There are four games each day split across this weekend in the Premier League and with Manchester United playing in the Carling Cup versus Tottenham Sunday it gives the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Villa the chance to close the gap.
First off on Saturday sees Everton host West Brom at Goodison Park. The injuries are wracking up for David Moyes men and after losing Mikel Arteta last weekend he’s really down to the bare bones for the visit of West Brom. Fortunately for him, West Brom have only one away win all season and that was way back in September versus Boro. Everton are five unbeaten at home and won the return fixture 3-1 at the Hawthorns earlier in the season. It looks like a home banker to us and you can scoop up the 4/9 available at totesport. West Brom are an 11/2 shot to pull off an unlikely win and the draw is 11/4. You can bet on the this game live in-running at totesport.
The first of the 3pm kick-offs see Arsenal try to break their goalscoring duck against London neighbours Fulham at the Emirates. Arsenal have drawn their last two at home and are winless in four now, with three no less ending goaless. Robin Van Persie scored the only goal in the Champions League versus Roma midweek, although the young gunners still missed a host of chances. Fulham have no away wins to their name in the Premier League this season but have drawn six times, including good results away to Liverpool and Villa. Arsenal should win and the 2/5 at totesport re-iterates this fact. Fulham are 13/2 with another yet another draw for the gunners available at 11/4.
Chelsea look for back to back wins at home against Wigan at 3pm on Saturday. It’s actually been the home form that has hindered Chelsea’s title challenge this season and they drew here versus Hull last time out in the Premier League. Two wins from two from new Manager Guus Hiddink suggests brighter times are ahead and in visitors Wigan they are playing a team who they’ve beaten in every Premier League encounter between the two clubs. Wigan are struggling for form with only four points from a possible eighteen but have drawn their last four on the road. Goals seem to be the problem with only one goal in eight Premier League matches and that was a Mido penalty. Chelsea should continue their winning record against wigan and are 1/4 to do so with totesport. Wigan are a 10/1 shot with the draw available at 7/2.
In the last of Saturday’s games, Liverpool look to close the gap on Man United with a trip to Middlesborough. Liverpool won rather fortuitously in the return fixture back in August with two goals in the last five minutes snatching a 2-1 win. The Reds have only won two of their last six matches in the league and this won’t be plain sailing. Boro sit second bottom and have only three home wins to their name this season. Gareth Southgate’s men haven’t scored in five Premier League matches and only have one goal in nine in the league. They have drawn their last two at home though versus two other north-west teams in the shape of Wigan and Blackburn and the midweek win over West Ham in the FA Cup will have given them encouragement. Boro are a lively 7/2 to upset the form here with Liverpool 4/6 with totesport. The draw could be the pick at 12/5 though if Rafa Benitez’s team fail to shake off the exploits of their midweek trip to Madrid.
The first of two 12.30pm kick offs on Sunday sees Hull looking to bounce back from their league defeat on Monday against Spurs as they welcome Blackburn Rovers to the KC Stadium. Hull are in freefall having not won in their last ten Premier League games, five of which were at home. That’s left them with only two points from a possible eighteen, but Phil Brown will be hopeful of getting something out of his former boss Sam Allardyce on Sunday. Rovers have not won in four and lost midweek against Coventry in the FA Cup. Being two points from safety might not make the FA Cup a priority for Big Sam but the loss will have done nothing to help the confidence of the team. Hull are made slight favourites with totesport at 11/8 with Blackburn a 13/8 shot. The draw looks the pick to me though at 11/5 offers the best value.
West Ham host a Manchester City side with only one away win to their name in the league this season. City did draw last time out away against Liverpool last weekend but after their UEFA Cup exploits on Thursday they’re easy to oppose here. West Ham aren’t withoput their troubles either, 9th in the league but have no win in three in the league, four including Wednesday’s dissapointing loss to Boro in the FA Cup. West Ham lost 3-0 to City in the the return fixture at Eastlands but go into this match slight favourites at 11/8, opposed to the 13/8 about City’s chances. The draw is a 11/5 shot with totesport.
Sunday’s live match sees Bolton host Newcastle at 1pm. It’s 12th against 15th with only two points seperating the teams so there’s all to play for in escaping the relegation zone. Bolton have won their last two games at home and Newcastle only have two away wins all season, coming against Portsmouth and West Brom. Continuing the theme of ‘two’, that’s the number of Newcastle wins at the Reebok in the last eight attempts. The Geordies are a 9/4 chance here to get a rare win, with Bolton evens with totesport. There hasn’t been a draw between these two in the north west during the last ten years so it might be one to avoid, currently priced at 9/4. You can bet on the this game live in-running at totesport.
Finally, Villa host Stoke at 3pm on Sunday afternoon. Villa can now concentrate all efforts into qualifying for the Champions League after being knocked out of the UEFA Cup on Thursday. The loss to Chelsea last weekend ended a thirteen match unbeaten run, but at home they only have five wins from thirteen all season. They’ve not won at Villa Park since the 10th Jan versus West Brom so it’ll be squeaky bum time for the fans as Stoke make the short trip down the M6. Stoke haven’t got an away win to their name all season but with seven stalemates shows their no mugs, a 0-0 at Anfield included. With this in mind, the 2/5 available with totesport looks a little skinny, with the 11/4 for the draw making most appeal. Stoke are a 13/2 shot to break their duck away from the Britannia. Totesport will be betting live in-running on all of the weekend’s live matches.
