Manchester City’s away form isn’t as big an issue in Europe

Aalborg/Man City, 8pm, Five, Free Bets, Best Odds

Manchester City have been waiting seven months for a domestic away win but they don’t have struggle anywhere near as much in Europe. Here are five key stats to bear in mind when betting on their trip to Aalborg tonight:

» Mark Hughes’ side have gone fourteen domestic matches on the road without keeping a clean sheet but have shut the opposition out in three of their six European away games.

» The Citizens have been beaten just once in their six UEFA Cup away games this season - winning four and drawing one. The loss came 3-1 away to Racing when City’s qualification from the group stage was already assured.

Posted: March 19th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Another nil-nil to the Arsenal

Five stats about this weekend’s football

1. Arsenal had gone 58 home league games without experiencing a goalless draw before their recent run of three consecutive 0-0s.

2. Mark Hughes’ Manchester City have lost eight of their fourteen Premier League away games this season (57%). The Welshman lost just six of his last 22 away games while manager of Blackburn (27%).

3. Since branding the Bolton fans who were abusing him “pathetic” after the 2-2 draw at Blackburn, Gary Megson’s Bolton have won three out of four matches to move into the top half.

Posted: March 2nd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Will Spurs and Manchester City’s woeful away form ruin their UEFA Cup prospects?

Two poor domestic travellers visit the Ukraine and Denmark

Tottenham and Manchester City have been two of the poorest away sides in the Premier League this season but so far their domestic struggles on the road haven’t hampered their UEFA Cup bids.  Tonight though both face tough tasks, with Spurs facing Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk and the Citizens travelling to Copenhagen. Here are all the important stats:

Shakhtar Donetsk v Tottenham (6.45pm, Five)
Tottenham have won just two of twelve Premier League away games this season and are only marginally better in cup competition, with two wins to show from their last six on the road. Redknapp has won just one of his last four European away games with West Ham, Portsmouth and Spurs. Their Ukrainian opponents were the best team not to qualify to the last sixteen of the Champions League. They won five of their eight games in the competition and became the only club to beat Barcelona at the Nou Camp this season. With Redknapp leaving players behind in London, Spurs may struggle.

FC Copenhagen v Manchester City (7.05pm, BBC3)

Posted: February 19th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Fulham’s “Big Five” unbeaten record is likely to end tonight

Man Utd v Fulham, 8pm, Premier League, Free Bets, Best Odds

If this match was taking place at Craven Cottage, you’d fancy Fulham to take at least a point considering their magnificant home record. Roy Hodgson’s side are unbeaten against the “Big Five” this season but Manchester United currently boast the second highest home points average in Premier League history. Here’s why the champions should justify their 1/4 odds:

» Manchester United have won ten consecutive Premier League home games after drawing their opener against Newcastle. Last season they drew their first match at Old Trafford only to win the next twelve.

» Since that opening day 1-1 tie with Newcastle, Hull have been the only team to score away to the champions in the league this season.

Posted: February 18th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Five reasons why Stoke and Man City may share the spoils

Stoke/Man City, 12.45pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

It looks like Manchester City are started to turn the corner while Stoke’s early season dominance at the Britannia Stadium has started to dwindle. However, they should still be capable of taking a point off the billionaires:

1. Manchester City are on a four match unbeaten run in the league - the first time they have gone more than two games without defeat in over a year - but still haven’t won a domestic away game since August.

2. Mark Hughes’ side have drawn three of their last four league matches on the road.

3. Last season Manchester City failed to do the double over any of last season’s bottom five. They won 3-0 against the Potters earlier this season.

4. Stoke have lost just one of their last eight league home games and have only been beaten at the Britannia Stadium by clubs in the top six.

5. However, they have gone nine league games without a win and have drawn three of their last four home games.

The draw can be backed at 12/5 with Paddy Power - click here for a free £10 bet with the Irish bookmakers

Posted: January 30th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 4 Comments

Struggling Portsmouth look to end Villa’s run of away wins

Portsmouth/Aston Villa, 8pm, Sky Sports 2, Free Bets, Best Odds

Photo Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

Last season just three points separated these two sides but with sixteen to play, Portsmouth are already twenty short of Aston Villa this year. Both sides failed to impress against Championship opposition in the FA Cup but Martin O’Neill’s side are unbeaten in ten league games, although this is the first time this season they have been without their “genius” Ashley Young:

VILLA’S AWAY RECORD
Aston Villa have won five consecutive away games, something they had last achieved in May 1998. If they win tonight it will be the first time in Premier League history that they have won six in succession. Villa are one of only two clubs, the other being Bolton, who are yet to experience an away draw, which is odd considering they, alongside Liverpool, have drawn more home games than anyone else (five). Overall, Villa have won eight and lost three of their eleven on the road and they are 2.34 on Betfair to triumph again.

PORTSMOUTH’S WINLESS RUN
Pompey have gone six Premier League games without a win, although the last time they went longer than that without picking up three points was at the start of 2006 when Harry Redknapp led them through an eight game winless streak. The South Coast side have won just two of thirteen league games under Tony Adams.

VILLA AT FRATTON PARK

Posted: January 27th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment