Premiership Betting Analysis from PinnacleSports
12th May 2007, 8:53
As the Premiership draws to a close this weekend, clubs will be taking stock of the success of their campaigns. In the same way gamblers will sit down to work out how profitable their season has been, and without doubt those punters who have been taking advantage of www.PinnacleSports.com’s 60% Premiership odds will be in the best position. If you are not a Pinnacle account holder, make sure you improve your chances for start of the new season, by siding with the internet’s leading sportsbook.
West Ham Desperate to Spoil United’s Title Party
The game between Manchester United and West Ham at Old Trafford on the final day of the season, had for a long time looked like it would be critical for both participants. In the event, the Red Devils have already wrapped up the title, but the Hammers are left in the unenviable position of needing at least a draw from the newly crowned Champions to avoid relegation or hope results elsewhere go in their favour. Alan Curbishley has performed a minor miracle producing six wins from their last eight games, but it will take something special to spoil Alex Ferguson’s party at the Theatre of Dreams. If Fergie turns out a similar side to that which earned a draw at Stamford Bridge, there may be hope for the Hammers.
It wouldn’t be so bad for the Irons were it not for the fact that United need to maintain their focus for the FA Cup, next weekend. Many squad players will be vying for a place in the first team at the new Wembley, while Fergie won’t be happy for momentum to be stalled. As much as anything else, the crowd at the Theatre of Dreams will expect a fitting finale to this glorious season. So where does that leave West Ham? Carlos Tevez has been in outstanding form but the Argentine will get close attention from the new Champions. Should the Londoners sit back and try to settle for a draw they will almost certainly be over-run, take the battle to United and they are open to the counter-attack. Curbishley could do worse than mug up on Sun Tzu’s ‘the Art of War’. www.PinnacleSports.com don’t envisage a bloodbath pricing United 1.730 (-0.5) with West Ham 2.270 (+0.5).
Failure Not an Option For Wigan at Bramall Lane
There are three teams fighting to avoid filling the final relegation place in the Premiership table, and two of them meet at Bramall Lane on Sunday. Wigan and Sheffield United are both in danger of being consigned to the Championship, but their positions are significantly different. The Blades need only a draw to guarantee safety, whereas a win for Wigan will only be good enough if West Ham also lose at Old Trafford. Regardless of the circumstances Sheffield United should be expected to play the game to win. Too many times this season they have had to drag themselves back into games after slow starts, so Neil Warnock will be unlikely to risk a conservative approach. Warnock may also have been alarmed to see a United reserve side turn out at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday; a similarly weakened side would play into West Ham’s hands and put greater pressure on Sheffield United to avoid defeat.
Wigan’s fate is now out of their own hands, but they have had plenty of opportunities to avoid being in this position. The Latics are without a win in their last eight games, and haven’t even scored in a hat-trick of losing Premiership fixtures going into this game. The 3-0 home defeat by relegation rivals West Ham was interpreted by many pundits as flying the white flag of surrender to relegation, and it will take a monumental effort by manager, Paul Jewell, to convince his players that their two year stay in the Premiership is not yet over. www.PinnacleSports.com can’t separate the sides on their Asian Handicap pricing Sheffield United 1.746 (0/scratch) with Wigan 2.240 (0/scratch).
Pompey Still Dreaming of European Football
Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth were the only side other than Chelsea and Manchester United to top this season’s Premiership table. The Southcoast side were unable to maintain that lofty position, but could still finish in a high enough position to qualify for Europe, which would be a first for a club that has experienced a rags-to-riches story. Recent home form suggests that Pompey have an excellent chance of getting the three points that would give them a chance of getting into a UEFA Cup spot. Portsmouth have lost just three times at home this season, and are looking for a fourth straight win, having recently sent Liverpool, Newcastle and Man Utd packing. They host Arsenal on Sunday, so ex-Gunners, Sol Campbell and Kanu will have a particular point to prove.
Arsenal have been far from impressive towards the tale end of the season, but they have done enough to qualify for next season’s Champions League. At present they would however have to negotiate the qualifying rounds, sitting fourth behind Liverpool who have a much easier final fixture, playing already relegated Charlton at home. Wenger must however assume that his side can still over-turn the Scousers with a victory at Fratton Park, and go flat out for three points. The Gunners have an excellent record against Pompey who have never beaten them in the Premiership, a seven game sequence. www.PinnacleSports.com make Arsenal marginal favourites 1.840 (0/scratch) with Portsmouth 2.090 (0/scratch).