Premier League Betting Tips April 17/18
Three Manchester derbies this season have produced 14 goals, with both teams scoring in each games. Manchester United have scored 8 of those, with Carlos Tevez scoring half of City’s including both in their 2-1 win at Eastlands in the Carling Cup. The home team has won all of the meetings between these two this season and there’s no reason to see why the same pattern won’t continue here. Some think United were fortunate at Old Trafford at the beginning of the season when Michael Owen scored in the 6th minute of the 4 minutes of stoppage time for a 4-3 victory. Things have changed since then, not least Michael Owen’s injury, a change in manager for City and Wayne Rooney’s fitness remains a question mark ahead of this game. Without him, United haven’t been winners recently. Whilst I favour Manchester City in this match, it wouldn’t surprise me to see their recent form go out of the window and for them to underperform here. We should also be expecting Manchester United to step it up a few levels here, knowing that anything less than 3 points will rule out the most optimistic of United fans belief in winning this season’s Premier League. One thing to expect is goals. So look out for the over 2.5 goals and both teams to score markets this weekend.
Birmingham City were the latest victims to Manchester City’s form last weekend as they went down 5-1 at Eastlands as their good form faded a long time ago. It’s 6 league games without a win now. They finish the season with 2 favourable home games as they look to hold onto a top half finish for the first time. The first being this Saturday at home to Hull City. Just when you thought they had a chance to stay up, they are on the end of a 4-1 home thrashing by Burnley. Further evidence that Iain Dowie isn’t cut to be a Premier League manager. This team are down now and while they will be looking for something against an out-of-form Birmingham side, hope is all they have. I would have preferred Birmingham to be evens instead of odds-on, but that’s going down the more they are backed this weekend. I’m backing Birmingham too.
Tottenham ended Arsenal’s title race on Wednesday night with an impressive 2-1 victory. It was another game in which Arsenal had plenty of the possession but failed to test the goalkeeper (until it was too late, in the final 10 minutes). With many expecting Arsenal to finish the season with lacklustre performances I don’t see that happening until they are 100% sure they cannot win the title. And even then, second place is still a strong possibility for them and they won’t want to give it up without a fight. Robin van Persie will be wanting more time on the pitch ahead of the World Cup to get back into form and guarantee his place in the Dutch squad. He may be a risky choice this weekend for the fantasy team. I like Arsenal’s odds going into this game.
The value odds of the weekend are on Aston Villa this weekend. Currently at 4/6, I am expecting this to drop significantly before kickoff. Portsmouth made 8 changes for their midweek game for a goalless draw at Wigan midweek. This team influenced by extra payments including bonuses that Portsmouth cannot afford to pay and therefore play a number of players. That leaves Portsmouth with a much-weakened side. While they’re playing for pride it doesn’t counter Aston Villa’s talent. With 4th spot looking out of site, Aston Villa have a number of players still trying to impress their nations manager to take part in this summer’s world cup, so we can be assured of a good performance from them on Sunday. And with these current odds I am not missing out on them this weekend. Good candidates for win to nil and asian handicap betting too.
