Super Sunday Betting Preview

There are Super Sundays and then there are SUPER SUNDAYS!

Today the big 4 are all in action in what could be a pivotal weekend in determining the destination of the Premier League and over £10million is expected to be gambled on the 2 games.

So sit down, make yourself comfortable and enjoy the best day of the football season so far.

MANCHESTER UNITED v LIVERPOOL

First up it’s Man Utd v Liverpool at Old Trafford at 1.30, live on Sky Sports. These two are clearly the form teams at the moment and this one ’should’ be a cracker. I say ’should’ but these games have often failed to live upto the pre-match hype. In fact the last 7 games have seen just 2 goals or fewer and we’ve not seen both teams score in the same game since September 2004. The stats don’t bode well for a high-scoring thriller.

But wait, don’t we have the most exciting Liverpool pairing since Rush and Dalglish, in Torres and Gerrard? and don’t we also have the most free-scoring winger for United since George Best, in Christiano Ronaldo? Well yes. And here’s hoping we get a good few goals but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Rio Ferdinand will miss out for United, whilst Rafa Benitez has no new injury worries as he looks for his first victory over Sir Alex since he took charge at Anfield. Ferdinand could be a big miss for the United, with the relatively inexperienced Pique set to partner Vidic at the back. Torres (8/1 for first goal Coral) at will give this pairing a real test in his current form. At the other end Ronaldo will be looking to extend his incredible scoring run of late. 33 goals is a phenomenal return and you’d be tempted to back him as first scorer this time again (11/2 Coral, Totesport).

A win for United, coupled with anything other than an Arsenal win would more or less seal the League for me and I think United need the 3 points more than Liverpool, especially after Everton’s draw with West Ham last night. Several have tipped Liverpool and at 33/10 (VCBet) and I can understand why but the fact that Benitez has never guided his team to an away win against any of the big four doesn’t fill me with confidence. Man Utd have been steady but unspectacular of late and I think they might just hit a bit of form today. I’ll be backing them at a generous 28/25 (Centrebet).

Skybet’s offer of a free anytime scorer bet on the Chelsea v Arsenal game if you bet on the same market in this one looks like a good one. It’s hard to see past Ronaldo when picking a goalscorer in the United team and Skybet have him at 5/4. If you think Liverpool might sneak this one then Gerrard makes sense at 3/1 with Skybet.

Going against my main tip slightly, I notice that Javier Mascherano is as big as 20/1 (Ladbrokes) for Man of the Match. By all accounts he’s been in brilliant form lately and that looks a big price.

Forecast: Man Utd 2 Liverpool 0. Ronaldo to score.

CHELSEA v ARSENAL

It’s funny how in football that history has a knack of repeating itself. Arsenal were the last team to inflict a Premier League defeat on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge back in February 2004. And I think they might do it again today.

Arsenal’s title challenge appears to have been written off after a succession of draws, and I have to agree that their title hopes do look a little forlorn now. But they’re still a very good team, just look at their great two-leg victory over an albeit ageing AC Milan side. The loss of Eduardo has not been insignificant both on the park and in the minds and the returning Robin van Persie needs to start hitting the goal trail sooner rather than later but this Arsenal team has the ability to counter Chelsea’s robust style of play.

In the blue corner, Avram Grant is finding himself under a bit of pressure with his tactical ability being called into question following a Carling Cup final defeat and most recently dropping two points at Spurs having been 3-1 and 4-3 up. It will be interesting to see the crowd’s response should Arsenal go a goal up today.

On the betting front Arsenal are widely available at 5/2 (Bet365, Boylesports, Coral, Ladbrokes, VCBet, William Hill). But backing them on the Asian Handicap might be a safer option. They’re available on the split (0, +0.5) at 1/1 with Bet365.

If you fancy Chelsea on the other hand, then the best price available is 13/10 at Centrebet.

If you go for the Skybet free bet on the anytime scorer then my picks for this one would be Joe Cole who netted twice at White Hart Lane in midweek and is 7/2 at Skybet. Or for Arsenal, Robin van Persie is 12/5 with Skybet to find the back of the net.

Prediction: Chelsea 1 Arsenal 2. Robin van Persie to score.

Whatever way the results go today it should be an Easter feast of football. Good luck and Enjoy.

Bookies Offers

Paddy Power: If Torres, Ronaldo, Drogba or Adebayor score last in their match, we will refund all losing win-draw-win, 1st /last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on that match.

Skybet: £20 free bet. Place an anytime scorer bet in the Man Utd v Liverpool match and get a free matched bet upto £20 in the Chelsea v Arsenal anytime scorer market.

Betfred: We will refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast win single bets on the Man United v Liverpool game and the Chelsea v Arsenal game as a free bet – if there are four different English goalscorers over the two matches specified.

Boylesports: If this game finishes in a 0-0 Draw, Boylesports will refund ALL losing Single bets on this match.

Selectabet Offers:

• Open an account at Bet365 and claim £100 in free bets
• Open an account at Betfair and claim £25 in free bets
• Open an account at Paddy Power and claim £25 in free bets