Premiership Betting Analysis from PinnacleSports
8th May 2007, 19:22
Over the extended Bank Holiday weekend Manchester United finally clinched the Premiership title, while Charlton became the second side to be relegated from the English top flight. That still leaves plenty of unanswered questions before the book can be closed on this season, and the build-up to next term can begin. Clubs, managers and players will certainly come and go, but www.PinnacleSports.com can be relied on to offer the best Premiership odds, up to 60% better than traditional bookmakers.
Chelsea to Make Reluctant Guard of Honour
It is likely that humble pie will be added to the list of refreshments at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. Chelsea will begrudgingly form a guard of honour for the team that has taken their title, arch rivals Manchester United. For so long it seemed that this game would decide the Premiership, but instead the meeting of the division’s top two teams will be reduced to a curious sideshow, rather than a winner takes all contest.
It is difficult to gauge how the teams will approach this fixture. United would love nothing better than to end Chelsea’s 61 game unbeaten run at the Bridge, while the Blues might take satisfaction in winning this battle, even if they have already lost the war. However, caution may prevail with each manager protecting their most valuable assets for the one important encounter still to come - the FA Cup final they will contest at the brand new Wembley Stadium on 19th May.
The sides have met seven times since Jose Mourinho took charge of the London club, and Alex Ferguson has presided over just one victory during that time. It would provide a psychological boost for the Red Devils prior to the FA Cup final should they manage a win, but whatever the result at 90 minutes, Alex Ferguson will be the one with the broadest smile. PinnacleSports.com have posted Chelsea as marginal favourites 1.935 (0/scratch & -0.5) with Manchester United 1.990 (0/scratch & +0.5).
Spurs & Blackburn Aiming for Another Crack at UEFA Cup
Tottenham’s season may be again ending without silverware, but it is a testament to the success they have enjoyed in reaching the quarter-finals of both the FA and UEFA Cups that they are still clearing a back-log of Premiership fixtures. Spurs condemned Charlton to the Championship with a 2-0 win at the Valley on Monday, and the Lilywhites now have two home games to confirm their place in Europe for next term, starting with Blackburn on Thursday.
Such is the congestion below fourth place, that seven teams still have a live chance of grabbing one of three available UEFA Cup berths, including the visitors to White Hart Lane, Blackburn. Rovers have gained momentum in their pursuit of European football for a second successive season by taking 10 points from their last four fixtures, and scoring the same number of goals.
These sides have a history of keenly contested games. The last seven Premiership encounters have failed to separate them by more than a single goal, though Blackburn haven’t won on their last three visits to White Hart Lane. PinnacleSports.com have priced Spurs as marginal favourites 1.840 (-0.5) with Blackburn 2.090 (+0.5).