Monthly Archives: January 2011

United show fight for title success

Posted on by
Reply

Sir Alex Ferguson feels the way his Manchester United players stormed back from two-down to win 3-2 at Blackpool on Tuesday evening could be the defining moment in this season’s Premier League title race. However, with 15 games still remaining, can any club overhaul the Red Devils at the top of the table?

Looking ahead to an eagerly-awaited run-un, I’ll examine United’s main rivals in the battle to be England’s top dog come the end of the season.

Manchester United

It could be argued that the Premier League is United’s (8/13 Outright) to lose following that thrilling win at Bloomfield Road. Fergie’s Red Devils moved five points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table and maintained their unbeaten run from 23 games as they attempt to emulate the Gunners’ ‘Invincibles’ of 2003-04.

Dimitar Berbatov’s two goals at Blackpool saw him reach 20 for the season (4/6 Premiership Top Goalscorer), while last season’s lynchpin Wayne Rooney has not even got going so far this term.

Ferguson feels the England striker is due to come good at some point and if that does happen then it would be difficult to imagine anyone denying United their championship.

The return of the Champions League in February could take its toll on the United squad in the latter stages of the domestic campaign should they progress (United 13/2 Champions League Outright).

However, the same can be said of their title rivals and United have the strength in depth to cope.

Arsenal

Gunners chief Arsene Wenger has stressed that he wants his players to try and win every tournament they are involved in with the quadruple still on the cards.

No silverware has gone to the north Londoners since 2005’s FA Cup win, but that could be put right next month when they will contest the Carling Cup final at Wembley (Arsenal 1/4 Outright).

They face Huddersfield in the FA Cup this Sunday and also have the Champions League knockout stage to look forward to next month.

Arsenal’s young squad has suffered mentally under the pressure towards the end of recent seasons and that has resulted in their downfall.

However, success in the Carling Cup on February 27 could get the monkey off their back in terms of winning some silverware which could help them for the final two months of the league season.

The main problem for the Gunners is consistency – which they appear to have found of late with three 3-0 wins in their last four league games – as they will no doubt look back at costly home defeats to West Brom and Newcastle earlier in the season should they fall short again (Arsenal 13/5 Outright).

Manchester City

Roberto Mancini’s main remit for the season was to secure Champions League qualification for City (1/7 Top 4 Finish) and end the club’s long wait for some silverware.

However, as the campaign has progressed into 2011, many feel the men from Eastlands are still very much embroiled in a fight for the title (12/1 Outright) as they sit six points behind United, but having played one game more.

Inconsistency and a leaky defence is City’s main problem ‘ a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa and conceding three goals at home to Wolves recently highlights this perfectly.

However, City have always led from the front and the recent arrival of Bosnian hitman Edin Dzeko from Wolfsburg could be they key to them keeping the pressure on.

If Dzeko hits the ground running then he could add a few more points on the board, while the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Saturday February 12 could make or break their bid.

City’s other problem is their desperation to win a trophy could see them push too hard in the FA Cup and Europa League which might distract them from the bread and butter of the Premier League.

Chelsea

Chelsea’s shocking run of form in recent weeks looks to have put a spanner in their title ambitions (7/1 Premier League Outright) as they sit 10 points behind United and are in fourth spot.

However, following their spell of just one win in nine league games, Carlo Ancelotti’s men got back into the goals with a 7-0 thrashing of Championship side Ipswich in the FA Cup third round.

They have not looked back since with a 2-0 win against Blackburn at Stamford Bridge followed up by Monday’s 4-0 thumping of Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

Many observers are claiming the age of Chelsea’s key men is catching up with them this season.

However, to counter that you could say the reigning champions have the experience of what is required to win games when the nerves start to kick in during the run-in.

John Terry rightly pointed out that they still have Manchester United to play twice and, should they win both of those matches, the gap could be down to four points.

But, with the Champions League described by Frank Lampard described as the ‘Holy Grail’ for the west Londoners, it would be no surprise if they focused their attentions on success in Europe (Chelsea 9/2 Champions League Outright) this season and just ensure themselves a top-four spot in the Premier League.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Hearts to confirm title credentials

Posted on by
Reply

One or two surprises at the weekend saw Celtic open up a five-point gap at the top of the SPL table, while Hearts showed they were genuine title contenders and wouldn’t you know it – they have been thrown together by the fixture compiler this week. Here is a look at all five matches taking place on Wednesday…

Celtic v Hearts

The Hoops now enjoy a little cushion at the top of the table but have been less than convincing on occasions at Celtic Park this season, having lost the Old Firm clash before enduring successive draws against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Dundee United and Kilmarnock before Christmas.

Celtic were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw at Hamilton two weeks ago but have followed up with successive wins against Hibs away and Aberdeen at home to lie five points clear, albeit having played games more than the other title challengers.

Perhaps surprisingly there are more than one but Hearts proved at the weekend that they are still in the reckoning – at least at this stage – after beating Rangers 1-0 at Tynecastle last Saturday – and they lie in third place, seven points behind Wednesday’s opponents but having played a game less – meaning there is plenty at stake for both sides.

Hearts are unbeaten in the top-flight since October 31, when they lost 3-0 at home to Kilmarnock, and go into the match on an 11-match unbeaten away run.

Any game at Celtic is never going to be easy but 5/1 about an away win does offer some encouragement, although taking the 3/1 on the draw is the advice, given that Georgios Samaras and Daniel Majstorovic are ruled out for the hosts, while striker Kevin Kyle and Calum Elliot are struggling to make it for Hearts.

Hibernian v Rangers

It is another trip to Edinburgh for the champions as they look to bounce back from a surprise defeat to Hearts last weekend, but don’t expect lightning to strike twice in this one.

Rangers are of course now without the services of Kenny Miller, the club’s top scorer with 21 goals, following his move to Bursaspor but they should still have too much firepower for Hibs.

Defender Kirk Broadfoot remains on the sidelines for the Gers but he is the only concern and Hibs, who are second-bottom in the table, have not scored in five games and taken just one point from the last 18 available, will not be able to hold out.

An away win at 4/9 looks appealing given the difference between the two sides but backing Walter Smith’s men (-1) on the handicap at 21/20 is the way to go.

Inverness CT v Aberdeen

Inverness lie nine points clear of Aberdeen in the table but have played two games more and are in the middle of a dismal run of form, having picked up just two points from the last 18 available.

By contrast the Dons have started to pick up some points under Craig Brown and actually lie fifth in the form table, with 10 points accrued from the last six games.

There was no disgrace in losing 1-0 at Celtic on Saturday – a massive improvement following a 9-0 loss earlier in the season – and look good value at 2/1 to upset the home side (11/8).

St Johnstone v Motherwell

This looks a tough one to call with St Johnstone, having played a game less, looking to close the five-point gap on Motherwell, who ended an eight-game SPL winless streak with a 2-0 win over Hibs last time out.

The Saints have a fully-fit squad to choose from with Jamie Adams recovering from illness but the Steelmen may have regained confidence following the recent win – which was the first since they beat St Johnstone 4-0 at Fir Park in November.

It certainly has the prospect of being a tight battle and at 23/10, the prediction is an honourable draw.

St Mirren v Dundee United

St Mirren do not have the best of home records this season, with just two wins under their belt, but take on a Dundee United who are struggling to win on the road.

Both sides have a raft of injuries to contend with and the advice is to go with yet another Terrors draw on the road – they already have six from 10 games – at 9/4.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Dalglish eyeing Anfield comforts

Posted on by
Reply

There is just one Premier League match on Wednesday evening as Fulham travel to Anfield to take on a Liverpool side who are still looking to turn the corner this season.

Roy Hodgson’s appointment as manager promised much for the Reds fans but he was unable to make it work during his brief tenure and paid the price with his job.

Returning hero Kenny Dalglish’s reign hardly began in spectacular fashion either as a 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United and a loss to Blackpool next time out had the home faithful thinking ‘here we go again’ (Man Utd 4/1 favourites to win FA Cup).

But a Merseyside derby draw with Everton and 3-0 away win at Wolves have given the fans hope that Dalglish might just be able to work his magic once again and at least gain some respectability from the season.

Wednesday’s clash with Mark Hughes’ men will be far from straight forward, however, as the Cottagers are currently on a decent run and have taken 10 points from a possible 15, and they will fancy their chances of leaving the north west with something to show for their efforts (Fulham 5/1 to win, Liverpool 4/7).

Despite the revival, Fulham are far from safe with the bottom seven separated by just five points, although victory over Liverpool would move the west Londoners above their illustrious opponents.

Dalglish will, as ever, rely heavily on the striking talents of Fernando Torres, who seems to be ploughing a lone furrow up front at the moment until the possible arrival of Ajax’s Uruguay international striker Luis Suarez.

The Spaniard looks to be getting back to somewhere near his best but needs help up front although Raul Meireles has started to blossom into a real force in midfield and he has scored two goals in the past two games.

There is no doubt that Dalglish has revived the confidence and spirit at Anfield but that will only affect results for so long and it is improved performances and points that the legendary Scot is after, with his side still eight points adrift of sixth-place Sunderland and a possible return to the Europa League next term (Liverpool 13/2 to win Europa League).

Fulham made the final of that competition last season under Hodgson but have no chance of playing European football next season.

The transition from Hodgson to Hughes took some time to bear fruit but, despite the current upturn, the Cottagers are still just four points from the drop zone.

Clint Dempsey bagged a brace at the weekend and much will depend on whether he can gel with Andy Johnson in attack, with the latter still to find his scoring boots after such a long time out through injury over the past 18 months.

Pundits always believed that Hughes had the talent at his disposal to move the club away from danger and the return of key personnel has definitely had an influence on performances and results.

The outcome of the match will depend largely on which Liverpool side turns up but, with Dalglish looking for his first win back at his spiritual home and the crowd behind them, the hosts are tipped to win this one by a couple of goals – but they will have to work hard for it.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Top 5 Midweek Tips

Posted on by
Reply

There is plenty of sporting action to get your teeth into this week and here are the five best bets for those punters looking for a good value bet….

1 Villa to beat Wigan @ 11/8

Aston Villa are still well and truly in the Premier League relegation scrap, but their massive win over Manchester City may well kick-start their season. Darren Bent scored his first goal for the club on his debut at the weekend and his firepower should keep Villa moving in the right direction.

Wigan are possibly the most unpredictable team in the division, but a lack of goals could cost them against Gerard Houllier’s men and may ultimately cost them their place in the top flight.

2 Doncaster to win derby v Barnsley @ 20/21

These two South Yorkshire rivals meet at the Keepmoat on Tuesday and home advantage is likely to prove a crucial factor. Rovers have lost just twice at home this season and will be desperate to put back-to-back league losses behind them as quickly as possible.

Barnsley have lost their main attacking threat, Adam Hammill, and with just two wins on their travels may find themselves falling closer to the relegation zone.

3 New Zealand to defeat Pakistan @ 8/11

Having lost the Test series, the Black Caps are determined to turn the tide in the one-day series and already have a 1-0 lead going into Tuesday’s second ODI in Queenstown. The home side demolished the tourists by nine wickets in Wellington, bowling Pakistan out for just 124 in only 37.3 overs.

Tim Southee took five wickets in that match while Jessie Ryder smashed a half century, and New Zealand’s top order will have a key role to play in the second match.

4 Crewe to beat Bradford @ 10/11

Crewe have started to recapture their form in recent weeks and are now establishing a League Two promotion bid, following just two defeats in their last eight games. At home their form is particularly impressive, winning their last three at the Alexandra Stadium.

Bradford’s form has been patchy all season with just three wins on the road to date. Peter Taylor’s men are seventh from bottom and have lost their last three games.

5 Aberdeen to win at Inverness @ 2/1

Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Celtic was Aberdeen’s first in six matches since Craig Brown took charge – that run also includes two away wins at Hibs and Hamilton. That run of results has seen them move seven points clear of bottom sport in the SPL.

Inverness may be four places and nine points above the Dons, but their form has been better on the road than at the Caledonian Stadium. In fact, Terry Butcher’s men have won just two of their 11 home games.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Too much to ask for Town…

Posted on by
Reply

Ipswich head to the Emirates on Tuesday holding a narrow 1-0 lead over Arsenal in the Carling Cup semi following the first leg, but very few people are giving them a chance of making it to Wembley (Ipswich to win in 90 minutes – 20/1).

The Tractor Boys were well worth their win at Portman Road a fortnight ago as Tamas Priskin’s late goal (3/1 to score anytime in second leg) set up the tie perfectly for the return in north London this week but, despite their lead, it remains a tough ask for the Championship strugglers to make it to Wembley.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger rested some of his top stars in the first leg but still included the likes of Andrey Arshavin, Theo Walcott, Denilson and skipper Cesc Fabregas, while youngsters Keiran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere also started.

The Frenchman is expected to name a similar side in the second game as he looks for the same sort of performance from his side that they put on against Leeds in the FA Cup third-round replay last week.

That display, which secured a comfortable 3-1 win, was a marked improvement from the one  at Portman Road but confirms that if the Gunners approach the match in the right frame of mind there can surely be only one winner.

Saturday’s 3-0 win over Wigan in the league came courtesy of a Robin van Persie hat-trick but the Dutchman could well be rested against Paul Jewell’s side on Tuesday with the goalscoring responsibility likely to again rest with Niklas Bendtner, or even Carlos Vela who came on late in the first leg.

Jewell claims he has already picked his side for the game and is expected to play Priskin up front on his own as he plots what would be a famous triumph (Ipswich 40/1 to win on penalties).

The new Ipswich boss is, however, without Lee Martin who is cup-tied but midfielder Colin Healy is set to play despite a minor groin strain.

Town are aiming for their first appearance in a major final since the famous FA Cup Final win of 1978 – which came against Arsenal – but it’s going to take a mammoth effort from them to restrict the Gunners, who have hit nine goals in their last three games and managed 42 from just 16 matches at home in all competitions so far this term – an average of 2.6 per game.

Two on Tuesday would be enough but a more handsome win – take 4-0 to the Gunners at 8/1 for example – is likely to be a more astute correct score bet.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Forest eye automatic places

Posted on by
Reply

Nottingham Forest are looking to extend their six-game unbeaten run in the Championship when they take on Bristol City on Tuesday (Nottingham 4/7, draw 5/2, Bristol 21/5).

Forest have won their last four games in all competitions but it has not come easily for Billy Davies and his men.

Luke Chambers netted in the 89th minute to give his side a 2-1 win over Preston in the FA Cup which was followed by another 2-1 victory over Portsmouth the following week, thanks to two goals in the 87th and 94th minute.

Despite leaving things pretty late, Forest have been playing some of the best football in the Championship and, after having a slow start to their Championship campaign, they have now got themselves into a great position in the table.

The Reds currently sit in sixth but they could sneak into the automatic places if they win their games in hand over the teams above which include Leeds United, Swansea, Norwich and Cardiff.

Bristol City will have their work cut out as Forest will be full of confidence after beating local rivals Derby County last week, thanks to a late goal from Welsh striker Robert Earnshaw.

Notts should come out on top in this one, as they eye those automatic places and promotion back to the Premier League.

There is a juicy South Yorkshire derby as Doncaster Rovers host Barnsley in what should be an exciting encounter (Doncaster 10/11, draw 23/10, Barnsley 5/2).

Both teams play attractive, attacking football so there should be goals in this one. Barnsley played out a draw against high-flying Swansea on Saturday and were unlucky not to pick up all three points.

There were concerns that the Tykes would struggle without their star man Adam Hammill, who moved to Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Barnsley are an improved outfit from last season and they sit eight points clear of the relegation zone and find themselves looking upwards.

As for Doncaster, they have suffered a recent dip in form and have failed to win in their last five outings in all competitions.

Rovers will be determined to get their season back on track and in front of their home fans, against their local rivals, they may well just grab all three points.

In the other game from the Championship on Tuesday, Portsmouth take on Burnley at Fratton Park (Portsmouth 7/5, draw 11/5, Burnley 8/5).

Both these sides have enjoyed their time in the limelight of the Premier League but now it’s back to the toil of the Championship.

This should be a very close game as Burnley, who are still finding their feet under new boss Eddie Howe, have struggled to secure wins in recent weeks while Portsmouth  have failed to win in their last six so a draw looks a good option down on the south coast.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Can Seasiders halt United run?

Posted on by
Reply

Manchester United will aim to continue their superb unbeaten run in the Premier League when they take on Ian Holloway’s impressive Blackpool side on Tuesday evening (Man Utd to beat Blackpool – 4/11).

The seasiders will have to aim to keep a rampant United under lock and key as they will no doubt seek to come away with all three points.

Blackpool could not have chosen a tougher time to play the current Premier League Champions, who thrashed Birmingham 5-0 at the weekend.

Dimitar Berbatov has now scored three Premier League hat-tricks this season and currently has 18 league goals. (Berbatov to score a hat-trick vs Blackpool – 16/1)

However, Sir Alex Ferguson is still in three competitions with the FA Cup and Champions League on his mind he does have plenty of option to replace the Bulgarian, who he may wish to rest.

Berbatov’s team-mate John O’Shea, speaking after the demolition of Birmingham, said: “Some of the passes he was laying off for Wayne (Rooney) and Nani were great. We just have to supply him because nine times out of 10 he will score.”

Blackpool will still have the services of one of their star talents this season, Charlie Adam, having refused a £4million bid from Liverpool following their loss to Sunderland at the weekend.

Blackpool boss Holloway was less than impressed by the offer from the Anfield club, saying: “I was thinking Liverpool and Charlie. I thought fantastic what a great club for him to go to and then when I heard the bid I thought it was disgraceful.”

For the time being, Adam remains at Blackpool but come Tuesday night Manchester United will almost certainly extend their unbeaten run in the league and Holloway will have more than just transfer speculation to think about. Blackpool are just six points above the drop zone and need to start winning having picked up just three points from their last five league games.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Aston Villa travel to Wigan off the back of a 1-0 victory over big spenders Manchester City at the weekend.

£24million man Darren Bent will want to continue his dream start for Villa after scoring the winner on his debut at the weekend (Darren Bent to score first vs Wigan – 4/1f).

Villa are just three points above the drop zone but surely have too much class in their side to be relegated this season.

Bent, speaking after the City game, said: “People questioned why I joined this football club but look at the players around me.  Ashley Young, Gabby Agbonlahor, Mark Albrighton and Stewart Downing are all players that can create chances out of nothing and as a striker you want that kind of service.”

Wigan, who will be without defender Gary Caldwell following his red card against Arsenal, will want to make sure they don’t suffer back-to-back defeats after the 3-0 thrashing they endured at the Emirates over the weekend.

Roberto Martinez will be well aware of his side’s perilous position, currently in the drop zone, and his own position should results not take a turn for the better soon.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Blackburn, Baggies, Blues, Bolton

Posted on by
Reply

Bet on the Premier LeagueThere are only two games over Sunday and Monday in the Premier League but both ties should be interesting contests.

Blackburn host West Bromwich Albion at Ewood Park on Sunday as the Baggies look to go level on points with Rovers (Blackburn 6/5, draw 23/10, West Brom 23/10).

New Rovers signing Jermaine Jones is likely to make his debut for the club, having moved on loan from Budesliga side Schalke.

The American midfielder should give a lift to Blackburn in the middle of the park alongside David Dunn who returns from injury.

Rovers will still be without Australian midfielder Brett Emerton, who is away on international duty, whilst Youssuf Mulumbu and Graham Dorrans will miss the match for West Brom through injury.

The Baggies have not managed to win a game at Ewood Park in the last 20 years and were beaten 3-1 last time these two sides met back in December.

Blackburn, with Jones looking to get forward from midfield, will be a dangerous prospect and should win this one, with Roque Santa Cruz looking to get on the scoresheet for the first time since his return to Ewood Park.

Chelsea look like they have started to turn their fortunes around and they will want to make it three wins on the bounce when they travel to the Reebok Stadium to face Bolton on Monday (Bolton 9/2, draw 14/5, Chelsea 8/13).

The Blues will be hoping to have their captain John Terry fit for the clash in the North-West, as the former England captain is recovering from a minor back injury.

Frank Lampard is also a doubt for the defending Premier League champions with a calf strain.

These two players are vital for Chelsea and their absence could make a big difference as to who will get the three points from this one.

Bolton were unlucky not to get a point at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season when Didier Drogba was offside before Florent Malouda slotted the ball home to give the Blues a 1-0 win.

This is going to be a real test for Chelsea to see if they have put their poor Premier League form behind them.

If Lampard and Terry are absent on Monday then Bolton could make life very difficult for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who will be hoping to close the gap between themselves and the top of the table.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

City favourites in Europa League

Posted on by
Reply

Three British teams will be bidding to qualify for the next stage of the Europa League when the competition resumes next month. Manchester City, Rangers and Liverpool all play their first-legs of the Round of 32 during the week of February 14, with the reverse legs taking place a week later.

Rangers take on Sporting of Portugal at Ibrox in the first leg, with the two teams going into the ties with very different records behind them in Europe this season (Rangers 5/4 to qualify).

Sporting topped Group C in the Europa League, with four wins from their six games including an impressive 2-1 away win at Lille, who finished as the group’s other qualifiers. The Portuguese side scored 14 goals in the round as they won all their three home ties including a 5-1 thumping of Gent and a 5-0 win over Levski Sofia.

Sporting had a major blip in the play-off round when they lost their first leg 2-0 at home to Brondby and looked to be heading out. But they responded in style, winning 3-0 in the return in Denmark to go through.

Sporting sit third in the league thanks to four wins in their last six games, and have three in-form strikers. Helda Postiga and Carlos Saleiro have each scored four goals from nine games this season, while Yannick Djalo has three from 10.

Rangers’ lone success in Europe this season has come from a 1-0 home win over Bursaspor, though the only time they have been outclassed was in the 3-0 defeat to Valencia. They conceded just one goal over two games against Manchester United, so will come into the Europa League with some confidence (Rangers 66/1 to win Europa League).

Since their shock 2-0 defeat at home to Hibernian in November, Rangers have won five of their seven games, the only loss coming in the January 2 Old Firm game.

Manchester City will face a trip to Aris on February 15, with the Greeks having surprised many by pipping 2010 winners Atletico Madrid into the second qualification spot in Group B behind Bayer Leverkusen (City 1/8 to qualify).

Aris beat Atletico 1-0 at home and won the away game 3-2, so they deserved their place in the Round of 32. Fourth in the Greek Super League, Aris qualified by finishing fourth in last season’s play-offs.

The Thessaloniki-based side boast seven current internationals, including Christos Aravidis, Athanassios Prittas and Michaelis Sifakis of Greece and Toja of Colombia.

The Greeks have struggled for goals in their domestic league in the current season, but Croatian striker Danijel Cesarec has scored four in seven Europa League games.

City were level with Manchester neighbours United at the top of the Premier League going into this weekend’s fixtures, though having played two games more (City 4/1 favourites to win Europa League).

They will have few fears of going to Greece, having already won six Premier League games away from Eastlands and finished top of Group A in the last round.

City beat Lech Poznan 3-1 at home and Red Bull Salzburg 3-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium, and finished the group ahead of the Polish team on goal difference.

Roberto Mancini’s side have been second in the table for the past four weeks and went into this weekend’s games having won six of their last eight Premier League games.

Like City, Liverpool must start on the road when they go to Sparta Prague on February 17 (Liverpool 1/6 to qualify).

Sparta were a distant second to CSKA Moscow in Group F, losing just once but only winning two games. They beat Palermo 3-2 at home at Lausanne-Sport 3-1 away, but were well beaten 3-0 by the Russians in Moscow.

Sparta won the Gambrinus liga last season, as well as the Supercup, but are four points behind leaders Viktoria Plzen after the first 17 games of the current season.

Liverpool qualified for the Europa League by finishing seventh in the Premier League last season, but have been hugely disappointing in the first half of the current campaign and axed Roy Hodgson as manager earlier this month (Liverpool 13/2 to win Europa League).

The Liverpool supporters got their wish when legend Kenny Dalglish took over at the helm, but they will need to turn their season around quickly.

Liverpool completed a good 3-1 aggregate win over Trabzonspor in the play-off stage, having seen off Rabotnicki 4-0 in the qualifying round.

In the group stage, they finished top by three points over Napoli having been undefeated in their six games. They only conceded three goals in the round and enjoyed a 4-1 home win over Steaua Bucharest and beat Napoli 3-1 at Anfield.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Wolves out to pile on Reds agony

Posted on by
Reply

This weekend sees new signing Darren Bent make a possible debut for Aston Villa and Liverpool face a difficult away trip to take on Wolves in what promises to be another fascinating weekend of Premier League action.

Wolves v Liverpool (12.45)

Liverpool simply have to be opposed for what could be a very awkward assignment in the early Premier League game at Molineux against Wolves.

Second-from-bottom Wolves head into this crucial fixture on the back of a 5-0 thumping of Doncaster in the FA Cup and have influential club captains Karl Henry and Jody Craddock back in their ranks.

Wolves have five wins from 11 home games – including victories over Chelsea and Manchester City – against a side with eight defeats on the road already this season (the second-worst away record in the division) and missing Steven Gerrard.

Wolves have the momentum to take the three points and the 15/2 about the 1-0 correct score looks appealing.

Arsenal v Wigan

Arsenal are unbeaten in the Premier League since the end of November but defeats on home soil to West Brom and Newcastle make the 1/5 about an Emirates win unattractive.

They go into the match on the back of a gutsy away win in the FA Cup against Leeds so will have their tails up for the visit of the unpredictable Latics.

In-form France midfielder Samir Nasri is a realistic punt at 6/5 Anytime Goalscorer and Robin van Persie, wrapped in cotton wool at Elland Road before coming off the bench to score late on, offers value at 11/4 First Goalscorer if he gets the nod by manager Arsene Wenger.

Blackpool v Sunderland

A tumultuous week for Black Cats boss Steve Bruce could get worse on Saturday with this tricky trip to Bloomfield Road.

Bruce is still reeling from the loss of star striker Darren Bent to Aston Villa and has also lost Danny Wellbeck to injury in a week to forget, meaning he has just Asamoah Gyan to lead the line.

It is hard to pin down what affect Bent leaving will have on the Wearsiders and Blackpool – who have won three and drawn one of their last five at home, and beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last month – could take full advantage.

Blackpool can be backed at 6/4 to stick the knife in on a disenchanted Bruce or the 2-0 Correct Score is a generous 9/1.

Everton v West Ham

Not a fixture for the purists and the 1/2 quote about an Everton win looks skinny considering their best work has come away from home.

The Toffees have won just one of their last five at Goodison Park and West Ham have enough battling qualities to take a point here and the 0-0 correct score is available at 11/1.

True, West Ham’s away record is wretched – they have only won once in the league this season away from the Boleyn – but their resolve to beat the drop has been strengthened by recent controversies and Avram Grant may just fancy his chances.

Fulham v Stoke

Another head scratcher on the banks of the Thames from a betting viewpoint sees Stoke, who plan to sell Ricardo Fuller, arrive at Craven Cottage.

Draws have been killing the west Londoners and the 11/5 about another stalemate here offers the best value of the three outcomes.

Manchester United v Birmingham

Manchester United have looked imperious at Old Trafford this season and remain unbeaten on home soil without getting out of third gear.

West Brom remain the only team to have left M16 without nothing and even that came about because of a rare howler from Edwin van der Saar, so it is difficult to make a case for Birmingham on their travels.

A Goal in Both Halves is quoted at 1/2 and Man United-Man United is on offer at 8/15 in what looks like a one-sided book.

Dimitar Berbatov has scored 14 Premier League goals so far this season and the 3/1 price about the Bulgarian in the Enhanced First Goalscorer market may offer an alternative way in.

Newcastle v Tottenham

Newcastle have emerged as an unpredictable beast on home soil and handsome wins against the likes of Aston Villa, Sunderland and West Ham are offset by defeats against teams such as Blackpool, Blackburn and Stoke – not forgetting a scruffy draw with Wigan.

If pushed Tottenham should have enough for the north-east giants but, away from the outrights, Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale have each found the net on 11 occasions in all competitions from behind the main striker.

The scorecast of Bale and Tottenham 2-1 win is quoted at a whopping 50/1 for value hawks in what could be an open game.

Aston Villa v Manchester City (17.30)

Aston Villa went unbeaten in their first seven home games of the league season but have now lost three of the last four at Villa Park to slip into deep trouble at the wrong end of the Premier League table ahead of the clash with Manchester City.

The signing of Darren Bent offers some indication of the urgency for the Midlanders to scrap their way out of a relegation dogfight and they should just have enough to beat the drop.

City have won seven of their last 10 Premier League engagements and have to be considered as genuine title threats.

The 9/4 quote about City-City half-time full-time outcome is realistic and would have landed in six of their last seven wins (City have won nine out of nine when leading at half-time this term) and Villa have trailed at the break in five of their last six defeats.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.