The Premiership - Boxing Day

[kompressaur]

Barclays Premiership
26 Dec-12:45 Charlton v Arsenal 10/3 12/5 8/11
26 Dec-13:00 Chelsea v Fulham 1/5 4/1 14/1
26 Dec-14:00 Tottenham v Birmingham 8/15 11/4 9/2
26 Dec-15:00 Liverpool v Newcastle 8/13 5/2 4/1
26 Dec-15:00 Man Utd v West Brom 2/9 4/1 10/1
26 Dec-15:00 Middlesbrough v Blackburn 10/11 9/4 13/5
26 Dec-15:00 Portsmouth v West Ham 13/10 9/4 7/4
26 Dec-15:00 Sunderland v Bolton 11/4 11/5 10/11
26 Dec-15:00 Wigan v Man City 13/10 9/4 7/4
26 Dec-17:15 Aston Villa v Everton 11/10 11/5 11/5
odds from bet365

[kompressaur]

Arsenal i presume you''ll get nearer 4/5 for and i could take it. Owen to score at Liverpool? Nothing else appeals to me

[mrmuzeman]

I havent got a clue whats gonna happen in the Everton game so im not gona even try and comment, were just so random.

We mauled em at theirs last season but that doesnt count for much now.

[Quandram]

You can get evens on Bolton at Bet365 and i'll have a couple of points on that straight off.

[mrmuzeman]

Yeah I wouldnt put you off that one Quandram, ill have a look into that one myself. Interesting to note that Coral go as low as 4/6 on it

EDIT...

Yeah just been taking a look around this one and the Evens really does look cracking at bet365. Sunderland are 9 prem losses on the bounce now conceding 24 goals. Last thing they need is bully boys Bolton coming up with their 4-1-3 away record having beating us (Everton) 4-0 in their last away.

Considering Bolton are mean at the back and Sunderland are struggling infront of goal as well, makes the Evens look even better.

Bolton have beaten us, hammers, Charlton and Man city away from home. Sunderland lost at home to Birmingham, Villa and Pompey all recently Goddamn thats shite, does it get any worse! Right when are we playing em

I agree with Ladbrokes 8/11 and I think Ill have quite a biggun on this right now.

[crowie]

I managed to get 2.07 on Mansion exchange (1% comm) earlier in the week and thought that was a pretty big price.

[farnerud]

sorry, may be offtopic, I wonder what does "boxing day" means, where does it come from?

[Rashin]

Farnerud

Boxing's day is actually a day for people to put their presents into the box and wrap them, not the actual people boxing each other(which I used to think)

It's a pre-christmas thing.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Little quick look at the games coming up.

Charlton v Arsenal

Arsenal lost last 3 games on the bounce now and if they were playing a more consistent side i would be all over the home but its Charlton and they are a side who seem to have gone into self destruct mode this last month and more.

Charlton have really struggled at home picking up only 2 wins in their last 9 games so although Arsenal have been struggling you'd have to think they'd have the power to overcome Charlton and get their season back on track.

Will post up injuries when i see them but i think i will be on Arsenal myself.

Anyone know whats happening with Henry? Is he available?

Arsenal to win @ 1.83 Betfair (subject to change)

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Middlesborough v Blackburn

Blackburn available at 4.1 Betfair is massive again imo. We had the exact same bet on Wednesday night with Blackburn and Boro both playing their strongest 11 and Blackburn running out 1-0 victors albeit by a last minute goal and i see no reason not to back them again.

Here is some of the things said about the game on wednesday and i think it still stands for this game...

Originally Posted by keemanan

I'm gonna swerve the Donny game but i agree with the Blackburn shout IF bellamy is fit , anyone know if the little wanker is fit again?
Boro can be good but they are all too often outbattled IMO , they lost at home to Sunderland early on .3.5 looks very nice indeed but if you look at Blackburn's away form you'd think I was crzy talkin , 1 win all season BUT take a shufty at their opponents. They have faced Arsenal , Chelsea , liverpool , Man ure , Bolton and the hardest of them all City!
they were beaten by a solid fulham outfit on Saturday but lacked bellamy and savage for that game.Worth a go at them odd's

Originally Posted by kiko

As for Blackburn's away results, i agree and don't think you can look at them. If any i think their away results are encouraging.

Off the top of my head...Away to Chelsea, to go to Stamford bridge and score 2 and play well speaks volumes imo. Not many teams, if any more will achieve that feat this season.

Arsenal game they went down 3-0 but what a completely false reflection you get from that result. They were superb at highbury and created a hatful of chances and deserved a draw at least. Could be an arguement that no one would complain if they had won that game the amount of chances they created.

Victory away to Man Utd and again it was pretty deserved. Contained United pretty well i thought and held their nerve to take the lead twice and eventually win the game.

Charlton last round is the only other game i remember and showed all Blackburns qualities i thought. The spirit of the side is great and they will keep going till the final whistle regardless of the score.

So yeah - i think that price is pretty huge but i never liek going against Boro at home so its tough to call

Originally Posted by keemanan

still BBurn for me , I think it will be close as Yakubu and Viduka are a class strike force , I just feel the midfield is key and if Pederson is fit then he may hold the key. A draw seems faveourite though but at 3/ 1 I think BBurn will give me a good run for my money

Now encouraging news is i have been reading that Bellamy is expected to feature in this game for definatwe although i feel it will be on the bench to start after Dickov starting and getting some goals but thats definately an excellent option to have coming off your bench for you as he will cause mayhem against tired legs.

Blackburn to win @ 4.1 Betfair(Although the Asian 0.5+ bet is probably safer)

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Chelsea v Fulham

Chelsea fixture is pretty straight forward with a home win although i do like Fulham +1.5,+2.0 on the asian handicap. Infact looking at it i think this is a superb bet actually.

Fulham are a side that have impressed me every game of theirs ive watched. Their style of play is better suited away from home where they can counter attack as they have a very good trio of players there in Malbranque, Boa Morte and Collins John that are pacey and clinical they could catch Chelsea out, especially if they can hold them at the back for a long period of time.

Diop mopping up in midfield too and i really believe Chelsea are going to have a hard time of this.

Bar the Arsenal game i havent thought Chelsea have been too convincing this season like they have been last season.

Last two results have been very narrow 1-0 wins over Boro and Wigan. Basically you need Chelsea to win by 3 goals to lose your stake and i can't see that happening.

Quite fancy Fulham to nick a goal and trouble Chelsea.

Fulham +1.5, +2.0 @ 1.92 Betfair

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As for the rest of the games. Man Utd look straight forward win. Their second string side really won this game in the Carling Cup the other week very comfortably so i can't see any other result.

The rest are a bit tricky to be honest. Totally agree with whats been said regarding Bolton and that could be one im all over with my xmas money come kick off i reckon.

[farnerud]

I almost watched all matches of Birmingham. And I think about Tottenham may get an easy win against poor Birmingham. But your opinions are important for me!

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Couldn't argue against backing Spurs Farnerud.

They are just a side that make things hard for themselves and struggle to get the decisive goal to take a comfortable lead and kill off their opponents which has come back to haunt them a couple of times.

Bar that they are a complete solid outfit imo. At the back they have their moments but they are more stronger than they have been for some time.

Midfield is a key for them. They have an abundance of quality in there with your Davids, Jenas etc but its all bout Jol finding the right way to accomodate them all.

The same could be said for upfront. In Keane, Mido and Defoe though your always going to have an attacking force that can score goals and will always create chances and its always good to have that on your side.

Defoe is meant to be out for 2 weeks mind so you'd imagine Keane/Mido partnership.

Tottenham have a 100% home record against Birmingham in the Premiership and on top of that they do have a very solid record at home against the other sides too.

I can't see them losing the game but a draw is always a possibility and the 8/15 is a bit too short for me.

As for Birmingham. Well things just go from bad to worse for them don't they. They were hoping the Carling Cup would give them that much needed win against a second string United side but even then they still get beat and id imagine their confidence at an all time low.

Man.City 4-1 Birmingham
Sunderland 0-1 Birmingham
Newcastle 1-0 Birmingham
Blackburn 2-0 Birmingham
Arsenal 1-0 Birmingham
Portsmouth 1-1 Birmingham
West Brom 2-3 Birmingham
Fulham 0-0 Birmingham

They do have a decent home record i guess although the points they have picked up have all been against the sides in the lower half and ones that struggle at home.

When they come up against the quality sides they seem to come up short in the end.

So yeah Farnerud - looks a decent bet for you but i refuse to ever take Spurs at such short odds.

Hope this helps

[farnerud]

Very very nice stuff kiko. I decided to take it but not with high stakes, may be in combos. Thanks again.

[Tricky]

Gotta side with Bolton too, around evens is a good price, against Sunderland who have only managed 3 points at home this season.

Chelsea have be drawing at home, and won at full time in 7 of their 9 home premiership games this season, so the 4/1 generally available makes it a good value bet for 8/10.

[Bigkegman]

Aston Villa v Everton

Juan Pablo Angel could be restored to the Aston Villa starting line-up alongside Milan Baros. Skipper and central defender Olof Mellberg and striker Kevin Phillips are still both sidelined with hamstring and ankle problems respectively.

Tim Cahill is doubtful after not training all week with a calf problem. Marcus Bent (hamstring) and James Beattie (foot) are also doubts. Defender Joseph Yobo has a shoulder injury so Per Kroldrup is standing by for his first team debut.

Charlton v Arsenal

Charlton welcome back Jason Euell and striker Kevin Lisbie to the squad. Striker Jay Bothroyd has also resumed training although he is still awaiting the all-clear after he suffered a black-out two weeks ago. He is expected to feature at some time over the festive period.

Jose Antonio Reyes (thigh) is back in contention for Arsenal, while Thierry Henry faces a Christmas Eve fitness test on an Achilles injury. Robin van Persie (knee) is doubtful, while Quincy Owusu-Abeyie will be ruled out for up to a month with another knee problem.

Chelsea v Fulham

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho still has doubts over left-back Asier del Horno and Damien Duff. Duff is back in training following the Achilles problem which forced him out of Chelsea's 1-0 win over Wigan a fortnight ago and could be handed a place on the bench. Del Horno missed the victory over Arsenal at Highbury with a leg injury and remains a major doubt for the visit of their west London neighbours.

Steed Malbranque has been ruled out of the entire Christmas schedule with a hamstring injury. Papa Bouba Diop (ankle) and striker Collins John (hamstring) are rated 50/50 for the Boxing Day derby against Chelsea. Skipper Luis Boa Morte is struggling with a knee problem while USA defender Carlos Bocanegra (Achilles) is expected to make the bench.

Liverpool v Newcastle

Liverpool expect to have Dietmar Hamann available after hemissed the Club World Championship games in Japan with a knee problem. He is expected to play in central midfield against his old club, with Mohamed Sissoko suspended.

Newcastle midfielder Scott Parker will be missing through suspension but Stephen Carr (hernia), Celestine Babayaro (groin), Steven Taylor (shoulder), Emre (hamstring) and Charles N'Zogbia (broken hand) are back in contention. Kieron Dyer and Craig Moore (both hamstring) remain on the sidelines.

Man Utd v West Brom

Cristiano Ronaldo is suspended but Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Edwin van der Sar are all expected to return for United after missing the midweek Carling Cup win at Birmingham. Louis Saha could find himself on the bench despite scoring twice at St Andrews.

West Brom manager Bryan Robson has a full squad to choose from. Hungarian midfielder Zoltan Gera and experienced defender Steve Watson are expected to return. Gera has recovered following a hernia operation and Watson (hamstring) is also fit.

Middlesbrough v Blackburn

Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng could be sidelined for up to eight weeks by an ankle ligament injury. However, Gaizka Mendieta is in contention to replace him after shaking off a calf problem, Szilard Nemeth returns to the squad following a hamstring strain and Mark Viduka has recovered from a cold.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes is forced to reshuffle his side as striker Paul Dickov and defender Lucas Neill are both suspended. Craig Bellamy remains doubtful with a hamstring strain and Shefki Kuqi looks likely to retain his place in the starting line-up.

Portsmouth v West Ham

Portsmouth are without midfielder Salif Diao (hamstring) and striker Vincent Pericard (thigh) but boss Harry Redknapp hopes Lomana LuaLua has time to recover from a hamstring injury which kept him out of training yesterday. Midfielder Richard Hughes hopes to play on despite a broken hand, although Aliou Cisse could come into contention if the latter is not fit. Goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown is also still troubled by a knee problem and Uruguayan Dario Silva is likely to figure in some of the holiday matches.

Nigel Reo-Coker has recovered from a fracturedankle and is fit for the visit to Portsmouth where he will replace Yossi Benayoun (groin). Teddy Sheringham is still struggling with a calf strain so Marlon Harewood and Bobby Zamora are set to continue up front. Danny Gabbidon is still recovering from anasty gash to the knee.

Sunderland v Bolton

Sunderland are without suspended defender Nyron Nosworthy. With Stephen Wright picking up a thigh injury on his return to action in a midweek reserves fixture, Justin Hoyte will switch to right-back with either Danny Collins or Julio Arca filling the void on the other flank. Central defender Alan Stubbs (groin) comes into contention but Stephen Elliott (back) is out and with Andy Gray (Achilles) struggling, Daryl Murphy has been recalled from a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday.

Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf could return to the starting line-up after Hidetoshi Nakata failed to make an impact in the Carling Cup defeat by Wigan in midweek. There might also be in recall for French defender BrunoN'Gotty. He could come in for Radhi Jaidi, who was also out of sorts in the cup game.

Tottenham v Birmingham

Jermain Defoe is a major doubt for Tottenham with ankle ligament damage and will have a late fitness test. Andy Reid and Teemu Tainio (both knee) are out but Wayne Routledge and Aaron Lennon are back in training and in contention for a start in midfield.

Birmingham striker Mikael Forssell (thigh) is doubtful and midfielder Muzzy Izzet (hamstring) and full-back Mario Melchiot (thigh) are unlikely to play. Goalkeeper Nico Vaesen is available again after suspension but has to wait and see if he replaces Maik Taylor who earned praise from manager Steve Bruce for his performance in the midweek Carling Cup reversal by Manchester United.

Wigan v Man City

Wigan right-back Ryan Taylor is Paul Jewell's only doubt. Taylor sustained a back injury during Tuesday's Carling Cup victory over Bolton, which led to him sitting out training yesterday. Jewell at least has centre-back Stephane Henchoz and midfielder Josip Skoko available again as both have missed the last two matches with dead leg and groin injuries respectively.

Andy Cole and Richard Dunne return to Manchester City's squad. The duo both missed the win over Birmingham through suspension but, after putting four goals past the Blues, their returning to Stuart Pearce's starting line-up is not automatic. Antoine Sibierski will be particularly confident of keeping his place after his man-of-the-match display, while Nedum Onuoha also performed well in Dunne's absence alongside Sylvain Distin at centre-half.

Courtesy of RP

[kompressaur]

FEAST YOUR EYES ON THIS LOT…
A buffet-style Boxing Day feast awaits us with a full league programme guaranteed to tempt even the most jaded palettes. Of course, with so many games to choose from, it would be easy to get carried way on a tide of port and brandy, so we need to be selective. And, like a box of chocolates, the Premiership has something for everyone, with several home ‘bankers’, and a few games that require a little more chewing over.

A lazy punt would be to combine the likes of Chelsea (1/5), Man United (2/9), Tottenham (1/2) and Arsenal (8/11) in accumulators and, with our Premiership Accumulator Bonus, you can at least be assured of getting some additional value (up to 60% more). A £50 four-fold on the big three will return you just under £200 at the current prices, and that includes a bet365 bonus of 5%. If you’re happy to place singles, you might even beat those prices when the games go In-Play, especially on the likes of Chelsea, who’ve made a habit of winning their games late on. All but Spurs are live on TV, which means we’ll be offering up to 14 Live markets.

BACK CHELSEA AT EVENS!...
However, at the short prices on offer, you’re just as likely to collect by backing them to win by a couple of goals or more on our Asian Handicap. This form of betting consistently throws up some excellent value, particularly as we bet to just 102%, and you’re going to get more back than by having just a straight win bet. Taking United as an example, a bet on them at 1.90 (10/11) will cop if they win the game by three goals or more. If they win by only two clear goals, you’re still going to win (half your stake times the price, with the other half returned). The same applies to Chelsea (Evens), and you’ve got to fancy them to score well against Fulham. This might be a local derby, but the Blues are on a different planet.

Asian Handicap Picks: United (-1 ¾) @ 1.90 / Chelsea (-1 ¾) @ 2.00

LIVERPOOL V NEWCASTLE – 4/6 REDS TO SPOIL OWEN’S RETURN…
Boxing Day, 3.00 ko, live on Sky Prem Plus…
As far as entertainment goes, the game at Anfield looks the pick of the programme and, with the all the hype surrounding the return of Michael Owen, we’re serving up a host of specials to mark the occasion. The Reds are favourites to win the game at 4/6, but the best bet could be on the ‘Total Goals’ instead. The Liverpool defence is proving to be impenetrable right now while, despite their strike force of Owen and Shearer, the Newcastle attack is producing only average results (Newcastle 9/2, Draw 12/5).

Live Game Pick: ‘Under’ 2.5 Goals @ 4/6 – Bet Live In-Play

CROUCH TO OUTSCORE OWEN @ 5/2…
That also makes our 5/2 on Crouch to outscore Owen look attractive, which would have been unthinkable a couple weeks ago. The pair are 5/1 and 13/2 respectively to score the first goal in the game and, remember, if they don’t score first, but go on to score the last goal in the game instead, we’ll give you your money back. Of course, the rumour about Owen returning to Anfield for good next summer refuses to go away and, if you believe he’ll be pulling on a red shirt at the beginning of next season, you’ll be accommodated at 6/1 here at bet365.

Michael Owen Specials (Must start for bets to stand):

1st goal 13/2
Score anytime 7/4
Score 2 or more 9
Hat trick 50
Booked 10
Sent off 66

Goal Match Bet

Owen 10/3
Tie 4/6
Crouch 5/2

from bet365