Quotes of the week:
“The pitch wasn’t the best, but I’m not gonna make excuses.”
Steve Bruce after Birmingham were outplayed by Torquay.
Stat, you’re a liberty:
Sunderland’s recent home record to Chelsea makes interesting reading: the last seven matches have produced a Chelsea win, a draw and five victories for the Mackems.
Acc of the week:
Man Utd, Aston Villa, Charlton, Fulham and Liverpool are the pick of the Premiership action; the accer pays 23.61.
Weekend Betting:
Man City v Man Utd
Saturday 14th January 12.45 Live on Sky
Man City 4.50
Draw 3.40
Man Utd 1.67
Get on: Man Utd 1.82 at
Sportsbook.com
It’s three league matches without scoring a goal for City, United are the Premiership’s top scorers on the road. A comfortable away win.
Match Special:
Van Nistelrooy to score two or more goals 5.00
Arsenal v Middlesbrough
Saturday 14th January 15.00
Arsenal 1.29
Draw 4.50
Middlesbrough 9.00
Get on: Arsenal 1.38 at Pinnacle
Boro led 3-1 at Highbury last season, and still got spanked. McClaren’s men haven’t won a league match since November. Home banker.
Match Special:
Henry to score a hat-trick 13.00
Aston Villa v West Ham
Saturday 14th January 15.00
Aston Villa 1.91
Draw 3.25
West Ham 3.50
Get on: Aston Villa 2.00 at Gamebookers
The Hammers last won at Villa Park in 1995. O’Leary’s men are finally finding their stride; they’ll avenge a 4-0 beating earlier in the season.
Match Special:
Mellberg to score with a header 21.00
Charlton v Birmingham
Saturday 14th January 15.00
Charlton 1.91
Draw 3.20
Birmingham 3.60
Get on: Charlton 2.10 at Pinnacle
The Blues have only scored one goal away from home since November, a consolation in a 4-1 bashing at Manchester City. Darren Bent scored the only goal of the game at St Andrew’s earlier in the season, a repeat is a possibility.
Match Special:
Darren Bent to score the only goal of the game 26.00
Fulham v Newcastle
Saturday 14th January 15.00
Fulham 2.25
Draw 3.25
Newcastle 2.75
Get on: Fulham 2.37 at Bet365
Fulham have been impressive at home in the league recently, five wins and a draw from their last six matches. The Toon Army have only scored in one of their last six matches away from home. Enough said.
Match Special:
Fulham to score three or more goals 5.50
Liverpool v Tottenham
Saturday 14th January 15.00
Liverpool 1.73
Draw 3.25
Tottenham 4.33
Get on: Liverpool 1.70 at
Sportsbook.com
Liverpool have won eight out of ten at home this season, only Chelsea and Man Utd left Anfield with more than a beating. Spurs have recently been beaten at the Hawthorns and the Walkers stadium. Home win.
Match Special:
A Liverpool player to score from inside their own half 201.00
Portsmouth v Everton
Saturday 14th January 15.00
Portsmouth 2.10
Draw 3.25
Everton 3.00
Get on: Portsmouth 2.35 at 5Dimes
It’s seven points out of nine at Fratton Park for Portsmouth since the return of Mr Redknapp. Pompey have only scored eight goals at home this season though, a Premiership low. 1-0 to Harry’s mob.
Match Special:
Portsmouth to win 1-0 7.00
Blackburn v Bolton
Saturday 14th January 17.15 Live on Premiership Plus
Blackburn 2.25
Draw 3.00
Bolton 3.00
Get on: Draw 3.25 at Multibet
A strange meet up on the Premiership, they’ve met nine times and the home team has never won. The last three meets between the two has produced a total of two goals. A goalless draw is the only conclusion.
Match Special:
No Goalscorer in the match 7.50
Wigan v West Brom
Sunday 15th January 13.30 Live on Sky
Wigan 1.73
Draw 3.25
West Brom 4.33
Get on: Wigan 1.95 at Expekt
The Latics squad is down to the bare bones, but they still look a stronger team than the Albion. The Baggies have not won on the road all season and they haven’t scored away since November. It has to be a home win.
Match Special:
Jason Roberts to score the first goal 5.50
Sunderland v Chelsea
Sunday 15th January 16.00 Live on Sky
Sunderland 12.00
Draw 5.00
Chelsea 1.20
Get on: Chelsea 1.24 at
SportingbetUSA
The gulf in class could not be wider. Sunderland have only won once in the league this season, Chelsea have only lost once. The Mackems haven’t scored a home goal in the league for 360 minutes; only Man U have kept a visiting Chelsea team off the score-sheet. A virtually risk free away win.
Match Special:
Crespo to score a hat-trick 13.00
Professional odds compiler Gerry McDonnell regularly offers his unique advice on Premiership soccer betting. Place your bets at Gerry's sportsbook Super Soccer