Tag Archives: League

Premier League value bets

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With pre-season well underway and the transfer market continuing to build towards an exciting crescendo it’s time to begin looking at the best bets for the Premier League season.

For all those putting their mortgage on Manchester United to win the title again, or Swansea to be relegated, it might be time to think outside the box for those bets  which offer better value for money.

Manchester City to be crowned champions

Three years ago, when it looked like City might go belly up after being left high and dry by Thaksin Shinawatra, it was impossible to imagine they might one day challenge for the Premier League title.

However, nearly a billion pounds later and City are in the Champions League and have ended their long wait for silverware by winning the FA Cup.

Sheikh Mansour’s vision for the blue half of Manchester is starting to materialise and in Roberto Mancini the club have a manager who might divide opinion but will normally get the job done.

In 2005 we watched the money Roman Abramovich had poured into Chelsea come good as they lifted the first of three Premier League crowns.

It stands to reason then that before too long the club with the most money will eventually buy the title.

City are 4/1 to do just that next season, a decent price for a team which continues to improve year-on-year.

Of course, local rivals United (7/4) will have a big say in the destination of the title but having brought in youth this summer it might be a season of transition for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

Could the blue moon finally rise for Mancini & co?

Javier Hernandez to secure the golden boot

This Mexican speedster caught us all by surprise last season when he burst on to the scene at Old Trafford, scoring 20 goals in 45 appearances for the Red Devils.

His ability to score when United needed it most earned him comparisons with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a man who knew a thing or two about goalscoring.

Hernandez’s performances look as though they have cemented him a place in the United team, alongside Wayne Rooney, and you’d expect him to be one of the first names on Sir Alex Ferguson’s team sheet next season.

Hernandez is 17/2 to be the top goalscorer in the Premier League next season, a very appealing price when you consider the amount of ammunition he is going to receive from the likes Ashley Young, Nani and Antonio Valencia.

Rooney and wantaway Carlos Tevez are the 8/1 favourites.

Sunderland to the league’s next best

A look at totesport’s Premier League market without the top six makes for some interesting reading for value hunters.

As most people will predict Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool will probably make up the top six we are looking for the next best team.

Sunderland are 6/1 to finish seventh effectively, a great price when you think Steve Bruce has kept the majority of his squad together from last season, while adding some quality in David Vaughan, Craig Gardner and Connor Wickham.

The Black Cats threatened to finish in a European spot last season before tailing off due to a crippling injury crisis. Having added some strength in depth Sunderland could get the better of the likes of Everton (13/8) and Aston Villa (7/2).

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Premier League hot properties

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Bet on the Premier LeagueThe transfer market is slowly starting to pick up pace with a number of the Premier League’s top players linked with moves this summer.

One player who is drawing plenty of headlines is Arsenal (7/1 Premier League 2011/2012 outright) playmaker Samir Nasri, who is clearly not happy with the lack of silverware the Gunners have been able to win since his arrival from Marseille.

The talented Frenchman has been linked with a move to the North West with both Manchester City and Manchester United after the 24-year-old.

United (13/8 Premier League 2011/2012 outright) are looking to fill the void left by Paul Scholes, after the midfield general hung up his boots at the end of last season, whilst City are looking to add to their wealth of riches in the middle of the park.

Chelsea have thrown their name into the hat but may have played it too late to sign the French international, with Nasri likely to move to one of the Manchester giants.

An English international who is attracting the attention of the Premier League’s top clubs is Aston Villa’s Stewart Downing.

Every summer the winger is linked with a move to one of the top four, but this summer could be Downing’s last at Villa Park with Liverpool and now Arsenal keen on acquiring the player’s services.

Villa have already turned down a £15m bid for the midfielder but it won’t be long before either the Reds or the Gunners produce a higher bid.

Wigan Athletic’s hot property Charles N’Zogbia will leave the Lancashire outfit if he does not agree a new contract with the club in the coming weeks.

The Frenchman has also been linked with Liverpool, who are desperate to acquire wide players to provide decent balls for frontmen Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

N’Zogbia was one of the main reasons why the Latics (17/10 Premier League 2011/2012 relegation) avoided the drop to the Championship last season, but the 25-year-old is likely to leave the club either this summer or in January, with just one year remaining on his current deal.

Luka Modric has been in the midst of much discussion, as United and Chelsea (5/2 Premier League 2011/2012 outright) have been strongly linked with the Tottenham Hotpsur creative midfielder.

The Blues have already has a £22m deal for the Croatian midfielder turned down, as Spurs are adamant the player will not be leaving White Hart Lane this summer.

But with a player who reportedly wants to leave the north London club and Tottenham looking to fund a brand new stadium, will they be able to say no if a monumental offer comes in?

City skipper Carlos Tevez has once again declared he wants to leave the club this summer as he continues to be dogged by homesickness.

It’s highly unlikely to think another Premier League club would make a bid for the Argentina striker, but the two Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are likely suitors for the former United star.

These Premier League stars are likely to be part of what is set to be a busy transfer window, with clubs desperate to finish as high as possible in the much anticipated upcoming season in England’s top flight.

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Premier League transfer blitz

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Despite the fact we are not even half-way through June, several Premier League clubs have been active in the transfer market already, as preparations for the new season gather pace. We look at some of the deals done so far, assess what impact they might have, and also predict who else is likely to be moving around this summer, in what is set to be another busy close-season.

If the first few weeks of the summer are anything to go by, then Liverpool look set to be among the busiest of all the top-flight clubs in the transfer window with Jordan Henderson already signed and sealed from Sunderland and plenty more tipped to follow him.

Director of football Damien Comolli has confirmed the Reds have several more top targets with Connor Wickham, Stewart Downing, Charles N’Zogbia, Charlie Adam, Jose Enrique and Gael Clichy all said to be among them.

Henderson’s arrival sends out a warning message to the rest of the league that Liverpool (10/1 to win 2011-12 Premier League) are aiming to spend big on top, young English talent and, while his signing does represent a risk, after just one full season in the top flight, there is no doubt that the 20-year-old is a fine prospect and the sort of player the Merseysiders need to turn them from top-four contenders to real title challengers.

If Comolli and Kenny Dalglish can succeed in signing Wickham, either Downing or N’Zogbia, one from Clichy and Enrique, a centre-back and back-up keeper, then Liverpool will surely challenge the likes of Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal for a place in the top four in the new campaign.

Their spending is unlikely to be matched by Spurs (40/1) but Harry Redknapp is also on the lookout for new players and he has already landed Brad Friedel from Aston Villa on a free, as he looks for a reliable number one following inconsistent displays from Heurelho Gomes.

Luka Modric has been tipped to leave White Hart Lane, but Redknapp remains adamant he is not selling his top midfielder and he will hope to add more talent to his squad rather than getting rid of it.

Arsenal (7/1 Title odds) are also in dire need of strengthening if they are to sustain a title challenge next season, but of more pressing concern for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is trying to keep Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas and Clichy, who are all thought to be mulling over offers from elsewhere following another trophy-less season.

Manchester United (13/8f to win 2011-12 Premier League) have already agreed a deal to sign Phil Jones from Blackburn, while the capture of Ashley Young from Villa appears a near certainty as well.

Sir Alex Ferguson spoke in the wake of the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona that he needs more quality to take his side to the next level and Young and Jones are certainly a step in that direction. Modric and Wesley Sneijder have also been mentioned as possible signings for the champions, while expect Fergie to unearth at least another up-and-coming prospect from somewhere over the summer.

In terms of other ‘done deals’, new-boys Swansea have landed Danny Graham for £3.5million and Newcastle have agreed to sign Yohan Cabaye, but the real movement in the transfer market is still to come.

Expect plenty of comings-and-goings at super-rich Manchester City (10/3 – Premier League Outright) and Chelsea (5/2) as they tweak their squads for the new season while the likes of Villa, Newcastle and newly-promoted QPR have money to spend as well.

So, while a few major deals have already been completed the real transfer action is still to come. One thing is for sure, there is likely to be plenty ahead of the season kicking off again in August.

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Boro can edge League Two finale

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The League Two season comes to a climax at Old Trafford as Stevenage and Torquay battle for promotion in the play-off final. It is a battle of two over-achieving teams and here is our guide to Saturday’s game.

Stevenage (6/4 to win) have had an incredible first season in the Football League and back-to-back promotions would be some achievement for their ambitious boss Graham Westley.

If you look back to January they sat 18th in the League Two and it has been some turnaround since then. A run of nine wins in 11 games catapulted them up the league as they timed their run to perfection and secured a sixth-placed finish.

Boro then won both legs against Accrington Stanley and looked assured in both games – though Stanley were reduced to nine men in the second half to make life a little easier for Stevenage as they were leading the tie 2-0 on aggregate by that point.

Substitute Chris Beardsley (7/1 to be first goalscorer at Old Trafford) got the only goal of the second leg to continue Boro’s impressive recent form and make it 11 wins from 13 games over recent months.

Torquay (13/8 to win the game) were many people’s picks to be relegated before the start of the season so it is a major shock to see them 90 minutes away from playing League One football come September.

Paul Buckle worked wonders to get the Gulls into the play-offs, as they sneaked in by the skin of their necks on goal difference on the final day of the season. A failure to win in their final five league games and a one-point deduction for errors with Jake Robinson’s registration threatened to ruin their play-off chances but they sneaked in.

Even then they were not given much chance against a Shrewsbury side that finished 11 points ahead of them in the table and were very unlucky not to go up automatically – themselves only missing out in the final game.

Goals from Chris Zebroski (11/2 to score the first goal) and Eunan O’Kane gave Torquay an advantage at Plainmoor and then a second-leg stalemate secured a long trip to Old Trafford for their most famous fan, Soccer AM’s Helen Chamberlain, and the rest of the Gulls’ West Country faithful.

It is a clash of two of the most respected managers in League Two at Old Trafford as both Westley and Buckle have achieved big things on tiny budgets this season. Both bosses have led their respective sides out of the Blue Square Premier in recent years and you have to wonder if League One might be a step too far for both Stevenage and Torquay.

The records show that Stevenage have never beaten Torquay in the six previous clashes between the sides. Four wins for the Gulls and two draws mean Torquay sit in pole position going into the game and the most recent meeting between them saw Buckle’s side record a 2-0 win at Plainmoor in March. (11/1 for Torquay to win final 2-0).

It should be an entertaining clash at Old Trafford between two teams that play attractive football by League Two standards, but Torquay are just likely to have the edge on Boro and should be celebrating promotion on Saturday afternoon.

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Champions League semis could hot up

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After two sub-par semi-final first legs last week, the Champions League reconvenes with both games intriguingly balanced as two sides look to protect their leads while their opposition know they have nothing to lose.

Tuesday’s match sees old enemies Real Madrid and Barcelona meet in their fourth ‘el Clasico’ match in two weeks, with Madrid looking to the claw back the two-goal deficit they suffered in the first leg  at the Bernabeu.However, they have tasted victory against their great rivals in the last few weeks, securing their first trophy in three years with victory in the Copa Del Rey (Real 4/1 to win at the Nou Camp).

Jose Mourinho has traditionally set his teams up to defend against Barca but knows he will have to set his side up as an attacking force if they’re to progress to the final. This could make for a thrilling encounter with both sides playing with freedom and we could see a true classic.

Josep Guardiola’s side only know one way to play and, despite being two goals up, are unlikely to sit on their lead and will not be shy in taking the game to the Madridistas. Barca are undoubtedly the best footballing team in Europe with the likes of Xavi and Iniesta in their side and if Madrid do open up, they could simply pass it round them (Barca 8/15 to win the competition).

Whatever the outcome, it is sure to make for a fascinating encounter and could be talked about for years to come.

The second semi sees this year’s surprise package, German side Schalke, travel to Old Trafford to face 2008 Champions Manchester United knowing that they’ll need at least a two-goal victory if they’re to progress.

Die Konigsblauen have thrilled fans in this year’s competition with their free-flowing, exciting football with veteran Spanish striker Raul at the heartbeat of everything they do. Add this to the threat of wideman Jurado and the Brazilian Edu and they have the ability to trouble anyone.

United will have to be wary of the threat Schalke pose but, after a tame first leg, could possibly look to rest key players ahead of a difficult match with Chelsea next weekend, which could present the Germans with a number of unexpected opportunities (Schalke 14/1 to qualify for the final).

However, with the likes of Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia looking to return to the side, they will surely have enough to overcome their opponents and qualify for their third final in four years (United 6/4 to win the competition).

Whatever the outcome, both matches will undoubtedly be well worth watching and whoever gets through will be more than worth their place after another vintage Champions League season.

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Saturday Premier League preview

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Bet on the Premier LeagueEaster is upon us again and as we now have become accustom to the break not only brings us chocolate and a few lie-ins but also plenty of football action. No less than eight Premier League matches will take place on Saturday, all of which have some kind of importance.

This weekend could go a long way to sorting out matters at the top and bottom of the table. So we take a look at who will be allowed to enjoy their Easter eggs on Sunday and who might be spending a little bit longer in church to pray for divine intervention.

Manchester United v Everton (12:45pm)

No better place to start Saturday’s bumper offering than at Old Trafford and the home of the champions elect. United are laughing at the moment, every time they slip up their fellow title contenders fail to take advantage. They have now been gifted the chance to open up a nine point gap on Arsenal and Chelsea against the Toffees. Everton don’t like Old Trafford traditionally, failing to pick up three points at the Theatre of Dreams for nearly 19 years. David Moyes team have been in a good run of form but United are virtually unplayable at home this season and should pick up maximum points from the Merseysiders visit.

Match Bet – Man Utd to win with a -1 handicap @ 21/20

Aston Villa v Stoke City (3pm)

There has been very little talk about the itself game after Gerard Houllier was rushed to hospital during the week. Most of Friday’s press conference was concentrated on the well-being of the Frenchman but come 3pm all eyes will be on the Villa Park pitch. Villa are pretty much safe after their victory over West Ham last week took them past the 40-point mark. Stoke could join them in being safe with a win, but have a terrible record at Villa Park, failing to win a top flight game there since 1965. Having reached the FA Cup final last week and with Villa currently on the up it could be at least another year before Stoke taste victory at Villa.

Match Bet – Villa to win @ 4/5

Blackpool v Newcastle (3pm)
Life for Blackpool couldn’t get much tougher at the minute, they are seemingly in freefall and without a safety net to catch them they look Championship-bound. Last week represented a great chance for the Seasiders to move away from the drop zone but they blew it against Wigan. They now face a Newcastle side who passed the 40-point mark in midweek and looked good doing it. Whether they’ll take their eye off the ball now is debatable, but even if they do you have to question whether Blackpool are good enough to take advantage.

Match Bet - Draw @ 12/5

Liverpool v Birmingham (3pm)
Birmingham’s recent revival was stopped in its tracks at Chelsea on Wednesday, and they go from one tough away game to another with a trip to Anfield. The Reds have plenty of injuries to contend with at the moment but still looked very solid against Arsenal last Sunday. Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez are getting better with every game and for Blues the outlook is bleak. While the last seven games between these two clubs have been draws Birmingham will count themselves lucky to get anything out of this.

Match Bet - Liverpool half-time/ Liverpool full-time @ 11/10

Sunderland v Wigan (3pm)

Wigan haven’t waited until Easter weekend to get their resurrection underway as they look to continue a fabulous run of form against Sunderland. Having spent much of the season in the drop zone the Latics are now out and looking to claw back the Black Cats. The way things have gone for Steve Bruce recently it wouldn’t surprise many if his old team beat his current one at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland have injury problems galore and have beaten Wigan once in nine Premier League matches.

Match Bet - Wigan to win @ 11/4

Tottenham v West Brom (3pm)
Not many West Brom fans would have expected to come into this game with almost nothing to play for. However, last Saturday’s defeat to Chelsea aside, the Baggies have been flying of late and need just another couple of points to make sure of safety. While West Brom would take a point Tottenham will be desperate for three as they look to leapfrog Manchester City into fourth. Spurs have struggled against teams towards the wrong end of the table this season and put a lot into Wednesday’s exciting 3-3 draw with Arsenal. However, they should have enough to class to turn over West Brom.

Match Bet – Over 2.5 goals @ 4/6 and both teams to score @ 7/10

Wolves v Fulham (3pm)
Wolves’ current situation is looking bleak after tumbling to the bottom of the table last weekend. Mick McCarthy’s men looked as though they would escape the drop with a decent run of form last month but have been stopped in their tracks since Kevin Doyle picked up a season-ending injury. However, hope springs eternal and Wolves’ last six matches are against teams in the bottom half of the table. They are also facing a team in Fulham who haven’t won away this year. If Wolves are ever going to start a fightback against the drop then they need to beat the Cottagers on Saturday.

Match Bet - Wolves to win @ 11/8

Chelsea v West Ham (5:30pm)
If our predictions are correct then West Ham will kick this game off bottom of the league and seemingly without of prayer against a resurgent Chelsea. Much like Wolves the Hammers looked as though they would escape the drop at the start of the month but have crumbled recently, conceding a late winner to Villa last week in the latest in a line of setbacks. Avram Grant will have to produce a miracle if they are to get anything from Stamford Bridge. The Blues have taken 19 points from the last 21 available to them and look to be the best challengers to Manchester United’s hopes of winning the league.

Match Bet – Chelsea to win 3-0 @ 7/1

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Make or break in Europa League

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The Europa League quarter-final second-legs take place on Thursday and only one tie remains finely poised, with Braga and Dynamo Kiev level at 1-1, while PSV Eindhoven, FC Twente and Spartak Moscow face massive uphill tasks.

PSV were hammered 4-1 by Benfica in Portugal and need a minor miracle at the Philips Stadion on Thursday night if they are to progress to the last four.

Both Dutch sides seem doomed to fall at the last eight as FC Twente must overcome a 5-1 deficit after suffering a heavy loss in the first leg at Villarreal. Spartak Moscow were brushed aside 5-1 by Portuguese league-leaders FC Porto in the first-leg, but Spartak, PSV and FC Twente all have the ability to bounce back and secure second-leg wins, although it remains to be seen if they can score enough goals to reach the last four.

Braga have a formidable record on home soil both domestically and in Europe and have won nine, drawn one and lost three of their home league matches to date. In European competitions, both the Champions League and Europa League, the likes of Spanish outfit Sevilla, Scottish giants Celtic and Premier League duo Liverpool and Arsenal have all slipped to defeat at the Estadio AXA and Braga should be in confident mood ahead of Dynamo’s visit.

Braga are 7/5 to beat Dynamo Kiev and considering their home record this season they certainly have the ability to beat their Ukrainian opponents and secure a spot in the last four.

Tournament favourites Porto head to Moscow with a massive lead on aggregate and Spartak have a massive task on their hands.  The Russian side will need to attack from the start but Porto have plenty of quality and will be dangerous on the break.

Porto are 11/8 to win the tie and they should be able to pick up a win in Moscow, although they will probably want to keep it tight in the early stages. In the Half-Time/Full-Time market a draw/Porto result is 9/2, while Porto’s Radamel Falcao grabbed a hat-trick in the first-leg and is 6/5 to score any time or 28/1 to help himself to another three goal haul.

PSV have a huge task on their hands after their 4-1 loss in Lisbon, with a last-minute Benfica goal all but putting the tie beyond them.

However, The Dutch outfit have a decent record at home and will be keen to take their revenge over the Portuguese outfit at the Philips Stadion.  PSV need to win 3-0, or better, to secure a spot in the last four and a 3-0 score-line in favour of the home side is 22/1.  This may, in truth, be beyond PSV as Benfica are a dangerous side on the break but the Dutch title-chasers can still win the tie and restore some pride, with a PSV win in 90 minutes at 7/5.

Spanish side Villarreal appear to have their spot in the last four sealed after their 5-1 win at the El Madrigal.  Villarreal’s away form in La Liga is fairly erratic but with the likes of Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi amongst their ranks they can still pick up a win in Holland, especially as Twente need to commit men forward.  The Yellow Submarines are 2/1 to secure a win on their travels and they should be able to get the better of FC Twente for a second time after their first-leg success.

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Scottish Premier League preview

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There are three SPL matches on Wednesday with Celtic hosting Hibs the pick of the games. Neil Lennon’s side could well find themselves in second beforehand if Rangers overcome St Johnstone on Tuesday so a win is vital for the Hoops’ title aspirations (Celtic 4/7 Rangers 5/4 – SPL outright winner).

It is shaping up to be a tight finish at the top of the table as we head into the final furlong of a season that, truth be told, has been overshadowed by the ugly scenes of confrontation between the Old Firm duo in last month’s Scottish Cup tie.

A six-point plan has now been drawn up by the SFA to try and quell the level of ill-feeling between the two clubs that was described as “shameful” by the governing body in the aftermath of that now infamous game. But with the top-two as closely-matched in the table as they are ahead of the midweek games, the intense rivalry between Glasgow’s two clubs is again the main focal point – but at least this time it’s on the pitch.

Rangers are currently two points behind Celtic ahead of Tuesday’s game but know they cannot afford another slip-up like the 3-2 home defeat against Dundee United on Saturday if they are to go on and win the title. With all the off-field issues over the club’s ownership also dominating the agenda this week, it’s tempting to say Saints can grab a draw in this one but a narrow win for Walter Smith’s side looks on the cards. Take 2-1 to the Gers at 7/1.

Celtic then host Hibs 24 hours later and, again, we can’t see anything but a win for Lennon’s side as they will be spurred on by the prospect of regaining top spot. The weekend clash at  was postponed so the Hoops will be fresh and raring to go. Celtic HT/FT at 4/6 does not offer too much value so Draw/Celtic at 16/5 is worth a punt with Hibs restricting the Bhoys for 45 minutes.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Motherwell host Dundee United and these two have so far enjoyed decent campaigns with the former currently sixth and the latter fourth in the table. A recent 3-0 win for Motherwell in the Scottish Cup is fresh in the memory so we go with another win for Craig Brown’s side here.

Fellow-strugglers St Mirren entertain Aberdeen as well on Wednesday with the Dons still having an outside chance of securing a top-half finish before the table splits into half for the final run-in. They are currently nine points behind Motherwell but this is their game in hand so an away win here is well worth considering at 15/8.

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Friday night Football League action

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barry fryWith the Euro 2012 qualifiers taking centre-stage this weekend there are no Premier League or Championship games to look forward to, but fear not – there is a full League One and League Two programme with six fixtures from the two respective leagues taking place on Friday night.

Peterborough United could well be on course for an immediate return to the Championship and the Posh are just two points adrift of an automatic promotion spot with a game in hand (Peterborough 13/8 to be promoted).  Darren Ferguson’s men have won three of their last four games on their travels and on Friday they travel to relegation threatened Bristol Rovers.

The Pirates have a shocking home record and have managed just one win in their last six at the Memorial Stadium, losing five. Rovers are four points adrift of safety and need to start picking up results but they will struggle against a strong Posh outfit who are in fine form. Bristol Rovers may enjoy the home advantage but Peterborough are favourites at 10/11 and they should be able to take all three points and continue their assault on the top two.

Hartlepool United have been a strange team this season, beating those they would be expected to struggle against and suffering some surprising defeats – including a 5-2 reverse – after going 2-0 up – at Walsall last time out. The Pools welcome this season’s League One surprise package Rochdale to the Victoria Stadium on Friday in what could well be a very tight and interesting contest.

At 7/5, the Hartlepool victory looks good value, especially considering their home advantage, but Rochdale certainly have a chance and cannot be discounted. However, both teams have problems keeping clean sheets and the Pools’ 19 home games so far this season have yielded an astonishing 52 goals (26 for, and 26 against) and 7/10 on both teams to score looks great value in light of this statistic.

There are two League Two fixtures on Friday night as Lincoln City host Rotherham and Torquay travel to Northampton. I would have suggested Lincoln, at 17/10, appear good value to get the better of an out-of-sorts Rotherham. However, the Millers axed Ronnie Moore as manager earlier this week and it is always difficult to predict how a team will react in that situation.

Northampton are still involved in the relegation fight but the Cobblers should be able to retain their league status as they’re seven points clear of Barnet in 23rd place, who seem destined for the drop and are in woeful form.  In contrast, a victory for Torquay on Friday night would move them ahead of Wycombe in third and the lure of automatic promotion for the Gulls could well inspire them to victory at Sixfields on Friday (Torquay 4/1 to win promotion from League Two).

Torquay’s away record is not particularly impressive, with two wins, two draws and two losses from their last six games, but they should be too strong for Northampton.  The Cobblers have lost three and won once in their last four on home soil and could be set for more misery on Friday, with Torquay priced at 13/8 to take a maximum three-point haul.

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Saturday’s Premier League

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The Premier League is beginning to enter the final bend as issues at the top and bottom of the table start to reach their conclusion. Saturday will be another bumper day of action with eight matches taking place, all of which will have a bearing on the title or the relegation picture. We take a look at who might falter at their latest fence in the battle for survival and who will be first past the winners post.

Tottenham v West Ham (12:45pm)

It’s ironic that with a Cheltenham theme running through the introduction that we come to well known punter Harry Redknapp and his team in the first match of the day. Victory for Tottenham on Saturday would move them level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea but their domestic form hasn’t been great. Their last two matches have seen them lose at Blackpool and draw with Wolves. Both of those were on the road and they are very strong at home but it might be tough for them to keep their focus with Real Madrid on the horizon in the Champions League. West Ham have improved a lot in recent weeks and a draw looks to be a safe bet in this one.

Match Bet – Tottenham and West Ham to draw @ 14/5

Aston Villa v Wolverhampton (3pm)

There is more than just local pride on the line in this game between two sides who are desperately trying to beat the drop. Wolves will start in 19th but are just four points behind Villa, who are currently in 13th. Wolves have an awful record against Villa over the years, failing to win any of their last 21 meetings since they secured a 3-1 victory back in 1978. With home advantage and a team which is improving all the time Villa should be well fancied to pick up a vital three points.

Match Bet – Aston Villa half-time/full-time @ 7/4

Blackburn v Blackpool (3pm)

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway believes a few more wins will be enough for the Seasiders to survive and he’ll have targeted this game as potentially three points. Blackpool have been better on the road this season than they have at home and with Blackburn having lost seven of their last eight in all competitions this could be another away day to remember. Rovers are good at home but look a team on the slide and with Charlie Adam back for the Tangerines it could be another day to forget for Steve Kean’s Blackburn.

Match Bet - Blackpool to win @ 16/5

Man Utd v Bolton (3pm)

In any other season you would say this match is a foregone conclusion and that United would pick up a comfortable three points. However, Owen Coyle’s men are playing well and having booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals last week they will no doubt be on a high. United have stuttered through their last two games but in typical United style have picked up the results they need. They will probably make it three narrow wins in a row over Bolton but don’t be surprised if they slip up and drop two points against the Trotters.

Match Bet - Javier Hernandez @ 7/2 first goalscorer

Stoke City v Newcastle (3pm)

Looking at the table normally you’d say this was a middle table battle with very little riding on it. However, given the gap between Newcastle in tenth and the drop zone is five points this is a vital game in these two trying to secure their place in the top flight. Trying to predict the Toon’s results is about as tricky as picking the lottery numbers but you fancy Stoke will get the better of them at the bear pit which is the Britannia Stadium. Stoke are unbeaten at home this year and, like Bolton, will be on a high after reaching the FA Cup semi-finals.

Match Bet - Stoke to win @ 5/4

West Brom v Arsenal (3pm)

Those Arsenal fans who haven’t decided to end it all after the last two weeks could be well rewarded for their patience with the rare sight of their team winning a game on Saturday. The Gunners are looking for revenge after losing 3-2 at home to the Baggies and will need three points to keep up with Man Utd. West Brom are unbeaten in their last four but three of those have been draws and anything they get out of this will be a bonus. Roy Hodgson has got his team well drilled now but even with a raft of injuries Arsenal should have the edge.

Match Bet - Over 2.5 goals @ 4/6 and both team to scores @ 8/11

Wigan v Birmingham

This Saturday is packed full of relegation six-pointers and this one at the DW Stadium is another game which could go a long way to deciding each teams fate. If Wigan are to mount a comeback they must beat an injury-hit Blues team before they face Chelsea and Tottenham in the next two weeks. It will be a patched up Birmingham that arrives in the north-west and if Charles N’Zogbia and Hugo Rodallega can perform they should have too much. However, the way Wigan’s season is going it could be another damp squid of an afternoon at the DW.

Match Bet - Wigan and Birmingham to draw @ 9/4

Everton v Fulham (5:30pm)

Both of these two will hope they are out of the firing line when it comes to a relegation scrap but neither David Moyes or Mark Hughes are likely to rest on their laurels. Fulham are constantly improving as they get more and more players back but still don’t like playing away from Craven Cottage. Everton are strong at home but are missing key players like Mikael Arteta and Tim Cahill. This will be another tight affair with little to choose between the two teams but if Fulham can hold out they should pick up another point.

Match Bet – Everton half-time draw full-time @ 14/1

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