Six reasons why Leeds should fight back against Millwall

Leeds/Millwall, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Photo Credit: Daniel Hambury/PA Wire

Best friends Leeds and Millwall meet for the second time in six days tonight and it is the Londoners who travel to Yorkshire with a 1-0 advantage. Leeds have suffered plenty of play-off heartache in recent years but getting to finals hasn’t been their problem. Here are five stats which suggest they will qualify:

Click here to claim a free £25 bet with Paddy Power, who are offering evens on Leeds progressing.

1. Leeds boasted the best home record in League One this season, winning 17 of the 23 games they have hosted.

2. Their home form has been ever better under Simon Grayson, the 2007 play-off winning manager. They have won 12 straight home games, conceding just once in their last six.

3. The Whites have won their last three clashes with Millwall at Elland Road.

Posted: May 14th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Why James Beattie may prove to be the signing of the season

Five stats about this weekend’s football

1. Has any January signing made as big an impact as James Beattie? Over the last eight games only the Big Four have taken more points than Stoke. Beattie has scored six goals from ten starts which is a huge contribution considering relegation rivals Middlesbrough, spearheaded by £12.7 million striker Afonso Alves, have managed a combined four goals in their last ten.

2. The impact Beattie has made at Stoke makes Sheffield United’s performance without him even more remarkable. The Blades have been the best team in the Championship since January 12, the day they sold Beattie, and they could climb up to second with victory over Barnsley tomorrow if Birmingham lose to Wolves tonight.

3. The most impressive aspect of the Yorkshire club’s climb up the table has been their away form. Kevin Blackwell’s side haven’t been beaten on the road in fourteen league games.

4. Manchester United have conceded ten goals in five league games since their record-breaking run of fourteen consecutive clean sheets was ended.

5. After Aston Villa’s latest defeat they are only three points better off than they were at this stage last season.

Posted: April 6th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Rafa’s recovery record must continue against Sunderland

Liverpool/Sunderland, Tues 8pm, SkySpts2, Free Bets, Best Odds

Liverpool have recovered from their last four Premier League defeats to win their next game. Sunderland discovered this habit the hard way last season when Rafael Benitez’s side bounced back from a 1-0 loss at West Ham to beat the Black Cats 3-0 at Anfield. Will the Reds bounce back again?

» Liverpool have won just two of their last eight domestic home games.

» However, Benitez’s side have won their last five encounters with Sunderland whilst shutting them out on each occasion. The hosts are 5/4 with Ladbrokes to win to nil on Tuesday.

» Sunderland are unbeaten in four Premier League matches, which is their longest run without a top-flight loss since November 2002. The fourth match of that run saw them grab a goalless draw at Anfield.

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

Burnley go into FA Cup replay with West Brom as favourites

Click here for the latest odds on tonight’s fourth round replay

Burnley have triumphed in all five of their cup matches at Turf Moor this season (one after extra time) and picked up results against four Premier League teams in the Carling Cup. The bookmakers aren’t risking another loss so 888sport and Paddy Power have chalked the hosts up at 13/10 favourites.

West Brom reached the semi-finals last year but have won just two of their fourteen away games this season and are 23/10 with Bet365 to triumph. Of last year’s other semi-finalists, Portsmouth and Barnsley have already bowed out while Cardiff need to beat Arsenal at the Emirates to progress.

Prior to the 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns in the initial tie, the hosts had won four straight meetings between the teams, again offering Burnley an edge.

Posted: February 3rd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

The New Football Pools are giving away another £260,000 this weekend

Just predict the outcome of fifteen matches to win big

A fortnight ago chickendinner told you about The New Football Pools’ Footy 15 competition, whereby you could win a big cash jackpot by correctly identifying the winners of fifteen matches.

This week the jackpot is a massive £260,000 while prizes are available to everyone who gets eleven or more right. To help out those of you who would like to enter but don’t follow the Championship, here is a stat on each of the five games you have to pick a winner for in that league:

Bristol City v Barnsley
The away side haven’t won any of the last seven encounters between these teams. Bristol City have won their last two home games against Barnsley.

QPR v Reading

Posted: January 30th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment