Tag Archives: Blues

Wolves to give City the Blues

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Bet on the FA CupFollowing their goalless draw at St Andrew’s in their first FA Cup encounter earlier this month, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Birmingham City are set to do battle once again in the replay clash at Molineux on Wednesday night (Wolves 21/20, draw 12/5, Birmingham 13/5 – Match Betting).

It was a dreary match between the two West Midlands rivals on January 7, with very little action taking place until the dying moments when Wolves’ Matt Jarvis nearly clinched it for the Premier League outfit.

However, Blues keeper Colin Doyle was equal to the effort and both sides will now need another 90 minutes and maybe more to decide who will make the trip to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United in the FA Cup fourth round.

With Wolves in the midst of a Premier League relegation dogfight and Birmingham looking to use their games in hand to climb into the Championship play-off places, neither side would have wanted a replay in the cup.

But with this derby on the horizon both will be determined to get one over on their neighbours and it should be an open game at Molineux with both squads boasting attacking threats.

The Blues head into the game on the back of a 6-0 mauling of Millwall in Championship last weekend, with Marlon King (15/2 – First Goalscorer) bagging himself a brace against the Lions, who saw two men sent off.

King will be a threat for the Wolves defence alongside fellow striker Nikola Zigic but one man who has really caught the eye this season is the promising youngster Nathan Redmond.

The 17-year-old winger has been linked with a move to the English top flight, with a number of Premier League teams reportedly keeping tabs on the talented teenager.

Blues boss Chris Hughton has insisted the club are not interested in selling Redmond (9/2 -  To Score Anytime) in the January transfer window and why would they, considering his threat down the flanks and in front of goal?

Redmond bagged his second ever league goal in stoppage time against Millwall and would love to get on the score sheet against Wolves on Wednesday night to try to force his way in the starting XI in the future.

As for Wolves their priority will be to remain in the Premier League for next season but a win over their rivals this week would give fans something to cheer.

Steven Fletcher (4/1 – First Goalscorer) has been their main goalscoring threat this term with nine goals to his name in the Premier League.

Manager Mick McCarthy has relied on the Scotland international and he will cause the Blues problems if the Wolves boss decides to give him a run out, with another derby against Aston Villa taking place this weekend.

With Wolves showing great character in their 1-1 draw with high-flying Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, there seems to be a real spirit in the camp at Molineux.

Home advantage and that extra bit of quality in their ranks should give Wolves the edge in this one, but expect a far more open game than the drab affair at St Andrew’s.

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Blues hungry for Wolves test

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It is FA Cup third round weekend and Saturday throws up a whole host of interesting ties, but we will take a look at the trio of games which sees three Premier League sides running the risk of an early exit at the hands of Championship opposition.

BIRMINGHAM v WOLVES (12.30pm)

The early kick-off at St Andrew’s on Saturday see Chris Hughton’s Birmingham looking to take the scalp of their Midlands rivals and Premier League strugglers Wolves.

It would not be a major shock if the Blues did come out on top given that they lifted the Carling Cup and were amongst England’s elite last season before being relegated on the final day of the campaign in May.

Wolves escaped the drop courtesy of a better goal difference and have continued to struggle in the Premier League this season.

Therefore, the Blues will no doubt fancy their chances of some revenge here, as they welcome back fit-again duo Jordon Mutch and Liam Ridgewell, given that they are unbeaten in 11 games on home soil and have lost once in front of their own fans all season to date.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, who has not seen his side win in their last six league and cup games, could make several changes as his priority is Premier League survival.

Therefore, newcomers Emmanuel Frimpong and Eggert Jonsson may get a start, but Nenad Milijas is still missing as he will serve the third game of a three-match ban.

Wolves have only won away twice this term – in their opening two matches on the road at Blackburn and in the Carling Cup against Northampton – so Birmingham will feel they are there for the taking.

However, when the sides last met in the FA Cup in January 2009, it was Wolves who came out on top at St Andrews 2-0.

A tight game awaits, but with home advantage for Birmingham, we feel the Championship side could come out on top here.

Prediction: Home 90 Minutes @ 11/8
Value Bet: Marlon King 1st Goal Birmingham 2-1 Scorecast @ 35/1

NORWICH V BURNLEY (3pm)

Paul Lambert’s Canaries will be looking to take their good Premier League form into this cup clash against Eddie Howe’s Clarets, who have also been in decent form of late in the Championship.

However, Norwich have not got history on their side having only progressed past the third round once in the past eight seasons, with Leyton Orient coming out on top at Carrow Road 12 months ago.

Lambert is still without full-back Marc Tierney and on-loan Manchester United defender Ritchie De Laet due to respective injury problems, while loan man Kyle Naughton is ineligible.

But the chances are the City chief will hand several of his senior players the weekend off following a hectic festive fixture programme.

That could allow Burnley an opportunity to spring a surprise result as Howe is set to be without the banned full-back Kieran Trippier and injured defender Michael Duff for the trip to Norfolk.

The two sides have never met in the FA Cup before, but Burnley are unbeaten in their previous four league matches, while as for recent form, they have won six of their last eight Championship games so will be confident.

The game could hinge on how many changes Lambert elects to make as Burnley would be capable of winning the match if the Canaries are weakened too much.

But we will give him the benefit of the doubt when he said earlier in the week that he would be sending out an XI he feels can see them through to the fourth round draw.

Prediction: Home 90 Minutes @ 10/11
Value Bet: Burnley/Norwich HT /FT @ 25/1

WEST BROM V CARDIFF (3pm)

A cracking game lies in wait at the Hawthorns as an inconsistent West Brom side go up against Malky Mackay’s high-flying Championship side for the right to progress to FA Cup round four.

Roy Hodgson’s Baggies go into the game without a win or goal in their last three Premier League outings, while they will also be wary of the fact that they have crashed out of the FA Cup against Cardiff’s Championship rivals Reading in the previous two seasons.

Add to that an injury crisis for the hosts, with Chris Brunt, Zoltan Gera, Shane Long, Steven Reid, Jonas Olsson, Jerome Thomas, James Morrison and Youssouf Mulumbu all set to miss out, and Cardiff will be scenting an upset.

The 2008 finalists also have a good recent record against Albion with two wins and three draws in their last five encounters.

Mackay should be boosted by the return of Kevin McNaughton after a calf injury so Craig Conway might have to settle for a place on the bench along with Stephen McPhail and former West Brom striker Robert Earnshaw.

The only conundrum for Mackay is that his side have a Carling Cup semi-final first leg tie against Crystal Palace coming up on Tuesday and that could well affect his team selection plans for this tie.

It is difficult to choose between he two sides and, while neither side will want one, we can see a possible replay on the cards.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 11/4
Value Bet: 2-2 Correct Score @ 14/1

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City to suffer New Year blues

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After a busy Bank Holiday in the Premier League, there is no let up in the action as six teams do battle in matches on Tuesday that affect both ends of the table (totesport – Premier League).

Manchester City v Liverpool 8pm

As normal folk get back to the humdrum of regular life after the festive period, City fans may be more donwhearted than most after seeing their club’s star wane a little following a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland – in a game which they should not have lost.

Roberto Mancini’s men remain 8/11 favourites to land their first Premier League title despite suffering their second Premier League defeat of the season but they will be hugely disappointed after failing to capitalise on three of their rivals all failing to win over the weekend.

Both those recent defeats have come away from home and the Blues will be back on home territory for what is a massive clash against Liverpool, and they boast a 100 percent record at the Etihad Stadium having banged in 28 goals and conceding just four in nine games there.

That record and their early season form is reflected in the match betting as they are installed as 4/5 favourites, with the draw available at 13/5 and Liverpool at 7/2.

City though have a poor record against the Reds and a 3-0 victory in this fixture last year is their only success in 13 games, while the goals have suddenly dried up for the previously free-scoring league leaders – failing to score in their last two against West Brom and Sunderland.

Liverpool go into the fixture on the back of a confidence-boosting 3-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield on Friday in which talisman Steven Gerrard enjoyed a cameo that was enough to win the man of the match award.

The England midfielder marked only his second appearance since his return with the third goal and has to be worth a look in the goalscoring markets (10/1 First/Last Goalscorer, 11/4 Anytime), particularly having struck winners three times against City.

Luis Suarez is also available again after missing the win over Newcastle due to suspension and, with a good defensive record this season, it would be no surprise to see Liverpool – who held City to a 1-1 draw at Anfield earlier this season – become the first team to take something away from Eastlands.

Tottenham v West Brom 7.45pm

Spurs go into this match looking to make amends for a disappointing showing on Saturday at Swansea in a 1-1 draw, which failed to take advantage of the top two both losing over the weekend.

Harry Redknapp’s men are back on home territory where they have lost only once this season (5-1 to City) and are unsurprisingly 2/5 favourites to secure their seventh win at White Hart Lane, with the draw at 7/2 and West Brom at 15/2.

Scott Parker will be big miss though after he suffered a knee injury against the Swans to join Tom Huddlestone, Ledley King and Aaron Lennon on the sidelines, although the Baggies have injury problems of their own with Chris Brunt and Jonas Olsson set to miss the clash.

West Brom have been better on the road this season, picking up four wins away from the Hawthorns, but goals have been a problem and Spurs should have enough firepower to land the spoils.

Wigan v Sunderland 7.45pm

Wigan have picked up some impressive results of late, holding Chelsea and Liverpool to draws as well as coming from behind to take a share of the spoils against Stoke, despite being reduced to 10 men at the Britannia Stadium.

However, they still remain in the bottom three and take on a resurgent Sunderland side who appear to have turned a corner under the stewardship of Martin O’Neill, and have now pulled six points clear of the drop zone.

Recent form appears to have made this one tough to call with Latics on offer at 7/4, the draw at 9/4 and the Black Cats marginal favourites at 13/8.

Sunday’s shock win over City should instil the belief in Sunderland though that they can rise up the table and are fancied to take the points against a team which has just one home victory to its name.

O’Neill has shown the magic touch since his arrival, picking up three wins and a draw from five matches in charge – and he can improve that record against Wigan on Tuesday.

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Blues aim to bounce back

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Birmingham City narrowly crashed out of the Europa League in midweek and without the distraction of Europe they now look ahead to their Championship clash with Crystal Palace on Monday (Palace 17/10, draw 11/5, Birmingham 13/8).

Blues currently find themselves in 14th place in the table but a push for promotion this season is still a realistic target for the club, who have three games in hand over some teams in the league.

Without the Europa League to draw attention from their bread and butter games in the Championship, Blues must now make the most of those matches in hand if they want to make a swift return to the Premier League.

However, they face a tricky trip to the capital on Monday with Palace being tough to beat at Selhurst Park this season.

The Blues welcome back skipper Stephan Carr after he was rested for the 1-0 victory over NK Maribor, which was not enough to put the Championship side through to the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Birmingham boss Chris Hughton was impressed with the performance of youngster Nathan Redmond (16/1 first goalscorer) in the win over the Slovenian outfit and the teenage winger is pushing for a place in the starting XI on Monday.

As for Palace they will have to do without their talented teenager Wilfried Zaha, who is suspended following his fifth yellow card in the 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last weekend.

The Eagles don’t have a bad replacement in Darren Ambrose (5/2 to score anytime) who was an unused replacement in the victory at the City Ground and is one of the best players for Palace on his day.

Both Dekel Keinan and Dean Moxey are a doubt for the clash with the Blues as both defenders are struggling with injuries and manager Dougie Freedman will have some decisions to make as to who will fill in at the back.

After a strong start to the season, which saw Palace in the playoff places, the London outfit had started to slip down the table and it looked like the bubble had burst at Selhurst Park.

However, the win over Forest proved the Eagles are still capable of battling out a victory and they will be a tough proposition for Birmingham, who will be feeling the pressure to make the most of those crucial games in hand.

The Blues have plenty of quality in attacking positions with the likes of Chris Burke and Nikola Zigic (7/1 first goalscorer) set to cause a weakened Palace defence problems.

Considering their decent away results in all competitions, the Blues might just have enough in their squad to get all three points at Selhurst Park but expect a closely-fought contest in the capital.

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Barmby set for Blues battle

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barmby smallHull City caretaker manager Nick Barmby claimed his first home win on Saturday since taking charge of the Tigers and will now be looking to get another good result in midweek when promotion hopefuls Birmingham City visit (Hull 11/8, draw 9/4, Birmingham 2/1 – match betting).

The former midfielder has thrust himself into the managerial arena following the departure of Nigel Pearson from the KC Stadium to Leicester City (14/1 Championship outright).

And it was against the Foxes that Barmby secured a memorable win on Saturday, with Slovenia skipper Robert Koren bagging a late winner to give his side all three points in a 2-1 win.

It was a big win for the Humberside outfit, who were looking to avoid a third straight defeat, in what yet again is a closely-contested Championship this season.

Now Barmby will have his eyes firmly set on another home clash against Blues, who seem to be struggling to balance their Europa League and the domestic duties this term.

Manager Chris Hughton and his side were desperately unlucky not to secure at least a point in their last outing in Europe against Braga, with only a deflected goal being the difference between the two sides in Portugal.

Birmingham followed that up with a 1-0 defeat at Cardiff City at the weekend and they will have to start questioning where their priorities are this term.

Hughton’s men have three games in hand over some teams above them in the Championship and are still well in the promotion chase this season, as they hope to make a swift return to the top flight.

However, they are going to have to start winning games like this one on Wednesday night at the KC Stadium, which has proved a tough destination for teams to go in the past.

The Tigers (33/1 Championship outright) remain just two points off the play-off places themselves and, with the likes of Koren and the talented Matty Fryatt in their ranks, they should give Hughton plenty to think about.

As for the Blues (25/1 Championship outright), they have only managed one win in their last six outings in the Championship, with the Europa League clearly distracting the West Midlands outfit.

They too have dangermen in their side, with Chris Burke and Wade Elliott causing problems for teams out wide as they try to provide the service for the likes of Chris Wood, who scored nine goals in eight games earlier in the season.

However, after their win over Leicester and with Barmby still enjoying his honeymoon period at the KC, a travel-weary Birmingham are unlikely to get anything from this game on Wednesday.

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Blues to make point in Cardiff

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Cardiff host Birmingham City on Sunday looking to consolidate their position in the Championship play-off zone. The two clubs experienced differing fortunes in midweek as we take a look at who might come out on top this weekend (Cardiff Evens, Birmingham 13/5, draw 5/2 Match Prices).

Cardiff’s 2-0 victory over Premier League strugglers Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night has put them into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup for the first time since 1966 and they will face Crystal Palace for a place at Wembley.

Although a trip to north London would be a fantastic occasion for the Welsh club, boss Malky Mackay would surely trade that one day of glory for a season or two in the English top-flight after the club’s recent near misses.

Cardiff will head into Sunday’s clash with high hopes of taking the spoils as they have won four of their past five Championship games, with just a draw away at Coventry on November 22 preventing a clean sweep in recent times.

Home form has been solid with six wins, two draws and just one defeat at the Cardiff City Stadium and they have averaged two goals per game on their own patch.

But they have also conceded 10, and that will give Blues hope that they can add to the 12 goals that they have scored on their travels this term.

History is not on the hosts’ side as Cardiff have won only one of their last 16 league and cup matches against the midlanders and that was back in 2006.

But they are the in-form team of the pair and have rightly been installed as favourites.

Mark Hudson and Rudy Gestede could return to the squad after recovering from hamstring injuries but may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Birmingham may well be in mid-table at present but they have ‘owned’ Cardiff away from home in recent times, with six wins from their last seven league visits to the Welsh capital.

Birmingham have picked up five points from their past three games and have avoided defeat in nine of their last 10 league games and so it could well be a tight affair on Sunday.

Stephen Carr has a sore knee while Liam Ridgewell has a thigh problem and both face late fitness tests ahead of the clash, with boss Chris Hughton keen to have both available to play some part in proceedings.

It is obvious that Birmingham are are stronger unit at St Andrew’s as they have yet to be beaten at home but they managed a creditable 2-2 draw away at Blackpool last time out and will look to build on that.

Their midweek defeat to Braga in the Europa League has left qualification out of their hands and it would probably aid their promotion push if they did crash out of that competition (Birmingham 150/1 Europa League Outright).

The Championship table is tight and it looks like it will a tough race for play-off places this term and it would surprise nobody if Birmingham were right in the mix during the run-in to the end of the season.

Victory on Sunday would be a great boost but this one looks like it could be a draw with Cardiff flying at present.

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Blues to make a point on Tyneside

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There are seven Premier League matches on Saturday with league leaders Manchester City likely to secure three points against Norwich at the Etihad Stadium, but the stand-out games in our treble sees the under-fire Andre Villas-Boas take his Chelsea side to Newcastle, rock-bottom Blackburn host Swansea and Manchester United travel to Aston Villa.

NEWCASTLE V CHELSEA (12.45pm)

It is set to be an emotional afternoon on Tyneside as the Magpies play their first game since the sad and untimely death of former midfielder Gary Speed.

And, while the club’s planned tribute has been put back until the visit of Swansea on December 17 at the request of Speed’s widow Louise, there will still be a highly-charged atmosphere at St James’ Park with a 50,000-plus sell-out crowd guaranteed earlier in the week.

On paper it is possibly the last place Villas-Boas will want to take his embattled Chelsea side following a dismal run of form which has raised question marks over his future at Stamford Bridge only a few months after he replaced Carlo Ancelotti.

The Blues have lost five of their last nine games in all competitions, although they did thrash Wolves 3-0 at home in the league last weekend to remain 10 points behind leaders Manchester City.

Villas-Boas, who will have his skipper John Terry back from suspension for the game, will be encouraged by Chelsea’s good form against Newcastle as they have gone eight games unbeaten against them stretching back to May 2006.

However, Alan Pardew will feel it is the right time for his Newcastle side to take maximum points off the Londoners, despite again being without injured midfield talisman Cheick Tiote.

A point at Manchester United last Saturday means the Magpies have lost only once in 16 Premier League games and they are also formidable at home with just one defeat in front of their own fans so far in 2011.

A close game is in store and with the two sides sharing the spoils in both league fixtures last season, we expect that trend to continue on Saturday.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 12/5
Value Bet: Ba 1st Goal 1-1 Scorecast @ 33/1

BLACKBURN V SWANSEA (3pm)

A game of massive importance for Steve Kean’s Blackburn at the wrong end of the Premier League sees Swansea arrive at Ewood Park on Saturday.

The Rovers boss has pin-pointed this game as his side’s ‘Cup Final’ following their Carling Cup exit at the hands of Swansea’s South Wales neighbours Cardiff on Tuesday as he bids to drag the team off the foot of the Premier League.

Kean opted to keep defensive trio Christopher Samba, Martin Olsson and Michel Salgado fresh for the game following their recovery from respective hamstring problems and he will no doubt hope they can make the difference.

Rovers, who are four points adrift of safety, have only won one game in 13 league outings to date; they have lost their last three games at Ewood Park and have gone 16 games without keeping a clean sheet.

However, Kean can take heart from the fact that Brendan Rodgers’ side arrives with the worst away record in the Premier League, with just two points from a possible 18, while they have failed to score in their last three winless games.

Striker Danny Graham and full-back Angel Rangel are notable absentees as the Swans aim for a first win at Ewood Park since September 1971.

Rovers have won 13 of the 16 previous home games against Swansea, who have remained unbeaten against teams in the bottom-half of the Premier League this term.

There are pros and cons for both sides which makes it difficult to pick anything between them.

However, we’ll give Kean the benefit of the doubt to rally his troops to pull out a result in what he has virtually admitted is a must-win encounter – but don’t expect it to be pretty!

Prediction: Home Win 90 Minutes @ 6/5
Value Bet: Yakubu 1st Goal 1-0 Blackburn Scorecast @ 25/1

ASTON VILLA V MAN UNITED (5.20pm)

The late Premier League game is historically an away-day banker for Sir Alex Ferguson’s United at Villa Park, where they have not lost since the opening day of the 1995-96 season.

However, the Red Devils go into this latest game on the back of some suspect results at Old Trafford with draws against Benfica and Newcastle followed up by Wednesday’s shock 2-1 Carling Cup exit at the hands of Crystal Palace.

United fans will argue that the team which was defeated by the Eagles contained 10 changes, but the first-choice players have hardly been firing on all cylinders despite them suffering only one defeat in 16 league games.

They have scored just one goal in each of their last six league games, while Wayne Rooney (7/2 First /Last Goalscorer) has not found the target in the last seven.

Villa boss Alex McLeish will look to put one over on his former Aberdeen manager and improve a league record of just one win in 29 matches against United.

However, his side are not in the greatest form going into the match with just five points taken from their last six outings.

Skipper Stiliyan Petrov is set to return to the midfield engine room, whilst McLeish will hope Darren Bent (7/4 Anytime Goalscorer) can add to the five goals he has scored at Villa Park so far this season.

The last three games at Villa have ended in draws, but we fancy United to nick the three points given that the match kicks off later and they will have the incentive of trying to stay within five points of neighbours Manchester City who are well fancied at 2/11 with Totesport to defeat Norwich in the 3pm kick-off.

Prediction: Away Win 90 Minutes @ 8/11
Value Bet: Man United To Win 2-1 Correct Score @ 6/1

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Blues lead Championship treble

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The Championship returns after the international break and teams will continue to jostle for position  in an extremely tight league. Just 12 points seperate the last team in the play-off spots and the side third from bottom, with the unpredictable division offering the punter some big-price winners. Here’s our Saturday home treble selection…

Birmingham v Peterborough (3pm)

Blues have done remarkably well to find themselves in mid-table at this stage, bearing in mind their hectic fixture schedule and the loss of several key players. Chris Hughton continues to work wonders with limited resources and Birmingham sit just four points outside the play-offs, with three games in hand on most of their rivals.

An international break will have helped Blues and they look a decent bet to maintain their unbeaten home record, with four wins and two draws in their six league games at St Andrew’s.

The Posh have scored plenty of goals so far this term, but they are also conceding plenty – 29 goals makes them the leakiest defence in the Championship.

Suggested Bet: Birmingham to win @ 4/5

Middlesbrough v Blackpool (3pm)

Boro have shown they have to be considered as real promotion candidates this season and their fine start is down to a solid run of home displays. Tony Mowbray’s men are yet to lose at the Riverside in the league and have conceded just 10 goals in eight home matches.

Boro have responded well to a 3-0 drubbing at leaders Southampton at the end of last month and a win on Saturday will make it three victories on the bounce, and could see them move into the top two.

Blackpool are dangerous opponents but their away form will be a concern to Ian Holloway. Apart from their freak 5-0 success at Leeds, their only other away win came in the opening game at Hull.

Suggested Bet: Draw HT/Boro FT @ 7/2

Reading v Cardiff (3pm)

Many will be surprised to see the Royals in the bottom half of the table at this stage of the campaign, but they do look like a team on the up. Having lost out in the play-off final last term, Brian McDermott’s men have suffered an early-season hangover, as well as losing some key players.

Reading have picked up in recent weeks and have lost just one of their last 10 games, and that was a narrow defeat at Nottingham Forest. The Royals have shored up at the back, conceding just once in their last three games, and in striker Adam Le Fondre have found a real bargain.

Cardiff themselves are on a good run – five games unbeaten – and are up into the top four in the table. But the Bluebirds have won just two away from home and could be facing Reading at the wrong time.

Suggested Bet: Le Fondre to score at anytime @ 3/2

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Leeds could suffer Blues

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Punters should get Birmingham City onside to continue their good run of form when they entertain Leeds United in the Championship on Wednesday (Birmingham City 11/8, draw 12/5, Leeds United 15/8 – match prices).

A sluggish start to the season has been quickly forgotten about and a run of five wins in all competitions means it is something of a surprise to see Blues trading at favourable odds to pick up maximum points against Simon Grayson’s fellow Premier League promotion hopefuls (16/1 Leeds – Championship Outright).

Chris Hughton’s side showed guts when coming from behind to beat Maribor before collecting back-to-back Championship wins against Nottingham Forest and Leicester City.

Again, they turned defeat around when beating FC Bruges in their own back yard and a double from the in-form Chris Burke yielded another three points from an awkward assignment against basement dwellers Bristol City at the weekend.

Blues have only conceded one goal at St Andrew’s in the Championship in four games so far but will be given a stern test by the potent attacking threat of Leeds.

The West Yorkshire side have scored 13 goals in six Championship away games so far this season but needed a 96th-minute winner to see off 10-man Peterborough at the weekend.

The burning issue for Grayson has to be tightening up his defence on the road – the Whites have conceded 12 goals – because any shortcomings could be exposed by a Birmingham side seemingly adept at retaining possession.

Blues have won all four previous meeting between these two sides at St Andrew’s since the turn of the century – the most recent 2-0 – and should not be dismissed lightly to make it six consecutive wins in all competitions.

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Blues can turn up the heat

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It’s getting to that do-or-die stage of the Premier League season and there is plenty to play for in all six matches on Saturday. The big game of the day sees two London rivals go head-to-head at Stamford Bridge, with connotations for the title race and the battle for Europe.

Chelsea v Tottenham (5:30pm)

Who would have though some six weeks ago that Chelsea could still retain their Premier League title? But four wins on the bounce have offered hope to Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who can cut the gap on Manchester United to three points with a win.
The stats would suggest a home win, with Spurs failing to win at Stamford Bridge since 1990 and stuttering in the league of late. Harry Redknapp’s men have won just one of their last seven league games and will head to west London with confidence dented.
Although Chelsea have midfield issues, with fitness concerns over Michael Essien and Ramires, their rediscovered potency should see them through. Goals are also likely in the evening fixture, with the last 0-0 draw between the sides coming back in 2004.

Match Bet – Chelsea -1 on handicap @ 6/5

Blackburn v Bolton (3pm)

This Lancashire derby will have a huge bearing on whether Rovers survive in the Premier League, but a lack of goals could well prove Blackburn’s downfall once again. Steve Kean’s men have scored just one goal in their last four matches and their leading league scorer – Nikola Kalinic – has just five goals to his name.
Bolton’s recent form has been patchy since their FA Cup humiliation to Stoke, but although they have nothing to play, Wanderers should raise their game for this feisty derby clash.
Rovers will welcome back Steven Nzonzi after suspension, while Bolton will give a late test to on loan striker Daniel Sturridge.
Match Bet – Draw @ 12/5.

Blackpool v Stoke (3pm)

This looks like a must win game for the home side and Blackpool will be buoyed by Stoke’s recent hectic schedule and ever growing injury list.
Ian Holloway’s men have not won since February 22, a run which has seen them slip to just one point outside the drop zone. They played much better against Newcastle last weekend though, and the return of holding midfielder Keith Southern looks to have made them more solid.
Despite what they say, Stoke will have one eye on the FA Cup final now they are safe from the drop. Without injured trio Matthew Etherington, Ricardo Fuller and Danny Higginbotham, the Potters squad looks weaker.
Match Bet – Both teams to score @ 8/13.

Wigan v Everton

Roberto Martinez has targeted six points from Wigan’s last two home games and knows thew importance of this clash for Latics’ season. The home team will have to be at their best though to see of an Everton team in fine form.
Last week’s defeat at Manchester United ended a seven-game unbeaten run in the league for David Moyes’ men and they have won on three of their last four visits to the DW Stadium.
Wigan are boosted by the return of Maynor Figueroa from suspension and they hope Hugo Rodallega can break down a solid Everton backline, which kept a clean sheet when the two teams drew 0-0 at Goodison back in December.

Match Bet – Rodallega to score at anytime @ 13/8.

Sunderland v Fulham (3pm)

These two teams can still go down, but it would take an unlikely turn of events from them to fall out of the top flight this season. Two former Manchester United team-mates will be in opposite dugouts and they could settle for a share of the spoils.

The Black Cats are without Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck through injury and their lack of firepower is a concern. Fulham though have only won once on Wearside since 1975 – a 0-3 success in 2003.

Match Bet – Under 2.5 goals @ 8/13.

West Brom v Aston Villa (3pm)

This Midlands derby looked like it would have had a major bearing on the relegation zone just a month ago, but since then both teams look to have saved their seasons.

A run of one defeat in nine games has seen the Baggies reach 40 points under Roy Hodgson, while Villa have picked up two wins and two draws in their last four games.

West Brom have not beaten Villa home or away since 1985 – a run that spans 17 matches – but Saturday could see the end of that statistic.

Match Bet – West Brom to win @ 6/5.

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