St James Park with the appointment of Kevin Keegan as manager. It seems the majority of Newcastle fans have got their way; let's just hope for their sake and Keegan's that the decision doesn't fail to live up to expectations second time around. The Magpies' 6-0 mauling at Old Trafford was a significant low but the comfortable victory in the FA Cup replay against Stoke couldn't have been more fitting on Keegan's return. Their opponents, Bolton, have climbed out of the bottom three under the stewardship of Gary Megson, but despite their 15th position only goal difference separates them from the relegation places. The Trotters are yet to win on their travels and have taken just 1 point from their last 6 away games; several of those defeats have been fairly heavy. Bolton always used to like an upset but they're unlikely to disrupt the sense of euphoria at St James Park and the Keegan effect should be evident on the pitch.

As much as Wigan have improved since Steve Bruce took over, they could find an immovable force in David Moyes and his stalwart Everton side. The Toffees are riding high in 5th place and only 5 goals separates them from their Merseyside counterparts in fourth; they've lost just one of their last 6 Premier league away games and know that should they beat Wigan and Liverpool slip up against Villa, then they'll rule the roost for a short while at least. Wigan managed a vital win away at Pride Park last weekend and the draw at Anfield shouldn't be discounted but they've only secured 4 home victories this season. If the Latics are to survive they need to ensure that they take points off the sides around them; other points that come their way will be a bonus. They'll be no shrinking violets at the JJB but Everton are likely to be the stronger.

These two met during the week in the FA Cup replay and City just managed to nick it but there hasn't been too much to choose between them over the course of those 2 games. City's 100% home record in the Premier league recently fell by the wayside after draws against Blackburn and Liverpool; they are yet another side on 39 points and a result is crucial if they are to stay in the chasing pack. Their opponents, West Ham, have had mixed results lately but they're gradually getting players back from injury; Bellamy, Gabbidon, Zamora and Solano could all be available for selection. It's bound to be another tight game and West Ham should be good enough to sneak a point this time around.

Liverpool may be hanging on to fourth place but Villa are also on 39 points with just goal difference separating them plus Everton. Liverpool and Benitez are under pressure to get results; the manager's position is already on shaky ground and his rotational policy is probably the major factor in the Reds falling away from the major players in the title race. Liverpool may have sailed past Luton in the FA Cup replay but recent Premier league results have been disappointing with their last three all finishing even. They face a Villa side that have lost just once on the road and drawn half their away games; O'Neill will be keen to stay in the top six and a result against Liverpool could see them move even higher. Liverpool have won just 4 Premier league fixtures at Anfield and Villa are well worth a shout for a point.