Archived Premier League Football Betting Tips

It looks like the Rams are to be savaged again; this time in front of their home fans. It was carnage at Stamford Bridge midweek and the phrase 'men against boys' has rarely been better used. Three days is unlikely to be enough for Paul Jewell to rally his demoralised troops; their certain doomed drop to the Championship won't have done much for morale but all Jewell can rely on is that his players have some personal pride and won't want to repeat the Chelsea experience. However, United are the visitors to Pride Park and after a week's rest the United players will be champing at the bit to have a go at a flat Derby. Ferguson knows that they can't afford any more slip ups now that they could go top if they win their game in hand and the order of the day is likely to be goals galore; mainly at the Derby end. This would be a bigger shock than the recent FA Cup results if the Rams avoided defeat.

Reading finally ended their awful run of defeats with victory at the Riverside and again at home to City but continuing their rejuvenated form at Anfield against a Liverpool side returning victorious from the Milan battlefield looks unlikely. Liverpool have finally snatched back the much coveted fourth place from their Merseyside rivals though they are separated on goal difference alone. Benitez cannot afford to drop either Gerrard or Torres for the rest of the season if they are to give the remaining Champions League place their best shot as Everton will be poised to pounce given their UEFA Cup exit. Their opponents, Reading, have now moved out of the drop zone but they only have 3 points grace; it is so close amongst virtually the bottom half of the table that any points picked up could make a hell of a difference. However, Liverpool have won their last 4 successive Premier league home games and should see off Reading with fuel in the tank.

Chelsea won't enjoy themselves anywhere near as much as they did in the Derby demolition at Stamford Bridge with the visit to Sunderland likely to be a far tougher proposition. The Mackems have a good home record and a run of 4 successive home victories was only brought to a halt last weekend when Everton spoilt the party. However, they're still one of the clubs embroiled in the relegation issue and just 2 points is all that separates them from Bolton. Things couldn't be more different for a Chelsea side that are lurking just below Arsenal and United waiting for either or both of them to slip up. Much has been made of Chelsea's failure in the domestic cup competitions and realistically there's only an outside chance of the Premier league title so Grant's tenure probably hinges on Champions League success; who'd work for Roman Abramovich? Chelsea have dropped just 2 points in their last 5 away fixtures and they should see off a spirited Sunderland side.

Can Boro do the double over Arsenal? Remember, Boro are the only side to have inflicted a Premier League defeat on Arsenal this season although the Gunners have left it mighty late to save the day on numerous occasions. Boro's victory came about by pressing Arsenal to the point of breaking but whether they can do that at the Emirates is another question. Southgate opted for Boateng and Shawky as a destructive partnership in the centre of midfield at Villa and the gamble paid off with a valuable point the reward; no doubt he'll opt for the same at the Emirates with Arca and Rochemback once again missing out. Boro are now climbing away from the drop zone and will be hoping that Arsenal don't improve on their recent Premier League form of 3 successive draws. The Gunners have relinquished their superiority at the top of the table since Eduardo's horror injury at St Andrews but need to start winning again if they're to keep United at bay (despite their title rivals having a game in hand). Arsenal should win but Boro won't make it easy.

Like Spurs, Everton suffered a UEFA Cup exit after pulling back the vital goals before succumbing to the dreaded penalty shootout. Though they too will be disappointed they're very much still in contention for fourth place and should at the least ensure that they slip no lower than their current fifth place, thus guaranteeing them european football next season. The Toffees have dropped just 2 points on the road in their last 5 games and are bound to be more than a match for a Fulham side looking a likely prospect for relegation. Time has been short for Hodgson to turn things round and rebuilding for the Championship next season remains a distinct possibility. Fulham have lost 4 of their last 5 home games and will be up against it when a strong Everton side visit the Cottage.

Now that Bolton have dropped back into the bottom three, it was no surprise to see Gary Megson rest a number of his key players for the UEFA Cup tie in Lisbon, leaving them rested and available for this relegation 6 pointer against Wigan. The Latics may be five places above Bolton but only 3 points separates them, such is the close proximity in the bottom half of the table. Wigan have taken just 1 point from their last 3 away fixtures whilst Bolton have also only managed 1 point from their last 3 home games so not surprisingly, there's little to choose between these 2 struggling sides. This fixture is bound to be scrappy with both sides anxious not to lose and though a draw might not be the best result, it may suit both parties.

Tottenham will be disappointed with the outcome of their penalty shootout with PSV but they didn't let themselves down and Ramos will be keen to finish as high up the league as possible. They're now within 5 points of West Ham but victories on the road have been rare although they've lost just once in their last three outings. Spurs were abysmal after the Carling Cup final but they've had nothing to celebrate this time around and it should be business as usual. They travel to Eastlands to play a City side down on their luck and missing key players. Centre halves Richards, Dunne and Onuoha are all injured whilst wing man, Petrov, serves out his suspension. Sven's side haven't won any of their last 6 home games and after such a good start to the season, one wonders have they been found out? Whilst it can be argued that Spurs have nothing to play for, the sooner they bounce back from the UEFA Cup exit the better.

Birmingham's defeat at Fratton Park was their first defeat in 5 games but in those 5 fixtures they've shown plenty of character; amongst them they can count draws against Arsenal and West Ham plus a resounding home victory over Spurs. They sit perilously close to the relegation places so maximum points at home are mandatory if they're to escape the clutches of the teams below them. They host a Newcastle side that must be low on confidence as they wait for their first win under Kevin Keegan. The run of results seems to be affecting individuals as the Magpies slip ever closer towards relegation. A multitude of clubs are caught up in this season's demotion and only 3 points currently separates Newcastle from the reality of the drop. Other than Derby, they have the worst goal difference and have lost their last 6 successive away fixtures; the outlook isn't good and Birmingham should leapfrog them to increase their own chances of survival.