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

Boro could help Liverpool by taking points off Man United

Boro/Man Utd, Sat 12.45pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

It’s probably fair to say that any team who loses 4-1 to Bolton and 3-0 to West Brom deserve to be relegated (no offence Sunderland, who have also trod that path of humiliation). However, Middlesbrough are a Jekyll and Hyde team - hideously ugly away from home but capable of producing the goods at the smog-surrounded Riverside Stadium. With Sir Alex Ferguson talking about making eight changes to his side, here are five reasons why Middlesbrough can take points off Manchester United:

1. Manchester United have won on just three of their last eight visits to the Riverside.

2. The Red Devils have only completed three Premier League doubles over Boro in 13 attempts and have failed to do so in any of the last seven seasons.

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

Where Manchester United are most likely to drop six points

chickendinner provide the straws for Liverpool fans to clutch

Paddy Power think the title race is over and offer just 1/14 on Manchester United winning for the third straight season. To stop them, Liverpool must win all their remaining games and hope that the Red Devils drop six points. It’s all very unlikely but rather than accepting a premature end to an exciting campaign, we decided to look at where the holders are most likely to slip up:

Tottenham (h)
Spurs are unbeaten in six league meetings with the Big Four sides and have lost just one away game against a top-half side. Harry Redknapp’s side have lost one of their last nine and he has won there with West Ham and Portsmouth. Spurs haven’t won an away league match against a Big Four side since August 1993 - when they beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield.
Verdict: United could drop two points here but three is unlikely.

Middlesbrough (a)

Posted: April 23rd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

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

The Sack Race has ended with Gibson backing Southgate

A round-up of all the long-standing football markets

There’s not much football taking place this week so chickendinner decided to take a look at how some of the season-long betting markets are shaping up as the season reaches its climax:

Next Manager to Go
It looks like there will be no more sackings this season after Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson pledged his support to Gareth Southgate. Sky Bet now offer 2/5 on nobody else losing their job while Southgate is 4/1 and Tony Mowbray 6/1.

Top Goalscorer
Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard trail Nicolas Anelka by two goals but news of the Frenchman’s toe injury has seen them both over him in Paddy Power’s market. Ronaldo is 13/8, Gerrard 15/8 and Anelka 9/4.

To Avoid Relegation
In 2004-05 it was West Brom, in 2005-06 it was Portsmouth. 2006-07 was West Ham’s turn and last year Bolton and Fulham were breathing huge sighs of relief. One team recovers from almost certain relegation to survive almost every season. West Brom are 7/1 with Paddy Power to perform another Great Escape but it looks like being too big an ask. Middlesbrough may be four points from safety but with Hull, Fulham and Aston Villa yet to visit the Riverside and away games with off-form Bolton and Newcastle, they are not dead and buried yet.

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

Spurs are seventh best, Kevin Davies is Britain’s top scoring striker and more

Five stats about this weekend’s football

1. Spurs have been the seventh best team in the Premier League since Harry Redknapp took over in October. Over his 21 games in charge they have taken just three points less than Arsenal and five less than Aston Villa.

2. Aston Villa have lost three of their last four league games having been unbeaten in thirteen prior to that blip. Similarly, Manchester United had conceded just two goals in sixteen league games prior to their 4-1 home humiliation against Liverpool.

3. Middlesbrough have only lost one of their last eight Premier League home games but have only won once during that spell.

Posted: March 16th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment