Premiership Football Betting Preview
Pinnacle Sports has seven of the weekend's match-up's separated by a half goal handicap or less, and one of the hardest to call will be played at the Reebok Stadium.
For Manchester United to maintain their position at the top of the Premiership table, they must overcome the team snapping at their heels in third, and find a way passed one of the division's in form stoppers. The Trotters are unbeaten at home in four games this season, with a zero in the goals against column. A good deal of the credit for that statistic must go to Finnish goalkeeper, Jussi Jaaskelainen, who has been in unbeatable form, underlined by two penalty saves in three minutes, helping Wanderers to three points last Sunday at Ewood Park.
The battling win against Blackburn came at the expense of captain Kevin Nolan's red card, which rules him out for Sam Allardyce's 200th game in charge. In order for Big Sam's side to continue their best ever start to the Premiership - and record a fifth successive win - they must achieve a first ever home win against the Red Devils. Bolton might have the tightest defence, but United are the most prolific on the road, so something has got to give. Pinnacle Sports makes United half ball favourites, 1.952 (-0.5), with Wanderers 1.971 (+0.5). Alex Ferguson was able to rest his first time for United's midweek extra-time Carling Cup win over Crewe, whereas a near full-strength Bolton side lost to Charlton at the Valley.
Iain Dowie was pleased that the Addicks were able to record a victory, but they are far from certain to translate that into the league, where they prop up the table with one win from nine games. Charlton face a tough trip to St.James' Park against a Newcastle side, who despite a comfortable Carling Cup win, are themselves under pressure to improve their Premiership form, just three points above the South Londoners. The midweek clean-sheet against Portsmouth will have pleased boss Glen Roeder, who has watched in horror as his side have committed defensive suicide in recent games, but one swallow does not make a summer.
Given both club's poor current form Pinnacle Sports separates the clubs by only a half-goal handicap, with the Magpies 1.775 (-0.5) and Charlton 2.19 (+0.5), and recent meetings back-up this assessment. Four of the last six meetings have been drawn, including the last two on Tyneside.
The meeting of Portsmouth and Reading at Fratton Park brings together two teams who were both eliminated from the Carling Cup midweek, conceding three and four goals respectively. For the Royals it was the second consecutive game where they shipped that number of goals having been decisively beaten 4-0 at the Madejski by Arsenal last weekend. After an encouraging start to life in the Premiership, the questions will start to be asked about the durability of Steve Coppell's side, and their afternoon on the South Coast will be anything but a fun day-out. Pinnacle Sports has them as slight underdogs 1.98 (+0.5), with the home side 1.943 (-0.5).
No-one truthfully expected Pompey to maintain their blistering start to the campaign, where they went five games without conceding. Despite losing three games since that early run, Harry Redknapp's side have still conceded just one goal at home, demonstrating that they are no-pushovers at home. 'Arry probably has greater depth in his squad, with veteran striker, Andy Cole, chomping at the bit to add to his 186 Premiership goals.
Aidy Boothroyd will be getting sick of the constant reminder that Watford are still without a Premiership win. At least the Hornets got that winning feeling midweek, beating Hull 2-1 in the Carling Cup. However, on the following night, Saturday's Premiership opponents Spurs, sounded a warning by thumping five passed Milton Keynes, to progress in the League Cup.
After a shaky start to the Premiership, characterised by shyness in front of goal, Martin Jol's side have started to find the back of the net, emphasised by Wednesday night's goal-fest. The Lilywhites are now six games unbeaten in all competitions, evidence enough for Pinnacle Sports's quote of 2.14 (-0.5), while bettors can back the Golden Boys at 1.806 (+0.5).
