Premier League game week 23 is wrapped up on Wednesday but a number of trappy fixtures could make for a difficult night for punters – here’s some potential clues about winning bets.
Aston Villa have not won at home in the Premier League since a 3-2 victory against Norwich City on November 5 last year, so look a tad short at 5/6 (draw 13/5 QPR 7/2 – match prices) to take maximum points off newcomers QPR on Wednesday.
Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Swansea have all returned from Villa Park with a win in recent weeks, while Everton grabbed a 1-1 draw, and the manner in which they collapsed against the Gunners in the FA Cup has to be of concern to manager Alex McLeish.
Mark Hughes has shown signs of turning the Rangers dressing-room around and could be bolstered by the arrival of a number of new signings for the trip.
The Welshman must improve on a wretched run of away results which has yielded just three wins in the Premier League but, at 5/6 +1 in the match handicap, the west Londoners could sneak a point, while the under 2.5 goals market at 8/11 seems a fair recommendation.
Blackburn Rovers will be looking to continue their fight against relegation with the visit of Newcastle United on Wednesday.
The Ewood Park outfit have only lost once in the Premier League since Boxing Day but recent defeats to West Brom, Bolton and Stoke on home soil has undermined their efforts to consolidate their top-flight status. The hosts have also yet to be involved in a goalless draw in the top flight this season.
Demba Ba, Cheik Tiote and new signing Papiss Cisse remain on African Cup of Nations duty, meaning Newcastle have to be blunted as an attacking force.
The visitors have only managed to win one of their last six away matches, a 2-0 win over Bolton, while Rovers forward David Goodwillie has found the back of the net in his last two appearances and can be backed at 2/1 (Anytime Scorer).
Bolton look a big price (4/1, draw 11/4 Arsenal 8/11 – match prices) to carry on where they left off at home against Liverpool by beating Arsenal at the Reebok.
Owen Coyle has no new injury concerns for the visit of the north Londoners but must arrest a wretched run against the Gunners of just one win in the last 10 meetings between the two sides in the top flight.
Robin van Persie has scored 20 goals in his last 20 Premier League away appearances and it would be folly to ignore the Dutch goal-getter at 5/2 (First Goalscorer).
Arsenal have conceded the most goals away from home in the Premier League (25) and, with concerns again in defence, the over 2.5 goals market is priced accordingly at 8/13.
Fulham continue to put in their best performances at Craven Cottage but the visit of improved travellers West Brom could prove an arm wrestle.
Liverpool, Bolton Arsenal and Newcastle United have all left west London empty-handed in recent weeks and the improved form of Clint Dempsey – the American has scored five in five at home – means at 13/8 (Anytime Scorer) he has to be a consideration.
The Baggies have improved markedly away from the Hawthorns – losing only 1-0 to Tottenham in just one defeat in five in the top flight – but the Cottagers have conceded just once and scored 15 goals in their last five home matches against Wednesday’s opponents.
A difficult fixture to make a call so play safe and take the draw at 13/5.
Another difficult betting proposition sees Sunderland entertain newcomers Norwich City at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats continue to make progress under Martin O ‘Neill and have only lost twice since the Northern Irishman’s arrival on Wearside, but the Canaries are flying high since the turn of the year and have not lost in five in all competitions – scoring 10 goals in the process.
Norwich are unbeaten in four on the road in the Premier League and appeal at evens +1 in the match handicap.
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