Premiership Betting Preview 1st March

February 29, 2008

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Form suggests that this could be a high-scoring affair, with both Villa and Arsenal amongst the Premierships top three scorers, as Arsenal look to extend their unbeaten run to a record 12 games and ensure that Manchester United, snapping at their heels in second place do not have a chance to catch them. Villas aims areslightly less lofty, as they chase for the Fourth Champions League place. It’s been 13 games since they kept a clean sheet, and Arsenal have scored in every game since Boxing Day, so don’t put your life savings on a 1-0 win for Martin O’Neill’s men.

Villa are rank outsiders in this match, with Sky Bet offering odds of 6/1 for the Villains to steal all three points from the Emirates, whereas Bet365 price Arsenal at just 4/7. Paddy Power have the best odds for the draw at 3/1.

Birmingham v Tottenham

Spurs’ First match as Carling Cup Holders takes them to St Andrews to face a Birmingham side who have drawn their last three matches, and who need to start picking up some maximums, particularly at home if they are to put some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone. Their fragile cushion currently stands at just point.

VC Bet will give you odds of 3/1 for a home win for Alex McLeish’s side who held league leaders Arsenal at St Sndrews last week, and if they can do the same against the Carling Cup winners, then Bet 365 will pay out at 5/2 for the draw. The best available odds for a Spurs win are 21/20 with Boylesports.

Derby v Sunderland

Sunderland are the visitors to Pride Park as Derby try to avoid beating Roy Keane’s side’s record as the worst ever Premiership team by picking up a rare three points towards the seven they need to avoid inheriting Sunderlands unwanted record, in what has become the longest run of games without a win in their history. Sunderland have enough relegation worries of their own though, sitting precariously four points above the drop zone, and they bring with them the worst away record in the league, losing their last ten away from the Stadium of Light.

The smart money will be on Sunderland to pick up all three points at Pride Park, with VC Bet offering odds of 11/8 for the Wearsiders win. Not great odds for an away win you may think, but then they are playing against whipping boys Derby. Bet 365 have the best odds for the home win (9/4), whilst VC Bet again have the best odds for the draw (12/5)

Fulham v Manchester United

Second-bottom host second-top at Craven cottage this weekend, with Manchester United looking to continue the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the league, whilst Fulham are desperate for pointage to help their survival hopes. The Cottagers have only won three Premiership games at home all season, and three points against the defending Premiership Champions will not be enough to lift them out of the bottom three this weekend.

skybet have a very tempting 10/1 for Fulham to pull off a home win against Manchester United. Even the draw (4/1 with Bet 365) looks attractive odds, which is more than can be said for the 4/11 odds that is the best available (from Blue Square) for the United victory.

Manchester City v Wigan

The City of Manchester Stadium is the host of the Saturday tea-time kickoff, live on Setanta Sports 1. Both sides are currently enjoying a reversal of the form with which they started the season, with City only picking up two victories in the last 10 Premiership matches, whilst a win for Steve Bruce’s Latics would be their sixth maximum in the last twelve. Darius Vassell could make his 300th Permiership appearance if he plays a part, whilst Emile Heskeystands to make his 50th start as a Wigan player.

Man City are strong favourites to win this one, with odds of just 4/5 for the City win from Bet 365. Blue Square have the draw at 5/2, whilst Boyle Sports will sell a Wigan victory at 9/2.

Middlesbrough v Reading

This match will be Boro’s 4,000th league match, and it comes against a Reading side on terrible recent form, having lost their last seven games in a row and still the only club (yes, including Derby) without a single point to the name in 2008. In this fixture last season, Middlesbrough ran out 2-1 winners, courtesy of goals from Mark Viduka and Yakubu, neither of whom are still at the club. The reverse fixture at the Madesjki ended all square at 1-1. Howard Webb is the referee for this encounter.

Boro are the favourites in this match, with VC Bet offering odds of just 9/10 for the home win. Boyle Sports have the best odds for the draw at 5/2, whilst any Reading fans betting on an away victory for Steve Coppells men should head to Blue Square, where 7/2 is currently available.

Newcastle v Blackburn

Newcastle United are still looking for their first win under Kevin Keegan (Yes, we’ll keep saying it every week until it happens!) and Kevin will be hoping it will come at the seventh attempt, before the passionate geordie “faithful” turn on him as they have their last six managers since.. erm Kevin Keegan. Their recent record is terrible, picking up just three points from the last thirty, and having a defence that has already conceded five more goals than the whole of last season.

If the bookies are to be believed, this match could go either way, with VC Bet offering odds of 8/5 for a Newcastle victory, and 9/5 for a Blackburn win. Bet 365 have the strongest odds for the draw at 12/5.

West Ham v Chelsea

Chelsea will be smarting after their Carling Cup extra-time defeat at the hands of London rivals Tottenham, and you can be sure that Hammers fans will reminds them a few times, and will hoping that Alan Curbishley’s side can take advantage of Chelsea’s weaknesses as Juande Ramos’ team did on Sunday. Chelsea are no mugs however, and remain unbeaten in nine Premiership games as they try and force themselves back into the Premiership title race before time runs out on them.

Sky Bet will give you 4/1 for a Hammers home win against their London rivals, who are priced at 17/20 with VC Bet. Bet 365 complete the set, offering 5/2 for the draw.

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