Back Southampton to sink Pompey in tie of the round

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Portsmouth have lost four of their last five away games without scoring, they haven’t won on the road since early October and to make matters worse, they have a dismal record at the home of their nearest and dearest.

Their last five trips to The Dell/St Mary’s, two of which occurred in the FA Cup, have all ended in defeat and the aggregate score in those games is an uninspiring 12-2 to the League One side.

Southampton boss Alan Pardew’s most unique strength as a manager is his ability to manufacture an electric atmosphere, not that he needs to do much

Posted: February 12th, 2010 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Portsmouth flop is expected to take the Southampton job

Tony Adams is Sky Bet’s 8/11 favourite to be named Saints’ boss

Photo Credit: Chris Ison/PA Wire

After months of bad news, things seemed to be looking up for Southampton last week: the club were saved from going instinct and star player Kelvin Davis spurned West Ham’s advances to stay at St Mary’s.

However, any Saints fans who were getting their hopes up about a brighter future will have been disappointed to hear that after much talk of Gordon Strachan - the man who took them to the 2003 FA Cup Final - returning, Tony Adams is Sky Bet’s 8/11 favourite for the job.

Adams spent three-and-a-half months in charge of Portsmouth last season before being sacked and the last man to take charge of Southampton shortly after leaving Pompey - Harry Redknapp - got them relegated and deserted

Posted: July 13th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

Everything you need to know about the 2009 FA Cup Final

Chelsea/Everton, Saturday 3pm, ITV1, £25 no loss Bet

The Big Four had a 12 year period of uninterrupted FA Cup dominance until Portsmouth gatecrashed the party last year and it’s been left to Everton to ensure that the crown doesn’t return to one of the Premier League’s elite. Check out the Big Match Wizard we have produced with Betfair to find out about Ashley Cole’s unprecedented FA Cup record, Chelsea’s fantastic defensive record when Alex plays, Louis Saha’s habit of scoring against the Blues and loads more. The stats have persuaded us to back Everton to win 1-0 with Saha grabbing the winner but take a look now to help you decide.

Posted: May 26th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Everything you need to know about Hull v Manchester Utd

Hull/Man Utd, Sunday 4pm, Sky Sports 3, £25 No Loss Bet

Try not to get too upset but this is the final Premier League interactive wizard we are producing with Betfair this season, although there are still Champions League and FA Cup Final ones to come. It features dozens of player-specific statistics and superfacts about the 38th and most important match of Hull’s Premier League existence. Click here to check it out now!

Posted: May 22nd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Ten number-based stats to help you bet on tonight’s semi

Man Utd/Arsenal, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 2, Free Bets, Best Odds

0 - The number of losses Manchester United have suffered in their last 23 Champions League games.

1 - The number of victories Arsenal have claimed on their last six trips to Old Trafford. They have lost the other five.

2 - The number of times that Arsenal have faced fellow Premier League opposition in the Champions League prior to this - Chelsea in 2003-04 and Liverpool last season. On both occasions they were eliminated.

Posted: April 29th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

Everton attempt to again deny Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea/Everton, 8pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Here are five superfacts about tonight’s FA Cup Final dress rehearsal between Everton and Chelsea:

1. Everton have drawn on both of their last two league visits to Stamford Bridge and held the Blues at Goodison Park earlier this season.

2. Despite that impressive run, The Toffees haven’t beaten Chelsea in 21 meetings and last beat them away in 1994.

3. Chelsea have won their three home league games under Guus Hiddink, and four of their overall five, each by a one-goal margin.

Posted: April 22nd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment