There’s only one match left standing…and it’s going to be a stalemate

The weather has yet to claim victory over the Britannia Stadium but there’s still no guarantee of goals tonight.

Blackburn and Aston Villa’s match has fallen foul of the weather so hoofball fans will have to look elsewhere for their evening’s entertainment.

The last surviving game involving teams in the top-five tiers of English football is Fulham’s trip to Stoke and there’s plenty of value to be found backing low on the goal front and dismissing the hosts.

Our best bet is the draw at 23/10 on Ladbrokes because the Potters are struggling, having won once in nine league matches, but it’s too risky to back Fulham as they’ve triumphed in just one of their last 13 away.

Stoke are the league’s lowest scorers so a repeat of last season’s 0-0 at 8/1 is also worthy of consideration.

Click here to claim a free £10 bet with Ladbrokes

Posted: January 5th, 2010 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Stats for all of this weekend’s Premier League matches

For Man Utd/Arsenal stats, check out our Correct Score wizard

Baffled by Sky’s decision to broadcast a nothing match between Chelsea and Blackburn over games that will have a huge impact on the relegation battle and the race for seventh, we’ve decided to instead publish a stat for every league match taking place this weekend:

Bolton v Hull
Gary Megson’s side are unbeaten at home to sides below them in the table and have won their final league game at the Reebok in three of the last four years.

Everton v West Ham
The Toffees have lost just one of their last 13 home games in all competitions while West Ham haven’t beaten a top-six side all season.

Middlesbrough v Aston Villa

Posted: May 15th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Everything you need to know about Man United v Arsenal

Man Utd/Arsenal, Saturday 12.45pm, Sky Sports 1, £25 Free Bet

Manchester United need just a point to claim their 11th league title in 17 years and Arsenal have won just two of their last seven games and one of their last six clashes with the league leaders. Check out the Interactive Wizard we produced with Betfair to figure out what the final score will be.

Posted: May 15th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Liverpool get another chance to go top against West Ham

WHU/Liverpool, Sat 5.30pm, Setanta Spts 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

This is the closest Liverpool have ever come to winning the Premier League and the TV schedulers seem to enjoy torturing them. Once again the Reds play before Manchester United, offering them the chance to experience being top with just two games to go, only to probably have it cruelly snatched away from them a day later. West Ham won’t be a pushover though - even if odds of 23/4 with 888sport suggest otherwise:

Key Trends

» West Ham have lost all five of their home games against teams above them in the league.

» Liverpool have the best record against top-half teams in the Premier League and haven’t lost to any of the top nine clubs.

» In only one of West Ham’s previous 13 Premier League seasons (2000-01) have they failed to beat any of the Big Four - this is their last chance to win against one of them this year.

Posted: May 8th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Everton chase fourth straight 1-0 win away to Sunderland

Sunderland/Everton, Sun 4pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

A 0-0 draw at the Emirates back in February saw Sunderland climb into the top-half - the appointment of Ricky Sbragia appeared inspired and safety almost certain. However, they have won just one of eight since then, losing five of their last six. They are just four points clear of the bottom three and Everton will be looking to pile on the doom.

Five reasons why 1-0 Everton looks a good bet at 9.2 on Betfair:

1. Everton have won 1-0 on their last three visits to the Stadium of Light.

2. Five of their eight away wins this season have come by that scoreline.

Posted: May 1st, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Why Stoke will beat Newcastle and all but guarantee survival

Stoke/NUFC, Sat 5.30pm, Setanta Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

With one of the best home records in the top-flight, chickendinner fancy Stoke to make it two losses out of two for Alan Shearer at the generous price of 6/4 with their chairman’s firm Bet365. Here’s why:

1. Excluding the Big Four, no team have picked up more points than Stoke (14) from their last eight league games. Over that same period, Newcastle have taken just six.

2. Stoke are unbeaten at home to sides outside of the top six - winning six and drawing three of their nine encounters.

3. In stark contrast, Newcastle are winless away to sides outside of the bottom six - losing seven and drawing three. They have lost all six against teams placed between 7th and 14th.

4. Middlesbrough and Sunderland have already both fallen to defeat at the Britannia Stadium (both 1-0, which is available at 13/2 generally) so the Potters are looking to complete a North East treble.

5. Newcastle have only won on two of their last twelve trips to Stoke.

Posted: April 9th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment