Premiership Betting Odds 16th to 17th August
PREMIERSHIP BETTING PREVIEW 16th / 17th AUGUST 2008
Saturday 16th August
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion
Promoted Champions West Brom (16/1 with Boylesports) have taken over the mantle of the “yo-yo” side, unable to survive in the top flight for more than a season or two. However, in Tony Mowbray they have one of the most promising English managers and seemed better equipped for the Premiership this time round. However, in Arsenal (2/9 with Blue Square) at the Emirates Stadium, they have drawn one of the worst possible fixtures to open their 2008-09 campaign. In finishing third behind Manchester United and Chelsea last season, Arsenal were unbeaten at home, conceding just 11 goals in 19 games, while scoring 37. A short price, but must be a banker home win. Although seemingly of little relevance, the draw is a best-priced 11/2 with bet365.
Bolton Wanderers v Stoke City
Manager Gary Megson will be anxious to avoid a repeat of Bolton’s dismal efforts in the 2007-08 season, in which they survived in the Premiership by the skin of their teeth. He has spent extensively on new signings this summer and there seems reason for optimism in the coming campaign. Bolton’s especially poor away form, winning just twice in 19 games was a major contributory factor to their poor showing. However, Bolton (5/6 with bet365) showed respectable form at the Reebok stadium, reading W7 D5 L7. The sides haven’t met since the 1996-7 season, when both were in the Football League Championship, so there is no recent head-to-head from to go on. However, Stoke (5/2 with Boylesports) played some classy football in their impressive promotion campaign and seem likely to defy their position as second favourites for the drop back to the Championship. At this stage of the season, skybet’s 4/1 offer about the draw looks an attractive proposition.
Everton v Blackburn Rovers
Paul Ince’s new charges Blackburn Rovers (16/5 with Boylesports) open their 2008-09 campaign at Goodison Park. Classy midfielder David Bentley’s departure to Tottenham and the lack of a replacement has decimated Blackburn’s midfield, which was already short of pace and solidity. With goalkeeper Paul Robinson, from Spurs being Ince’s only permanent signing, his lack of experience in top-flight management seems to be showing already. On loan players, striker Carlos Villanueva, from Audax Italiano and trainee defender Danny Simpson, from Manchester United, are likely to be of little assistance. Ince needs to be looking at making one or more major signings quickly, or trouble, of his own making seems to be brewing. Everton (Evens with Stan James) recently sold star striker Andy Johnson to Fulham for £10.5 million. Coupled with a complete lack of summer signings, this has caused major unrest with the fans, if recent demonstrations are anything to go by. Manager David Moyes hasn’t renewed his contract beyond the 2008-09 season and unless acting soon, may not need to, his odds as the first Premiership manager to lose his job having shortened alarmingly in the last week. Possibly a game to avoid from a punting perspective, but there is little to choose between the sides, based on recent encounters, so the draw (23/10 with bet365) is a very tentative selection.
Hull City v Fulham
Recently promoted Hull (8/5 with Paddy Power) couldn’t really have asked for an easier opening fixture in their 2008-09 Premiership campaign, with Fulham (9/5 with bet365) only staying up last season by virtue of goal difference. Manger Phil Brown has made some shrewd signings for Hull, picking up French defender Bernard Mendy from Paris St. Germain, ‘keeper Tony Warner from Fulham and Brazilian striker Geovanni, from Manchester City, all on free transfers. He has also spent nearly £4 million in signing striker Craig Fagan from Derby, midfielders George Boateng from Middlesbrough and Peter Halmosi from Plymouth, along with goalkeeper Mark Oxley from Rotherham. He has also secured the services of classy defender Anthony Gardener, on loan from Spurs. With this influx of playing personnel, Hull is certainly looking better prepared for a tilt at the Premiership than they were a few months ago. Fulham’s Roy Hodgson has not been idle, spending £17 million on signing strikers Andy Johnson from Everton and Bobby Zamora from West Ham, defender John Pantsil from the same source, along with Swiss ‘keeper Pascal Zuberbuhler on a free transfer. With all the changes in personnel, a match best avoided from a punting perspective, the draw (23/10 with Boylesports) being a very tentative choice.
Middlesbrough v Tottenham Hotspur
Recent head-to-head form has these two perpetual underachievers very closely matched. Gareth Southgate has sought to strengthen the Middlesbrough (11/5 with bet365) midfield with Marvin Emnes from Rotterdam and Dider Digard from Paris St. Germain. Juande Ramos has spent £16 million in securing the services of midfielders David Bentley, from Blackburn and John Bostock from Crystal Palace. He has, however, sold top striker Robbie Keane (amongst others) in a compensatory £24 million clear out. Given Spurs’ (6/4 with Stan James) appalling away form in recent seasons, the Middlesbrough home win is a reluctant selection. The draw is a best-priced 12/5 with Boylesports.
West Ham v Wigan Athletic
Alan Curbishley’s Hammers open up with a home tie against Steve Bruce’s Latics. Wigan (10/3 with skybet) has only lost one of their last five encounters at Upton Park, with three wins and a draw (12/5 with bet365). Curbishley has signed defenders Valon Behrami from Lazio and Orn Eyjolfsson from Iceland, along with Czech ‘keeper Jan Lastuvka on loan. While this will sure up things at the back, weakness in front of goal was a problem for West Ham (10/11 with Paddy Power) last season. However, without the injury problems that plagued the Hammers throughout 2007-08, this issue may resolve itself. Bruce has signed French international midfielder Olivier Kapo from Birmingham, picking up Daniel De Ridder on a free transfer from the same club. Lee Cattermole, from Middlesbrough, will further strengthen the midfield. Wigan is taken to continue Steve Bruce’s promising start with an away win at 10/3.
Sunderland v Liverpool
Roy Keane’s Black Cats kick off their Premiership campaign with a difficult tie against the Reds. In seven home Premiership ties against Liverpool (8/11 with 888sport), Sunderland (9/2 with bet365) have managed a win and two draws. Home and away, the record is Liverpool 9 wins, Sunderland 1 win (in 2002-03) and 5 draws (11/4 with Boylesports). Last season, Sunderland showed a desperate need for a regular goalscorer, along with fresh blood in midfield to supply the front line. As a result, Keane has signed midfielder Steed Malbranque from Tottenham and striker El Hadji Diouf from Bolton, hopefully addressing the predominant areas of weakness. The loss of Peter Crouch, Harry Kewell and Scott Carson must have a substantial impact on the Liverpool side. However, Rafael Benitez has signed striker Robbie Keane from Tottenham, defender Andrea Dossena from Udinese, ‘keeper Diego Cavalieri from Palmeiras, spending £31 million in the process, as well as picking up midfielder Philipp Degen on a free transfer from Dortmund. In replacing like with like, the balance of the side should be maintained. At the Stadium of Light, Sunderland is a hopeful selection to pinch a draw at 11/4.
Sunday 17th August
Manchester United v Newcastle United
Despite the absence of key players, namely Rooney, Ronaldo and Hargreaves, reigning champions United (bet-priced 3/10 with Paddy Power) should start the 2008-09 season with a comfortable 3 points. Newcastle (best-priced 12/1 with Boylesports) has their own injury worries and their record against the Red Devils is appalling, particularly at Old Trafford. In their last six visits, Newcastle’s best achievement was a 0-0 draw, in November 2004. The draw for this fixture is a best-priced 9/2 with bet365. Last season’s corresponding fixture resulted in a 6-0 win for the home side, while other recent results read 2-0, 2-0, 2-1 and 5-3. Considering the last twelve meetings between the sides, both home and away, the Reds have scored a massive 37 goals, while conceding just 11. Despite the short price, must be viewed as a banker home win.
Aston Villa v Manchester City
Mark Hughes’ Manchester City (3/1 with skybet) opens their 2008-09 campaign with a visit to Villa Park. All the key players have been retained and the squad appears to be in good shape, with the signing of Brazilian striker Jo from CSKA Moscow sure to improve City’s performance in front of goal. Aston Villa (Evens with Paddy Power) finished a very respectable sixth last season and Martin O’Neill has made £15 million’s worth of summer signings, including ‘keeper Brad Friedel from Blackburn, midfielder Steven Sidwell from Chelsea and defender Curtis Davies from West Brom. There is little to choose between the sides on recent head-to-head form and the draw at 23/10 with Paddy Power looks the safest option.
Chelsea v Portsmouth
New Blues’ coach Luiz Felipe Scolari hosts Harry Redknapp’s F.A. Cup winners to open his 2008-09 campaign. His signing of central attacking midfielder Anderson Luis de Souza (“Deco”), from Barcelona can only deepen Chelsea’s already considerable midfield strength. Redknapp has signed striker Peter Crouch from Liverpool for £9 million, along with Israeli striker Ben Sahar, on loan from Chelsea, which will undoubtedly increase the attacking options for Portsmouth (11/1 with Boylesports). However, Chelsea (1/3 with Paddy Power) has a 100% record against Pompey at Stamford Bridge. Portsmouth has not beaten the Blues, home or away, since the 1960-61 season, some the home win looks a banker. The draw is best-priced at 4/1 with bet365.
All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds
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