Premiership Football Preview: Saturday 16th December

We picked up another 6 point profit last week getting two out of five right. I also toyed with taking the Watford draw but, alas, rejected what in hindsight seems an obvious stalemate. On the other hand, the Bolton result was way off!

This Saturday, the shortened fixture line up is:

Arsenal v Portsmouth, 3.00pm
Aston Villa v Bolton Wanderers, 5.15pm
Charlton Athletic v Liverpool, 12.45pm
Newcastle United v Watford, 3.00pm
Reading v Blackburn Rovers, 3.00pm
Wigan Athletic v Sheffield United, 3.00pm

Arsenal v Portsmouth

This is likely to be a true test of Pompey's current top 4 status. They can be heartened by Arsenal's failure to see off a number of lesser teams at the Emirates Stadium this season but that pattern suggests that Portsmouth need to get the first goal. Either way, an away win seems unlikely. It's more a question of whether Arsenal decide to fire blanks. Will the Kanu factor help Pompey? Possibly but I think a home win is likely as Arsenal know it's now or never to make a charge towards the fast disappearing pair of teams above them.

Aston Villa v Bolton Wanderers

Bolton turned their current form round last week, much to my surprise, but I hadn't expected West Ham to chose that day to hit a new low in performance and help Alan Pardew on his way out. Now can Bolton dig in at Villa who themselves are becoming a middling outfit finding a win hard to come by lately? It might be a tough fixture to play in and perhaps watch so I am firmly in the draw camp here at 11/5 at Bet365 and VC Bet among others.

Charlton Athletic v Liverpool

This is intriguing. A poor side with a poor home record against a side that, while "good", find it hard to perform away from Anfield, albeit the last outing at Wigan might have changed that status somewhat. The bookmakers' odds favour Liverpool strongly but the home side will be scrapping and they do have players who can win games when the force is with them. The odds for the draw are 14/5 at Bet365 and I will plump for that for value alone. I think 2/1 would be a more accurate reflection.

Newcastle United v Watford

Despite a catalogue of injuries, the Magpies have found a run of form and confidence allied to goalscoring prowess that should see them home against the team vying to invent a cure for insomnia. In fairness to Watford, they have lost a key player in Marlon King to injury and that is a blow that manager Boothroyd is probably underplaying in public. That all said, Newcastle are still brittle and if any side can frustrate them, it is Watford who already have several 0-0 draws to their name. So, while a home win seems likely, the 23/10 on the draw with Blue Square and VC Bet represents value.

Reading v Blackburn Rovers

This pitches the team with the least yellow cards against the one with most. No prizes for guessing which one Mark Hughes manages! Another stark contrast is that Reading have won their last three home games while Blackburn have lost their last three away. Easy choice then? No game can be easy for Reading in this league but allowing for Rovers' horrid injury list, the 11/10 for the home win looks good value at Bet365.

Wigan Athletic v Sheffield United

The Blades are starting to inflict one or two sharp cuts as they fight to stay above the trapdoor and we can be sure Wigan will not come out of this one without a wound or two. However, Wigan are also scrapping well and were most unfortunate not to gain at least a point in midweek at home to Arsenal. However, given Sheffield United's current mood, a draw is the value at 12/5 with Bet365.

Betting Decision

3pts Draw – Aston Villa v Bolton 11/5
2pts Draw – Charlton v Liverpool 14/5
2pts Draw – Newcastle v Watford 23/10
4pts Home win – Reading 11/10
3pts Draw – Wigan v Sheffield Utd 12/5

Total Outlay 14 points

Ed note: A free £100 Free Bet Basket is yours when you open a betting account at Bet365!

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