Stevie B's Premiership Preview
Weekend 6th/7th/8th March
Arsenal v Burnley
Two seasons ago a serious injury to one of Arsene Wenger’s young stars on at a hostile away ground (Eduardo at St.Andrews) saw the Gunners title challenge evaporate away. However despite losing Aaron Ramsey for the campaign Arsenal closed the gap on Chelsea to 3 points in a fascinating title race. By contrast Burnley remain second bottom and lost to crisis club Portsmouth.
For punters there is little in this, Brian Law’s Burnley are as poor on the road as they were under Owen Coyle. One statistic illustrates how poor Burnley are on the road and that is their away goal difference of -33 (compared to +4 at Turf Moor).
Arsenal at the Emirates versus the side with the poorest away form in the league will be no contest but there will be few punters willing to back anything at a best priced 1/6. Expect Cesc Fabregas to be firmly amongst the goals. Top scorer Steven Fletcher was injured in training prior to the Scotland match and remains a doubt which further reduces the visitor’s hopes of adding to the solitary away point they have secured this term.
West Ham v Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers were somewhat fortunate in their victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers with the visitors striking the post twice. Owen Coyle has Bolton playing better football than he predecessor but goals are proving hard to come by. Indeed they haven’t scored an away goal in the Premiership since they led 2-0 at the Emirates before losing 4-2. They lack a finisher in the side with Elemander and Kevin Davies effective at holding the ball up but not at finding the net. Indeed in terms of scoring the goals to get out of trouble I believe the onus may fall on midfielders Lee and Matthew Taylor along with new loan signing Jack Wilshere who impressed last time out. Bolton will miss midfielder Stuart Holden who looked a threat against Wolverhampton Wanderers but was injured in the mid-week international fixtures.
Meanwhile with Gold and Sullivan in charge West Ham seem to be in the process of a minor recovery. Prior to the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford West Ham had consecutive victories at home and it will be the Londoner’s home form that is likely to keep them in the Premiership. West Ham created chances at ease against a poor Hull City but also kept clean sheets at home to Birmingham, Portsmouth and Blackburn which suggests at home recent form is fairly solid. They also drew with Chelsea at Upton Park and with Bolton’s poor goal scoring run a single goal may secure victory in this one. Carlton Cole’s return has aided the recent mini revival and he is comfortably the Hammers biggest goal threat here.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United
Manchester United are the new title favourites with Chelsea gripped by internal problems and injuries to key personnel. The Champions retained the Carling Cup on Sunday and will be keen to pile the press on Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea who are occupied by the F.A. Cup this weekend.
Wolverhampton Wanderers rested key men famously at Old Trafford and were beaten comfortably but were unfortunate at the Reebok last weekend and indeed Chelsea where Petr Cech denied them on several occasions. Wolverhampton appear pretty consistent at home, even against the so called ‘bigger’ clubs. Performances such as the Chelsea game and indeed Liverpool (0-0 draw) and Tottenham (1-0 win) illustrate this but the Champions will have too much here. McCarthy will play the first team this time around but it is difficult to envisage the Carling Cup Winners dropping any points. Wolverhampton Wanderers have failed to score in the last 4 encounters between the two clubs and I don’t see them breaking that duck. With Serbian defender Vidic back in the side a narrow win and a clean sheet for the visitors appears the most likely outcome.
Everton v Hull
Recent wins against Manchester United and Chelsea illustrated how strong a side Everton are with the Goodison crowd behind them. Phil Jagielka is likely to return and he’ll be a massive boost for David Moyes. Indeed Jagielka’s return should improve Everton defensively and he will slot in nicely alongside the classy Distin.
Everton have won their last 5 home league games against some of the Premiership’s top sides and have far to much for Hull City. With Spanish midfielder Arteta back in the side and youngsters Rodwell and Gosling impressing expect three more points for the Blues. If Saha is not deemed fit to feature he’ll be a loss for Moyes but Hull have failed to win in 14 attempts on the road this season (losing 10, scoring 7 and conceding 34 goals) and there will be no repeat of the victory Hull secured at the KC against Everton earlier in the season.
Wigan Athletic v Liverpool
At the DW Stadium Roberto Martinez has found it difficult to get Wigan playing the free-flowing football that characterised his Swansea City side in the Championship. Indeed Wigan have scored only twice in 7 league and cup games and Liverpool will take advantage of both an impotent attack and a backline that lacks pace.
Liverpool will be improved immeasurably with the return of Fernando Torres and the Reds will be buoyed by success in the UEFA Cup and last weekends win against Blackburn. Wigan have taken some heavy beatings this term – 5-0 in both games versus Manchester United, 4-0 at Portsmouth, 4-0 at Arsenal and lost 12-1 on aggregate to Tottenham. Torres got the winner in the game between these sides at Anfield and he will benefit again up against the less than convincing Titus Bramble and Gary Caldwell.
Stevie B’s Premiership tips:
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) to score 2 or more (11-2 – William Hill)
Jack Wilshere (Bolton Wanderers) anytime goalscorer (8-1 – Coral)
Carlton Cole (West Ham) first goalscorer (5-1 – Coral)
West Ham to win 1-0 (11-2 – Coral)
Manchester United to win 1-0 (6-1 – Coral)
Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United) first goalscorer (25-1 – Coral)
Mikel Arteta (Everton) anytime goalscorer (4-1 – William Hill)
Everton to beat Hull to nil (11-8 - Blue Square)
Liverpool to win 3-0 (17-2 – William Hill)
Fernando Torres to score 2 or more (11-2 – William Hill)
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