Saturday 10 December 2011

Chelsea v Manchester City: Betting preview

Chelsea have shown some inconsistent form this season. They have won their last 2 Premier League games by 3-0, a scoreline they repeated against Valencia in the Champions League last Tuesday. But they have also lost 3 of their last 6, and have been beaten 3 times at home this season. City do not have a good record at Stamford Bridge, winning just once in their last 9 visits, but City have been rewriting records all season and bring a better team in better form than on any of those 9 visits. City match up well physically against Chelsea and should cause lots of problems for Chelsea on the counter. I prefer the 2/1 for a City win than 6/4 Chelsea.

Both Teams Score - this looks the nap bet for this match. Chelsea have scored in every home Premier League game this season, City have not failed to score in any domestic fixture. Both teams have scored in 6 of 7 of Chelsea's home games, and in City's last 7 Premier League games. It's 4/6 both teams score.

Under/Over 2.5 goals - Chelsea have scored 19 in 7 home games, City 24 in 7 away. Only 5 of the combined 28 league games these sides have played in this season have seen under 2.5 goals. 6/7 is available at Betfair for over 2.5 goals.

Under/Over 3.5 goals - Games between last season's top 4 average over 7 goals per game this season, with 4 the least scored. Chelsea's home games and City's away games both average over 4 goals per match. 2 of the last 4 games between these sides at the Bridge have seen 6 goals scored, a 6-0 win for Chelsea and a 4-2 win for City. William Hill and Coral both offer 2/1 for over 3.5 goals.

Anytime goalscorer - It's a toss up between Dzeko and Balotelli to partner City's 11 goal leading scorer, Sergio Aguero, in attack. Dzeko has started the last 3 and may take a rest. Aguero will start and he scored twice on his last appearance v Chelsea when playing for Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Coral offer 2/1 Aguero scores on Monday.

Picks: 3 x singles: both teams score, over 2.5 goals, over 3.5 goals.

Friday 2 December 2011

Premier League live games 3 Dec: Betting preview

A few things to consider if you fancy a bet on Saturday's live games:

Newcastle v Chelsea - 4th plays 5th at the newly named Sports Direct Arena (they say it won't catch on) and either would go 3rd with a win, at least until Spurs play Bolton later on Saturday. Newcastle have lost only to Manchester City this season and managed a draw at Manchester United last time out. Chelsea's recent form is not good with 3 defeats in 6 but they are unbeaten at Newcastle since 2006. Newcastle are available at 29/10 with Bwin and the draw also looks good value at 13/5 with 32Red. Chelsea are 11/10.

Under/Over 2.5 goals - Newcastle's home games average 2.5 goals, Chelsea's away games also average 2.5 goals and the last 6 games Premier League games between these sides at Newcastle have all seen less than 2.5 goals. 15/16 is available at Betfair for under 2.5 goals.

Both teams score - 10 of Newcastle's last 11 games in all competitions have seen both teams score. Newcastle have not failed to score at home and Chelsea have scored in 8 of 10 away games this season in all competitions. 4/5 is available that both teams score.

Correct score - if you think both teams will score and that the match will see under 2.5 goals you'll like the 6/1 available that the game finishes 1-1.

Anytime goalscorer - Demba Ba has 9 goals this season and looks good value at 12/5 with Unibet but keep in mind that only 1 of his 9 goals have been scored at home.

Picks: I like the look of the 1-1 draw and all the bets that go with that but I am playing it safe and doing just 1 single bet that both teams score.










Thursday 1 December 2011

Premier League live games 3 Dec: Betting preview

A few things to consider if you fancy a bet on Saturday's live games:

Aston Villa v Manchester United - the last time Villa beat United at Villa Park was the 3-1 victory in 1995 that led Alan Hansen to declare in the general direction of Alex Ferguson that "you win nothing with kids". United won the double that season and plenty since, including 9 of the subsequent 15 league fixtures between these sides at Villa Park, although the last 3 have ended in a draw. Villa have lost 1 of 6 home games this season, United are unbeaten away. United's second string suffered a humiliating defeat at home to Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup on Wednesday but Ferguson will send out a far superior side this Saturday, and will look to add to 2 successive 1-0 victories away from home in the Premier League. 8/11 is available for a United win but recent history says the draw at 14/5 with Stan James may offer better value.

Under/Over 2.5 goals - 7 of United's last 8 Premier League matches have seen less than 2.5 goals. Villla have 10 goals in 6 home games, United have conceded only 3 away. United have managed just the 1 goal in 4 successive away games. Going all the way back to Hansen's comment again, 12 of the last 15 league matches between these sides at Villa Park have seen less than 2.5 goals. Form and history suggest a low-scoring game and 28/29 is available at Betfair for under 2.5 goals.

1st Goalscorer - I tend to prefer betting on anytime goalscorers but history and form says there might be only 1 goal in this. I like the 5/1 available at Bwin for Javier Hernandez to score first. Hernandez has 6 goals this season, 5 of them have been the first goal.

Picks: under 2.5 goals, Hernandez first goalscorer.

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