Quote of the week:
“The only people we've not laid are Roger de Courcy and Nookie Bear, and by the time Freddie Shepherd makes up his mind we'll probably have seen some money for them too.”
-- Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison edges out Jose Mourinho’s bird flu quip.
Stat, you’re a liberty:
The most successful team in the tackle this season is…Sunderland. The Mackem players have won 74% of their challenges.
Acc of the week:
If you put Fulham, Newcastle, Portsmouth and West Ham together in an accer, you’ll end up with a sweet 16.00 return, hopefully.
Weekend Betting:
Man Utd v Sunderland
Friday 14th April 19.45 Live on Premiership Plus
Man Utd 1.10
Draw 6.50
Sunderland 21.00
Get on: Man Utd 1.13 at Sportsbook.com
Man U have won their previous nine league matches; Sunderland are truly diabolical.
Match Special:
Rooney to score a hat-trick 15.00
Bolton v Chelsea
Saturday 15th April 12.45 Live on Premiership Plus
Bolton 5.00
Draw 3.60
Chelsea 1.57
Get on: Chelsea 1.70 at Expekt
Bolton have lost their last four; Chelsea have earned seven points out of nine. Frank Lampard has scored four goals in his last two appearances against big Sam’s battlers.
Match Special:
Lampard to score at any time 2.50
Arsenal v West Brom
Saturday 15th April 15.00
Arsenal 1.20
Draw 5.50
West Brom 10.00
Get on: Arsenal 1.29 at Pinnacle
Arsenal have won their last four at Highbury; the Baggies have took 2 points out of a possible 24.
Match Special:
Arsenal to score a penalty 7.00
Everton v Tottenham
Saturday 15th April 15.00
Everton 2.50
Draw 3.20
Tottenham 2.50
Get on: Draw 3.25 at Bet365
Everton have only lost one in six; it’s three wins out of four for the Spurs.
Match Special:
Match to finish 1-1 6.50
Fulham v Charlton
Saturday 15th April 15.00
Fulham 2.20
Draw 3.25
Charlton 2.80
Get on: Fulham 2.10 at Gamebookers
Fulham have won five of their last seven at the Cottage; Charlton have drew a blank in four of their last five on the road.
Match Special:
McBride to score with a header 7.00
Newcastle v Wigan
Saturday 15th April 15.00
Newcastle 1.83
Draw 3.25
Wigan 3.75
Get on: Newcastle 1.95 at Pinnacle
Newcastle have won their last two; Wigan are winless in three. The Latics have beaten the Geordies twice this season, a third is unlikely.
Match Special:
Solano to score direct from a free kick 15.00
Portsmouth v Middlesbrough
Saturday 15th April 15.00
Portsmouth 1.91
Draw 3.40
Middlesbrough 3.40
Get on: Portsmouth 1.80 at SportsInteraction
Pompey are unbeaten in five; Boro have lost four of their last six on the road. Middlesbrough have never beaten Portsmouth in the Premiership and their focus is on the Cups. Nap bet material.
Match Special:
Portsmouth to score three or more goals 4.50
West Ham v Man City
Saturday 15th April 15.00
West Ham 2.10
Draw 3.25
Man City 3.00
Get on: West Ham 2.21 at Pinnacle
The Hammers have hosted City on five previous occasions in the Premiership; they’ve scored 14 goals and took 13 of the 15 points. Chelsea and an on fire Pompey are the only visitors to leave Upton Park with three points this year; City have lost five on the bounce.
Match Special:
Benayoun to score at any time 4.00
Aston Villa v Birmingham
Sunday 16th April 12.00 Live on Sky
Aston Villa 2.25
Draw 3.00
Birmingham 3.00
Get on: Draw 3.20 at Canbet
Villa have drew two of their last three matches, Birmingham have also drawn two out of three. Defeat is unacceptable for both teams; it’s rare to find such an obvious contender for a goalless draw.
Match Special:
No goal scorer in the match 7.50
Blackburn v Liverpool
Sunday 16th April 14.30 Live on Sky
Blackburn 2.63
Draw 3.20
Liverpool 2.38
Get on: Draw 3.25 at VC Bet
Blackburn are unbeaten at home this year and that run includes wins against Man U and Arsenal. The Pool are also in top form, they’ve won their last six, impressively. There have been four goals or more in this fixture on the last four occasions that Liverpool have travelled; a high scoring draw appeals.
Match Special:
Match to finish 2-2 15.00
Professional odds compiler Gerry McDonnell regularly offers his unique advice on Premiership soccer betting. Place your bets at Gerry's sportsbook Super Soccer