English Premiership Previews; Week 12th

Written by Michael Smith Saturday, 07 November 2009 00:55

Wolves vs Arsenal

(Saturday 15.00pm)

Fascinating game in prospect here with Wolves & Arsenal having different end of season targets but both definitely targeting this game for a win so should make it an entertaining game.

Wolves have one clear target this season which is to maintain their Premier League status & so far Mick McCarthy's team have given it everything in every match. To their great credit, Wolves have been very positive in every match illustrated perfectly by the terrific belief Wolves showed to get a 2-2 draw against Stoke City after being 2-0 down.

That result should give the Wolves players a massive boost of confidence & Mick McCarthy will certainly be looking for his players to use that to keep their momentum going. Home form is going to be the key to Wolves surviving this season & they do need to start improving on their record of 1 win from 5 home matches.

We are expecting Wolves to be positive again here but clearly this game against Arsenal is going to be a very tough fixture & Wolves will have to ensure they defend as well as possible against Arsenal's attacking threat.

Arsenal have had a fantastic start to their season & once again they are the team setting the standards in terms of fluent, attacking football with Cesc Fabregas, Andrei Arshavin & Robin Van Persie the three key inpsirations this season.

Arsenal are playing with real confidence & stronger team morale this season & they look to have an extra determination to achieve something this year.

The key strength of Arsenal is the fluency & pace of their attacks & that is again likely to be their main weapon against Wolves who could get exposed on the counter attack if they are not careful.

Good flowing football should be the order of the day here with Wolves determined to give their best but we feel that will suit Arsenal's style perfectly & Arsenal do look a rock solid bet show their extra quality & take the 3 points.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Betting: Arsenal to win
Correct Score options: Arsenal to win 3-0/3-1
First goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime options: Van Persie/Arshavin/Fabregas
Scorecast options: Van Persie/Arshavin/Fabregas score 1st & Arsenal to win 3-0/3-1
Double Result: Arsenal Half Time & Full Time

Tottenham vs Sunderland

(Saturday 15.00pm)

Two managers & teams who have points to prove clash here with both Tottenham & Sunderland needing to overcome what has been a tough last two weeks so we are expecting this to be a very competitive game.

Tottenham had enjoyed a fantastic start to the season, playing great attacking football & progressing nicely until they gave absolutely everything but lost against a tough, resilient Stoke City side & then followed that up by producing a defensive horror show that gifted their arch rivals Arsenal 3 points last weekend. Those two defeats have hit Tottenham hard & so this fixture now becomes massively important with Harry Redknapp determined to get Tottenham going again & regain the positive momentum that was gathering.

A big factor in those defeats has been the absence of key players such as Aaron Lennon & Jermain Defoe which has greatly diminished their overall attacking threat & balance.

The good news for Tottenham, & bad news for Sunderland defenders is that Jermain Defoe is back & that will certainly boost Tottenham's goal threat against a Sunderland defence that has looked fragile at times this season.

Tottenham have suffered 2 defeats at home this year but they are usually very solid at home & they will definitely see this as a great opportunity to get back on the winning trail.

Steve Bruce & Sunderland face a very similar scenario to Tottenham with this game their opportunity to bounce back after two disappointing results against Birmingham City & then at home to West Ham United last weekend.

The defeat against Birmingham City was probably the worst Sunderland have played & Sunderland were terrible against West Ham for the first 35 minutes last weekend so Steve Bruce will be demanding an improved response from his players.

Darren Bent has been their key player with his excellent goalscoring record & obviously this match will be extra special to him coming back to his old club & his motivation to score could be a big factor here.

Sunderland will however be missing two key players in Lee Cattermole who provides the strength in midfield & Kenwyn Jones who is a massive threat up front and their absence does greatly weaken Sunderland here.

We like the look of this game & there could be a few goals given the inconsistency of their defences but in our mind Tottenham have a fantastic combination of extra quality & home advantage which makes Tottenham appeal as a solid bet to get the win & maintain their excellent record in this fixture.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Betting: Tottenham to win
Correct Score options: Tottenham to win 3-0/3-1
First goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime options: Defoe/Krancjar/Keane
Scorecast options: Defoe/Krancjar/Keane score 1st & Tottenham to win 3-0/3-1
Double Result:Tottenham Half Time & Full Time

Manchester City vs Burnley

(Saturday 15.00pm)

This is another very important fixture with the added bonus of it being something of a local derby which does add an extra edge to it & the atmosphere should be excellent here.

Manchester City come into this fixture unbeaten in the Premier League since they lost out in that thrilling 4-3 derby defeat by Manchester United but they have had 4 straight draws so they will be looking to change that here.

Manchester City are solid at home & they will going into this game positive & confident of getting the win that will break that sequence of draws & they will know that Burnley come into this game on a losing sequence of 5 straight away defeats.

The key to this game for Manchester City looks likely to be the attacking pace of Shaun Wright-Phillips & Craig Bellamy who will really test the Burnley defence who do look vulnerable too pace & particularly on the counter attack.

Burnley come into this game sitting 10th in the Premier League which is some achievement & to Owen Coyle's great credit, he has sent Burnley out to be positive & attacking in every single game with an intention of winning the games.

That positive approach has been tremendous for Burnley at home & they have achieved all of their 15 point at home with 5 wins from their 6 home matches but it has been a complete different story away from home.

Burnley have had an absolute nightmare away from home losing all 5 matches & conceding 17 goals in the process so clearly this away fixture against a Manchester City side with so much attacking quality is going to be a very tough test.

We are looking forward to this game given how both Manchester City & Burnley always look to play positive football which should make it an open, flowing contest.

On balance that should benefit Manchester City more because they have more attacking quality & importantly pace which will trouble Burnley's fragile defence & it all points towards Manchester City being a rock solid bet to win this local derby.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Betting: Manchester City to win
Correct Score options: Manchester City to win 3-1/4-1
First goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime options: Tevez/Bellamy/Wright-Phillips
Scorecast options: Tevez/Bellamy/Wright-Phillips score 1st & Man City win 3-1/4-1
Double Result: Manchester City Half Time & Full Time

Blackburn Rovers vs Portsmouth

(Saturday 15.00pm)

Glamour tie this is definitely not but that won't bother anybody connected to the clubs & this is an absolutely huge game for both Blackburn & Portsmouth. With Portsmouth sitting bottom of the Premier League & Blackburn 4th bottom, the importance of this game means both sides are under great pressure to get a result & that could be the key to the whole game.

Sam Allardyce knows the importance of home form & that is becoming more & more obvious as this current season goes on because Blackburn have been simply terrible away with 5 straight defeats so clearly they have to win their home matches.

Blackburn have won 3 & only lost 1 of their home matches so far which is good but the reliance of getting wins at home creates massive pressure which will surely impact on the team & they cannot expect to win every home game.

In the case of Portsmouth, they sit bottom of the Premier League but given how well they have actually played in the majority of their games & particularly in their last 2 games that position does seem false.

Portsmouth have won their last 2 matches 4-0, looking very confident & playing attacking, open football & the importance of the confidence boost gained from those wins cannot be under-estimated.

Paul Hart clearly has the respect of the Portsmouth team & they are showing tremendous fighting spirit which clearly gives them a chance coming into this game.v

Historically Blackburn have the edge over Portsmouth in the Premier League & particularly in this fixture but we feel this is very much a 50/50 match with any result possible.

Blackburn & Portsmouth will both feel they can win this but both will also want to avoid defeat so on that basis we are going to put up a scoring draw as a value bet worth taking in this game.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Betting: Draw
Correct Score options: 1-1/2-2
First goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime options: Dindane/Boateng/Pedersen
Scorecast options: Dindane/Boateng/Pedersen
Double Result: Draw Half Time & Full Time

Aston Villa vs Bolton

(Saturday 15.00pm)

The best way to bounce back after disappointing defeats is to be ready & go for the next game so we expect both Aston Villa & Bolton to be ready for this one so we are expecting this to be a decent game.

Aston Villa will be looking to bounce straight back after their surprise 2-1 away at West Ham United on wednesday night & Martin O'Neil will certainly be looking for an immediate & positive response from his players.

Aston Villa had gone into the West Ham game unbeaten since the 26th september & team confidence was high so the defeat against West Ham is a setback & the Aston Villa players will be determined to show what they are capable of with the likes of Agbonlohar, Carew, Young & Milner all looking to show their quality here.

The 2-1 victory against Chelsea in their last home game will be what the Aston Villa players will look use as their motivation as to what can be achieved & we do expect a determined, attack minded response from Aston Villa here with their pace likely to be a big factor.

Bolton come into this game looking to bounce back after 2 straight 4-0 defeats against Chelsea & Gary Megson knows the importance of trying to achieve positive results wherever Bolton can get them.

Bolton have actually been much improved this season with a more open style of play but their old problems of defensively fragility remain & the fact they have not kept a clean sheet since august is a concern & makes them vulnerable in this match.

This should be a decent game with the expected determination of both sides to be positive & that should mean that play is quite open which we feel will greatly benefit Aston Villa & they look a solid bet to make their extra attacking quality pay here & take the points.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Betting: Aston Villa to win
Correct Score options: Aston Villa to win 2-1/3-1
First goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime options: Carew/Agbonlohar/Milner
Scorecast options: Carew/Agbonlohar/Milner score 1st & Aston Villa 2-1/3-1
Double Result: Aston Villa Half Time & Full Time

Hull City vs Stoke City

(Sunday 13.30pm)

At this point last season, this fixture would have been deemed a vital relegation battle but thanks to Stoke City's tremendous form last season & so far this, the fears of relegation lie solely with Hull City and this is an absolutely massive game for them.

Crisis is a word that is used too often in football for it to really mean anything but in the case of Hull City, crisis is definitely the right word to use given all the problems they face.

Huge off the field financial problems that threaten the future of the club, a new chairman taking over, manager Phil Brown's position under immense pressure & of course most importantly massive on field problems that leave Hull City facing another long, hard season.

2009 has been a terrible year for Hull City, only narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of the season & starting this season in relegation form with only 2 wins from their 1st 11 games.

Phil Brown & the Hull City players are under massive pressure to get results & that pressure is really telling in their performances so this home fixture is absolutely vital to them & they definitely need a positive result.

Phil Brown is a very positive man & we are certain that Hull City will be positive in this game but given the poor form they have displayed this year, there has to be major doubts that they can produce enough in this game to beat a decent Stoke City side.

Hull City have weaknesses in all the key areas with uncertainty & fragility in defence, a weak looking midfield unit & attackers that do not score anywhere near enough goals & so a draw may well be the best they can hope for here.

Tony Pulis continues to do a fantastic job at Stoke City & his players continue to do him & their fantastic fans proud as they look set to have another successful season.

This game is the perfect game for Stoke City because coming into this match, all the focus & pressure sits lies on Hull City & Tony Pulis will know this is a fantastic opportunity for Stoke City to follow up their fantastic away win at Tottenham with another big win here.

Stoke City were fantastic in this fixture last year & that will give the Stoke City players the confidence to come & be more positive and with the likes of James Beattie, Matthrew Etherington & Ricardo Fuller they have the quality that can cause Hull City real problems.

We are expecting this to be a very competitive & indeed physical game because the Hull City players will be pumped up to give a performance for Phil Brown & the Hull City fans while Stoke City will believe they can achieve a positive result here & on balance the betting value appears to lie in backing a scoring draw & both sides being happy to share the spoils on the day.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Betting: Draw
Correct Score options: 1-1/2-2
First goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime options: Beattie/Fuller/Shawcross
Scorecast options: Beattie/Fuller/Shawcross score 1st & 1-1/2-2
Double Result: Stoke City Half Time & Draw Full Time

Wigan Athletic vs Fulham

(Sunday 15.00pm)

13th placed Wigan welcome 12th placed Fulham to what looks likes being a very interesting game to watch but also one of the toughest games to solve this weekend.

Wigan have been a punters nightmare this season, winning when expected lose & losing when expected to win & they have been so inconsistent it is incredibly hard to predict how they will play.

Roberto Martinez's Wigan side have produced fantastic performances to beat the likes of

Aston Villa, Burnley & Chelsea but then have also thrown in abject performances like their 4-0 defeat away at lowly Portsmouth last weekend so it's anybody's guess what they will do in this match.

The only aspect that has been consistent about Wigan is their determination to play open, passing football & at least we know what style they will play even if we don't how well they will do it.

Fulham are easier to predict & certainly do appear to be regaining their conistent form that enabled them to have such a successful season last year.

Roy Hodgson's team come into this game on the back of a fantastic 3-1 home victory over Liverpool which should mean they will approach this game positive & hold the belief they can get a result.

Fulham also displayed their fantastic team spirit & fighting qualities by coming back from 2-0 to draw 2-2 against Manchester City so they should be confident coming into this away fixture.

The one aspect that could affect Fulham is what impact their tough away fixture against Roma will have on this game but that has not been too much of a negative so far this season & they have enough quality in the squad to cope.

I don't see this game as being one you can put down as a banker because any result is possible but what we do expect to happen is for this to be a tight, competitive game & overall a low scoring draw is the bet that appeals the most.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Betting: Draw
Correct Score options: 1-1/2-2
First goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime options: Dempsey/Duff/Kamara
Scorecast options: Dempsey/Duff/Kamara score 1st & 1-1/2-2
Double Result: Fulham Half Time & Draw Full Time

West Ham United vs Everton

(Sunday 15.00pm)

We are looking forward to this fixture as there is usually plenty of entertainment & drama on offer with both West Ham & Everton always committed to being positive.

West Ham United have endured a terribly sluggish start to the season but they come into this game on the back of a massively important home win against Aston Villa.

That vital & importantly deserved home win will give the West Ham United players a massive confidence boost ahead of this game & that should see them start to aim to recapture the excellent form they displayed last season.

West Ham United play positive football & will be positive in this match so they do have to be careful with possession & in defensive situations with particularly importance placed the proper defending of set-pieces.

Everton have endured an inconsistent start to their season with spells of matches were they produced excellent, winning football & most recently were they have struggled badly having not won since October 1st.

Everton have suffered terrible injury problems in recent weeks which has left their squad weakened & that has definitely contributed to their loss of form but at least they have still displayed commitment & belief in all their matches.

A home draw against Aston Villa was not a tremendous result but it should at least give Everton a degree of confidence & they will also be boosted by the fact they have an excellent record at Upton Park so we do expect them to be positive here.

This is such a tight game to call & it is tough to rule out any result but given how competitive we expect this game to be, a scoring draw appeals as a value bet in a game that should offer plenty.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Betting: Draw
Correct Score options: 1-1/2-2
First goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime options: Saha/Cahill/Fellaini
Scorecast options: Saha/Cahill/Fellaini score 1st & 1-1/2-2
Double Result: Everton Half Time & Draw Full Time

Chelsea vs Manchester United

(Sunday 16.00pm)

In terms of history & tradition, this clash of Chelsea & Manchester United does not get close to that which Manchester United & Liverpool share, but in terms of modern day status & rivalry, Chelsea vs Manchester United is the biggest game there is.

Chelsea & Manchester United have had a complete stranglehold on the Premier League title in the last 5 years & that looks likely to continue for another season at least as Chelsea sit top of the Premier League with Manchester United a close 2nd.

There is no escaping how massively important this fixture is & although it is too early to describe it as a title decider, both Chelsea & Manchester United know they have to try & win the match but also that they cannot afford to lose it.

Historically matches between these two sides have always been intense, competitive battles but Chelsea have the edge in this fixture & most definitely in more recent times which certainly does make it tougher for Manchester United here.

Current form is not such an important factor in these matches because it is a case of anything can happen on the day but Chelsea definitely have the stronger, more consistent form profile & definitely look more balanced & settled as a team unit.

Chelsea have been in fantastic form this season & more recently they have hit a real goal streak with Frank Lampard & Didier Drogba really excelling & those two great players add to what is a very strong, powerful & importantly a very experienced Chelsea team.

Manchester United have had a good season in terms of results & their incredible desire to never give in & always chase the best possible result has been in great evidence but what has definitely been lacking is an overall quality from their performances.

Obviously the key factor in that is the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo & quite simply Manchester United have not been able to replace him & he will remain a big loss for sometime.

Manchester United's team selection has been inconsistent this season as well & that could be the biggest factor on sunday with Rio Ferdinand likely to be absent again through injury & Nemanja Vidic doubtful as well.

The loss of both key central defenders would be massive & even if either Ferdinand or Vidic is fit, that still gives a big advantage to Chelsea given the attacking strength, power & pace of Drogba & Anelka supported by Ballack, Essien & Frank Lampard and set pieces are likely to be a massive factor as well.

We are really excited by this game & we definitely expect it to be more open than previous encounters have been which does make it even harder to predict when you consider the level quality on show.

The betting market is incredible for this match with Manchester United probably the biggest price they have been to win a single game in the last 10 years & while we find it hard to oppose Manchester United because of their ability to fight to the end, we have to side with Chelsea on this occasion & they are a very fair price to get 3 massive points.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Betting: Chelsea to win
Correct Score options: Chelsea to win 2-1/3-1
First goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime options: Lampard/Drogba/Terry
Scorecast options: Lampard/Drogba/Terry to score 1st & Chelsea to win 2-1/3-1
Double Result: Chelsea Half Time & Full Time

Liverpool v Birmingham City

(Monday 20.00pm)

How will the Liverpool squad respond in this match??

How will Rafa Benitez continue to cope with the mounting pressure??

Which Liverpool side will line up here??

Now without wanting to upset Birmingham City fans & make this sound like this game is only about Liverpool, the focus is firmly on Liverpool & they find themselves under the greatest of pressure with the answer to those questions holding the key to it all.

There is no getting away from the desperate problems Liverpool face at this point in the season & without exaggerating, Liverpool's season is virtually over already.

5 defeats in their first 11 league games, knocked out of the Carling Cup & all but knocked out of the European Champions League, Rafa Benitez & his Liverpool players need to turn it all around & fast.

To make matters worse, the squad is suffering through injuries to key players such as Steven Gerrard & Fernando Torres and also suspension for this game with Jamie Carragher & Philip Degen both suspended.

To be fair, Liverpool did play well in Lyon & were slightly unlucky to only draw that game but conceding that late goal will only serve to put further dents in the fragile confidence levels of the Liverpool squad.

Of course, Liverpool are at home & will still be expected to win this game and they do still have the talent that can achieve that but the question is do they have enough belief & confidence left.

Alex McCleish will be delighted with how much pressure Liverpool are under because his Birmingham City side will be able to turn up for this fixture knowing they a fair chance to cause Liverpool problems & get the positive result they need.

Birmingham City come into this fixture in good form after a very good 2-1 win at home to Sunderland & then a good performance to draw 0-0 with Manchester City so we expect Birmingham City to play with confidence.

History is also on Birmingham City's side in this fixture as Birmingham City have achieved 1 win & 3 draws out of the 5 Premier League games they have played at Anfield & that should further boost the confidence of the Birmingham City players.

This is a tough game to call because it will be a definite clash of styles with Liverpool committed to playing passing, attacking football & Birmingham City playing their solid, well organised containing game which could indeed make like difficult for Liverpool.

When we take everything into account including the pressure Liverpool are under & the relative form of both sides our view is that the long odds-on quote for a Liverpool win offers nothing to the punter & so we are going to take a punt on Birmingham City having enough to get a draw & continue their excellent record at Anfield.