Premier League football
betting tips are given one of the following three ratings:
Banker,
large stake, predicted outcome is more than likely.
Likely
outcome, medium stake, worth a gamble.
Worth a flutter,
small stake, be prudent with these and stick to matches where
you can spot the value.
Below
were the predicted outcomes for the midweek fixtures Tues 29th
to Weds 30th January 2008.
Archived
Premier League football betting tips (29th to 30th Jan 2008)
Tue 7:45
Arsenal
v Newcastle
These two sides met at the Emirates last weekend in the FA
Cup and the result was as expected, but the Gunners didn't
have it all their own way and the Magpies were the better
side in the first half. Arsenal have shown a more vulnerable
side in recent weeks; the lowlight was obviously the heavy
Carling Cup defeat at their north london neighbours, and the
draw at home to Birmingham allowed United to jump above them
in the Premier league. However, the Gunners have dropped just
4 points at home this season and it remains difficult to write
them off. At St James' Park, the Keegan effect is already
noticeable amongst the Newcastle players but there's much
work still to be done. There are bound to be some ins and
outs but so far he's been unable to add to the playing staff.
Newcastle have lost 4 of their last 5 Premier league away
fixtures and there could easily be a repeat of Saturday's
FA Cup scoreline.
Despite Boro's lofty 13th position they remain just 2 points
off the relegation places and their goal difference of -17
is worse than several of the sides below them. Given their
predicament, it was a surprise to see Woodgate sign for Spurs
and piles the pressure on young defender, David Wheater. Boro
may have notched a scalp at the Riverside this season (Arsenal)
but 2 victories from 11 home fixtures is not good enough.
Wigan are also flirting dangerously with relegation and though
they have improved under new manager, Steve Bruce, the Latics
have managed just 1 victory on the road; ironically, they
haven't been defeated in their last 3 Premier league away
fixtures. Of these 2 sides, Wigan look more like they're heading
in the right direction and could earn themselves a valuable
point.
Things
seem to be going from bad to worse for Fulham since Roy Hodgson's
appointment and the Cottagers are in grave danger of accompanying
Derby down to the Championship. They couldn't beat lowly Bristol
Rovers in their FA Cup replay and are yet to win an away fixture
all season. Bolton should start favourites given their resurgent
home form under new manager, Gary Megson, although recent home
defeats to Sheffield Utd and Blackburn have blotted their copybook.
The Trotters are one of eight sides walking the relegation tightrope
and though they may be in 15th place, only 1 point separates
them from Sunderland and the drop zone. This fixture is a 6
pointer and home advantage is likely to carry the day.
Only
9 goals and 2 places separate these 2 sides with the home side
occupying relegation territory and Birmingham avoiding a drop
place by the skin of their teeth. Sunderland have lost only
3 Premier league home games all season and just a single defeat
in their last 6. Keane has strengthened his side with new signings,
Bardsley and Prica, and along with the Mackems support should
be fancied to beat a Birmingham side that have struggled away
from St Andrews in recent weeks; just 1 point from their last
4 away fixtures is not good and McLeish has not had much of
a honeymoon period since travelling down from Scotland. A win
for either side will do much for short term confidence and the
importance of 3 points can't be overstated; it will be tight
but Sunderland look the stronger side at home.
Chelsea find themselves in third place and 4 points behind
both Arsenal and United; a perfect place to be should either
of the top two start to falter. The Blues are doing just enough
to win matches but recent results have come despite several
key players still absent through injury. The signing of Anelka
was a shrewd one indeed and he finally scored his first Chelsea
goal in the FA Cup victory at Wigan. They remain undefeated
at Stamford Bridge this season and entertain a Reading side
2 points above the relegation places. Things are very tight
from 13th position downwards and the Royals will be looking
for their first win since before Christmas when they beat
Sunderland at the Madjeski. Reading are yet to win on the
road this season and that statistic is unlikely to change
when they travel to the Bridge.
Every cloud has a silver lining and in Derby's case the new
American owners are certain to provide funds for their push
back to the Premier league next season. However, the cloud
still hangs over Pride Park and a heavy defeat at home to
Preston in the FA Cup did little for confidence. The Rams
have won 1 Premier league game this season and their recent
form reads defeat after defeat; Paul Jewell's job really starts
in the summer when he has to rebuild Billy Davies's side,
although his January signings appear to have made little difference.
Their opponents, City, have won just 2 games on the road this
season and were outfoxed at Stoke in the FA Cup where their
own balloons contributed to their downfall. They're still
in the mix for 4th spot despite their current 7th position
and the prospect of 3 points at bottom placed Derby should
be enough to keep them in the chase.
What
has happened to Liverpool? They're currently on a calamitous
run of form and unable to buy a league victory anywhere. Drawing
too many games against mediocre sides has caused them to drop
out of the top four, and they even conceded 2 goals at home
(going behind twice) against the mighty Havant and Waterlooville.
Only Champions League success is likely to save Benitez's neck
come the summer and his rotation policy has been responsible
for a poor Premier league record in which the club have slipped
to sixth, two places behind the blue half of Merseyside. West
Ham need a victory if they are to keep tabs with the UEFA chasing
clubs above them and as injured players return, they look more
capable of digging out the desired results. They've lost just
the once in their last 6 Premier league games at Upton Park
and even came from behind to beat United; they have the class
to make it another miserable away day for the Reds.
There
are many neutrals that would have preferred these two sides
to be competing in the Carling Cup final next month but Everton
were not up to the job in the second leg against Chelsea, unlike
Spurs who took Arsenal apart. On the Premier league front, Everton
are exceeding expectations in 4th position and currently lead
local rivals, Liverpool, by 2 points. At home the Toffees have
won 5 of their last 6 in the Premier league and should not be
underestimated. Spurs travel to Goodison without Dawson after
his red card at Old Trafford but Ramos has been active in the
transfer market and is keen to make signings in key weak areas;
Woodgate has already committed himself to the club and others
are allegedly imminent. Under Ramos, Spurs have started to creep
up the league but their last three on the road have all ended
in defeat (Chelsea, Villa and Arsenal) but the Carling Cup win
over Arsenal will have boosted confidence and Spurs should be
capable of snatching a draw; the return of King will be key.
Top dogs, United, have dropped only 2 points at Old Trafford
this season but they're up against the away day specialists,
Portsmouth, who have won 7 from 12 on the road. Without Harry's
African contingent, Pompey succumbed to defeat at Sunderland
and Redknapp has already stepped in to bolster his squad by
signing Baros on loan from Lyon. After an impressive first
half of the season Portsmouth are gradually sliding down the
Premier league table and the trip to Old Trafford is unlikely
to yield them any points. Last weekend in the FA Cup, United
cast aside a rejuvenated Spurs team and Ronaldo once again
reinforced the fact that he is currently the best marksman
in the country. United do little but take 3 points at Old
Trafford and Portsmouth are almost guaranteed to be their
next victims regardless of their form on the road.
