Premiership Soccer Preview - December 23/24 2006
Pinnacle Sports offer their tips and analysis for this weekend's Premiership soccer action.
Matters are finely poised at both ends of the Premiership table as we enter the busy Christmas period. The title chase seems to have become a two-horse race, with Manchester United striving for their first title for three years, looking to depose Chelsea, the reigning Champions. Adding to the intensity, Man Utd now lead the Londoners by just 2 points following their loss to West Ham at the weekend.
With 12 points up for grabs everything could change over a hectic ten day period. While most people will be at home enjoying the holidays, online Sportsbook Pinnacle Sports will be covering all the Premiership action, offering up to 60% better odds on Asian Handicaps than traditional bookmakers.
Critical Clash For Curbishley's Hammers
Any of the club's currently in the bottom half of the Premiership table could be realistic candidates for relegation and two meet in an all London Derby at Craven Cottage, where Fulham welcome West Ham United. After the success of last term the Hammers have been in this season's spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The change of club ownership and appointment of Alan Curbishley, should put an end to the turmoil. After the much-hyped 1-0 victory at home over Manchester United, the real business begins here. West Ham are without an away win from nine games, or a goal in 708 minutes of football on the road. To end that run Curbishley will need to inspire confidence in his attacking players while re-organising a leaky defence that has kept just two clean sheets all season. Pinnacle Sports are not convinced of an immediate turn-around in fortunes pricing the Irons (0/scratch) 2.20, with Fulham (0/scratch) 1.769.
The Cottagers were strong at home last season, losing just once, but they have already been defeated three times this term. However, victories against Arsenal and Everton prove that on their day they are a match for anyone and the victory at home over Middlesbrough on Monday will add to their confidence.
Chelsea Looking To Kick-Start Christmas Rush
For the first time since Jose Mourinho took charge of Chelsea the club find themselves in the unique position of chasing the coat-tails of Manchester United. The ever-confident Portuguese coach will know that the critical Christmas period could change all that, as last season the Blues took a maximum 12 points from four games.
Chelsea were Wigan's first ever premiership opponents at the start of last season, and the occasion proved bitter sweet for the Lancashire side, losing the game 1-0 on the last kick of the game. Bereft of any star-names, Wigan is a hard-working club, stronger than the sum of its parts. Their lack of quality has probably been their undoing when facing the Premiership's stronger sides, losing all eight games against the big-four last term. This term Liverpool, Arsenal and Man United have all plundered three points at the JJB Stadium with an aggregate score of 8-1. Chelsea should be expected to follow suit, and Pinnacle Sports agree pricing them as -1, 1.775 favourites, with Wigan +1, 2.19 underdogs.
Villans Ready To Rob United Of Valuable Points
Martin O'Neill was hotly tipped to succeed Alex Ferguson, but the Irishman has instead instigated a revival at Aston Villa. The visit of the league leaders will give a measure of his progress. Villa have lost just twice at home this season, but United are the first of the 'big four' to visit this term. The Red Devils have won eight consecutive meetings of the clubs. The last time Villa beat United in the Premiership was in 1995, and they have scored just once in five recent encounters. So there are no surprises that Pinnacle Sports price Villa as +0.5 & +1, 2.14 underdogs with United -0.5 & -1, 1.806 favourites to rebound from their surprising loss at the weekend to the Hammers.
Watford Face Huge Challenge At Anfield
Watford are one of four Premiership clubs without an away win, and on Saturday the Hornets travel to Liverpool, who are one of only three Premiership sides unbeaten at home. Those statistics alone give a strong indication of why Pinnacle Sports price the home side as strong -1.5 & -2, 1.877 favourites. Throw in the fact that Watford have won just one Premiership game at home, and have scored just twice in six games, while Liverpool are banging them in for fun, the Pinnacle Sports quote of +1.5 & +2, 2.05 about Watford should surprise few.
Few Presents Expected For Blackburn At Emirates
Arsenal can consolidate their claim for a Champions League place with a win against a Blackburn side with just two wins in eight away Premiership trips this season. The Gunners are unbeaten at their new stadium, so it's no surprise that Pinnacle Sports warrant an Asian handicap price of -1.5, 2.20 on the Londoners in this tie. Thierry Henry is still sidelined, but the club are getting used to his absence. Rovers will be encouraged to have wrapped up UEFA progress topping their group, and glance back to last season's results will show you that Blackburn won five consecutive games in all competitions from Dec 21st to Jan 7th, so Pinnacle Sports's price of +1.5, 1.769 might be interesting.
