Aston Villa need to return to form against improving Spurs

Villa/Tottenham, Sunday 4pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

For the majority of the season Aston Villa have been pushing forward at the same pace that Tottenham have been falling backwards but over the last month the two sides’ fortunes have reversed somewhat, with Villa on a six-match winless run and Spurs on a five-match unbeaten run. Here’s why a draw - offered at 5/2 by Boylesports - could be on the cards this weekend:

» Four of the last seven meetings between the two sides have finished level, including two of the last three at Villa Park.

» Aston Villa have drawn half of their fourteen home league games this season, which is the biggest percentage in the Premier League and only matched by Morecambe in the Football League.

Posted: March 13th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Everton must beat Blackburn to keep top four dream alive

Blackburn/Everton, 8pm, Sky Sports 2, Free Bets, Best Odds

It was said that there was no way Everton could finish in the top four this season, especially without Yakubu and Mikel Arteta but the Toffees have taken advantage of Aston Villa and Arsenal’s recent stumbles and closed the gap. However last night’s unforeseen twist - Arsenal actually winning a game - has heaped pressure on David Moyes’ side who surely now need to win at Ewood Park to keep their hopes of Champions League qualification alive:

Worrying signs for Everton

» Everton haven’t tasted victory in any of their last four meetings with Blackburn, winning just one of the last seven.

» The Toffees have triumphed on just one of their last six visits to Ewood Park and haven’t even managed to score in the last two.

» The two sides have met twice already this season with struggling Blackburn winning on both occasions. Everton were therefore responsible for 33% of Paul Ince’s wins as Rovers manager.

Posted: March 4th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 2 Comments

Why Chelsea should go on to finish above Aston Villa now

Five stats about this weekend’s football

1. Aston Villa’s chances of finishing above Chelsea were severely damaged by the Blues completing the double over them. Not since 1993-94, when they beat champions Manchester United twice, have they finished below a team they’ve triumphed over home and away.

2. Blackburn may have ended Manchester United’s clean sheet record but after losing 2-1 they remain one of three clubs, alongside West Brom and Bolton, who have lost all their matches against the “Big Five” this season.

Posted: February 23rd, 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

Stats for all eight Premier League fixtures (Part Two)

Can Hodgson conquer Scolari in the West London derby?

Fulham v Chelsea
The Premier League’s second best home team meet its best away team at Craven Cottage in a West London derby. Fulham have won just one of their last thirteen home games against Chelsea but that victory came three seasons ago and last season, over the Christmas period, the Blues had to overcome a half-time deficit to win 2-1. Roy Hodgson’s side are unbeaten against the “Big Five” this season, beating Arsenal and drawing away to Liverpool and Aston Villa but it’s been fifteen months since Chelsea went two Premier League away games without winning.

Newcastle v Liverpool
Liverpool have won just three of their last nine away games against Newcastle and they haven’t won on successive trips to St James’ Park since 1998, which doesn’t bode well as they did a 3-0 double over the Magpies last season. Newcastle’s six match unbeaten run came to an end against Wigan on Boxing Day but they haven’t lost twice in a row yet under Joe Kinnear while six league games have passed since Liverpool won two straight.

West Brom v Tottenham

Posted: December 28th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment