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ANALYSIS:
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Analysis Premier League: By Richard Borrowdale
2003/2004: Staked = 1180, Returned = 1150.43, Yield = -2.51%
2004/2005: Staked = 650, Returned = 636.785, Yield = -2.03%
2005/2006: Staked = 144, Returned = 133.8, Yield = -7.08%
Charlton 0-2 Chelsea
Chelsea have been winning, but doing some with a lot of luck at times. However they haven't conceded a goal since the Community Shield, so it is hard to see them losing this. Charlton will be without Smertin, under the terms of his loan deal from Chelsea, so they will be missing a player who has done well for them. Charlton do deserve respect for this start to the season though, so Chelsea are not a great bet here. No bets on this one.
Fulham 1-2 West Ham
West Ham have started the season a lot better than most people expected. Fulham have been quietly playing OK too though, so this will be an interesting game. Fulham have to be favoured as they have greater Premier League experience, but West Ham certainly cannot be written off either. To be fair, the odds look about right on this one.
Portsmouth 1-1 Birmingham
These teams are level on points, and neither has yet to convince this season. Strangely, Birmingham have looked much better in their away games, while Portsmouth have also got more points away from home than at home. There are so many uncertain factors here though, and such home and away trends probably don't mean a lot so early in a season. Portsmouth are usually decent at home, which means I probably wouldn't oppose them here, but I also probably wouldn't bet on them. No bets.
Sunderland 1-1 West Brom
Even at this early stage, this is a game that Sunderland dare not lose. If they do, relegation will look ever more certain. West Brom are probably a decent opponent for Sunderland at the current time, as their recent form isn't great at all either. West Brom are at slightly tempting odds here, but they are conceding a lot of fairly soft goals at the moment. It wouldn't be a surprise if Sunderland won here, but it is impossible to back them. No bets.
Aston Villa 1-1 Tottenham
Aston Villa were battered by West Ham, which isn't the sort of result they expect. Tottenham have done well in some early games, but at times have looked very average as well. The bookmakers seem to make both teams about the same odds here, which usually would make Aston Villa a reasonable bet in a game like this. The problem is that they have a few injuries, and don't look a confident team at the moment. Probably a close, low-scoring games lies ahead. Could go either way, and the odds on Under 2.5 are low, so no bets here.
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United
The first thing worth noting here is that Manchester United have an excellent record at Anfield in recent years. This probably contributes to the fairly low odds on offer here. Manchester United have a few injury concerns though, so it is hard to back them with any confidence here. Liverpool rested a few of their players against Real Betis in midweek, so could well be the more fresh of the two teams here. I have a nagging suspicion that Liverpool will under-achieve in the league this season again, so I can't really back either team here. The game is likely to be low-scoring, but the Under 2.5 goals odds reflect this. No bets.
Blackburn 0-3 Newcastle
Newcastle have well documented injury problems for this game, with Emre, Dyer, Luque and Solano struggling, as well as Parker suspended. This pretty much decimates Newcastle's midfield, so effectively rules them out as a betting proposition. Blackburn are not a great team, but have had some decent performances this season. Newcastle may well fail to win yet again, but Blackburn probably aren't a team to back to win at the available odds. The game looks to be priced correctly, because a Newcastle win can't be ruled out, despite their weakened midfield. Shearer and Owen will start scoring sooner or later.
Wigan 1-1 Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough are favourites for this game, but whether they deserve to be is another matter. Yes, they have better players than Wigan, but they have been wildly inconsistent this season, and have probably been more bad than good. Wigan have shown that they will be no pushovers, and have played reasonably in their home games so far, especially the unlucky defeat to Chelsea. Middlesbrough should have a slight edge if they play to their potential, but this is not something I'd risk money on. No bets.
Manchester City 0-1 Bolton
These are probably the two most fully-committed teams in the league, which mirrors the managers which they have. Manchester City are on a very long unbeaten run, and deserve a lot of credit for getting a draw at Manchester United, and nearly winning it at the end. Bolton have had a European game in midweek, which will possibly make them a little weary coming into this one. I'd have to favour Manchester City here, but Bolton certainly know how to defend, so you can't rule them out. It strikes me as another low-scoring game, but the odds on Under 2.5 goals are once again no value. Manchester City would be my pick to get the better of the game, but I'd need slightly larger odds on them to recommend a bet.
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
Even though Arsenal are without Thierry Henry, you have to fear for Everton in this game. They have had a miserable start to the season, despite playing well in patches. A 5-1 defeat against Romanian opposition does not bode well for playing Arsenal. Arsenal have been playing OK, despite losing 2 games this season. They can count themselves unfortunate to have lost to Middlesbrough and Chelsea. Defensive errors and bad luck, as well as missing chances contributed to these defeats, especially at Middlesbrough. Arsenal have Campbell back in their team, which should give their defence a stronger look. Everything points to an Arsenal win, especially given their record against Everton last season. Everton's last visit to Highbury ended in a 7-0 defeat for them. Arsenal are probably under-priced though, as without Henry, they can often lack that crucial cutting edge at times. Arsenal will probably have most of the possession here, but they did against Middlesbrough and lost. Everton have not suddenly become a bad team, and will fight hard here I'm sure. No bets.
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