The Premier League, 2nd-3rd May 2009
After a busy week of European action for three of the Premier League’s Clubs it is now back to League action at the weekend. Manchester United are on the Verge of sealing the Premiership title, leaving only the relegation issues to be be decided. Today we look ahead to the betting opportunities in the Premier League. The first game of the weekend could have a decisive say in both those issues…
Middlesborough V Manchester United – Saturday 12:45 Sky Sports
Boro were beaten at Arsenal last week and it doesn’t get any easier for the Riversiders as they host Man Utd in the lunchtime kick-off. Defeat at the hands of the Red Devils will surely send Middlesborough, currently second bottom, down and United need to win to be virtually assured of the title.
That is what is at stake, but even if this was a mid-season fixture the league table tells you the tale. The clubs are poles apart and only a Boro fan could give them any chance of getting a result. United have won their last four matches and should be long odds on to win, and they are. Well, you can get 4/7 with Bet365. I think that is a great price, just look at the form book, the league and the team sheet. Liverpool are 1/4 at home to Newcastle. I think United should be the same price so as strange as it sounds 4/7 is a bit of value!
Back Man Utd to Win at 4/7 with Bet365
Note: You can also get a £200 of Free Bets when you open a Bet365 Account.
Chelsea V Fulham – Saturday 15:00
This is what I call the Posh London Derby as neighbours Chelsea host Fulham. This should be a classic case of back Chelsea at home. Fulham have had a great season under Roy Hodgeson, currently 7th, a far cry form the club he took over last season. Chelsea will have their minds on the second leg of the Champions League Semi-Final, but they are not mathematically out of the Premier League race. In real terms they have no chance of that, but they will be going all out, to impress and to be there should either Liverpool or Man Utd slip up.
On balance I would suggest that Chelsea will win, but at the price of 8/15 (Bet365) I would advise you to double your stake on Manchester United. I will be laying Fulham, on Betfair, which will give me the draw too.
Lay Fulham on Betfair to lose
Note- Open a Betfair Account and get a £25 Free Bet
Manchester City V Blackburn Rovers – Saturday 15:00
Blackburn are not yet safe, but took a big leap towards survival last week. Man City are safe and have nothing to play for. Hughes will be looking at the players he has and with the big money to spend the players will either be playing for their futures, or will be resigned to leaving at the end of the season.
I do not know which, but I do know that Blackburn are determined and need the points. Sam Allardyce has seen it all before at Bolton and knows how to stay in the big league.
Man City are Evens to win and Blackburn 3-1. My preference would be the draw at 5/2, but I am going to Lay Man City, with the draw and a Blackburn win at Evens being an excellent bet. They did it for us last week and I expect Blackburn to get something from the game.
Lay Man City on Betfair to lose
Note- Open a Betfair Account and get a £25 Free Bet
Portsmouth V Arsenal – Saturday 15:00
Although Arsenal had a disappointing defeat at Old Trafford on Wednesday they are much better than Porstmouth who are a fairly poor side showing the effects of a long season. Just about safe Arsenal will look to bounce back and go into their second leg with United on a high. Pompey were poor against Newcastle and Arsenal will win this game.
Arsenal will win this comfortably in my view and they are a huge price. 13/10 with Bet365. Huge price and a great bet.
Back Arsenal to Win at 13/10 with Bet365
Note: You can also get a £200 of Free Bets when you open a Bet365 Account.
Stoke City V West Ham – Saturday 15:00
Neither team have anything to play for and this end of season game is not one to get involved in. Only fans of either teams will have an interest in the result and although it may be a good game I do not propose to have any interest in the outcome, financially. There are too many lacklustre games of this type at the end of the season.
No Bet Advised
Tottenham Hotspur V West Brom – Saturday 15:00
West Brom showed they had some fight and some life left with a good beating of Sunderland. It would be very easy for me to say West Brom are rubbish and will get beaten at Spurs, but I am sorry to say that I think they will get beaten. They are a spirited side but will be down in The Championship next season.
Spurs will be a better side next season and there are players playing for their future. I think that at White Heart Lane Spurs against rock bottom West Brom are a good thing, and at 1/2 (Bet365) are a great price to double up with Man Utd.
Back Spurs to Win at 1/2 with Bet365
Note: You can also get a £200 of Free Bets when you open a Bet365 Account.
Wigan Athletic V Bolton Wanderers – Saturday 15:00
Like The Stoke West Ham game, nothing to play for, No bet
No Bet Advised
Liverpool V Newcastle United – Sunday 13:30 Setanta Sports
Where do we start with this one? This could be any score with Liverpool scoring for fun and leaking gooal galore. Alan Shearer simply must get something at Anfield. Still without a win since his appointment his Newcastle side were, frankly, awful in mid week against Porstmouth. It was a must win game and given a big build up but turned out to be a dull affair. Not good enough and any thoughts of winning at Anfield must seem as distant as those days when this fixture produced two thrilling 4-3 victories for Newcastle. If Newcastle had any chance of scoring I would say don’t rule it out, but you can! Remember this- From Youtube….
Sadly it won’t happen this time!
There is a realistic possibility that Newcastle will be relegated. I really hope they stay up, but they are not good enough and will need to produce something special.
If Shearer had been in charge from the start, I have no doubt Newcastle would be safe. The fate of the club mirrors that of their sponsor and they will need a bailout to save them. Will it come from Owen back at Anfield?
When you look at Liverpool’s run in to the end of the 08/09 season, you will see that they have some fairly easy fixtures, with this being one of them. Liverpool could, if United slip up, win the Premier League. They have only a slim chance of winning the title, but it is all they have to play for. I fully expect Liverpool to win. It could be 3 or 4 or more, sadly for Newcastle.
Liverpool are 1/4, no value but should win. One for the trebles I think.
Back Liverpool to Win at 1/4 with Bet365 Only in a Treble
Note: You can also get a £200 of Free Bets when you open a Bet365 Account.
Sunderland V Everton – Sunday 16:00 Sky Sports
Sunderland are a club desperate for Premiership football football next season and take on a Wembley Bound Everton side almost certain of a place in Europe. Fifth place in the league provides around £1million more than sixth so I expect Moyes to field a very strong side. The players will be keen to stamp their cup final place claims on the manager.
Sunderland were beaten by West Brom, 3-0. They really needed to win that and must try to get something at home on Sunday. But Everton are now established as a top club, top of that second tier in the Premier League. This is a tight call according to the market with Sunderland Favourites (13/8) and Everton 2/1.
Laying Sunderland is the best bet. If it is a draw, and it may be, then you win.
Lay Sunderland on Betfair to lose
Note- Open a Betfair Account and get a £25 Free Bet
Racing Diary Weekend Treble…
Back to Win- with Bet365
Man Utd 4/7
Arsenal 13/10
Liverpool 1/4
Good Luck
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