Betting Blog » English Premiership

Liverpool v Tottenham Preview

Mike — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:50:43 +0000

With some pundits suggesting that Tottenham have replaced Liverpool as one of the ‘big four’, this game is the perfect opportunity for Kenny Dalglish’s men to prove otherwise. However, with eleven points already separating the two, it would be fair to say that the Reds have plenty of work to do to climb up the table and reach the 3rd spot that Spurs currently find themselves in.

After a promising start to the campaign, it now looks as though Liverpool will struggle to even reach Europe after a disastrous few months. Kenny Dalglish’s side currently sit in 7th position, two points away from 5th place Arsenal, meaning that they are going to be under a lot of pressure as the season counts down. In terms of recent form, the Reds have performed very well following a 3-1 defeat to Bolton a couple of weeks ago. After progressing to the Carling Cup final, the Anfield outfit proceeded to knock Man Utd out of the FA Cup and then record a comfortable 3-0 victory over Wolves. It is also worth mentioning that Liverpool are one of only two teams in the Premier League not to lose a home fixture this season.

Tottenham on the other hand are having their best season for years and some optimists at White Hart Lane may even be looking for their side to launch a serious bid at the title. With eight points currently separating them from top spot, that could be a tough ask although victory in this clash would nevertheless narrow that margin significantly. Their recent form is highly impressive as well, with Spurs losing just one of their last twelve. With that being said, their away form in the Premier League has been slightly troublesome, with Harry Redknapp’s side winning just one of their last four on the road.

There’s big team news to report ahead of this clash for Liverpool, with Luis Suarez poised to return for the Reds having finally completed his eight match suspension. Other than that Kenny Dalglish has no other concerns, although Steve Gerrard is likely to return having missed out on Liverpool’s last fixture. Tottenham meanwhile could have several problems, with the likes of Jermaine Defoe, Emmanuel Adebayor and Rafael van der Vaart all struggling with fitness problems. That could pave the way for Louis Saha to make his debut, while Harry Redknapp will also be without Tom Huddlestone, Aaron Lennon and William Gallas who are all on the treatment table.

As for a prediction, our tip is going to be for the Liverpool victory. The Reds have a very good record at Anfield this year and with Tottenham struggling on their travels in recent weeks, we expect a narrow 2-1 win for Kenny Dalglish’s side.

Newcastle v Aston Villa Preview

Mike — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:37:47 +0000

Expectations for these two sides were quite similar at the start of the season, with both aiming to achieve a top half position. For Newcastle, that goal certainly seems plausible, with the Magpies currently sat on the verge of the European places in 6th spot. However, Aston Villa are having a more difficult campaign and Alex McLeish’s men must improve if they are to better their current position of 13th.

Newcastle’s campaign has been nothing short of fantastic and despite concerns from their supporters at the start of the year, Alan Pardew appears to be doing a grand job at St James’ Park. The Magpies find themselves on the brink of the European places in 6th place and with just three points separating them from 4th, they could even qualify for the Champions League this term. It has to be said that Pardew’s side experienced something of a stutter a couple of weeks ago, after suffering defeats to Fulham and Brighton. However, after winning their last game against Blackburn, they now appear to be back on track. Moreover, having won their last three games at St James’ Park, they must be full of confidence ahead of this clash.

Aston Villa supporters on the other hand are no impressed with what they have seen this term. With most of them opposed against the appointment of Alex McLeish in the first place, their current position of 13th certainly isn’t going down very well. However, it has to be said that Villa have made improvements over the last few weeks in regard to their league form. The Villans approach this clash having lost just once in their last six in the Premiership, although having thrown a 2-0 lead against Arsenal in their last game in the FA Cup, confidence could still be quite low. Still, Villa have recorded some very good away results in the league recently and having won their last two and not lost in their last five, some of their supporters may carry some optimism to the North East.

Newcastle supporters are eagerly awaiting this clash for the reason that big signing Papiss Cisse looks set to start for the Magpies. Furthermore, after serving his country at the Africa Cup of Nations, Demba Ba will return to the reckoning as well. On a sour note, Yohan Cabaye is still suspended and will not be featuring. There’s less positivity for the visitors on the other hand, with Aston Villa set to be without three players ahead of the game as Gabriel Agbonlahor, Marc Albrighton and James Collins look set to miss out as injuries hinder them.

This is another difficult game to predict, with Newcastle possessing good home form and Villa producing some good results on the road in recent weeks. Bearing this in mind, our tip will be a 1-1 draw.

Chelsea v Man Utd Preview

Mike — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:35:14 +0000

For the past few years this would have been an absolutely massive game for both of these clubs, with both Chelsea and Man Utd seen as two of the regular title contenders. However, following the emergence of Manchester City, there is much more pressure on both of these sides and it appears as though Chelsea are already out of the race to claim top spot. United on the other hand still have everything to play for, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s men sat just three points behind league leaders City as they look to keep hold of their title.

It would be fair to say that Andre Villas-Boas’ debut season in English football hasn’t exactly gone as he would have wished, with Chelsea rarely making any serious advances towards top spot throughout the campaign. In fact, the Blues have been out of the title race for some time, and the fact they are already fifteen points behind the league leaders speaks volumes. Instead, their main aim simply must be Champions League qualification, which at the moment is certainly in their grasp. Villas-Boas’ men approach this clash with some poor form by their own standards, having drawn against newly-promoted Swansea and Norwich in their last two games. Their home form is at least picking up a little though, with the Stamford Bridge outfit winning their last two on their own turf.

Just like most teams in the Premier League, Man Utd’s season hasn’t been without its bad patches although it now looks as though the Old Trafford side are well and truly over theirs. Despite a shaky spell around the turn of the year, the Red Devils have made big improvements in recent weeks and approach this game having won their last three in the league. Their supporters will have been bitterly disappointed to have been knocked out of the FA Cup by fierce rivals Liverpool a couple of weeks ago, yet there is no doubt that their main aim is the Premier League title.

As for team news, after being in the headlines throughout the last week, John Terry has the chance to get out of the spotlight as a knee injury prevents him from featuring in this clash. His absence will probably pave the way for Gary Cahill to make his debut, although the Chelsea defence has been weakened further through Ashley Cole’s suspension. Man Utd on the other hand have several players returning to the reckoning, with Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young, Nani and Wayne Rooney all poised to take part in some capacity. On a more negative note, Anders Lindegaard has been ruled out with an ankle injury for the next six weeks and will be replaced by under-fire David de Gea.

With Manchester United having several players returning for this game, they appear to be very strong ahead of the clash. However, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have not won at Stamford Bridge in ten years and with Chelsea possessing some reasonable home form at the moment, our tip will be a 1-1 score line.

Man City v Fulham Preview

Mike — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:35:42 +0000

It was only a few years ago that both of these sides were seen as very similar in standing, but of course that is definitely not the case now. Having unexpectedly lost their last fixture, some supporters at Man City are starting to get slightly worried as neighbours Man Utd edge closer. Fulham on the other hand are sat in a very comfortable position, with the Cottagers occupying 13th spot and in no danger of being pulled into a relegation dogfight.

A lot of people thought Man City had the title well and truly wrapped up several weeks ago, although as experienced Premier League followers should know, it is certainly never wise to think like that. Having lost their last game 1-0 to Everton, City are now level on points with 2nd place Man Utd and it is just goal difference that is keeping them in top spot. A lot of people were surprised to see City fail to make any substantial purchases in the January transfer window, instead recruiting veteran David Pizzaro who is sure to provide competition as Yaya Toure serves his national country. It is clear that Toure’s absence is having an extremely negative effect on Roberto Mancini’s men though, with the club losing three of their last six games since he departed for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Fulham meanwhile are experiencing another comfortable season and it looks as though the Cottagers are set for a moderate mid-table position. With nine points separating them from the drop zone and thirteen from the European places, it looks as though Martin Jol’s men will have to be contempt with an uneventful campaign. Their recent form can be described as reasonably impressive, with the Craven Cottage outfit losing just one of their last six despite opponents including Newcastle, Chelsea and Arsenal. Their form away from home is slightly suspect though, with the club’s last away victory occurring in October.

As for team news, Roberto Mancini is sweating on the fitness of Vincent Kompany and Micah Richards who have both been struggling with knocks over the past week. Mario Balotelli remains suspended, but Mancini could decide to hand a debut to new signing David Pizzaro. Fulham on the other hand have several absentees, with Steve Sidwell and Andy Johnson both injured while Pavel Pogrebnyak is ineligible. On a more positive note, Martin Jol will be able to select Mark Schwarzer and Mousa Dembele who have both recovered from their spells on the treatment table.

In terms of a prediction, our tip is going to be the obvious. Man City have been very impressive throughout the campaign and while there have been a few shaky moments in recent weeks, they are up against a Fulham side who struggle on the road. With that, we expect a comfortable 2-0 victory for Roberto Mancini’s men.

West Brom v Swansea Preview

Mike — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:12:55 +0000

Considering the fact that both of these sides were tipped to battle against the drop this season, both sets of supporters will be incredibly happy at the situation their clubs find themselves in. Having amassed twenty six points so far, West Brom sit in 15th position while their opponents are one point and one place better off.

While the position of 15th may not sound too impressive to a lot of people, the fact that West Brom are seven points away from the relegation zone at this stage of the season is simply fantastic. Roy Hodgson is once again highlighting his superb credentials as a Premier League manager and while there is still a long way to go, his sights must be aiming for the mid-table reaches of the division. However, while their overall position is very promising, their form at The Hawthorns is worrying. The Baggies have some of the worst home form in the Premiership, having won just two games on their own patch all through the campaign. The club will approach this game with some confidence, having collected four points from their last two games. However, having not won a league match at home for five games, their supporters have the right to be slightly apprehensive.

Swansea are also experiencing a grand season, even though many thought they would be the division’s whipping boys. However, their problem is the complete opposite to their opponents, with the Swans having some dreadful form away from home. The club have just won one fixture away from the Liberty Stadium, meaning that incredible pressure is on their shoulders when they do play at home. In terms of overall form, the club have fared reasonably well in recent times. They drew their last game at home to Chelsea, while prior to that they had lost just one of their last five in the league.

Having signed Liam Ridgwell and Keith Andrews in the build-up to the transfer deadline, Roy Hodgson is expected to hand at least one of these new signings a start. However, Hodgson still has plenty of players on the treatment table, with the likes of Shane Long, Steven Reid, Jerome Thomas and Paul Scharner poised to miss out. It’s a little quieter for the Swans on the other hand, although Brendan Rodgers won’t be able to rely on the services of Ferrie Bodde and Andrea Orlandi as the duo continue to struggle on the side-lines. Following Curtis Obeng’s recent move from Wrexham, the Swans may decide to hand him a debut though.

This game is almost impossible to predict, with West Brom having hopeless home form while Swansea are poor on the road. Bearing this in mind, we will sit on the fence with our prediction and tip an uneventful goalless draw.