FOOTBALL BETTING:
Betrescue’s Chief Sports Writer Chris Hutcheon takes his weekly look at all the major Premier League action in England.
Having muscled their way into the title race, Arsenal are Paddy Power’s 7/5 favourites to beat Manchester United on Sunday, whereas Sir Alex Ferguson’s men are offered at 2/1 by bet365 and Stan James post 9/4 against a draw.
United’s away form has been indifferent all season, failing to inspire confidence amongst punters, which would suggest that bookies have called the outcome correctly.
It follows that the shrewd will stick with the hosts who are 3/1 (William Hill) to edge it by a one-goal margin. A reverse of United’s 2-1 home win in the corresponding fixture at Old Trafford also catches the eye at 17/2 (Partybets), while the pivotal figure for Wenger’s troops could once again be influential Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
The Gunners skipper is rated by Ladbrokes at 15/2 to open the scoring but with in-form United striker Wayne Rooney (5/1, 888Sport) a real threat in that department, Fabregas should be considered at 9/4 with Totesport to find the net at any stage, in a clash that looks a banker at 8/11 (bet365) to produce goals from both teams.
Should one or both of United and Arsenal drop points, Chelsea can capitalise by securing a maximum haul at Turf Moor, where they’re 3/10 (Betdaq) to overcome Burnley and 7/2 with Betfred to prevail following a drawn first period. The return of Didier Drogba from the African Nations Cup will be a major boost for Carlo Ancelotti’s men and Victor Chandler’s 3/1 for the Ivorian striker to open the scoring is sure to be well supported.
At Eastlands, Jaxx.com’s 2/7 favourites Manchester City should have little trouble disposing of struggling Portsmouth and the hosts look well placed at 5/6 (bet365) to win by at least two clear goals.
European hopefuls Birmingham and Tottenham go head-to-head at St Andrews and the logical conclusion is that a tight affair, quoted by Stan James at 9/4 to finish all square, is on the cards while the stalemate (9/4, Paddy Power) is also the best bet at Craven Cottage, where Fulham lock horns with Aston Villa.
Elsewhere, Victor Chandler’s 4/6 for a goal tally lower than 2.5 is the best bet at the KC Stadium as Jaxx.com’s 6/5 favourites Hull host Wolves. Liverpool (4/9, Partybets) and West Ham (11/10, Betdaq) should also snare maximum hauls at home to Bolton and Blackburn respectively, while Everton, an 8/5 chance with bet365, can edge out Wigan at the DW Stadium.
Finally, on Monday, Sunderland, evens at 888Sport, are marginally more appealing than visitors Stoke in a tough-to-call encounter at the Stadium of Light.
To compare all the weekend’s match odds, click here
