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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 = 486, Returned = 487.81, Yield = + 0.37%
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
Everton have had some decent results lately without ever playing particularly well. It is tempting to take Arsenal, but they still have problems in defence. Cygan and Cole picked up injuries last week, Clichy is still injured, while Eboue and Toure are on international duty. I do think Arsenal will win, but I would want closer to Evens (2.00) to consider taking a bet on them. Everton do have potential to play well, but considering they also lost 4-1 and 7-0 to Arsenal in the league last season and 2-0 this season (as well as 3-1 in the Carling Cup to an Arsenal reserve team), I wouldn't want to oppose Arsenal in any way here. Given that Everton have had a few high-scoring home games lately, there is perhaps slight value in Over 2.5 goals.
Bet: Over 2.5 goals
Stake: 3/10
Odds: 2.10 (VC Bet)
Birmingham 5-0 Portsmouth
This is a tough game to predict. Portsmouth have shown signs of improvement since Redknapp took over, but they have struggled away from home and also lost at home to Everton in their last game. Birminhgam have shown a few decent performances lately, but just aren't getting results. Picking a winner isn't easy as any result is possible. I'd slightly edge towards Birmingham, but the odds make them big favourites. With a team that has only won 2 out of 10 home games, Birmingham have to be opposed.
Bet: Portsmouth +0.5 (Asian Handicap)
Stake: 7/10
Odds: 1.80 (Stan James)
Bolton 2-0 Manchester City
Neither team has been quite at their best lately, but Manchester City will be feeling good going into this match after beating Manchester United last week, while Bolton got a good draw at Blackburn after playing most of the game with ten men. Bolton have a good home record though, and despite having a few players missing for one reason or another, are worth supporting to edge this game.
Bet: Bolton -0.25 (Asian Handicap)
Stake: 6/10
Odds: 2.11 (Expekt)
Middlesbrough 2-3 Wigan
You just don't know what you're going to get with Middlesbrough at the moment, but it's been more bad than good recently. Wigan haven't played as well lately as they did previously, but must be fancied to make life difficult for Middlesbrough here.
Bet: Wigan +0.5 (Asian Handicap)
Stake: 7/10
Odds: 1.75 (Canbet)
Newcastle 0-1 Blackburn
Newcastle have been struggling due to injuries, but still have only lost once at home, so opposing them here isn't perhaps a good option. Blackburn will be missing Bellamy suspended, which hurts their chances of scoring. Newcastle have played OK in patches recently, but without Owen won't find it easy to score. It looks like being a low-scoring game, but the odds on Under 2.5 goals are too low to take, so no bets.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
Tottenham will be a popular bet here, but the odds on them just look too low at first glance. Aston Villa haven't done too badly recently, and aren't too easy to beat. Tottenham have won most of their home games against the weaker teams this season, but something tells me that Aston Villa will do OK here so I'm leaving this game alone.
West Brom 0-1 Sunderland
Sunderland lose against just about everyone, but have improved a little bit and did play quite well against Chelsea. Sunderland can only claim to be unlucky so many times though, as the real problem is a lack of cutting edge to be able to score goals. West Brom will be a little tired after playing extra time in midweek and also have a few injuries. Sunderland won't have a better chance to get something out of a game than this really. West Brom should win, but I'm a little wary about betting on them. Sunderland have lost 17 of 21 though, so it's impossible to be confident in them being able to avoid defeat. No bets on this one.
Chelsea 1-1 Charlton
Chelsea haven't been quite at their best in recent games, but they have still been winning relentlessly. Charlton have been pretty poor for quite some time, and it is hard to see them avoiding defeat here. Chelsea may not win by a massive margin, but it is likely they should win. Charlton have had a welcome couple of wins in the last couple of weeks, but still look short on confidence. No bets on this one.
Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool
The biggest game of the weekend as these teams go head to head in the race for second place. Liverpool come into this on the better form, while Manchester United are struggling a bit in midfield, and looked poor defensively at Manchester City. The only thing to stop Liverpool being a good bet here, is Rooney and van Nistelrooy, who are head and shoulders above Liverpool's strikers. Liverpool will no doubt adopt their usual defensive strategy and will set out to draw the game 0-0. Manchester United won't find it easy to score, and will have to avoid defensive errors themselves. It should be a close game and I'd give the edge to Manchester United, but I wouldn't bet on it as the odds look about right.
West Ham 2-1 Fulham
Fulham continue to struggle away from home. Their general form is pretty good, but 3 points from 11 away games is a very poor return. West Ham will have been pleased to win at Aston Villa last week, but haven't played too well lately in general. It's a hard game to call and I do think Fulham have every chance, but their away record makes it a hard bet to take on. A more confident bet is to take Over 2.5 goals as both teams are scoring and both teams look like conceding too.
Bet: Over 2.5 goals
Stake: 7/10
Odds: 2.10 (VC Bet)
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