Football Betting
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Sad news for West Ham’s fans and one of their stars emerged this week when Dean Ashton was forced to retire from the game after suffering an ankle injury on international duty in 2006. At 26 a large chunk of Ashtons career has been cut short and the Hammers will be looking to end the week on a high with a good result against Birmingham.
There has also been talk of a takeover this week with former Blues owners David Gold and David Sullivan poised to make an offer for the club, so they will want to show their possible new suitors what they can do against a team they know all too well.
The east London side have had a slow start to the season and after a 5-3 win over Burnley were soundly hammered 4-0 by Man United last week so they will be looking to get that result out of their system and return to winning ways. Alex McLeish’s Birmingham side are on a fine run of form at the minute though, unbeaten in six with three successive wins. After climbing into the top half of the table, they have done so with one of the best defensive records in the league. The Blues have conceded just 16 goals and only Chelsea, Man United and Aston Villa have conceded fewer.
West Ham have conceded at least two goals in 10 of their last 11 Premier League matches and with just nine goals having been scored at St Andrews this season the fans may finally see something of a goalfest. I fancy Birmingham to continue their fine run with a 3-1 win, available at 16/1. Blues top scorer this season, Lee Bowyer, is available at 15/2 to open the scoring against his former side.
Liverpool host top four rivals Arsenal on Sunday, although the Reds may find themselves more top four hopefuls if they don’t stop the rot against the Gunners. Liverpool have a good record against Arsene Wengers side in recent years with three wins and two draws in their last five clashes at Anfield. The last four games in the league have all ended with the points shared too. The Gunners stole a 2-1 victory in a recent Carling Cup clash at the Emirates Stadium but with both sides fielding weakened teams I wouldn’t look too far into that result for any clues.
Fernando Torres returned from injury by making a cameo role against Fiorentina in midweek and looked sharp. This is ominous news for Arsenal with the Spanish star scoring three times in his last two games against Arsenal at Anfield. I’d back Torres at 9/2 to open the scoring again. With both sides seemingly off the pace in recent weeks and Arsenal struggling against the top sides this season, another stalemate could be on the cards and the 2-2 scoreline is available at 10/1. Remember if Steven Gerrard or Cesc Fasbregas score last in this match Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st /last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the match.
Aston Villa travel to Old Trafford to face Man Utd and overturn a wretched run against the champions. Villa have never won a Premier League game at the Theatre of Dreams although they have scored in all but one of their Premier League games this season so they will be hoping they can keep this run going. Martin O’Neill’s side almost broke their Old Trafford duck last year but two late goals saw United come from behind to snatch a 3-2 win. Nemanja Vidic should return from a bout of flu and is likely to line up with Michael Carrick in the centre of defence so Villa will fancy their chances of scoring with Ashley Young a well priced 14/1 to open the scoring. United have three wins on the bounce and I don’t see this changing. 2-1 home win is 13/2.
Elsewhere Sunderland will be looking to return to winning ways following two successive 1-0 defeats when they take on Portsmouth. Pompey have suffered further woe this week with talk of administration and they look a club destined for the drop. The Black Cats have looked impressive at home this season and I can see them scoring some goals at the Stadium of Light, a 4-0 Sunderland win is 33/1.
At the Reebok Stadium a North West derby between Bolton and Manchester City takes place. The Trotters have failed to keep a clean sheet all season so former Arsenal man Emmanuel Adebayor could end his run of seven league games without a goal against Bolton. Adebayor is 9/2 to bag the opener this weekend.
Football Betting - Premier League Betting
