Weekend Premiership Preview

Sporting Index, a leading online sportsbook, offer their tips and predictions for this weekend's Premiership betting action.

Watford v Liverpool (Saturday Prem Plus 12.45)

Unsurprisingly, Rafa Benitez would rather talk up his teams' Premiership record where they lead the form chart with one defeat in 10. The shambles of the cups should be strictly seen as a blip, with Liverpool otherwise watertight at the back - they've conceded only one goal in ten matches. Watford are already without Marlon King for the season and now top scorer Bouazza is sidelined with injury. Where will the goals come from with the team rooted to the bottom of the table? They've failed to score in six of their last nine games and have failed to take three points in their last 10 games. The bad news continues as Liverpool have recently spanked fellow strugglers Wigan and Charlton 4-0 and 3-0 respectively away from home. Will Sporting Index's prediction of a one goal win for Liverpool be too low? The Reds should start with Bellamy and Alonso who missed the midweek 6-3 embarrassment. They could prove the difference once more with both featuring on the scoresheet when Liverpool triumphed 2-0 against the Hornets last month. With no player cautioned in that game, Sporting Index's prediction of four bookings at Vicarage Road should stir up some interest amongst the punters.

Blackburn v Arsenal (Saturday Prem Plus 17.15)

Arsenal are raining goals at the moment. Charlton were hit for four in their last Premiership fixture, Liverpool were hit for six in the Carling Cup and let's not forget their 3-1 win in the FA Cup. However, Blackburn have much to shout about when it comes to form in front of goal. They've won their last three Premiership matches and scored four goals at Goodison on Sunday. With both teams in goalscoring form, Sporting Index surprisingly predict a total of only 2.4 to 2.6 goals at Ewood Park. The Gunners will look to their 6-2 win over Rovers last month for inspiration. However, with three goals in the last eight minutes, the scoreline was flattering. With 11 bookings in their last two encounters, can Arsenal live with another physical battle away from the Emirates? Their form against the 'big' teams is well known, but defeat away to Bolton, West Ham, Fulham and most recently Sheffield United, might get some punters questioning Sporting Index's prediction of a one goal victory for Arsenal.

Tottenham v Newcastle Utd (Sunday Sky Sports 1 16.00)

Tottenham find themselves four points from the top-six and the pressure is on to improve their festive record which saw one Premiership win in four. However, their home record is solid with only the blue and red half of Merseyside securing smash and grab wins this season at the Lane. They've won their last three home games and with Newcastle losing their last three away fixtures, Sporting Index reckon Spurs will sneak this by a one goal margin. Despite Lennon and Keane missing through injury, they have enough attacking ammunition in Berbatov, Defoe and Malbranque to breach a Newcastle defence without a clean sheet in eight games. However, the Magpies will boast of the fact they've won their last two meetings 3-1. The bragging rights end there with Spurs winning the preceding four games without conceding a goal! With only two bookings in Newcastle's 3-1 triumph last month, a few eyebrows might be raised to see Sporting Index predicting five cautions this time around.