Saturday Premiership

Eight Premiership games on Saturday but are there any worthwhile bets?

Arsenal v Man Utd

How do you split them? That's the question here, both on the same amount of points, both with the same goal difference and both in fantastic form. Arsenal were on a 12 match winning streak until they were held by Liverpool last weekend in a game they dominated and United have won 11 in 12 since their defeat at the City of Manchester stadium (their only loss in the Carling Cup). They've also scored 4 goals in each of their last 4 games.

Predicting the winner is almost like flipping a coin, albeit a three sided one. Which brings us nicely to the draw - the draw isn't something I like to back as a rule, but the temptation in this match is great.

Perhaps the most crucial point is defensively although both sides are very strong, only conceding 11 times between them in 21 games (Arsenal's 7 to United's 4) they have both looked slightly unsure at the back recently. However both teams will know what is at stake at 12.45 tomorrow and rather than being an open, fluid match I think it may be a tense affair.

It's hard to pick a bet from this match but I think it is worth a small tickle on the 1-1 draw. I'm also going with Rooney to score first, he's a man bang in form and Arsenal go behind a lot before coming back into games.

0.5pts 1-1 @ 7.2
0.5pts Rooney FGS @ 9.0


Aston Villa v Derby

Despite their thumping by a rampant United a couple of weeks back, Villa are in reasonable form at the moment and host Derby who are win-less in 5 and goal-less in 3. They've won only once this season and tasted defeat seven times, they are the only league club in the country without an away goal, plus they're missing Kenny Miller who is out with a hamstring strain. So far so bad... On the plus side they've only conceded once in their last two away games. Although the odds scream Villa from every which way I've got a feeling Derby may nick something here, and with skinny odds on Villa it's a no bet.


Blackburn v Liverpool

Liverpool have been poor for the last month or so, lucky in four or five games but in general have been getting the result, but this game may be where they lose their unbeaten league start. They've a few injuries with Torres and Alonso being the main ones with a few others doubtful. Blackburn will be without Robbie Savage which is a major blow to them as this is his type of game.

Liverpool have what is arguably their most important match for a few years coming up on Tuesday and they're running, if not on empty, in the red zone. Rafa will need a fresh side for Tuesday and if it comes at the sacrifice of losing their unbeaten run in the league then so be it.

Blackburn will go hell for leather as usual in their pursuit of a top 5 or 6 spot (which they are massively capable of) and I don't know if Liverpool will be able to take it and a repeat of last years win is more than possible

1pt Blackburn to beat Liverpool @ 3.15


Everton v Birmingham

Everton have now got the taste of European football, and unless they can win the UEFA Cup results will have to improve for them to be in it again next year. They've been fairly mediocre this season so far with no sort of consistency. They went into extra time midweek and have to plan for an away trip to Nurnburg next week too. Birmingham on the other hand are fighters, drawing at Liverpool and only going down to the single goal at Chelsea, City and Blackburn and at home against United.

An Arteta-less Everton aren't going to find them easy to break down and at odds on represent no value at all. Under 2.5 goals is 4/5 here but I think should be priced even shorter, one goal may settle it but a repeat of Birmingham's last visit to Merseyside and 0-0 would be no surprise.

2.5pts under 2.5 goals @ 1.79
0.5pts 0-0 @ 12.0


Fulham v Reading

This is a great chance for Fulham to pick up a much needed win against a team that just cannot stop conceding away from home. The only slight problem is Fulham are just as bad, they can't score with one goal in 4. What will happen here is anyone's guess... Will Fulham start scoring? Will Reading stop conceding? It really could be any score from 0-0 to 4-4 and as a result I'm giving it a wide berth.


Middlesboro v Spurs

Spurs travel up to the Riverside with new boss Juande Ramos hoping they can build on their midweek Carling Cup win with 3 much needed points. To be honest, they couldn't have hand-picked a better team to play against. Boro are struggling having lost 6 of their last 7, and although Spurs haven't been much better they can get a result in the North East, whether it's a win or not I can't see less than a point for Spurs here as the leaky 'Boro defence will struggle to keep them out - the final score depending on how well their own very leaky back four performs, but 'boro don't really have the fire-power to trouble them and with Mido out they could struggle even against Spurs. A lay of Middlesboro is my call

Lay Middlesboro to win 2 points @ 3.3


Newcastle v Portsmouth

Staying in the North East and a really tough game to call. Newcastle are strong at home winning their last 4 at St. James', but Pompey are strong away, again winning their last 4. It really is a tough match to call and I've looked everywhere for the value. Other people may conclude differently but I can't find any... anywhere... it's another no bet.


Wigan v Chelsea

On paper this match will only have one result, and I agree with that. Since getting back in the Premiership Wigan have never got so much as a point against any of the "big four" and this isn't going to change soon. Chelsea have too much class for them and this will show, they're playing more fluid, attacking football and scoring lots of goals while Wigan aren't playing as well as they have been the last few seasons.

All signs point to a decent win for Chelsea, however Wigan on their day can keep to total down. The odds on Chelsea outright don't appeal so the handicap of -1.25 looks a good bet (half stake lost if Chelsea win by 1 goal), with a small saver on 0-1 and a little on the unquoted (4 or more scored by a team) Chelsea are my bet of the weekend.

4pts Chelsea -1.25 v Wigan @ 2.07
0.5pts 0-1 @ 7.2
0.5pts Unquoted score @ 7.2