Why Blackburn are likely to beat Wigan at Ewood Park

Blackburn/Wigan, Sun 4pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Sam Allardyce shifted the blame for losses to Liverpool and Stoke on injuries to strikers but chickendinner won’t accept that excuse if they lose at home to Wigan because Morten Gamst Pedersen, Benni McCarthy and El-Hadji Diouf are a trio that most Hull and West Brom fans would be glad of. Here’s why Steve Bruce is unlikely to get a chance to “disrespect” the Blackburn boss:

» Allardyce has lost just one of his ten home games in charge of Blackburn.

» Wigan have won just one of their eight away games in 2009, losing five.

» The Latics have triumphed in just two of their last 12 league games.

» Wigan have never won at Ewood Park and have lost on four of their five visits.

» Bruce has failed to beat Blackburn away in eight attempts as Huddersfield, Birmingham and Wigan boss.

Posted: April 24th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Why Blackburn and Spurs may have to settle for a point

Blackburn/Spurs, Sat 12.45pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

chickendinner were fans of Heurelho Gomes even when he was ridiculed earlier this season but even we anticipate a difficult day for our favourite Brazilian goalkeeper at Ewood Park. He will be forced to contend with flair player-turned-catapult Morten Gamst Pedersen’s long throws, El-Hadji Diouf’s lunges, Christopher Samba’s aerial threat and having one of Sam Allardyce’s giants obstructing him every time Blackburn win a set-piece. However we still expect form league leaders Spurs to take a point home with them. Here’s why we fancy the draw at 3.35 with Betfair:

» Five of the last eight clashes between the two sides have finished level.

» The last three meetings between Blackburn and Spurs at Ewood Park have been drawn.

» Blackburn have drawn four of their last five Premier League home games.

Posted: April 3rd, 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

Sheffield United stand a good chance of surprising Hull

Stats on all of the FA Cup games kicking off at 3pm tomorrow

Photo Credit: PA Wire

Sheffield United suffered their first home loss in 44 years to fierce rivals Sheffield Wednesday last weekend but they could bounce back by knocking out Premier League side Hull in the FA Cup tomorrow:

Blackburn v Coventry
Rovers were humiliated by the Sky Blues 4-1 at Ewood Park in the third round last year and haven’t won any of their last four home clashes against the Championship side, losing three. Former Blackburn player Chris Coleman’s side beat league leaders Wolves last week but have won just one of their last five away games, 1-0 against Blue Square Premier side Torquay in the last round. The hosts have lost just one of ten under Sam Allardyce.

Sheffield United v Hull

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

Previews of tonight’s other FA Cup fourth round replays

Three more games that have conquered the snow will take place

While the Merseyside derby is the big game of the day, there are three other important FA Cup replays taking place. Martin O’Neill looks to avoid more FA Cup disappointment as they host Doncaster, Blackburn face Sunderland for the fifth time in under three months and Billy Davies and Nigel Clough face their former clubs once more:

Aston Villa v Doncaster
Doncaster are unbeaten in four straight away games, winning three, having previously gone twelve matches without a win on the road. In contrast, Villa have won just five of their last sixteen home games and were eliminated from the Carling Cup at home to Championship strugglers QPR. Martin O’Neill’s side have only been past the fourth round once in eight years so they will be wary of an upset.

Blackburn v Sunderland

Posted: February 4th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Statistics on tonight’s other five Premier League matches

Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal prepare for a game of catch-up

While Sky’s focus is on West Ham and Hull’s battle for mid-table position, there is plenty of excitement to be had elsewhere. Liverpool and Chelsea are in action, Arsenal travel to Everton and Sam Allardyce hosts old club Bolton. Here are all the key statistics you need to know for betting on those games:

Blackburn v Bolton
Sam Allardyce will look to continue his six match unbeaten run as Blackburn manager with victory over former club Bolton. Last season he triumphed over the Trotters while at Newcastle and he beat the Magpies earlier this month with Blackburn. Rovers are unbeaten in four against Bolton, winning three. Five of the last seven meetings between the two at Ewood Park have featured under 2.5 goals but all three of their home games since Allardyce arrived have featured three or more goals.

Chelsea v Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough are on a run of ten league games without a win. The last time they went that long without tasting victory they triumphed over previously unbeaten Arsenal in their next match. However, Middlesbrough haven’t scored in any of their last six visits to Stamford Bridge and were beaten 5-0 at home by them earlier this season.

Everton v Arsenal

Posted: January 28th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment