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

The New Football Pools are giving away another £260,000 this weekend

Just predict the outcome of fifteen matches to win big

A fortnight ago chickendinner told you about The New Football Pools’ Footy 15 competition, whereby you could win a big cash jackpot by correctly identifying the winners of fifteen matches.

This week the jackpot is a massive £260,000 while prizes are available to everyone who gets eleven or more right. To help out those of you who would like to enter but don’t follow the Championship, here is a stat on each of the five games you have to pick a winner for in that league:

Bristol City v Barnsley
The away side haven’t won any of the last seven encounters between these teams. Bristol City have won their last two home games against Barnsley.

QPR v Reading

Posted: January 30th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Five stats about West Ham’s daunting trip to Hartlepool

Hartlepool/West Ham, Sat 12.40pm, ITV1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Nottingham Forest, Luton, Bolton, Grimsby, Stockport, Wrexham, Swansea, Northampton, Tranmere, Sheffield Wednesday, Reading, Oldham, Chesterfield and Watford. That is the expansive list of lower league teams West Ham have bowed out of either the FA or League Cup to over the course of their thirteen-and-a-half years in the Premier League. It’s no wonder Hartlepool are best-priced at 4/1 with Bet365 and 888sport to win tomorrow lunchtime:

1. West Ham have won four and drawn one of their last five games, their longest unbeaten streak since November 2007.

2. Carlton Cole has scored in each of those five games but in none of those matches has he been the first goalscorer. The striker is 13/8 with Boylesports to score at any time.

Posted: January 23rd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Stats for all of tonight’s FA Cup games (Part Two)

The games at Histon, Leyton Orient, Norwich and Peterborough

Photo Credit: Chris Radburn/PA Wire

chickendinner have already told you why we think that Bristol City will eliminate Portsmouth but here are a few stats to help you bet on the other eight games taking place tonight:

Histon v Swansea
The Welsh side will feel like proving a point after the Histon players reacted underwhelming to being drawn against them in the third round. Histon haven’t lost at home in the league or FA Cup since August while Swansea are unbeaten in nine. However, at this stage last year Swansea were eliminated by non-league side, Havant and Waterlooville.

Leyton Orient v Sheffield United
Leyton Orient are winless in six while Sheffield United are unbeaten over the same number of games so an away win appears the most likely outcome. Another impressive statistic in the Yorkshire side’s favour is that they are unbeaten in seven away games since losing to their rivals Sheffield Wednesday while Orient have won just one of their last ten at home.

Norwich v Charlton (replay)

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