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Swansea v Chelsea (Tuesday–7.45)

There is no Premier League history between these two teams for matches played in Swansea.

Chelsea won the reverse fixture this season via a 4-1 score-line.

All time League record:

Swansea: 5 wins

Drawn games: 6

Chelsea wins: 8 wins

Premier League Match Previews & Recommendations for 31st January & 1st February

It’s back to action in the Premier League again after a mini break for the F.A. Cup action & looking at the fixture list there are some brilliant Premier League games to get stuck into.

I’ve had a good look at this set of midweek fixtures & here are my own views with the betting recommendations covering the major football markets for your consideration & to help you make your own decision

Swansea vs Chelsea – (Tuesday 7.45pm)

Only Tottenham, Man City & Liverpool have got a better home record than Swansea in terms of home defeats & the big question here is can Chelsea do enough to stop Swansea enhancing their strong home record.

Swansea have 5 wins & 5 draws from their first 11 home Premier League matches & come here after deservedly beating Arsenal 3-2 in their last home game through a brilliant performance & the Swansea players will have no fear about facing a Chelsea side who are struggling to hit top form.

While I have been greatly impressed by Swansea at home this year & indeed have huge respect for them but I honestly think the key to this game is what Chelsea do & if they can show their best quality here & find a few goals then I think they’ll have a great chance to take the points.

Taking odds on about a side like Chelsea at the moment is a risk & especially away from home but I just believe Chelsea are worth supporting to bounce back with their extra quality & they can get that massive win they need to keep their top 4 hopes alive.
Betting Recommendations:
Outright Match Result: CHELSEA to win
Correct score options: CHELSEA to win 2-0/2-1
First Goalscorer each way/Players to score anytime: Torres/Sturridge/Mata
Scorecast options: Torres/Sturridge/Mata score 1st & Chelsea 2-0/2-1
Double Result: CHELSEA H/T & F/T

Tottenham vs Wigan – (Tuesday 7.45pm)

Tottenham will win & win very, very comfortably.

That’s honestly all that needs to be said about this match between Tottenham & Wigan as it looks a complete mis-match and I just cannot see how Wigan can even dream of getting anything here.

Tottenham are in excellent form & have been tremendously strong at home this season so while the odds are short they still look worth backing to win & indeed worth backing to win with a few goals to spare.
Betting Recommendations:
Outright Match Result: TOTTENHAM to win
Correct score options: TOTTENHAM to win 3-0/4-0
First Goalscorer each way/Players to score anytime: Defoe/Adebayor/Bale
Scorecast options: Defoe/Adebayor/Bale score 1st & Tottenham win 3-0/4-0
Double Result: TOTTENHAM H/T & F/T

Wolves vs Liverpool – (Tuesday 7.45pm)

Wolves come into this match in a desperate situation sitting 19th in the league, desperate for any sort of win & indeed 18 points behind Liverpool but I honestly think they can be supported here to beat Liverpool.

Tipping Wolves to win might well seem a crazy option given their poor results but they were quite impressive in spells against Aston Villa & will definitely come into this with the belief they can have a go at a Liverpool side who have struggled away from home this year.

Indeed Liverpool come into this match after losing their last Premier League match 3-1 away at a Bolton side who had previously lost 8 times at home & it was incredible to see how poor Liverpool where against Bolton, if they play like that again then they will struggle badly here as well.

I honestly think that anything is possible in this match & I was tempted to go with a scoring draw but Wolves desperately need the boost & points that a win will give them & I think they are a value bet to shock Liverpool here.
Betting Recommendations:
Outright Match Result: WOLVES to win
Correct score options: Wolves to win 2-1/3-1
First Goalscorer each way/Players to score anytime: Fletcher/Jarvis/Doyle
Scorecast options: Fletcher/Jarvis/Doyle score 1st & Wolves win 2-1/3-1
Double Result: WOLVES H/T & F/T

Everton vs Manchester City – (Tuesday 8.00pm)

The history books suggest Everton have a far greater chance of winning this than the odds, the league table & indeed current form suggests but despite all that I can’t oppose Man City in this one.

Everton have enjoyed a fantastic record against Manchester City in the Premier League & indeed beaten them here on several occasions in recent years but on current form & in terms of relative squad quality they are miles apart & I can only see a Man City win here.

Everton have been poor at home this year & I just don’t see how anybody can have faith in a side that has only won 3 out of 11 league games at home & particularly against the best side in the league & side that has the best attacking players in the league.

Quite honestly I just do not see how Everton can stop the likes of Nasri, Silva, Aguero, Dzeko, Balotelli, Milner from producing their quality & getting the game won for Manchester City & I think the bookies are being very generous with their odds & Manchester City have to be backed to win this.
Betting Recommendations:
Outright Match Result: MANCHESTER CITY to win
Correct score options: Manchester City to win 3-0/3-1
First Goalscorer each way/Players to score anytime: Aguero/Silva/Nasri
Scorecast options: Aguero/Silva/Nasri score 1st & Man City win 3-0/3-1
Double Result: MAN CITY H/T & F/T

Manchester United vs Stoke City – (Tuesday 8.00pm)

Earlier on this season when Peter Crouch scored to give Stoke City a 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United it was the first time that Stoke City had secured a positive result against Manchester United in the Premier League after 6 previous defeats & that’s why the bookmakers have Manchester United at 2/9 to win this clash.

Admittedly Stoke City have improved markedly over the last couple of seasons but they are still quite a distance behind Manchester United in terms of quality & Manchester United’s dominance of this fixture suggests that a home win looks the only sensible way to go here.

The bookmakers quote of 2/9 for Manchester United to win this is based on this set of scorelines from the previous clashes of Manchester United & Stoke City: 1-1, 2-1, 2-1, 4-0, 2-0, 1-0 & 5-0, that’s 6 wins & a draw for Manchester United from the 7 games with a goal ratio of 17 for Manchester United & only 3 for Stoke City.

Tony Pulis will want his players to bounce back after losing to West Brom but this is the time of season when Manchester United really step it up & they showed by deservedly beating Arsenal away that they are in the mood again & despite all the injuries they are suffering from at the moment, whoever plays for Manchester United is doing the job & determined to help United win.

Blackburn’s win at Old Trafford does hang over United a little & indeed makes taking the 2/9 seem a little risky but quite honestly unless Manchester United massively under perform I don’t see how Stoke City will get anything from this match & I think the value lies in Manchester United winning this with a bit to spare.
Betting Recommendations:
Outright Match Result: MANCHESTER UNITED to win
Correct score options: Manchester United to win 3-0/3-1
First Goalscorer each way/Players to score anytime: Rooney/Hernandez/Welbeck
Scorecast options: Rooney/Hernandez/Welbeck score 1st & Man United win 3-0/3-1
Double Result: MANCHESTER UNITED H/T & F/T

Aston Villa vs QPR – (Wednesday 7.45pm)

Just as the pressure was mounting at Aston Villa, Alex McCleish might just have pulled a mini masterstroke in sealing the loan signing of Robbie Keane & as his goals against Wolves showed last weekend, Robbie Keane looks in the mood to to inspire Villa for the whole time that he here & that could well be bad news for QPR.

There is no doubting that this is a huge match & has massive importance to both Aston Villa & QPR and it certainly is a match that will be seriously competitive with Mark Hughes now in charge at QPR but in my mind this looks a good opportunity for Villa to put their poor home form behind them with a win.

Aston Villa’s home form has been poor & the home fans at Villa Park have been very unhappy with how their team has played but surely the arrival of Robbie Keane will continue to spark them into life & indeed the performance in winning 3-2 at Wolves was really encouraging & promised of much more to come in the next few games.

Teams managed by Mark Hughes always command respect because they are always tremendously well organised & will fight all the way but Aston Villa have more quality that QPR & especially in attack with Bent, Keane, Agbonlohar, Albrighton & N’Zogbia 5 quality players that look worth supporting to get amongst the goals & guide Villa to a massive win here.
Betting Recommendations:
Outright Match Result: ASTON VILLA win
Correct score options: Aston Villa win 2-1/3-1
First Goalscorer each way/Players to score anytime: Bent/Keane/Agbonlohar
Scorecast options: Bent/Keane/Agbonlohar score 1st & Aston Villa win 2-1/3-1
Double Result: ASTON VILLA H/T & F/T

Blackburn Rovers vs Newcastle United – (Wednesday 7.45pm)

I will hold my hands up & admit that I really did expect Steve Kean to be out of a job by now & I certainly did not expect Blackburn to show the excellent form they’ve shown in recent weeks so full credit must go to everybody at Blackburn Rovers & this game definitely represents a chance for them to keep that running against a Newcastle United side coming off the back of a real hiding & without Demba Ba.

It is too simple to say Newcastle United’s dip in form is completely down to the absence of Demba Ba but to the most part it is & there is no escaping the fact Newcastle United just don’t look as good or as strong without him.

Obviously you cannot blame Newcastle United losing on the fact Demba Ba was missing but the lack of his power & strength within the side certainly made Newcastle weaker, less threatening & indeed Fulham were just too good for them & comfortably had too much for them come the final whistle.

The fact Newcastle United let in 5 goals so easily has to be a concern for Alan Pardew but on the flip side it will give Steve Kean & the Blackburn Rovers players massive belief that they can be positive & get amongst the goals again & indeed have a real shout at getting those vital points that they need in their fight against relegation.

This is going to be tough, it’s going to be seriously competitive as there isn’t too much between the sides in terms of quality so it’s possible either side could nick it by the odd goal but I think Blackburn & Newcastle United will scrap for everything here & based on that a scoring draw looks a sensible option & indeed an option that offers plenty of betting value.
Betting Recommendations:
Outright Match Result: DRAW
Correct score options: 1-1/2-2
First Goalscorer each way/Players to score anytime: Goodwille/Best/Dunn
Scorecast options: Goodwille/Best/Dunn score 1st & 1-1/2-2
Double Result: DRAW H/T & F/T

Bolton vs Arsenal – (Wednesday 8.00pm)

I really, honestly don’t have any sort of clue what might happen here because until Bolton beat Liverpool at home recently they had largely been absolutely pathetic while Arsenal continue to disappoint but could easily win this so I think flipping a coin might be the answer.

In that respect I think it’s worth taking a chance on the biggest priced outcome & at a general 9/2 to get another home win Bolton look the call against a struggling Arsenal side who are a general 8/13 to win this despite losing their last 3 Premier League matches.

Of course Arsenal have the talent to cause this Bolton side & defence massive problems and you can’t dismiss Arsenal winning this because of that but at the odds I can’t take Arsenal winning this, neither Bolton or Arsenal are ever involved in too many draws so a Bolton win looks worth a punt at the odds but obviously not one for big stakes.
Betting Recommendations:
Outright Match Result: BOLTON to win
Correct score options: BOLTON to win 2-1/3-1
First Goalscorer each way/Players to score anytime: Klasnic/Davies/Petrov
Scorecast options: Klasnic/Davies/Petrov & Bolton 2-1/3-1
Double Result: BOLTON H/T & F/T

Fulham vs West Brom – (Wednesday 8.00pm)

Fulham are very strong at home & West Brom have shown their best form away so this should be a good contest & hopefully there will be a few goals flying around for us to enjoy.

That was certainly the case for Fulham in their last home match after their incredible 5-2 win against Newcastle United which was all the more remarkable considering they were 1-0 down at half time.

That 2nd half performance was fantastic & the confidence they will get from that victory & also their last home victory when coming from behind against Arsenal should see Fulham be very positive & committed from the start here & if they are they will be seriously tough to beat.

Zamora, Dempsey, Johnson, Duff, Ruiz, Dembele & Murphy have a lot of creative & attacking quality between them & they will really fancy themselves to get goals against a West Brom side that does let opponents play & indeed a West Brom defence that always looks likely to concede goals.

For Roy Hodgson & West Brom then this game represents another chance to further improve their already excellent away record with 5 away wins already secured & they will believe they can get something from the match if they play to their best but it’s going to be tough for them.

Goals look on the menu here & it is one of those games that could go either way but I can’t oppose Fulham at home after the way they played against Arsenal & Newcastle and another Fulham home win looks the solid call in this one.
Betting Recommendations:
Outright Match Result: FULHAM to win
Correct score options: FULHAM to win 2-1/3-1
First Goalscorer each way/Players to score anytime: Zamora/Dempsey/Murphy
Scorecast options: Zamora/Dempsey/Murphy score 1st & Fulham to win 2-1/3-1
Double Result: FULHAM H/T & F/T

Sunderland vs Norwich City – (Wednesday 8.00pm)

Sunderland & Norwich City are two fine examples of the massive positive that can be gained from changing manager & indeed this should be a really good, competitive clash between two in form sides.

Sunderland have been nothing short of magnificent since Martin O’Neill took over & it’s just incredible to see how confident, positive & determined the Sunderland players look right now & they do look like they believe they can beat anybody they play right now.

Paul Lambert has been sensational as Norwich City manager since the day he took over a few years ago bringing them from League 1 to looking like a solid Premier League side & the Norwich City players are also playing they believe they can get a result against anybody so it’s all set up to be a cracking contest.

The fact Sunderland have home advantage makes me believe that Sunderland will get a positive result here but opposing Norwich City also seems a little risky too given how well they are playing & I just think that the game is set up to be a fiercely competitive, entertaining draw & that definitely looks the value call in this one.
Betting Recommendations:
Outright Match Result: DRAW
Correct score options: 1-1/2-2
First Goalscorer each way/Players to score anytime: Sessegnon/Holt/Larsson
Scorecast options: Sessegnon/Holt/Larsson score 1st & 1-1/2-2
Double Result: DRAW H/T & F/T

Well those are my own independent views for this weekend & hopefully you find them interesting & informative in some way.

The idea behind the betting recommendations is to cover the main football betting markets hopefully they help guide you towards successful punts on what should prove to be another truly fascinating & dramatic set of Premier League matches.

Remember to check the latest team news before you bet & also to shop around for the best odds & best terms available and good luck with whatever bets you have.

F.A. Cup 4th Round Predictions:

The magic that is F.A. Cup 3rd round weekend helped to produce some fantastic, enjoyable matches with great goals & great drama and the results from those ties have helped to produce what looks a fascinating set of F.A. Cup 4th round fixtures for us all to enjoy again.

I’ve had a good look at what looks set to be a fascinating, exciting & hopefully entertaining set of 4th round ties & here are my own predictions for those games for you to look at & consider if you are thinking of maybe have a punt on the action:
 
TOTTENHAM to beat Watford 3-0/3-1
EVERTON vs FULHAM Draw 1-1/2-2
CHELSEA to beat QPR 2-0/2-1
LIVERPOOL vs MANCHESTER UNITED Draw 1-1/2-2
BLACKPOOL to beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1/3-1
NEWCASTLE UNITED to beat Brighton 2-0/2-1
BOLTON vs SWANSEA  Draw 1-1/2-2
MILLWALL vs SOUTHAMPTON Draw 1-1/2-2
STOKE CITY to beat Derby County 2-0/2-1
HULL CITY to beat Crawley 2-0/2-1
LEICESTER CITY to beat Swindon 2-1/3-1
SHEFFIELD UNITED vs BIRMINGHAM CITY Draw 1-1/2-2
STEVENAGE to beat Notts County 2-0/2-1
SUNDERLAND to beat Middlesbrough 2-0/2-1
WEST BROM vs NORWICH CITY Draw 1-1/2-2
ARSENAL to beat Aston Villa 2-1/3-1

Well those are my own independent views for this weekend & hopefully you find them interesting & informative in some way.

The idea behind the betting recommendations is to cover the main football betting markets hopefully they help guide you towards successful punts on what should prove to be another truly fascinating & dramatic set of F.A. Cup 4th round matches.

Remember to check the latest team news before you bet & also to shop around for the best odds & best terms available and good luck with whatever bets you have.