Archived Premier League Football Betting Tips

Reading will be hoping to beat the Gunners to boost their chances of survival now that only 3 points separates them from the bottom three. They must be living in cloud cuckoo land given that they caved in at home to a Fulham side that had not won away up until last Saturday. The Royals have lost all but one of their last 6 away fixtures and the omens don't look good despite Arsenal's late season collapse which leaves them with no chance of silverware this season. Many issues have contributed to Arsenal's downfall including Eduardo's unfortunate
injury, a lack of leadership and too much responsibility on the shoulders of Fabregas; now the after effects are being felt with key players rumoured to be going elsewhere during the summer or other players deemed too fragile to see out the remaining games. There's no doubt that Wenger and his squad need to regroup but given Reading's recent form, the Gunners should take the 3 points.

Gary Megson is urging Benitez not to rest his players in the interest of fair play as we get stuck into the business end of the season. Rafa may think different however; whilst Liverpool look likely to finish in fourth position they'll be keen to ensure that Everton don't pip them at the finish line but the manager will need to weigh this against the benefits of resting key players with the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea in mind. Personally, ensuring Champions League football next season would be the priority but Benitez has already shown his hand this season with the Premier League taking a back seat. Fulham are the hosts following a dramatic 6 pointer at the Madjeski where they managed to secure their first away win of the season and give themselves a slim chance of survival. Jimmy Bullard's return has proved
inspirational but only 4 victories have come at the Cottage and whatever side Benitez fields should prevail.

The Hammers have disappointed in recent weeks and the single goal defeat at the Reebok made it 3 successive losses. Curbishley is keen to hang on to a top ten finish given the bonuses that kick in and chances of a victory don't come much better than Derby on your home patch. The Rams have taken just 1 point from their last 6 away fixtures and were hammered to the tune of 6 goals without reply last weekend at home to Villa. Surprisingly, Jewell remains optimistic for the new season in the Championship but he must now realise what a poor crop of players he has (including those he picked up in January) and the extent of the rebuilding job required in the summer. West Ham should finally get another win under their belts but heaven help Curbs and the players should they not get the 3 points.

Wigan's resolve was tested at Stamford Bridge and they dug in to snatch a point at the death, simultaneously putting a massive dent in Chelsea's title hopes; the Latics proved that they can play on grass as well as the mudpatch they call the JJB. With 4 games to go, Bruce's men have a 6 point cushion but don't expect them to sit back against a Spurs side that won't appreciate the conditions underfoot. Spurs have wobbled lately and only Ramos's insistence that his charges are playing for their places next season has stopped them slipping from mid table. If Spurs were to win this and West Ham lost at home to Derby (unlikely scenario I know) then the lilywhites would move into the top ten on goal difference. However, Wigan have dropped just 2 points in their last 5 home games and form indicates a home victory.

This will be a difficult trip for United but they've been granted some respite with Chelsea slipping up at home to Wigan. They now have a 5 point cushion and look favourites to retain the title but will not want to give any hope to the sides immediately below them. United know that if they win their next 2 games glory is theirs and what better place to win it than at Stamford Bridge where they'll be happy to rub Chelsea's nose in red success. However, Fergie's men have dropped points in 7 of their 16 away fixtures and face a Blackburn side that are unbeaten at Ewood Park in their last six. That said, Rovers are ensconced in mid table and though they could move above Man City, a place in Europe next season is beyond them. I thought Blackburn had a reasonable chance of moving on to the next level this season but with few exceptions they've not really lived up to expectation; they'll be hoping to step up next season but must hold on to the likes of Bentley. A difficult game for United but expect them to sneak it.

Aston Villa take on Birmingham in the first derby game of the day. The Villans will have been boosted by their last 2 results in which they've scored 10 goals without reply; 4 at home to Bolton and 6 away at Derby. Craig Gardner is also fit again after missing 3 games with a thigh strain. O'Neill probably feels that they can close the 2 point gap on Portsmouth given that the south coast side have a Wembley final to distract them at the end of the season. Birmingham travel to Villa Park on the back of a sequence of indifferent results with their Premier League status in jeopardy considering they're just 1 place and 2 points above the bottom three. Should they drop into the relegation places, consider the irony that local rivals West Brom replace them in the Premier League with Villa having played a part in their demise. McLeish's men have lost their last 3 on the road and another away defeat looks on the cards.

The Tyne-Wear derby is undoubtedly one of Newcastle's biggest games of the season and they go into it on the back of a 5 game unbeaten run; the Messiah has finally returned and the three pronged attack of Martins, Owen and Viduka are coming up with the goods. Even their defence has a more robust look to it after conceding just 2 goals in those 5 fixtures. Their opponents, Sunderland, have enjoyed good recent form with 3 wins from 4 but Keane is demanding a hearty response on derby day after his side were beaten at home by out of form side, Manchester City. The Mackems have won their last 2 away fixtures and will be looking to the likes of Jones and Chopra to cause the Newcastle defence problems, but if the Magpies can cope they should run out winners.

City's second half of the season is in total contrast to the first; up until the end of January they were dominant at home and conceded very little but since then the level of consistency has dropped and they've had just a couple of results to keep them stuttering along, namely victories at United and Sunderland and at home to Spurs. At Eastlands, they've lost 3 of the last 5 and face a Portsmouth side that have surprisingly gained a reputation for 'smash and grab' performances on the road although they've lost 4 of the last 6. Jermain Defoe has justified his transfer with 8 goals and has provided a leading edge for a Pompey side ambitious to break into the top four. They've a Wembley date at the end of the season and will start as favourites against Cardiff and should they prevail, they'll enjoy European football next season. Defences are likely to be on top for this one and I'd reckon on a stalemate.