Archived Premier League Football Betting Tips

The off-the-field activities at St Andrews are unlikely to affect the Birmingham players as they look to build on the 4 point gap over bottom three side Bolton. McLeish's side haven't lost at home in the last 5 but were defeated in the crunch game last weekend at the JJB, so need to bounce back if they're to stave off the threat of relegation. Everton travel to St Andrews after a succession of less than convincing results; going out of the UEFA Cup to Fiorentina has disrupted their season but they could possibly still catch Liverpool although they'll have to be careful to protect 5th place. The Toffees have lost the last 2 away fixtures (at Liverpool and Fulham) and will have to do without Tim Cahill for the remainder of the season due to a broken metatarsal. Everton should be good enough for a point but Birmingham are fighting for survival.

There are those that think the bottom three are certain of being relegated and it's difficult to find any grounds for argument but Bolton are at home to a West Ham side that appear to have booked their holidays and are already halfway to the sunny destinations that footballers go to these days. Those who stayed to watch the Hammers relinquish 3 points at home to Pompey seemed lost as to the general apathy and at the end of the day all roads lead to the manager; Curbishley is now worried he might not receive his top ten bonus where as the fans are concerned as to why certain players haven't been selected when not on the growing injury list. The Hammers are in danger of slipping into the bottom half of the table should Spurs or Newcastle grab the bull by the horns, and the trip to the Reebok won't be an easy one despite Bolton's poor home form of just 2 points from their last 6 home games. If only Megson had planned for Anelka's departure, they might not be embroiled in relegation and though goals have been hard to come by, Bolton may yet prove too strong for a lacklustre West Ham.

Reading may have lost heavily at St James Park last weekend and are only 6 points above the drop zone but their home form has improved recently with 7 points from a possible 9 and they have a golden opportunity to put more space between themselves and Bolton against a Fulham side that are yet to win on the road. Rumours have surfaced that Hodgson will be moved upstairs to make way for John Collins in a summer reshuffle but there are bound to be changes
amongst the playing personnel when they inevitably drop into the Championship. It's been a less than impressive season for Fulham and relegation will only add to a miserable year for al Fayed. Though Fulham have managed to draw away on 7 occasions, the Royals know that safety is within touching distance and Coppell will have his side motivated to take maximum points.

After Spurs collapsed in miserable fashion at home to Newcastle, Ramos showed them the iron rod and was rewarded by a suitable reaction at Ewood Park; however, they should have sewn the game up in the first half and missed opportunities meant that the lilywhites only came away with a point. Since the Carling Cup, Spurs have developed an inconsistent streak and the result will depend much on the mood within the camp. Their opponents, Middlesbrough, have had
a good run of home form but only won 3 away games all season; they have, however, managed 4 draws in the last 6 away fixtures and now that Premier league safety looks likely they're playing with more freedom and expression. Alves was more than a threat when Boro faced United at the Riverside and he'll relish time and space against a Spurs defence without Ledley King. As ever at the Lane, there's bound to be goals but the spoils are likely to be shared.

Pompey's semi-final success in the FA Cup didn't distract them from doing a job at Upton Park although West Ham didn't put up much resistance and the south coast side fared little better but did succeed in snatching the crucial winning goal. Portsmouth have dropped just 2 points in their last 6 fixtures at Fratton Park and should have Jermain Defoe back spearheading the attack. They host a Newcastle side that look to have finally clicked under Keegan despite the poor run of form up until 2 weeks ago; since then resounding victories at Spurs and at home to Reading have the Tyneside air filled with optimism. Key to their performances have been the striking trio of Martins, Owen and Viduka and maybe Keegan has hit the winning formula; whether or not he has, they seem the only mid-table side displaying any ambition to finish as high as possible. Expect the Magpies revolution to continue.

Liverpool will be buoyant after their dramatic win over Arsenal in the Champions League but the interesting factor is that Arsenal failed to beat them in any of the 3 recent fixtures. Though all thoughts of the Premier league title have vanished, Benitez must ensure that his
charges hang on to fourth place and maintain at least a 3 point gap over local rivals Everton. The Reds have lost just the one league game at home this season and have recently enjoyed a string of 6 successive home victories. Blackburn travel to Anfield on the back of a disappointing draw at home to Spurs and have now drifted too far off the pace to be considered a challenge to fifth placed Everton. The likelihood of no European football season could be the clincher in Bentley's decision to leave the club despite the fact that Hughes will be keen to keep him. Liverpool have very few lapses at home and should rule the roost over Rovers.

Only 6 points separates these two sides with 5 games to go but since February Arsenal's season has simply fallen apart. Their Champions League defeat to Liverpool was the final nail in the coffin and they looked visibly down and out after the match at Anfield. One of the few
positives that Wenger could take out of the game was Walcott's performance but the leadership in the side looks seriously in question. The Gunners have won just 2 of their last 12 games in all competitions; not the sort of record to take to Old Trafford against a United side favourites to retain the title and looking forward to a Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Ferguson will be pleased that Ferdinand lasted the 90 minutes against Roma although
Vidic is still injured but most evident from the midweek fixture was the attacking options United had even without Rooney and Ronaldo. They've dropped just 5 points at home this season and it's difficult to see Arsenal regrouping and getting anything from the game.

There is additional incentive for the Blues against Wigan knowing that should United slip up at home to Arsenal, they could move level on points with the league leaders; however, United's superior goal difference counts for an extra point but at least their destiny will be in their own hands when United visit Stamford Bridge in a couple of weeks time. Chelsea remain undefeated at the Bridge this season and have dropped just 2 points in their last 6 home fixtures but have a potential keeper crisis with both Cech and Cudicini out. They host a Wigan side that are now 8 points clear of relegation and look likely to survive another season in the top flight. It's been the Latics' home form on their poor excuse for a pitch that has boosted their survival chances but on the road they've suffered and 1 point from the last 5
away games is scant reward. A Chelsea win should be cut and dried.