FOOTBALL BETTING:
Betrescue’s Chief Sports Writer Chris Hutcheon takes his weekly look at all the major Premier League action in England.
Last weekend’s hard-fought victory at Wolves moved Manchester United into a two-point lead at the Premiership’s summit and although Chelsea have a game in hand, and play before Sir Alex Ferguson’s side this weekend, the champions are now narrow favourites to retain their title in most places; although Victor Chandler are amongst a handful of firms that can’t separate the pair, chalking both up at 6/4 to top the pile.
United entertain Fulham on Sunday seeking revenge for a comprehensive defeat at Craven Cottage back in December and they are 1/4 at Paddy Power to return the favour. That price reflects the likely superiority of the hosts, who are set to capitalise on both the fatigue of the Cottagers following their trip to Juventus and the poor away record of Jaxx.com’s 12/1 outsiders.
A home win by at least two clear goals at 3/4 with bet365 therefore possesses plenty of appeal and punters wishing to push the boat out a little further can back Fergie’s troops at 7/1 (Totesport) to overcome Fulham by the exact same 3-0 scoreline that Roy Hodgson’s team registered in that reverse fixture before Christmas.
Wayne Rooney has struck eleven goals in the ten league matches since that West London defeat and the England striker is difficult to overlook at 11/4 with William Hill to notch first, although a safer bet is Stan James’ 4/5 for Rooney to notch at any time.
Chelsea can temporarily reclaim top spot on Saturday by beating West Ham at Stamford Bridge but as they’re only 2/9 at best with Partybets, like United they should be backed in the handicaps, where they are 8/11 (Betfred) to overhaul the mythical goal start handed to their opponents.
Ladbrokes post 5/1 against Carlo Ancelotti’s charges notching twice without reply and Partybets make them evens to triumph as well as keeping a clean sheet, while at the other end, bet365 mark 7/4 against in-form Frank Lampard finding the net.
If Hull’s display at Everton is anything to go by then Arsenal should complete a hat trick of victories for the title-chasing trio, a treble worth odds of 6/5 (bet365), at the KC Stadium; where Betdaq make an away win 4/9.
In the battle for fourth spot, Tottenham and Liverpool can be the positive movers this weekend; the former a home banker at 4/9 with 888Sport to see off poor travellers Blackburn and the Reds a 1/4 chance courtesy of Stan James to bounce back from their loss at Wigan to beat Portsmouth in Monday evening’s televised showdown at Anfield.
The pair can steal a march on both Aston Villa and Man City, who are 9/4 and 12/5 respectively, with Paddy Power, to only manage draws at Stoke and Sunderland.
A stalemate also looks on the cards at St Andrews, where Birmingham and Everton are 23/10 (Betdaq) to share the spoils and towards the bottom, Bolton can move well clear of danger; they’re evens at William Hill to send Wigan home empty-handed while Wolves look overpriced at 12/5 to secure all three points at hapless Burnley.
To compare all the weekend’s match odds, click here
