Weekend Football Betting Preview

This week looks like a good ‘un for us punters with plenty of stand out bets on the cards. Fingers crossed for a good weekend of betting.

Barclays Premier League

Unusually the big four all play on a Saturday for a change all four will be expected to pick up three points. Avram Grant will take charge at Stamford Bridge for the first time and the Blues have enough in their locker to beat Fulham. Drogba could make a timely return and for me this will influence the outcome somewhat, I’d certainly be happier backing Chelsea once I knew he was in the team – if you have the chance wait till the teams are announced before lumping on the Blues in this one.

Similarly, the team sheet will be pivotal to any bet I might have on Liverpool. After Torres tore Reading apart midweek and grabbed the matchball, Rafa Benitez still could not guarantee he will start today. Rafa’s infamous rotation system must be verfy frustrating for Reds fans and I just can’t understand why he continues to gamble with League points. Having said that, Liverpool have a good record at Wigan and should record a victory regardless of who plays up front.

On paper at least, man Utd and Arsenal face trickier ties today. I can’t see Fergie allowing his troops to fall to two defeats in a row, after the shocker on Wednesday night but Steve bruce’s men will make it tough for them today. If Birmingham can survive the first half hour I expect United to win by a single goal. Arsenal are the form team in the Premier League at the moment and make the short trip to Upton Park to face the Hammers. Arsenal haven’t won in their last 4 visits there and today could be a tight affair. I won’t be touching it but wouldn’t be surprised if it ended all square.

Elsewhere, Portsmouth should continue their good start with a home win against Reading and Bolton really need to start picking victories and will see today’s match at Pride Park as the perfect opportunity to kick-start their season. Another defeat could see Sammy Lee’s reign end prematurely.

Coca- Cola League Championship

After their exploits at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup it’s back to the bread and butter of the League for Coventry as they host Charlton at the Ricoh Arena today. So often have we seen teams come back down to earth with a massive bump and I think the same will happen to the Sky Blues today. Charlton are in good form and at 13/8 (totesport) look very inviting.

West Brom look the banker in this league tomorrow. The were disposed out of the Carling Cup by Cardiff, which clearly showed where their priorities lie this season. On Sunday they host a QPR side, for whom the next defeat could be John Gregory’s last. Currently 1/2 (Paddy Power, Stan James, totesport), West Brom are only going to get shorter so get on them sooner rather than later.

Coca Cola Leagues One & Two

Can the Leeds bandwagon keep on going this week? Its got to hit the buffers at some point but it doesn’t look like doing so against lowly Gillingham today. Managerless Gills shouldn’t pose Leeds too many problems so back them at 10/11 with BlueSq.

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