Saturday’s british betting preview

Saturday 10^th January

English Premiership

Everton v Hull

After both sides were involved in FA cup action last Saturday, it’s back to the Premiership and a clash between two sides in the top 8.

Hull were the surprise package during the first half of the season, remaining in the top 6 of the EPL for long periods of the first round of games. The points they accumulated earlier on in the season may prove to be invaluable come the end of the season if their recent form is anything to go by. Their last win the league came over a month ago at home to Middlesborough. You also have to go back to the end of October for their last win on the road. They have however, only lost two of the following 5 matches, both defeats coming to the Manchester clubs.

Everton on the other hand, took a while to get going, especially at Goodison which had proved such a fortress in the past seasons under Davie Moyes. Beset with numerous injury problems to key players resulted in the Toffees going 6 before gaining their first league win on home soil against Fulham. Since that victory, they have drawn 2, lost 1 and in their latest home game, brushed aside Sunderland 3-0. They are unbeaten in 5 games in all competitions winning 4.

Tim Cahill has proved pivotal in Everton’s recent good run playing as a lone striker for much of the last month in the absence of Yakubu, Saha and Anichebe. The latter, however, started last weekend’s cup tie and should keep his place in the starting line-up with Cahill in support. Hull will hope for a bit of magic from Geovanni who has been their talisman, especially away from home.

Everton have aspirations of European football and if they wish to achieve that, they must beat a Hull side on their worst form of the season thus far. Moyes will be hammering home how important it is to get all 3 points tomorrow with their next 3 matches against Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United. Teams are now getting accustomed to Hull’s style of play and the promoted side may find things a lot different in the 2^nd half of the season, beginning tomorrow.

My selection: Everton to beat Hull

The best price available for an Everton win is 4/6 with several bookmakers including Skybet

English Championship

Ipswich Town v Sheffield Wednesday

One point separates these two sides which suggests it has all the makings of a close fought encounter at Portman road on Saturday.  

The home side have a squad equipped to challenge for a play-off spot and play some lovely football a lot of the time. It could be argued that their young midfield is too inconsistent to put a run of victories together which is needed in this league. Their last 5 games have saw a return of 7 points whilst they have lost 2 of their last 3 home games. It should be noted, however, that these defeats came against top sides in the shape of Birmingham and Cardiff, two sides which have quality in abundance and both coming away with victories by the odd goal.

Sheffield Wednesday have stuttered of late having been challenging for a play-off spot themselves in the earlier part of the season. Their home form was key to their lofty position having only picked up 2 wins on the road, losing 8 and drawing 3. Both wins came against sides in the lower half of the table in the shape of Blackpool and Charlton. Manager Brian Laws has attempted to pick up points by playing good football, which is not always the most effective way in the Championship.

Whenever the home side have came up against mid to lower half of the table sides, they have inevitably brushed them aside, with wins over Bristol City, Derby and Barnsley amongst their 5 home successes. They themselves will play football the way it should be played and with the visitors missing the likes of Clarke, Tudgay and Wade Small.

Already 6 points behind 6^th place, the home side cannot afford to fall any further behind at this stage of the season and will be looking to record a much needed win. Wednesday concede goals on the road, they have managed to ship 30 goals on the road, the highest amount of any side in the league. Whoever play’s upfront for the home side will not get a better chance to grab a couple and kick-start their season.

My selection: Ipswich to beat Sheffield Wednesday

The best price available for an Ipswich win is 5/6 available with several bookmakers includinng Betfred

English Championship

Sheffield United v Norwich City

Tomorrow’s clash see’s two sides needing the points for very different reasons. The home side find themselves in 6^th place and occupying the 4^th and final play-off spot whilst the visitors are at the opposite end of the table only two points outside the relegation zone.

United come into this game in relatively good form with 3 wins and 2 draws from their last 5 matches. They can also count themselves very unfortunate in one of those matches when Crystal Palace equalized in the 4^th minute of injury time. Their home form has been decent with 6 wins and only 3 defeats. It should also be noted that these defeats have came against sides above them in the table, in the shape of Burnley, Reading and Wolves.

Norwich City have been rather disappointing this year considering the amount of players they brought last summer. They have lost 4 of their last 5 matches in the league with the other game resulting in a narrow win over hapless Charlton at Carrow Road in December. Their away form has been especially poor this year, picking up 8 points (2 wins and 2 draws) in 13 matches. They have only managed 11 goals in these games conceding 24.

With Preston North End, Crystal Palace and QPR breathing down Sheffield United’s neck in the play-off place hunt, they will be desperate to pick up 3 points and continue their recent good form.

My selection: Sheffield United to beat Norwich City

The best odds available for a Sheffield United win is 7/10 available with Paddypower

, they have inevitably brushed them aside, with wins over Bristol City, Derby and Barnsley amongst their 5 home successes. They themselves will play football the way it should be played and with the visitors missing the likes of Clarke, Tudgay and Wade Small.

Already 6 points behind 6^th place, the home side cannot afford to fall any further behind at this stage of the season and will be looking to record a much needed win. Wednesday concede goals on the road, they have managed to ship 30 goals on the road, the highest amount of any side in the league. Whoever play’s upfront for the home side will not get a better chance to grab a couple and kick-start their season.

My selection: Ipswich to beat Sheffield Wednesday

The best price available for an Ipswich win is 5/6 available with several bookmakers includinng Betfred

English Championship

Sheffield United v Norwich City

Tomorrow’s clash see’s two sides needing the points for very different reasons. The home side find themselves in 6^th place and occupying the 4^th and final play-off spot whilst the visitors are at the opposite end of the table only two points outside the relegation zone.

United come into this game in relatively good form with 3 wins and 2 draws from their last 5 matches. They can also count themselves very unfortunate in one of those matches when Crystal Palace equalized in the 4^th minute of injury time. Their home form has been decent with 6 wins and only 3 defeats. It should also be noted that these defeats have came against sides above them in the table, in the shape of Burnley, Reading and Wolves.

Norwich City have been rather disappointing this year considering the amount of players they brought last summer. They have lost 4 of their last 5 matches in the league with the other game resulting in a narrow win over hapless Charlton at Carrow Road in December. Their away form has been especially poor this year, picking up 8 points (2 wins and 2 draws) in 13 matches. They have only managed 11 goals in these games conceding 24.

With Preston North End, Crystal Palace and QPR breathing down Sheffield United’s neck in the play-off place hunt, they will be desperate to pick up 3 points and continue their recent good form.

My selection: Sheffield United to beat Norwich City

The best odds available for a Sheffield United win is 7/10 available with Paddypower