Betting Blog

Blackburn v QPR Preview

Mike — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:55:42 +0000

Even though it may not appear it on first glance, this fixture is one of the biggest on the Premier League schedule this weekend. With just three points separating these two sides in the bottom few places, both of these sides know that the result in this fixture could contribute greatly to their divisional status.

Having amassed a total of eighteen points, Blackburn currently find themselves three points adrift of safety. However, recent results suggest that this margin will not be quashed anytime soon, with the Ewood Park outfit recording some truly horrific results in recent weeks. Steve Kean has been up against his own supporters for practically the whole campaign and his case was done no favours whatsoever last week, when Blackburn were thumped 7-1 away at Arsenal. That defeat meant that the club have won just once out of their last six, which obviously doesn’t bode well for their survival chances. In terms of their home form, Rovers have lost four out of their last five, meaning that their fans are probably again fearing the worst ahead of this clash.

QPR on the other hand are several places higher than their opponents, but they are in no way out of the relegation picture. In fact, should the Hoops lose to their opponents by a significant margin, they could find themselves in the bottom three by the close of play on Saturday. Even though there was some optimism at Loftus Road when Mark Hughes took over several weeks ago, QPR haven’t really built on that appointment and approach this game having drawn one and lost two of their last three. Furthermore, with their last away victory occurring in mid-November, they also probably won’t hold too much confidence ahead of this trip. Still, after signing several players of considerable quality through the January transfer window, their supporters will be hopeful that the Hoops have what it takes to avoid the drop.

Blackburn have been handed a huge boost ahead of this game with Yakubu poised to return after completing a three match suspension. Elsewhere, Jason Lowe will return following injury, but suspension and injury will keep out Gael Givet and Christopher Samba respectively. As for QPR, Mark Hughes looks set to be without Djibril Cisse after he was shown a red card on his debut last week. To make matters worse for Hughes, the likes of Heidar Helguson, Luke Young and DJ Campbell will not feature due to injury. However, Akos Buzsaky, Jay Bothroyd and Danny Gabbidon could all return to the reckoning after recovering from their injury problems.

It would be fair to say that Blackburn’s position is somewhat disastrous following that thrashing by Arsenal last week and some of their supporters probably just don’t know where to turn. We still think QPR have much more in them following Mark Hughes’ appointment and bearing this in mind, our prediction will be a narrow 3-2 victory for the Hoops.

Man Utd v Liverpool Preview

Mike — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:17:25 +0000

This game has been traditionally seen as one of the big title clashes, although on this occasion it will not fall under that category. Instead, the main focus is going to be on Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra, who come up against each other for the first time since the conclusion of the infamous racism row. In terms of league positions, Liverpool will just be hoping they can accumulate enough points to net a European position, while Manchester United have the chance to claim top spot this weekend should results go their way.

Having played Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in the last couple of weeks, it would be fair to say that Man Utd have tasted a bit of everything. While a lot of fans’ pride may have been hit by their 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the FA Cup, many were impressed at their club’s ability to come back from 3-0 down to claim a draw against Chelsea last week. That draw proved vitally important, as United now approach this game sat just two points behind league leaders Manchester City. With United winning four of their last five games at Old Trafford, their supporters should carry plenty of confidence as they prepare to host their most bitter rivals.

Liverpool on the other hand are in a terrible predicament by their own standards, with the Reds currently sat two places and three points behind 5th place. While the Anfield outfit have fared very well in cup competitions in recent weeks, their league form is less than impressive and Kenny Dalglish knows that things must improve if they are to net a European position. The club have won just one game out of their last five in the Premier League, which is clearly not acceptable for a club who some people thought may even challenge for top honours this year. The club’s away form is hardly inspiring either, with Dalglish’s side winning just one of their last four on the road.

Man Utd have been handed a huge boost ahead of this clash with Tom Cleverley back in the reckoning having finally recovered from an ankle injury. Elsewhere, Chris Smalling should be fit to play, although Phil Jones will not make it. Liverpool on the other hand could decide to hand a start to Luis Suarez, who was on the bench last week following his 8-match suspension. Elsewhere, Kenny Jackett could also hand a start to Jose Enrique, who has been struggling with a back problem over the past week.

As for a prediction, our tip is going to be a Man Utd victory. United have showed some good character over recent weeks, while Liverpool’s form has been indifferent to say the least. Bearing this in mind, we expect a narrow 2-1 win for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

Millwall v Derby Preview

Mike — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:51:27 +0000

Both of these sides need points for different reasons, with Millwall looking to avoid the drop and Derby attempting to make steps towards the top six. The Lions will certainly be hoping that this fixture finishes in a different style to earlier in the season, with Derby thrashing Millwall 3-0 in the reverse clash.

With Millwall sat just one place above the drop zone, it would be fair to say that Kenny Jackett’s men are in a precarious position. However, the New Den outfit will take some encouragement following their last clash, after recording a narrow 3-2 victory over high-flying Southampton in the FA Cup. That result will have repaired a bit of pride at the club, after the Lions were beaten 2-1 by fierce rivals West Ham in their last league outing. That loss happened to be their fifth defeat in six Championship games and it does not take an expert to see that this sort of form is relegation-standard. Furthermore, with Jackett’s side losing their last three games at home, a lot of their supporters might be quite wary as this game approaches.

Derby’s playoff ambitions appear to be constantly weakening on the other hand, with the Rams now six points away from the top six with a whole host of other teams also vying for those positions. Admittedly, their position was not done any favours last week after their proposed fixture against Nottingham Forest was postponed due to the bad weather. However, before that they had collected just one point from two games, while their away form needs some serious improvement. The Rams have won just once in their last ten games on the road, meaning that they have some of the worse away form in the division.

Kenny Jackett took the decision to rest many of his players for the club’s FA Cup game during the week, although following that win over Southampton some of the deputising players may have staked a good enough claim to keep their place. Jackett has been boosted with the return of skipper Paul Robinson, who comes back into contention having missed recent weeks through a thigh problem. However, a calf issue means that Dany N’Guessan has been ruled out. There’s just two pieces of news to report for Derby, with the first being the possible return of Steven Davies who hasn’t featured for the Pride Park outfit since sustaining a serious head injury in October. On a more negative note, Theo Robinson will not be featuring as a calf injury hinders him.

The form of both of these teams is indifferent in recent weeks and bearing this in mind, our tip will be a draw. Millwall may hold the home advantage, but we think Derby will have enough in them to claim a point in a 1-1 score line.

Leeds v Brighton Preview

Mike — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:21:58 +0000

With Leeds sat in 9th position and Brighton positioned just one place lower, it would be fair to say that both of these sides are challenging for a top six position. However, that is not the only focus of this game, with Leeds approaching the fixture managerless following the dismissal of Simon Grayson a couple of weeks ago.

Grayson’s dismissal has meant that Neil Redfearn has taken temporary charge and according to United chairman Ken Bates, the job is Redfearn’s to lose. Even though Redfearn’s managerial credentials are mixed at best, Bates has given the former Barnsley midfielder the job for at least three games to see how he performs. It has to be said that his first game was a resounding success, with the Whites recording a comprehensive 3-0 away victory over Bristol City. However, in general Leeds’ form has not been too bad anyway, and that is why many people are shocked at the decision to sack Simon Grayson. Still, with the club winning two of their last three games at Elland Road and under a new regime, the omens are certainly positive for them ahead of this clash.

Brighton’s manager Gus Poyet should know plenty about their opponents, with Poyet being assistant manager at Elland Road several years ago. However, with the tables now completely turned, Poyet is heading North to try and leapfrog the Whites and climb towards the top six places again. It has to be said that up until recently, most people had overlooked the Seagulls as playoff contenders. However, the American Express Community Stadium side have made superb improvements over recent weeks, having put together a run that has seen them remain unbeaten for eight games. However, with just three of those games being away from home, it remains to be seen how they’ll fare on Saturday.

Neil Redfearn is in the fortunate position of having no new injuries to contend with for this fixture and following Leeds’ result last week, the Whites are tipped to make minimal changes for the game. Brighton on the other hand are going to be without Matt Sparrow as he sits out through suspension. Elsewhere, Gus Poyet will be able to select Craig Noone and Kazenga LuaLua after the duo recovered from injuries, while Poyet will leave it until late before making a decision on Gonzalo Jara Reyes as he continues to struggle with a groin problem.

Recent form from both of these clubs would suggest that Brighton would have a chance of taking something from this fixture. However, with Leeds holding the home advantage and also trying to impress any potential new managers, our prediction is going to be a 2-0 victory for the Elland Road outfit.

Southampton v Burnley Preview

Mike — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:28:55 +0000

Out of both of these sides, most people would have been tipping Burnley to be the more likely promotion package as it was only a couple of years ago that the Clarets were in the top flight. Instead, Eddie Howe’s men find themselves in a comfortable 11th position, while their opponents are making a serious push for the Premiership as they occupy 2nd place.

Even though Southampton supporters will be ecstatic with their current position considering their situation a short while ago, a lot of them will be very concerned at how their team has fared in recent times. Saints appeared to be walking to the title at one stage in the season, yet now their charge has halted slightly and they are even in danger of dropping out of the top two should results go against them this weekend. While some of their fans will have been pleased to claim a point in their last clash against high flying Birmingham, that result means that Nigel Adkins’ side have not won in their last four. Furthermore, after possessing a 100% home record for the opening months of the campaign, Southampton now approach this game having not won at St Mary’s in their last three.

Burnley were probably tipped to perform better than their opponents, yet that is not the case and the Clarets are currently three points away from the top six. It would be fair to say that their position has strengthened in recent times, with Eddie Howe’s side putting together some decent form over the last few weeks that has seen them lose just one league game in their last eight. Moreover, the Turf Moor outfit have impressed immensely away from home, with the club winning five of their last six on the road. This means that they have some of the best away form in the division and having beaten several top half sides, their supporters should be full of confidence as they make the trip South.

As for team news, Southampton have been boosted with Danny Fox set to return after being suspended for the previous game. Elsewhere, Nigel Adkins is preparing to make several changes, after he rested players for Saints’ midweek FA Cup game against Millwall. It’s mixed news for the visitors on the other hand with Martin Paterson and Junior Stanislas both ruled out with hamstring problems. On a more positive note, Ross Wallace and Keith Treacy will both return to the reckoning having recovered from their respective problems.

In terms of a prediction, our tip is going to be a Burnley win. Southampton have looked shaky in recent weeks and with their opponents having such promising away form, we expect Burnley to prosper in this fixture with a 2-1 victory.