Premiership Football Preview: Saturday 25th November

So close! But for a questionable last minute penalty decision at Portsmouth last week, we could have had a thumping 15 points profit on the 12 point outlay. As it is, Everton's home win and the draw at Middlesbrough was enough to get us a sliver under 5 points in gain.

Once again, the unpredictable Manchester City were too slippery to call and I am tempted to avoid any attempt at calling their results in future. Let's see what's in store this Saturday with its slightly truncated Premiership programme due to EUFA Cup commitments of some teams:

Aston Villa v Middlesbrough, 3.00pm
Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal, 5.15pm
Charlton Athletic v Everton, 12.45pm
Fulham v Reading, 3.00pm
Liverpool v Manchester City, 3.00pm
West Ham United v Sheffield United, 3.00pm

Aston Villa v Middlesbrough

This points to a comfortable home win for a competent Villa side who are proving hard to beat. Boro have failed to impress wherever they have played home or away this season so optimists from Teesside can snap up the 4/1 available at Stan James. I am not amongst them but while 5/6 the home win may be value, it doesn't represent the margin I prefer. VC Bet have 12/5 on the draw as do some other layers but I'm not inspired to invest.

Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal

What is the fixture that strikes fear into all Arsenal hearts? Strangely it is not Manchester United away but the M6 trip to Bolton that tends to trip up the Gunners. Sam Allardyce knows that Arsenal have a team of artists so the answer is to kick over the easel and empty the paint on the floor! So often the Gunners have come away from the Reebok Stadium with a point only if they are lucky having been unsettled by a strong-armed opponent. They can expect nothing else again in this tea-time televised game. Arsenal have shown too often this season that if they go behind in a game, they will struggle to win. Bolton have Kevin Nolan back which is key to them. Anelka would no doubt be keen to score a goal against his ex-club while Arsenal are missing Gallas and Rosicky. Thierry Henry can always be a match-winner but I prefer the 23/10 available at Bet365 for the draw rather than the even money on an away win. Bolton are not firing at their best so I'd be surprised to see a home win.

Charlton Athletic v Everton

More pathetic than athletic, Charlton are just now the team looking most likely to fall into the whirlpool that leads to the plughole of the Premiership. The abrupt sacking of Iain Dowie and replacement by Les Reed suggests financial panic is gripping the Board at the Valley. The performance at Reading last week was abject and they were fortunate not to be beaten by more than the two goals. Now they have to try to repair the damage at home to a useful Everton side whose only real problem is missing the influential Tim Cahill, although David Moyes is complaining that his squad is too small in general. With Andy Johnson always a threat, it would be easy to forecast an away victory unless the Addicks can mend the leaks in their defence. Mansion Sports Exchange is showing odds of 2.79 (approximately 9/5) for the away win and that's worth taking if you are quick.

Fulham v Reading

Reading are in some ways proving very predictable in that they are beating teams they play that are below them and losing to all those above them in the Premiership table. Fulham are sitting just behind them currently but by only two points. It rather points to a draw as Reading are capable but not especially convincing away from the Madejski Stadium. Fulham are holding their heads up to a similar degree poaching surprising wins at places like Everton. Reading will go to Craven Cottage in a confident frame of mind after two good home wins and the draw odds of 12/5 at Mansion and Totesport is worth a tickle.

Liverpool v Manchester City

It seems that Liverpool only turn up at home in the Premiership which is bad news for Manchester City who rarely turn up away from home! Unsurprisingly, the Reds are a best-priced 1/2 to win while City scrap for 8/1. It is conceivable that the Blues may be buoyed by last week's beating of Fulham at Eastlands but I do not see it happening at Anfield.

West Ham United v Sheffield United

What happens when a hammer meets a blade? If the Hammers come out flying, the blade may get blunted or bent out of shape. That is a possible scenario at Upton Park where Sheffield United will need to arrest their poor away form while West Ham have finally learned who their new owner is. The Hammers will have the memory of a satisfying win against the mighty but fragile Arsenal to spur them on. The Blades will require some of their renowned Warnock spirit to win here but a draw is not out of the question. Let's not forget that West Ham are 16th in the table! 5/2 is widely available for the draw while Blue Square will give you a best 5/6 on West Ham. Blades fans might like the 4/1 on their team at VC Bet.

Betting Decision

3pt Draw – Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal 23/10
4pts Away win – Everton 9/5
3pts Draw – Fulham v Reading 12/5
3pts Draw – West Ham United v Sheffield United 5/2

Total Outlay 13 points

Ed note: Plenty of football action and unbeatable odds on the Mansion Sports Exchange where 0% Commission applies on bought bets

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