Premier League Betting

West Brom v Wigan Betting Preview
It is almost at the brink of no return for Wigan in their race to secure their Premier League status. This is a must win game now at the Hawthorns for the FA Cup finalists, who go into the weekend five points adrift of safety but with a game in hand. That game in hand will count for nothing unless they pick up a victory against West Brom. The Baggies look to have comfortable secured themselves a mid table finish for the season but they have been struggling to post wins. Will that let Wigan slide in?

West Brom v Wigan Betting Odds at online bookmaker 888Sport
West Brom 5/4, Wigan 21/10, Draw 12/5

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West Brom v Wigan Recommended Bet:
The Baggies have won just one of their last five in he Premier League, but that was a 3-0 victory over Southampton in their last outing. At home, they have gone two matches without a win, losing against Arsenal and then being held to a draw against Newcastle. Still, their form at the Hawthorns hasn’t been that bad this season, posting a W9 D3 L5 record. They have scored at an average rate of just under one and a half goals per game, and have conceded at a rate of exactly one goal per game at home. Still, Steve Clarke has already led his side to more points than in any other Premier League campaign of theirs. At the Hawthorns, both teams have scored in the four previous Premier League clashes between the two sides, so there could be goals on the cards for Saturday.

West Brom have only scored 7% of their goals this season in the opening fifteen minutes of matches, so they are somewhat slow starters to games. Still, they are looking pretty comfortable for a top eight finish which would be a great return from them. A victory may well doom Wigan to joining QPR and Reading in the Championship next season. Wigan need a big escape act again and have a tough time with the extra match coming up for the FA Cup final. The Latics are without a win in their last four Premier League matches now and how badly they need to squeeze one out. Their away form has just been slipping away as well, losing their last two on the road without getting on the scoresheet. However, they have battled, putting in good performances against Manchester City and almost taking three points at home against Spurs last weekend.

But nearly isn’t good enough for the Latics at the moment. Interestingly they were at exactly the same point as this last season, 32 points after 34 matches, and the finished safely in sixteenth. The odds a pretty stacked against them doing that again. Would ride with a West Brom home win at 5/4 with online bookmaker 888Sport on this one, as much fight as Wigan have, just four away wins all season doesn’t put them in good standing.

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Form
West Brom WDLLDW, Wigan WDWLLD

Stat Attack
All but three of West Brom’s last 22 goals have been after the 40th minute mark
Wigan had 32 points after 34 matches last season and survived
Both sides have scored in the four previous meetings at the Hawthorns
Wigan have lost the last two away games without scoring

Online betting site boss Fred Done, owner of Betfred, has been questioning whether or not Manchester United can break the Premier League record this season. Chelsea currently hold the record of 95 points, when Jose Mourinho guided his Chelsea side to the 2004/05 title. It was a tremendous record which has stood the test of time since then. United are standing on 84 points with 12 remaining available to them, so they would need a perfect end to the season to eclipse Chelsea’s record. Can they do it?

Long time Manchester United supporter and online betting site Betfred, owner Fred Done, has offered up some odds his beloved Red Devils doing so. There is no margin for error and the Red Devils are looking a tricky finish in their end of season run in, and that is why BetFred have put up odds of 10/1 for Manchester United to crown their title winning season by breaking the record of 95 points.

“Clearly Sir Alex Ferguson will have this in mind and with 13 Premier League titles in the bag it would be fitting if Man United could finish the season with this record,” said Done.

It is certainly not the easiest of run ins for the newly crowned Champions. The four remaining fixtures in Manchester United’s season are away at Arsenal, home to Chelsea, home to Swansea and they finish up with a trip to West Brom. So it is a pretty tough end of season for the Red Devils.

They should be a joyous, happy and relaxed side and while some may think that will work against them, it may just make them play chilled exhibition stuff and put on a show, making them even more dangerous. It is hard to imagine a Sir Alex Ferguson side taking their foot off the gas.

Fred Done decided to pay out Manchester United winning the title early last season, a move which hit him in the pocket hard as rivals Man City came back to claim the league title on goal difference with the final kick of the season. That was the second time that his optimism got the better of him, paying out early in 1998 on the Red Devils winning the title, only to see with dismay, Arsenal string together a run of form which saw the Gunners edge the title. It was something that he again did this season, successfully so with Man United winning the title with four games to spare.

Done said: “When I got it wrong last year the missus didn’t talk to me all summer and told me to never do it again, she said I was a jinx. Well of course I didn’t listen and I paid out on the 10th February and this time I was thankfully right. A record 20th title is a remarkable achievement and I believe it is down to the determination of the world’s greatest manager Sir Alex Ferguson .”

Betting on next season is already available at online bookmaker BetFred where Manchester United are the 11/8 favourites, Man City 7/4 and Chelsea are 5/1.

Arsenal v Man United Betting Preview
Will the newly crowned champions be taking their foot of the gas as they head to the Emirates? Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have achieved their goal of ruling the Premier League so don’t have anything to play for. Arsenal on the other hand have a massive amount at stake heading into this one with their old rivals. The Gunners are still toughing it out in a race for a UEFA Champions League spot with London rivals Chelsea and Spurs. The Gunners have been producing some great form, will it be enough to get valuable points against the Champions? There is the small matter of the return of Robin van Persie too.

Arsenal v Man United Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet Victor
Arsenal 5/4, Man United 2/1, Draw 5/2

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Arsenal v Man United Recommended Bet:
On the top fixtures for the season is this one and there is usually drama somewhere. Arsene Wenger will want to get one over on Sir Alex Ferguson in this one, because their Champions League status for next season is on the line. They go into the weekend one point clear of fourth placed Chelsea, and two clear of Spurs, but have played a game more than those two. So the pressure is on to keep delivering. Arsenal have hit some strong form, losing just one of their last dozen games in the Premier League. More impressive is that they have rattled off nine wins in that run of games. Granted, their form came about four months too late into the season to challenge for the title, but at least they look to be on the right track again.

Arsenal lost 2-1 at Old Trafford earlier in the season, so there is some added revenge on their minds. The Gunners also lost this fixture last season against United as well. Arsenal have lost two of the last three Premier League matches at home against the Red Devils. They have also shipped 21 goals at home this season, not particularly great, keeping just four clean sheets in their last 16 home matches in the top flight. They have only taken four points from seven games against the other sides in the top five this season. So it could be all about current form for them and with five wins in their last six, the only dropped points in a scrappy home draw against Everton, they should be able to push United hard in this one.

The Red Devils have the title in the bag and can relax. But that’s not something they do, and being relaxed may just make them play even better. The return of Robin van Persie is on the cards, and he netted after three minutes at Old Trafford against Arsenal in United’s 2-1 win earlier in the season. Interestingly, in that encounter, Arsenal had far more possession in the game, but had fewer shots. The Red Devils have been immense on the road this season, running up a W12 D3 L2 record for the season. They have netted at a rate of over two goals per game and have won four of their last five on the road. The Red Devils have won six of the last seven EPL meetings against Arsenal but this is a non-competitive match for them, and it will all depend on which Manchester United shows up really.

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There could be something to say for swinging with Arsenal on this one, simply because of the fact  that they have home advantage and they have something to play for. They are favourites and just rolling with a bit of positive value in backing them at 5/4 with online bookmaker Bet Victor looks a good option.

Form
Arsenal WWWDW, Man United WLLWDW

Stat Attack
The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last ten away games in the Premier League
Arsenal have kept just four clean sheets in their last 16 EPL home games
Robin van Persie has scored 17 goals in his last 17 matches at the Emirates
Arsenal have scored the most goals of all EPL teams in the last 15 minutes this season

Barnsley v Hull Betting Preview
A game of big implications at the top and the bottom of the table. Hull City can book their automatic promotion place to jump up to the Premier League. While the future is looking so very bright for Hull City there is the dark cloud of relegation hanging over the heads of Barnsley. Barnsley are in a massive relegation battle with a couple of games to go, but fortunately it doesn’t look as if it is going to take much to get safe, with themselves, Wolves and Peterborough sitting on 51 points. It is getting down to the wire though now and they need to capitalise on home advantage in this one.

Barnsley v Hull Betting Odds at online bookmaker Sportingbet
Hull 13/10, Barnsley 2/1, Draw 9/4

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Barnsley v Hull Recommended Bet:
Pressure is on at both ends of the table, but more so for Barnsley in this one. They still have the means to play their way out of trouble, but they have been struggling to put wins on the board. They have lost just one of their last five Championship matches, but have drawn the other four. Those have been valuable points to keep their chances of survival alive, and they were helped out recently with Peterborough and Wolves, the teams they are level on points with, both losing their last matches. So a massive opportunity and their home form could just get them over the line. They have suffered just two defeats in their last nine home matches, but are without a win in the last two.

They were hammered 6-0 by Charlton and then held Derby to a 1-1 draw in their most recent home matches. They earned themselves another important point away at play-off chasing Nottingham Forest last weekend. So the form Barnsley hasn’t been all that terrible, the only thing lacking has been the win. Some more proficiency and calmness in front of goal would help, as they have scored just two goals in their last five matches in the Championship now. At home there has been two clean sheets in their last four, and wins came against Leicester and Watford, both very strong sides. So there is some hope here, they will need to dig deep but there is certainly a glimmer of hope for them. They will be hoping that Watford lose at Leicester on Friday night, because that would mean Hull would be automatically qualified and that would probably make Barnsley’s life easier on Saturday.

Where Hull were so strong over the back end of last year and through February  their form has turned a bit patchy. In their last eleven Championship matches, they have posted a W5 D1 L5 record, so they can be hit and miss, and only produced a 0-0 draw against the already relegated Bristol City at home last weekend. That has left them without a win in two matches now as they stumble towards the finish line. Away from home in the CHampionship this season. Hull have posted a W11 D3 L8 record and have won three of the last four on their travels, with all wins coming by a one goal margin. It was only a 1-0 scoreline earlier in the season which saw Hull beat Barnsley at home. So despite the big gap in the league standings, the margin between the two on the day may not be that big.

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Massive points at stake for Barnsley and they may just be worth backing for a draw. They have shown some great resilience as of late and have matched up against the promotion chasing clubs who have come their way recently. Could be worth backing the outright draw at a price of 9/4 with online bookmaker Sportingbet.

Form
Barnsley WDDLDD, Hull WLWWLD

Stat Attack
The Tykes have recorded one victory in their last seven league games against the Tigers (L5 D1).
Matty Fryatt scored a hat-trick in his last appearance against Barnsley for Hull.
Barnsley have conceded a league high 14 goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches this season
Hull are yet to receive a red card this season; a joint-league-low alongside Bristol City.

Newcastle v Liverpool Betting Preview
It looks as if the Magpies have done enough to get themselves clear of the drop zone, thanks to the failure of the teams beneath them to pick up points. So it is just a matter of consolidating position at the moment for Alan Pardew and looking for better times next season. Still, they will want to get points on the board so they aren’t looking back over their shoulder. Liverpool will of course go without Luis Suarez who won’t be seen again until next season. Will that leave them short up front and put a dampener to the end of their season?

Newcastle v Liverpool Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Liverpool 7/5, Newcastle 15/8, Draw 5/2

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Newcastle v Liverpool Recommended Bet:
The Magpies do have a bit of breathing space in the relegation battle, more so if Wigan don’t win their game in hand over them. Until they were hammered 3-0 at home by Sunderland in mid April, they had won four Premier League matches in a row at St James Park. It has pretty much been their home form which has been keeping them float. The Magpies took a 1-1 draw at Anfield earlier in the season, being pegged back by Luis Suarez, which isn’t going to happen in this game. A little bit of fight from Newcastle and Liverpool could be there for the picking in this one. At home this season, the Magpies have posted a W9 D1 L7 record in the Premier League and they are without a draw in their last 15 home matches.

They have scored at a rate of 1.4 goals per game, exactly the amount which they have conceded too. 70% of Newcastle’s home games this season have gone over 2.5 goals so there is the potential of some scoring in Saturday’s match. Just to put into context Newcastle’s home form, they have taken 75% of all their points at home this season. One win in the last five matches though isn’t showing great form though and makes them vulnerable. Liverpool have shown good form against Newcastle in the Premier League, winning nine and drawing one of the last 13 meetings. The Reds have drawn their last three in a row now in the top flight, so even with Suarez around they have been struggling to get wins on the board. Take him out of the picture and it could be tougher.

The faint dreams of Brendan Rodger’s men in breaking into Europe has pretty much been shot in the foot by Suarez and his biting. They have suffered just one loss in their last eight Premier League matches, so they aren’t in bad shape. Two of their last three matches though have ended in frustrating 0-0 draws against West Ham and Reading. On the Road, the Reds have been beaten just once in their last six matches now and overall have posted a W5 D7 L5 record for the season. The Reds have scored at a rate of 1.7 goals per game, but have conceded at a rate of 1.5 on the road. Luis Suarez had scored a dozen of his 23 goals away from home. Steven Gerrard is the next top scorer on the road for Liverpool this season with just four.

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A draw really looks to be a plausible outcome in this one. The Magpies have won the last two at home against Liverpool, but are lacking a bit in all areas of the pitch this season. Tough match up front for Liverpool without Suarez and a draw trading at a price of 5/1 with online bookmaker Bet365 looks decent value.

Form
Newcastle LLWDLD, Liverpool WLWDDD

Stat Attack
There have been over 2.5 goals in 13 of Liverpool 17 away games this season
Liverpool have only kept 2 clean sheets in 18 EPL visits to Tyneside
Newcastle have lost nine of the last 13 EPL meetings against the Reds
The Magpies have conceded more goals at this stage of an EPL campaign that ever

With Robin van Persie’s hat trick against Aston Villa on Monday night, Manchester United got their hands on the Premier League title again. That was their 20th English title and Sir Alex Ferguson’s men turned the tables back on their rivals Man City, pretty comfortably.

Online bookmaker Bet365 have already installed Manchester United as 13/8 favourites to take the title next season as well, as with their stroll to glory this season, they will be front runners again to go out and defend their title. But the bookmaker is playing it with some caution as Manchester City are not that far behind in the odds.

Manchester United have all the experience in the world, and they have a formidable forward line. Despite rumours that the out of favour Wayne Rooney is set for a summer departure, it is likely that the England striker will still be at Old Trafford next summer. Just about the only piece of the puzzle missing for Manchester United is in the midfield. Michael Carrick appears to be the glue which holds everything together, but they need a world class player in there alongside him. That is the only way that they are going to make a real impact in the Champions League next season and after such a comfortable run to the domestic title, that has to be top order for Sir Alex Ferguson next term.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini suggested that lack of new signings realistically cost his side the title defence. That is probably true as they have not been quite as dynamic this season and have looked just a little short through the midfield area. However, they did hit their stride about seven months too late into the season to make a run at the title, maybe being helped with the pressure off them in the Premier League title race. Their defence is in very good hands, but they look as if they could beef up the midfield area, and won’t be too far away from a title challenge next season. They have deep enough pockets to get the players they need and that is why online bookmaker Bet365 is still cautious at a price of 15/8.

So ante post 2013/14 Premier League betting suggests a two horse Manchester race again. But Chelsea are trading at big value behind the two at odds of 4/1. There is little doubt that there is going to be a big shake up in the summer at Stamford Bridge, with a new manager coming in and money needing to be spent on bolstering their ranks. They don’t have a particularly deep squad and that has hurt them this season with having had to play a lot of games. They are continuously being linked with big names and they have the ability to get their hands on them. The crucial thing for Chelsea will be who steps into the role as manager. It may not take the right man for the job too much to get Chelsea into the mix. Longer value at 4/1 maybe, but could be worth a flutter.

At much longer odds are the perceived challenges of Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool coming in. While there is potential in them, they still look quite a way short of really becoming a proper Premier League title threat. None of them really have the financial resources or pull to match up with what the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea can bring in. That will keep them on the outskirts.

2013/14 Premier League Outright Winner Betting odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Man United 13/8, Man City 15/8, Chelsea 4/1, Arsenal 12/1, Spurs 16/1, Liverpool 20/1

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Man United v Aston Villa Betting Preview
If their rivals Manchester City lose against Tottenham on Sunday, then Manchester United can put the title issue to bed this season with a win over Aston Villa. Given their strong home record against the Villains, the win at Old Trafford for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men is going to be fully expected. However, Aston Villa are fighting for their Premier League survival and if Paul Lambert can muster up his troops to get even a point of this one, it could be massively important in their battle to maintain their top flight status.

Man United v Aston Villa Betting Odds at online bookmaker SportingBet
Man United 2/9, Draw 11/2, Aston Villa 9/1

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Man United v Aston Villa Recommended Bet:
The Red Devils have been so strong at home this season that is hard to see them slipping up at Old Trafford against a relegation threatened side. United have posted fourteen wins on home turf in the Premier League this season, losing the other two they have played there. They have scored in all sixteen of their home games in the league this term and have averaged 2.5 goals per game. At the back they have conceded at a rate of just over a goal per game and 75% of all their home matches have gone over 2.5 goals. With just one defeat in their last 21 league matches for United, is it asking too much for Villa to turn up and expect anything less than a defeat? United though have just stuttered a bit, winning one of their last three games. There was a defeat against Man City and then Robin van Persie needed to produce an equaliser in a recent game at West Ham to take a point.

United have recovered a league high 28 points from losing positions this season and they did it at Villa Park earlier this term as well. They found themselves 2-0 down in the match and produced one of their famous comebacks to take a 3-2 win. Importantly for them, Robin van Persie has rediscovered his scoring touch, netting in the last two league matches now. All they need is a maximum of six points from their last five matches, but if City slip up on the weekend, the title is United’s for the taking. The Red Devils have scored in each of their last 21 Premier League matches, so that means Villa are going to have to turn up and score at least a couple if they want three points. But Villa have won just one of their last 34 matches in the Premier League against Manchester United (W24 D9).

Things aren’t shaping up well for Aston Villa in this one given their history against United. They have lost just one of their last five matches in the league, recording three wins in that run. But those wins came against Reading, QPR and Stoke and this is going to be a tougher task. They produced a 1-1 home draw against Fulham in their last match and on the road this season, they have produced a W4 D5 L7 record. They are unbeaten in their last two away matches, and there have been signs of optimism from Lambert’s young side that they will stay up. This is a match which may just be beyond them though, having only scored 10 goals in their 20 previous trips to Old Trafford in he Premier League.

The Red Devils should have far too much at their disposal in this one. Villa have to come up with some kind of fight, so a Draw/Man United Half Time/Bet may be worth considering for value of 3/1 at online bookmaker Sportingbet.

Form
Man United WWLLWD, Aston Villa LWWLWD

Stat Attack
Aston Villa have not kept a clean sheet in their last 22 matches
Villa have won one of their last 34 EPL games against Man United
Manchester United have scored in all of their home games this term
United need a maximum of six points from their last five games to win the title

If you are finding yourself in Premier League Relegation betting talks at this stage of the season, then you know you are in trouble. While it is safe to assume that both Reading and QPR will be playing Championship football next season, it leaves one relegation spot open. With a general five games to go on the season, Wigan are occupying that spot, but do have the advantage of a game in hand over the teams directly above them. Will that be a factor? The overwhelming favourites of Reading and QPR to take the drop aren’t worth discussing at this stage, as both sit ten points clear of safety, perhaps eleven when you take into account goal difference as well. Assuming Wigan turn up and win their game in hand, it would leave an immensely tight scrap to avoid being the third side to drop.

Wigan 5/4 at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
Wigan, trading at a price of 5/4 with online bookmaker Ladbrokes are the favourites to make up the triumvirate. But everything could all come down to the fixture list for the remainder of the season. It is a massive achievement for Wigan that they have reached the FA Cup final will be playing in the Europa League next season. But how is their Premier League status holding up? It is certainly on shaky grounds and that FA Cup final against Man City could actually get in the way of their survival, having an extra match to squeeze in, which isn’t going to help. Wigan will need a couple of wins to get out of their troubles, at the very least. There are games in which points could be picked up, away at West Ham, and at home against Swansea. The crucial game for Wigan could all come down to the final day when they host Aston Villa. That could well be the shootout for survival. They managed to survive last season by taking 15 points from the last 18 available to stay up. It is going to take a lot to match that.
Wigan Final Six: a v West Ham, h v Tottenham, a v West Brom, h v Swansea, a v Arsenal, h v Aston Villa

Aston Villa 3/1 at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
The Villains, one of the Premier League’s founding clubs, have been struggling all season, but there have been some signs of promise from Paul Lambert’s men. They had started putting wins on the board at the right time of the season, but they still have the second worst defence in the league. They are very lightweight going forward as well, but the young side has started to gel together a bit under the pressure of the threat of relegation and are responding. There are teams in worse form around them, and they look promising enough to scrape together enough points to survive. They have enjoyed an upwards swing in form although they have a couple of tough games to come against Man United and Chelsea. The game on the final day against Wigan could be massive, but if they pick up points against Sunderland and Norwich in between, that may just be enough to keep the relegation wolves from their door.
Aston Villa Final Five: a v Man United, h v Sunderland, a v Norwich, h v Chelsea, a v Wigan

Stoke 4/1 at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
The Potters have slowly but surely been dragged into the relegation battle after a terrible run of form, picking up just one point in seven matches.  They have been sliding and sliding and Tony Pulis has called on his troops to show some fight and character. The problem for Stoke is that they are the Premier League’s lowest scoring side this season and that is really beginning to hurt them because their defence hasn’t been as tight as it usually is. They are in a fight, especially with the improving Aston Villa level on points with them with five matches to play. The Potters were eighth on Boxing Day, and they have just going into a major self-destruct mode since then. The goals have pretty much dried up but the fixture list is pretty kind to them. There should be points available against QPR, Norwich, Sunderland and Southampton and the only tough game is a home match against Tottenham who are in a fight for European spots. The run in is set up nicely for them the to survive, but three of the five games are on the road and if points don’t come from their next games against QPR and Norwich, they will be under immense pressure. Two goals in their last seven games don’t bode well for them and could be good value to take the drop, because Wigan and Villa are in better form.
Stoke Final Five: a v QPR, h v Norwich, a v Sunderland, h v Tottenham, a v Sunderland

Sunderland 6/1 at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
The Black Cats aren’t out of the woods, despite their rousing win over Newcastle. They were helped in that match with a Magpies wrongly-disallowed goal and newcastle keeper Tim Krul going off injured. New boss Paolo Di Canio has probably raised spirits at the club, who have taken just 5pts from the last 18 leading into their final five matches of the season. There are a couple of tough looking games for Sunderland to come, notably against Everton and Tottenham. But sandwiched in between that are games which are winnable. However, they are against teams who are all around them. There are a couple of high profile clashes against Stoke and Aston Villa to get themselves through, as well as a game against Southampton. Defeats against the Potters and Villains would be highly costly. Still treading thin waters.
Sunderland Final Five: h v Everton, a v Aston Villa, h v Stoke, h v Southampton, a v Tottenham

Norwich 9/1, Newcastle 20/1
These two look to be just on the outskirts of real relegation danger, but could quickly get sucked deeper in. There is probably a bigger worry for Norwich, who didn’t pick up a win in any of their seven matches before their final five fixtures. They are in terrible form of 3 points from 18 before heading into those final games. They probably just have enough in the tank to squeeze over the line, but there are big three pointers to come against reading, Stoke and Aston Villa. They’ll need to get all they can out of those with games against West Brom and a visit to Man City to round off the season with. The thing working in Newcastle’s favour is that they are the top scoring team inside the bottom eight, so will probably have enough to stay up, even though they have been slumping a bit of late, including taking that crushing blow against bitter rivals Sunderland. Have big games against Liverpool and Arsenal to come in their last two home matches, which aren’t easy. Given they have been so poor on the road, away games at West Brom, West Ham and QPR could easily make them vulnerable.
Norwich Final Five: h v Reading, a v Stoke, h v Aston Villa, h v West Brom, a v Man City
Newcastle Final Five: a v West Brom, h v Liverpool, a v West Ham, a v QPR, h v Arsenal

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West Ham v Wigan Betting Preview
Wigan, the FA Cup finalists have to get back to focus in the Premier League as they try and battle their way out of the relegation zone. In their last six matches last season, they picked up fifteen points to pull well clear, and they need another survival act. They still have a game in hand over the teams above them, but they need points on the board. West Ham will be  buoyed after matching up to Manchester United in a 2-2 draw recently, a spirited performance in which they could have taken all three points.

West Ham v Wigan Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet Victor
West Ham 13/10, Wigan 23/10, Draw 5/1

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West Ham v Wigan Recommended Bet:
The Hammers have been finding a little bit of form to close out the season with, drawing their last three in a row and losing just one of their last six. They also have some form against the Latics, winning three home games in a row against them. With their run in form, they look as if they are going to hold on to a mid table position for the end of the season. The Hammers could stand to produce a few more goals on the board and at home this season, they have produced a W7 D5 L4 record. They have scored at a rate of 1.75 goals per game on home turf, a far cry from their poor the ten scored on the road. Defensively at home they have conceded at a rate of 1.25 goals per game. So you would imagine that they are in pretty good shape to at least get a point out of this one after some decent recent results in draws against Liverpool and Manchester United. They actually lost 2-1 at Wigan earlier in the season.

Andy Carroll has been involved in four goals in his last three Premier League appearances, so is coming to life a big. His big threat up front could cause the Wigan back line a lot of problems, as the Hammers have been accurate crossers of the ball this season. Wigan have to come out and scrap though, and they put in a great performance at Man City in the week, only to lose out 1-0 in the end, being punished for not taking their chances. They certainly had some in the game, and limited City very well. A point there would have made all the difference to Roberto Martinez’s men. But that has been the only defeat in their last four and they really need to find a way to grind out a win on Saturday, or risk getting left behind in the relegation battle.

Wigan’s last three Premier League games have only produced four goals, so there may not be many in this one. In Premier League history, the Latics have only won seven of 34 top flight fixtures played in the month of April before, but it was at this stage last season when they started their miraculous escape. Their last three goals in the Premier League have all come in the final ten minutes of games, which could be a good trend to watch for in live in play betting. Wigan have produced a W4 D3 L9 record on the road this season, scoring at just over a goal per game. They have only managed one win in their last six away matches though, so they do have their problems. A big match that Wigan can ill afford to lose.

West Ham have been grinding out some good results lately, but Wigan have to dig deeper than ever. The Latics play some good football and won 4-1 at Upton Park in the League Cup earlier in the season. Wigan need something, would look for a Draw/Wigan Half Time/Full Time bet for a long value of 6/1 with online bookmaker Bet Victor.

Form
West Ham WLWDDD, Wigan WWWDWL

Stat Attack
The Latics have only picked up two away wins in their last eleven
West Ham have won three consecutive home games against Wigan in the EPL
Wigan won 4-1 at West Ham in the League Cup this season
Andy Carroll has been involved in four goals in his last three games

Liverpool v Chelsea Betting Preview
The pressure is all on Chelsea really for this game as they need the points to keep up their challenge for a place in the Champions League next season. Liverpool’s chances of getting into Europe are pretty slim at this point, but they’ll no doubt want to spoil the return of former boss Rafa Benitez. The Reds have struggled to put wins on the board in their past few matches, which Chelsea’s form has definitely picked up. There’s no love lost between these two and it should be a feisty affair.

Liverpool v Chelsea Betting Odds at online bookmaker Paddy Power
Liverpool 23/20, Draw 12/5, Chelsea 9/4

Online bookmaker Promotion
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Liverpool v Chelsea Recommended Bet:
The Reds have drawn their last two games in the Premier League, both 0-0 draws against West Ham and Reading. Their forward line still fails to deliver and can look a little fragile at times, but still, they have taken just one loss in their last seven matches now, so aren’t in bad form. At Anfield this season in the top flight, Liverpool have posted a W8 D4 L4 record and they have scored at an average rate of 1.9 goals per game, and have conceded at less than a goal per game. So not too bad at all. In their last three home matches in the Premier League, they have drawn two and lost one. The Reds start the weekend eight points out of fifth place so there’s probably not enough time for them to make up ground, certainly not if they lose this one.

The Reds have won four and lost none of their last five Premier League meetings with Chelsea. A win on Sunday would really hamper Chelsea’s top three ambitions. Top striker Luis Suarez though has gone off the boil, going 429 minutes without a goal now. Rafa Benitez remains Liverpool’s most successful Premier League manager, so can he mastermind a victory back at Anfield with the Blues? Chelsea have won only one of their last six Premier League visits to Anfield, and on three occasions they failed to find the back of the net. They are carrying some decent form, with five wins in their last seven matches now, and three clean sheets in their last five. They have had to undergo a lot of squad rotation because of their heavy fixture list and will be back in European again action in the week.

A comfortable 3-0 win over Fulham in the week, kept them in good shape for claiming a Champions League place, but need to follow up with at least a point at Anfield. Chelsea defenders have now scored 13 goals this season, more than any other Premier League club. Chelsea have the second best defensive record in the top flight this term (behind Man City) and key players remain Frank Lampard and Juan Mata. Chelsea have won 71% of games in which he has played, and have won just one of eight when he hasn’t appeared. Juan Mata is the Premier League’s top man for assist this season. They weren’t at their best in beating Fulham, and that could all be down to them coming to the end of a very long season.

This should be a close contest between the two, especially after the draw earlier in the season. It may not be worth looking beyond that, even though Chelsea have to hungry for the important points. Liverpool should be fresher however and a Reds 1 Goal Winning margin for them is trading at good value of 3/1 with online bookmaker Paddy Power.

Form
Liverpool WWLWDD, Chelsea WWWLLW

Stat Attack
The Blues have only taken two wins from their last 12 league against Liverpool
Liverpool have won four and drawn one of the last five against Chelsea in the EPL
Suarez has gone 429 minutes without a league goal, Torres has gone 907 minutes
Chelsea have the second best defensive record in the league