Premiership Betting preview 23rd February

Birmingham v Arsenal

League leaders Arsenal are the visitors to St Andrews on Saturday lunchtime as the Gunners have the chance to go eight points clear of nearest rivals Manchester United, for a few hours at least. Birmingham meanwhile need the points for a more desperate reason – They are only being kept above the relegation zone by goal difference, and reent form has been far from reassuring.

Birmingham have not won in seven games, whilst Arsenal have not lost in ten. The Blues welcome back top scorer Olivier Kapo, whilst Toure and Eboue miss out for the Gunners, who will also give late fitness tests to Adebayor and Hleb.

VC Bet have Birmingham out at 7/1 to gather a home win, whilst skybet have the best odds for the Arsenal win at 8/15.

Fulham v West Ham

Fulham are entrenched in the relegation zone, and with just 12 games remaining to preserve their Premiership status, they need to start picking up points before time runs out on them, particularly at home. History isn’t on their side however, as West Ham have picked up 10 of the last 12 points on the short trip to Craven Cottage since 2002.

Fulham are draw specialists, having drawn 10 matches this season, which coupled with their inability to keep clean sheets (three all season) and lacklustre scoring record (failed to score in ten games), shows the extent of the Cottagers problems – They can’t hold onto leads, and struggle to get back into the game when falling behind.

totesport will give you 9/5 for Fulham to overturn that recent Hammers History and get the win. West Ham are the favourites to win this one though, with VC Bet offering 7/4 for the Hammers win, and 23/10 for the draw.

Liverpool v Middlesbrough

Boro welcome David Wheater back from a suspension, and will hand fitness tests to Rob Huth and Tuncay Sanli before deciding whether to risk them for the match at Anfield. Liverpool badly need to register the victory as they look to return to the crucial Fourth Champions League place, whilst Boro will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to nine games, their best series of results under Gareth Southgate.

Considering Liverpool’s recent indifferent form, they remain difficult to beat – Only Arsenal have lost fewer Premiership games this season, and Liverpool have not been defeated in their last six Premiership matches against Boro.

VC Bet have some tempting odds of 9/1 for Boro to take all the spoils at Anfield, whilst Boyle Sports have installed Liverpool as strong favourites (4/9). considering Liverpool’s status as draw specialists (11 draws from 25 matches) and Boro’s good form, the draw at 7/2 (VC Bet) might be worth considering.

Newcastle v Man United

It seems we’ve been saying this for weeks (because we have), but Kevin Keegan is still waiting for his first win in his latest run as Newcastle manager, and nothing would be sweeter than if he could get it at St James Park against the Premiership Champions who ran riot in the reverse fixture days after Sam Allardyce’s sacking, in a 6-0 drubbing.

The Magpies haven’t won for nine games now, and need to pick up some points before this season turns into a relegation battle – They could fall to 14th after this game, and cannot allow the slide to continue. Only Derby and Reading have conceded more goals this season, and 2 points from the last 18 is a very worrying statistic for any Toon fans.

If the bookies are to be believed, there’s only one possible outcome of this match, with the best available odds for a Man United victory being just 1/2 (Boyle Sports), whilst you can get 7/1 on the home win and 33/10 on the draw with VC Bet.

Portsmouth v Sunderland

David James should recover from a stomach-bug to maintain his ever-present Premiership record for the visit of Sunderland to Fratton Park, whilst Jermaine Defoe returns to the side after sitting out their FA Cup win at Preston last week due to being cup-tied. Sunderland could include Andy Reid, Grant Ledbitter and Dwight Yorke as they make the long journey down to the South coast.

Pompey are having a terrific season, and if they can achieve a win in Harry Redknapp’s 100th game in his second spell as boss, they will stay in contention for the European places. Sunderland are terrible travellers, and have lost more away games in the Premiership than any other team (yes, even more than Derby!). Pompey are looking for their first back-to-back wins in 16 games – The last time the Wearsiders managed that was Christmas 2002.

Portsmouth are the odds-on favourites to win this match, with the best odds currently being offered by skybet (7/10). VC Bet have the away win at 11/2 and the draw at 14/5.

Wigan v Derby

Paul Jewell returns to the JJB for the first time since quitting as manager the day after keeping them up last season. Latics fans will hope he can help do the same this season by bringing the Derby side that scores one goal every 2 games and concedes one goal every 43 minutes (both averages) – although I don’t think many bookies will give you odds on Wigan to win 2.09-0. Paul Jewell’s record as Derby manager so far has been exactly a point a game, as he looks to build a side to compete in the Championship next season, although a point from this game will do neither side any good.

In a rare occurrence this season, Wigan are strong favourites with the bookies, with the best available odds for a Latics win being just 8/13 (Boyle Sports), whilst Bet365 will give you 5/1 on a rare Derby win. VC Bet have the draw at 29/10.

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds.



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    • Written by Bet123 · Filed Under Football, Premiership Betting 

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