Paul Hart’s good start, Boro’s strong home form and more

Five stats about this weekend’s football

1. Only Manchester United and Liverpool have taken more points at home than Tottenham since Harry Redknapp took over in October. Spurs have won seven, drew four and lost one of their twelve under the former Portsmouth boss.

2. Middlesbrough are now unbeaten in six league games at the Riverside and would be four points clear of the drop right now if only home results were taken into account.

Posted: April 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

Can 4/1 Wales steal the Six Nations from Ireland’s grasp?

The 2009 Championship comes to a thrilling climax on Saturday

Wales are 4/1 with Paddy Power and Boylesports - both Irish bookmakers of course - to win the Six Nations. They must beat Ireland by at least thirteeen points to prise away the crown. Is it possible?

YES

» Wales have beaten Ireland on each of the last two occasions where they have met on the final day of the tournament.

» In each of the last five years Wales have had their final match at home and they have won on four of those occasions - against Italy, Ireland, England and France. Wales are also the only team to have won each of their last five home games in the competition.

» In 2007 and 2008 combined, the average win margin on the final day of the Six Nations was 17.7, compared to 13.3 over the first four weeks.

Posted: March 20th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Why Ireland should lose the Welsh battle but win the war

IG Sport expect Ireland to lose tomorrow but win the Six Nations

Our friends at spread betting firm IG Sport are here to tell us all about the markets on offer for the final weekend of the 2009 Six Nations:

“Saturday’s rugby union encounter between Ireland and Wales in Cardiff will not only decide the winner of the 2009 Six Nations but could also determine the destination of the ultimate Wooden Spoon. Between 1910 and 1953 France went 24 Championships without winning the competition. That’s the longest period a team has gone without success in the competition.  Ireland’s current run is 23 - even Scotland have won since them!

Posted: March 20th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Derby have a toe in the final but a mountain left to climb

Manchester Utd/Derby, 8pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Despite heading to Old Trafford with a 1-0 advantage, Derby are 4/1 on Betfair to reach the Carling Cup final. Here are five reasons for Rams fans to be optimistic:

1. Only one of Manchester United’s last five home games have been won by more than one goal so if Derby can get on the scoresheet they stand a great chance of winning by away goals.

2. While Derby have won just two away league games in the last 22 months (excluding the play-offs), they are on a fantastic run of four straight wins on the road in cup competition.

3. Derby may have lost at home at the weekend in Nigel Clough’s first game but he knows how to pick up a result on the road. Burton won their last six away league games under his leadership.

Posted: January 20th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Burnley have to contend with Spurs’ excellent cup record

Tottenham/Burnley, 8pm, Sky Sports 1, Best Odds, Free Bets

Burnley have built themselves a reputation as a good cup side by knocking out Chelsea and Arsenal in successive rounds of this year’s Carling Cup but their recent record in knockout competitions pales in comparison to that of semi-final opponents Tottenham.

Since the start of the 2006-07 season, Spurs have competed in fifty cup games in the FA Cup, Carling Cup and UEFA Cup and of that half century they have lost just six. In comparison they have lost twenty of their last fifty Premier League games. Their cup record is even more impressive this season, contrasting massively with their dreadful league performance. From ten games they have won seven, draw two and lost one.

Tottenham’s fifty cup games from 2006-07 onwards:
W29 D15 L6 (Points per game: 2.04)

Tottenham’s last fifty Premier League games:
W15 D15 L20 (Points per game: 1.2)

Burnley’s twelve cup games from 2006-07 onwards:
W5 D3 L4 (Points per game: 1.5)

Burnley’s last twelve Coca Cola Championship games:
W6 D2 L4 (Points per game: 1.67)

Posted: January 5th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment