Premiership Betting Odds 23rd to 25th August
PREMIERSHIP BETTING PREVIEW 23rd TO 25th AUGUST
Manchester United were favourites to win the Premier League before a ball was kicked, but now they are odds-on with William Hill not to hit the summit throughout the entire season. The firm are offering odds of 8-11 that Sir Alex Ferguson’s side never stand top of the table and evens that they do, although it will be difficult early on as their next three Premier League matches are all away, at Portsmouth, Chelsea and Liverpool. Meanwhile, newly-promoted Stoke City are 8-1 with Ladbrokes not to win a game this season after Tony Pulis’ side went down 3-1 at Bolton in their opening game of their inaugural Premiership season.
Saturday 23rd August
Blackburn Rovers v Hull City
Rovers (4/6 with Ladbrokes) host the Tigers in week two of the 2008-09 Premiership. Blackburn demonstrated their determination, a priceless quality, in beating Everton 3-2 in injury-time. Hull (11/2 bet365) made a more than satisfactory start in their first appearance in the Premier League. A goal down after 8 minutes, Brazilian Geovanni equalised with a precise curling shot 14 minutes later. 9 minutes from time, Caleb Folan sent the Hull fans crazy with the winner. Hull certainly won’t be relegation candidates if continuing in this vein. The draw at 27/10 with Boylesports seems the most sensible selection.
Liverpool v Middlesbrough
After Liverpool’s poor performance last Saturday against Sunderland it was muttered in certain quarters that the Reds were missing recently departed Peter Crouch. However, it is more likely that Liverpool (2/5 with 888sport) could have done with the services of Brazilian Lucas, Argentinean Javier Mascherano and Dutchman Babel who are serving their countries in the Olympic Games. However, Fernando Torres’ late strike gave the Reds a 1-0 win. Middlesbrough (9/1 with bet365) also needs to improve a great deal. Although they did get a great result against Spurs, the goal came late in the second half. A repeated attempt at Anfield may well result in defeat. Middlesbrough fans will want to see goals from Brazilian striker Afonso Alves, rather than salvation arriving off the bench via Mido. Middlesbrough have achieved only one point from their last 5 visits to Anfield (the draw is 7/2 with sportingbet) and the sequence looks likely to continue with another home win for the Reds.
Newcastle United v Bolton Wanderers
Newcastle (4/5 with bet365) boss Kevin Keegan is happy with the possibility of using Steven Taylor alongside Fabricio Coloccini in his defence for the home match against Bolton (4/1 with Paddy Power). Taylor was dismissed from the England U-21 camp with a minor ankle injury but should fully recover in time for Saturday’s match. The Magpies got a point at Old Trafford, without impressing. Bolton will arrive at St. James’ Park confident that they can get at least a point from this encounter. They put up a solid performance against Stoke, with Johan Elmander scoring on his debut. The draw is a best-priced 13/5 with Boylesports and is a tentative selection.
Stoke City v Aston Villa
Stoke (4/1 with skybet) had a harsh awakening in their first top-flight encounter for more than 20 years. The 3-1 defeat by Bolton showed Stoke something of what it will take to survive in the Premiership. They face a greater challenge this week in front of their own fans. Villa (4/5 with Paddy Power) was impressive in hammering Manchester City 4-2 in week one. Agbonlahor’s hat-trick will have fans expecting another impressive performance, which Villa can deliver. The draw is best-priced 13/5 with bet365. Looks a banker away win.
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland
Tottenham (8/15 with Paddy Power) not only lost the opening match against Middlesbrough last Saturday, leaving their fans wondering if the pre-season heavy investment will pay off, but also saw the “Berbatov crisis” reach an unbearable level. The Hungarian international spent 65 minutes on the bench. When he was finally introduced, Wheater scored almost immediately and Mido sewed up the game for Boro in the 86th minute. Huth’s injury-time own goal was scant consolation. Sunderland lost 1-0 to Liverpool but forcing the Reds to play “route one” football, making Robbie Keane’s task a difficult one. Aside from Fernando Torres’ single 83rd minute Sunderland did a good job, and look a decent bet at skybet’s 7/1 to upset Spurs. Bet365 offer 3/1 the draw.
West Bromwich Albion v Everton
In the opening week of the 2008-2009 season, West Brom (2/1 with skybet) gave Arsenal a hard time, avoiding the expected hammering, though losing by a single goal. The Baggies play their first home match against Everton (6/4 with William Hill), hoping to play as hard, but to obtain a better result. Everton lost their first match of the season 3-2 to Blackburn Rovers. On balance, totesport’s offer of 9/4 about the draw looks the best bet.
Fulham v Arsenal
Fulham (11/2 with skybet) have collected just 3 points in 6 home Premiership encounters with Arsenal (8/13 Ladbrokes), beating the 10-man Gunners 2-1, at Craven Cottage, in November 2006. Otherwise, their record is 5 defeats, conceding 12 goals and scoring only 2.Neither team impressed in their opening fixture of the season. Arsenal at least won their home tie against West Brom, via a 4th minute goal from Samir Nasry, who may miss the Fulham tie with a thigh strain. Fulham lost their opening match to Premiership debutants Hull and things must improve for the team that finished in 17th place last. Korean forward Seol Ki-Hyeon is expecting that the goal he scored last week will earn him a position in the Cottagers starting line-up for the match against Arsenal. Andy Johnson missed Fulham’s 2-1 defeat at Hull last Saturday, and he is doubtful for Arsenal’s visit to Craven Cottage this Saturday. A thigh strain has laid the striker low since his £11m arrival from Everton and manager Roy Hodgson is unwilling to risk him. Arsenal looks good for an away win. The draw is 11/4 with skybet.
Sunday 24th August
Wigan Athletic v Chelsea
Given the way the Blues played against Portsmouth, this looks like a tie Wigan (15/2 with bet365) could do without so soon in the season. The Latics lost 2-1 at West Ham in the opening match and now face Scolari’s squad. Every piece of the Chelsea (4/9 with Paddy Power) line-up worked perfectly in the 4-0 defeat of Pompey. For Sunday’s match at Wigan, Scolari might not be able to count on Michael Ballack, due to a foot injury. The Latics have nothing to lose yet, but a convincing performance is the key to boost the team’s confidence for the rest of the season. The draw is 7/2 with bet365, but Chelsea should be comfortable winners.
Manchester City v West Ham United
Manchester City (13/10 with bet365) hosts West Ham (12/5 with skybet) at the City of Manchester Stadium. New Eastlands boss Mark Hughes knew it wouldn’t be easy to face Aston Villa at their home ground, but the 4-2 defeat was a harsh hit on his young team. City faces West Ham needing 3 points to kick off their season. There appears to be some sort of “hex” on 22-year-old Bulgaria striker Valeri Bojinov. In 2007-08, he injured his knee at the beginning of the season and didn’t play. Last Sunday, Bojinov was expected to be in the starting line-up at Villa Park but had to be carried off the pitch after rupturing an Achilles tendon during the pre-match warm-up. A brace from Dean Ashton saw the Hammers beat Wigan 2-1 in their opening game and skybet’s draw offer of 9/4 looks attractive.
Monday 25th August
Portsmouth v Manchester United
Portsmouth (5/1 with skybet) was poor in their season opener against Chelsea (lost 4-0) and will need to improve significantly. The Red Devils were lacklustre in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle last weekend, though were missing key players. Several United players are on international duty in midweek, but this should not stop them justifying bet365’s quote of 8/11 with a comfortable away win. The draw is 13/5 with skybet.
All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds
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