Football, racing and more with expert advice. Get the best football bets and prices!

The match stats below are compiled with major football betting markets in mind. They are presented as facts without recommendation, allowing you to spot trends and decide whether they have relevance as betting opportunities. Click any ‘Bet Now’ button to see a bet slip from that bookmaker.

NARRATIVE:

Liverpool have scored just nine goals in eight home games against Sunderland, which speaks volumes about the defensive qualities of the Black Cats. Sunderland have not scored in the last five matches and have not scored more than one goal in the fixture to date. Liverpool have turned all four victories into

The match stats below are compiled with major football betting markets in mind. They are presented as facts without recommendation, allowing you to spot trends and decide whether they have relevance as betting opportunities. Click any ‘Bet Now’ button to see a bet slip from that bookmaker.

NARRATIVE:

As a match producing just three goals via four fixtures to date, there is not much more I can add! Doubles: Manchester City 0—-Wigan 2

MARKET:

Manchester City: 1 win–Draws: 1–Wigan: 2 wins (goal difference: 1-2)

MARKET: Correct Score

2 x 0-1

MARKET: First team to score

Manchester City: 1—-Wigan: 2 (1 x 0-0 draw)

MARKET: Even or odd total of goals:

Even: 1—-Odd: 3

The bookies have Arsenal priced around 4/7 to travel to Birmingham City & beat them but why should Arsenal be such a short price to do what Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Everton & Man City all failed to do?
The answer to that question is Arsenal should not be as short as 4/7 to win at Birmingham City & to be honest those odds are greatly disrespectful to the excellent job that Alex McCleish and the Birmingham City players have done this season & especially at home.

Birmingham City have been incredibly strong & hard to beat all season & particularly at home with their record of 7 wins & 6 draws from 15 games with only 2 sides having enough to win at St. Andrews in the league this season.

The basis of that strength at home has been their incredible defensive record with only 10 goals conceded in 15 games at home & they have managed to keep clean sheets in 7 of those games with only 2 teams scoring 2 or more goals in a league game at St. Andrews.

The achievement of being placed 9th in the Premier League is quite remarkable for Alex McCleish & his players and although they are unlikely to go any higher, they are certainly determined to achieve as many points as possible & home matches represent their best chance of doing that, no matter who they are playing.

In terms of recent form, Birmingham City come into this match with 2 defeats but we are expecting a really positive, committed response from Birmingham City in this one & after the defeat against Blackburn, Alex McCleish promised that the players would be certainly up for this one & ready to give absolutely everything again.

For Arsenal this is obviously a huge match given that they are only 2 points off the league leaders Manchester United & still holding an excellent chance of winning the title so the 3 points on offer do mean everything to Arsenal.

Arsenal always look to win matches & will of course look to play their positive, flowing style but how they handle coming up against Birmingham City’s totally committed, physically powerful & organised football will be the key to this match.

In terms of natural talent & quality then Arsenal definitely have a clear edge over Birmingham City & to be fair to Arsenal they have also shown greater spirit & strength this season but this will undoubtedly be a tough test & a very tough match to win.

The massive quandry for Arsene Wenger of course is the impending Champions League Quarter Final matches against Barcelona & obviously team selection may well be a major factor in this match.

Will Arsene Wenger want to risk the likes of Fabregas, Arshavin, Eduardo, Nasri & Rosicky againt Birmingham City and potentially not have them fit & ready for Barcelona? – we don’t know what Arsene Wenger will do with team selection but there must be a very big chance that several of the key players will be rested & that will have a big impact on how Arsenal play.

Another major factor is that Thomas Vermaelen, arguably Arsenal’s most consistent performer all season & their main organiser in defence, is suspended for this match & that means Arsenal are likely to rely on a new defensive partnership of Sol Campbel & Mikael Silvestre & that could cause big problems in a match of this nature.

This is obviously going to be a fascinating match & a real test for both sides so it’s hard to call with Birmingham City’s impressive home record possibly the key factor & while a scoring draw looks tempting, we are going to take a value punt on Birmingham City pulling off their biggest win of the season & putting a huge dent in Arsenal’s title hopes.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Birmingham City to win

Correct Score Options: Birmingham City to win 2-0/2-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: McFadden/Jerome/Larsson

Scorecast options: McFadden/Jerome/Larsson score 1st & Birmingham City win 2-0/2-1

Double Result: Birmingham City H/T & F/T

Must win matches come thick & fast at this stage of the season for all teams & certainly both Chelsea & Aston Villa know this fixture is definitely one of those must win games.
Chelsea are chasing 3 points to keep their title push going while Aston Villa desperately need 3 points for their challenge for 4th position & Champions League football so there is absolutely everything to play for here.

Another interesting twist that adds another element to this match is the fact these two sides clash in the F.A. Cup Semi Final in 2 weeks time & while that won’t have a massive effect on this match, the team that wins this match will have a big psychological edge for the semi final & certainly makes this an even more important match.

Chelsea came in for criticism & a great deal of punishment in the media after suffering the defeat against Inter Milan & then failing to beat Blackburn Rovers and the pressure was really rising on Carlo Ancelotti but he & the Chelsea players showed their class & responded in the best possible way.

Before their match against Portsmouth, Chelsea were being written off by some in the media but they certainly put those ridiculous comments to bed by absolutely hammering Portsmouth 5-0, showing the true class, determination & quality that is within the Chelsea squad.

Admittedly Chelsea have stuttered somewhat in recent weeks but there is no denying of how much quality & experience they have and certainly Drogba, Malouda, Lampard, Anelka, Terry, Cech are players who would get into almost every team in world football & represent a major threat to whoever they are playing against.

Chelsea know they have to win this match to keep the pressure on both Manchester United & Arsenal but their stunning home record should ensure they are totally confident of beating Aston Villa here & we certainly expect them to have a real go at doing just that.

Aston Villa come into this match looking for another big boost after two greatly disappointing home draws against Wolves & Sunderland and they really do need to collect 3 points if their Champions League dreams are to stay alive.

Those two disappointing draws saw 4 points dropped & as they now sit 4 points behind Tottenham in 4th spot, they were clearly expensively dropped points & that has to be a big concern for Aston Villa right now.

Martin O’Neill is a positive manager & still believes Aston Villa can make 4th place but he knows they need to pull off another massive victory against Chelsea if they are to do that & that will require a tremendous team performance but whether they can do that here remains doubtful.

Aston Villa are always incredibly hard to beat & will certainly make it a test for Chelsea & the game looks certain to be competitive but we cannot oppose Chelsea here who have to win & look worth a bet to do so with Drogba & Lampard likely to be the inspirations.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Chelsea to win

Correct Score Options: Chelsea to win 2-0/2-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Drogba/Lampard/Malouda

Scorecast options: Drogba/Lampard/Malouda score 1st & Chelsea win 2-0/2-1

Double Result: Chelsea H/T & F/T

This is a must win game for Hull City & it is as simple as that – Hull City have got to win this if they are to have any chance of surviving & that has to be the focus of this match although we’re sure Fulham will want to have their say as well.
Hull City have 4 home league matches remaining & those home matches must be turned into wins if Hull City are to survive so Ian Dowie will really have to get the players up for this one.

The 3-2 defeat away at Portsmouth after being in front was a massive blow to Hull City & that is bound to have hit the players hard so they will have to regain their confidence & quickly for this one but at least their home record gives them hope they can do that.

Hull City have been relatively strong at home with 5 wins & 5 draws & they are taking on a Fulham side with a pathetic away record of only 1 win in 15 so this is definitely a great opportunity for Hull City & they must take it.

Roy Hodgson has done wonders with Fulham again this season with their heroics in europe the highlight but the one point of concern that remains for Fulham is their terrible away form.

Admittedly Fulham have achieved 6 draws away from home but one victory is not good enough & that is mainly due to their failure to score enough goals away from home with only 11 scored in 15 away matches so far.

Fulham are totally safe in the Premier League for another season & now out of the F.A. Cup so the only real focus they have is the Europa Cup so whether the Fulham players will be fully motivated for this match must be doubtful & a draw looks their best possible outcome here.

This match is unlikely to be a footballing classic but that won’t matter to Ian Dowie, the Hull City fans & importantly the Hull City players who have to win this game & while this is not a straightforward game to call, we are taking Hull City to make home advantage pay & get 3 massive points.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Hull City to win

Correct Score Options: Hull City to win 2-0/2-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Bullard/Folan/Fagan

Scorecast options: Bullard/Folan/Fagan score 1st & Hull City win 2-0/2-1

Double Result: Hull City H/T & F/T

In two weeks time these two sides will clash in an F.A. Cup Semi Final & on that day both Tottenham & Portsmouth will have a real desire to win but on this occassion only Tottenham can truly say that.

That is not meant to be dismissive of Portsmouth but the true facts are they are already relegated from the Premier League and as a side they have very little true motivation to really go for wins in the Premier League & while Tottenham have everything to play for in the league with 4th spot there for the taking now.

Of course the media will want to build this up given the close connection of both sides with Harry Redknapp having managed both teams & so many players played for both teams and there is no doubt that gives an extra edge to the game in terms of the fans & the atmosphere but we really don’t see it affecting the result in anyway.

Tottenham are absolutely flying in terms of current form & despite a whole host of injuries to key players such as Defoe, King, Woodgate & Lennon, they have still shown great quality & most importantly late a real determination to win matches and that counts for everything at this stage of the season.

Psychologically this is a massive fixture in terms of the race for 4th place because a Tottenham win here will push them 5 points clear of Manchester City & really pile the pressure on all their 4th place rivals so Tottenham know exactly what they have to do here.

In terms of most recent form then Tottenham come into this match off the back of an impressive 3-1 Cup win against Fulham while Portsmouth were totally hammered 5-0 at home by Chelsea so that highlights the task Portsmouth face & the belief Tottenham will have of winning this match.

This match should be a good game of football but in terms of the outcome we cannot oppose Tottenham who should have far too much quality for Portsmouth & the likes of Crouch, Pavlychenko, Krancjar, Modric & Gudjohnsen should all get plenty of opportunities to help Tottenham to a very comfortable but vital home win.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Tottenham to win

Correct Score Options: Tottenham to win 3-0/4-0

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Crouch/Pavlychenko/Modric

Scorecast options: Crouch/Pavlychenko/Modric score 1st & Tottenham win 3-0/4-0

Double Result: Tottenham H/T & F/T

Without wanting to overstate the case here, this home match against Stoke City could well represent a case of do or die for West Ham United as they slide alarmingly towards relegation.
The truly humiliating 3-0 home defeat against Wolves on tuesday night was one of the lowest moments in West Ham’s history & that defeat has left them staring relegation straight in the face.

Yes West Ham United are still 3 points clear of the drop zone but their remaining fixture list makes it tough to see where they will pick points up so this has to be a must win game for West Ham United although Stoke City will certainly have something to say about that.

West Ham United have still got to play Everton away, Liverpool away, Fulham away, Wigan, Sunderland & Manchester City at home and to be totally honest it is hard to see exactly where West Ham can expect to pick up points so the pressure is really on West Ham in this match & that will either inspire or totally crush them.

The most alarming fact for everybody connected to West Ham United is that they don’t look like a side who believe they can do anything at the moment & given how poor they were against Wolves it is incredibly tough to expect West Ham United to bounce back here.

Yes West Ham United do have quality players such as Carlton Cole, Mark Noble, Scott Parker, Behrami but the facts are as a team they lack belief & those players are not able to influence the rest of the team and that is obviously a massive problem.

Stoke City come here knowing they are safe & Tony Pulis’s aim for the remainder of the season is to try & beat last season’s points total of 45 so the target is 8 more from their remaining games and they will see this as an excellent opportunity to get 3 here.

Tony Pulis is a vastly experienced manager who will know what to expect from West Ham United here but he also knows the qualities of his own side & Stoke City can certainly go into this game positive & believing they will get something for their efforts.

Tactically this match is going to be a clash of styles with West Ham United’s positive, passing game going up against Stoke City’s more direct, physical game with elements of quality added to it & it should be a fascinating contest.

The pressure is all on West Ham United to win this match & how they handle the pressure will decide the game but on the evidence of their completely inept performance against Wolves then we have to side with Stoke City winning this & delivering another massive blow to West Ham’s survival hopes.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Stoke City to win

Correct Score Options: Stoke City to win 2-0/2-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Fuller/Tuncay/Etherington

Scorecast options: Fuller/Tuncay/Ethrington score 1st & Stoke City win 2-0/2-1

Double Result: Stoke City H/T & F/T

This is a really interesting match in prospect here as both Wolves & Everton come here in excellent, confident form so this should be a good, entertaining & indeed competitive match.
Wolves come into this game on the back of a magnificent run of results which has seen them collect 7 absolutely vital points from a possible 9 and those 7 points have pushed them very close to safety and that does command great respect.

Mick McCarthy’s Wolves players have shown that while they may lack actual individual quality, they more than match most teams for determination, self belief & a fantastic team strength to get the job done & fight for everything and that is exactly what we expect from them here.

The two wins over Burnley & West Ham were absolutely massive coming against relegation rivals & the 2-2 away draw at Aston Villa showed that Wolves can compete with the best so they will certainly be confident of doing a job against Everton in this match.

Tactically Wolves have been playing 4-5-1 one with Kevin Doyle leading the line on his own & relying on support from midfield & we fully expect Wolves to go the same way again here.

Wolves will certainly be totally up for this home match but they big problem for them at home is that they do not score enough goals – a return of 10 goals from 15 home league matches is pathetic & the chances are they may well have to score 2 goals here to even get a point so it is going to be very tough no matter how confident they are.

David Moyes brings his Everton side to Wolves very, very happy with his Everton side right now & only wishing the season had started better because their recent form has been excellent.

Everton have won 9 & drawn 6 of their last 17 Premier League matches with their only 2 defeats coming in tough matches against Tottenham & Liverpool and the victories include excellent wins over Man City, Manchester United & Chelsea and by anybody’s standards that is formidable form.

The facts are if Everton had not had such a poor start to the season, they would probably be the main contenders for 4th spot because there is no team in the Premier League in better form than Everton right now.

Everton have real top quality players amongst their side with the likes of Cahill, Arteta, Saha, Yakubu, Phil Neville, Jagielka, Baines, all proven top class Premier League players plus exciting young talents like Jack Rodwell.

Everton’s performance in winning 2-0 away at Manchester City was a fantastic mix of determination, team spirit & ultimately supreme quality and that should ensure they go into this match against Wolves totally believing they will win the game.

This is a fascinating match because Wolves are at home, they command respect for their excellent recent results & will certainly compete for everything but Everton are a side who can more than match anybody for commitment & come here as the most in form side in the Premier League & they do look an excellent bet to get another win here.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Everton to win

Correct Score Options: Everton to win 2-0/2-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Cahill/Arteta/Saha

Scorecast options: Cahill/Arteta/Saha score 1st & Everton win 2-0/2-1

Double Result: Everton H/T & F/T

This fixture has taken place 10 times during the history of the Premier League with the current score Bolton 1 – 3 Draws – Manchester United 6 so Manchester United have a clear historical advantage but can Bolton cause a shock & make it 2 wins against United here?
The answer is yes they most definitely can despite how tough the task may look – the next question that may arise is ‘have we gone mad tipping Bolton to beat Manchester United?’

Of course, if Manchester United come out of this fixture with a comfortable 3-0 win then we will look absolutely mad but we think there is a definite case for backing Bolton & importantly the bookies are offering what we think is a big value price for that to happen.

This fixture obviously involves Bolton vs Manchester United but the biggest & most important influence on this match could well be Manchester United’s next 3 fixtures after this one as they face 3 absolutely huge games against Bayern Munich away, the potential title decider against Chelsea at home & then Bayern Munich again in the Champions League.

Without being disrespectful to Bolton, the Manchester United management & players are likely to have their focus on those matches more than they are this game against Bolton & for us that makes this a great opportunity for Bolton.

Obviously, Manchester United will still take this game seriously because they need the 3 points & they still have many top quality players to call on but there has to be a massive chance that the likes of Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Ji Sung Park, Evra & maybe even Ferdinand & Vidic will not play in this game & that will obviously tremendously weaken Manchester United.

The other important factor for Bolton in this game is that their confidence & performance levels have really improved at home & Owen Coyle has got them playing a very positive style of football that will test Manchester United out & that combined with the threat of Davies, Elmander & Taylor then they also the capacity to score goals as well.

The final factor is that Bolton need the 3 points as much as Manchester United do because another win push Bolton to be virtually safe in the Premier League & we really do expect Bolton to go for this game from the start.

This is a massive game & in our view can go any way so for us it’s a case of aiming for the best betting value & at the prices Bolton look worth a punt to cause a massive shock & blow the title race even further open that it already is.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Bolton to win

Correct Score Options: Bolton to win 2-0/2-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Davies/Taylor/Elmander

Scorecast options: Davies/Taylor/Elmander score 1st & Bolton win 2-0/2-1

Double Result: Bolton H/T & F/T

A good healthy portion of very hot n’spicy Lancashire Hot Pot looks set to be on the menu here as bitter local rivals Burnley & Blackburn Rovers clash in what is a truly massive game.
Whenever these two bitter rivals clash, it does not matter what is at stake in terms of whether it be a league match or a cup tie, the hatred & animosity both sides feel for each other is incredibly fierce & will never fade so we are expecting this to be a real tough, physical clash.

In terms of who has the greater need to win this match then Burnley most definitely do because they are in a truly desperate situation & the true facts are that failure to win this will deliver another potentially fatal blow to their Premier League survival hopes.

Burnley simply have to win this match & as many of their remaining games as possible to have any chance of surviving so the pressure is definitely on but at least it means they know they have to go all out for the win & to their credit that is what Burnley always try to do.

Home form has been Burnley’s only saviour this season & that combined with the local derby factor will certainly have the Burnley players confident & determined but whether they have enough left to win this has to be doubtful given how their recent results have gone.

Sam Allardyce has once again done a great job in keeping Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League & now that safety is secure, he will really want to add an away victory against Burnley to really give the Blackburn fans something to celebrate.

Blackburn’s away form has been shockingly poor with only 6 points gained from a possible 45 & they have conceded 36 goals but now they are safe that does not really matter & the Blackburn players can certainly go into this game positive & relaxed with the pressure taken off.

Confidence levels within the Blackburn Rovers side should be very high after an excellent draw against Chelsea & a big win against Birmingham City so we do expect Blackburn to be really positive in this match & it should make for a good game.

This match should be an absolute cracker because the fans will make the sure the atmosphere is red hot & there is every chance the Burnley & Blackburn players will do so on the pitch so any result is possible but a really competitive, scoring draw looks a value bet worth taking here.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: DRAW

Correct Score Options: 1-1/2-2

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Fletcher/Nugent/Pedersen

Scorecast options: Fletcher/Nugent/Pedersen score 1st & 1-1/2-2

Double Result: DRAW H/T & F/T