Saturday
Fixture: Chelsea 2-1 Wigan
Venue: Stamford Bridge (Chelsea home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: Big bet alert. We have officially found a blind spot in the bookies thinking, which means that they amount of odds they offer on any single weekend is so huge that they are computer generating them. And then not checking the results. We all know Chelsea, right. Faltering up until a couple of weeks ago when the Dutchman came in. and bagged them a committed win at Villa and a lucky one at home to Juventus (both 1-0). We all know about their love of the 1-0 win. And we also all know about their difficulties at home. Now take Wigan: tough, gritty, strong, organised, up and coming. Good. Having conceded three in the league since October (their bad run). The bookies say that Wigan are an odds against chance with a 1.25 advantage. I say no. Chelsea will not win by two clear goals.
Betting Advice: 8pts Wigan (+1.25) to win at 63/50 (1.26 at Bet365)
Fixture: Middlesbrough 2-0 Liverpool
Venue: Riverside Stadium (Boro home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: I'm prepared to stick with Liverpool continuing to challenge for the Premier League, even though it may seem like a lost cause. They would have got a real fillip from their midweek win in Madrid, and that solid, disciplined performance should put a bit more bounce in their step.
Betting Advice: 2pts Liverpool to win at 10/13 (1.77 at extrabet); 2pts Liverpool to win to nil Evens (2.0 at Paddy Power)
Sunday
Fixture: Hull 1-2 Blackburn
Venue: KC Stadium (Hull home)
Kick-off: 12.30pm GMT
Verdict: I hate to say I told you so (well, not that much) but when Hull were in third place and flying I said that they are still going to be relegated. A few months on and Hull are six points off the relegation spots. They have Spurs, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Blackburn, and Middlesbrough below them. Hull haven't won for ten league games. They are FAR from safe. Their opponents here are in a similar bind and have not won for four league games, but have shown patches of why they have been a fixture in the Premier League for eight years.
Betting Advice: 1pt Blackburn to win at 13/8 (2.63 generally)
Fixture: Aston Villa 2-2 Stoke
Venue: Villa Park (Liverpool home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: I'm backing Villa to bounce back from their loss to Chelsea last week and take all three points at Stoke. It is not the biggest price, but there is a huge discrepancy among bookies, so 4/9 is great value if you can get it.
Betting Advice: 6pts Villa to win at 4/9 (1.44 generally)
THE NO BETS
Saturday
Everton are too poor a price against West Brom, particularly so close after losing talisman Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal could go either way against Fulham. I could see them stuffing Fulham. Someone is going to get a beating one of these days. But would you risk money on them now?
Sunday
West Ham and Manchester City are two of the most erratic teams in the Premier League this season. Avoid.
Bolton should win this one. If they don't they could find themselves dragged into the battle at the bottom. Newcastle could climb up to mid-table with a win. Too close to wager on Bolton.
