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

Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce says he’s delighted the future of the club is on the verge of being secured. The former Premier League winners are subject to a £46m bid from the Indian-based Venky’s group. Both parties said they are “hopeful” a deal will be concluded in November, and Allardyce believes it sets the club up nicely for the next few years. However, the former Bolton and Newcastle United manager says it won’t necessarily signal a spending spree in the January transfer window. ‘Big Sam’ admitted he’s not a fan of the transfer window system.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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:

The fact that Blackburn scored fourteen goals despite failing to find the net in eight of the fifteen games makes for interesting reading. Villa scored a maximum of one goal in ten games whilst the half time score-line dominated the way matches were eventually decided. Blackburn only led in five games but won them all, as did Villa in both the matches where they were in front at the interval. Villa secured a staggering twenty points via eight games that were level at the break, bearing in mind that neither side would have started these matches as hot favourites down the years. Doubles: Aston Villa 3—-Blackburn 4

MARKET:

Aston Villa: 8 wins–Draws: 2–Blackburn: 5 wins (goal difference: 17/14)

MARKET: Correct Score

3 x 1-0, 3 x 2-0, 2 x 0-1

MARKET: First team to score

Aston Villa: 7—-Blackburn: 7 (1 x 0-0 draw)

MARKET: Even or odd total of goals:

Even: 8—-Odd: 7

Nothing at stake in this one as Aston Villa & Blackburn Rovers clash in what looks a typical end of season game & one that doesn’t really generate too much anticipation.
Aston Villa’s surge for 4th place & Champions League spot came to an abrupt end against Man City last weekend & now their only remaining target is a final home win which will secure 6th place & despite all the frustration that has to be something Aston Villa fans are satisfied with.

A home record of 8 wins & 8 draws with only 2 defeats highlights Villa’s true strength & clearly they will want to finish with another good home win to at least send the Villa faithful away happy.

Sam Allardyce & Blackburn Rovers have again secured a decent mid-table league finish & that has to be an achievement they & the Blackburn Rovers fans are happy with given the financial limitations of the club.

Blackburn Rovers have done it the Sam Allardyce way with hard work, organisation & team spirit which was fantastically illustrated in their win against Arsenal last week so their work is done for the season so we don’t expect too much from them in this one given their terrible away record.

We are not expecting this to be a footballing classic given the clash of tactics & styles and it may well be very competitive & close at times but on balance Aston Villa look a solid bet to finish the season with a good home win & cap what has been an excellent season & particularly on home soil.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Aston Villa to win

Correct Score options: Aston Villa to win 2-0/2-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Milner/Carew/Agbonlohar

Scorecast options: Milner/Carew/Agbonlohar score 1st & Aston Villa win 2-0/2-1

Double Result: Aston Villa H/T & F/T

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:

Arsenal are unbeaten in three games having secured seven of the nine points on offer, boasting a goal difference of 7-1 in the process. Robin Van Persie has scored three goals for the visitors in this fixture in recent times. Arsenal have scored in each of the last thirteen games at Blackburn, though by contrast Blackburn have scored just two goals during the last six encounters. Blackburn have failed to score five times in all, netting a maximum of one goal on twelve occasions. Doubles: Blackburn 2—-Arsenal 5

MARKET:

Blackburn: 4 wins–Draws: 3–Arsenal: 8 wins (goal difference: 14/24)

MARKET: Correct Score

3 x 1-1. 2 x 1-0, 2 x 0-2

MARKET: First team to score

Blackburn: 6—-Arsenal: 9

MARKET: Even or odd total of goals:

Even: 9—-Odd: 6

Yet another Premier League game with very little riding on it but Blackburn & Arsenal have a few run-ins in recent seasons & that should ensure both managers & players are up for this one.
Blackburn Rovers have been supremely strong at home with 33 points achieved at home & only 3 home league defeats all season & a home defensive record that compares favourably with all the top sides in the league.

Team organisation & solidity have always been the key strengths of every side managed by Sam Allardyce & in terms of Blackburn Rovers, it is very much a case of job well done as firstly survival & mid table security are the key targets for Blackburn in the Premier League.

Sam Allardyce really does thrive on challenging & taking on the big sides and revels in getting good results against them as proven by Blackburn’s draws against Chelsea & Manchester United in recent weeks and we are certainly expecting Sam Allardyce to have his players charged up to repeat the trick against Arsenal.

Blackburn Rovers are not blessed with top quality players but they are organised, work hard & will compete for absolutely everything against Arsenal and they will believe their home form is good enough to get another positive result here.

Arsenal’s season is over & there is nothing left to play for apart from pride & Arsene Wenger will demand a couple of good, winning performances to finish off the season.

Arsenal have looked like a tired, mentally drained side in recent weeks and have struggled through matches with 3 defeats & 0-0 draw in their last 4 games so team confidence is clearly low & how they respond here will decide the match.

With team confidence low & nothing actually riding on the result of this game for Arsenal, it is hard to envisage the Arsenal players being completely up for this game & the fact Blackburn are a well organised, physical side will hardly boost give them a boost.

Arsenal detest playing against sides who compete physically & who concentrate on being organised because it blunts their open, fluent style & how the Arsenal players cope with that will determine what result they achieve.

The even money quotes for Arsenal winning will tempt many punters but they are that price for a reason & we are going to take a chance that Blackburn Rovers can defend their proud home record & achieve another solid draw & send their fans away happy.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match result: DRAW

Correct Score options: 1-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Pedersen/Kalinic/Dunn

Scorecast options: Pedersen/Kalinic/Dunn score 1st & 1-1 Draw

Double Result: Blackburn H/T & DRAW F/T

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:

The teams shared four goals in the only Premier match to date which was contested back in January 2004. Blackburn scored the only goal in the first half only to fall behind on 72 minutes before scoring the euqliaser six minutes later. All time league record: Wolves: 32–Draws: 18–Blackburn: 33

MARKET:

Wolves: No wins–Draws: 1–Blackburn: No wins (goal difference: 2/2)

MARKET: Correct Score

1 x 2-2

MARKET: First team to score

Wolves: 0—-Blackburn: 1

MARKET: Even or odd total of goals:

Even: 1—-Odd: 0

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:

Both teams have identical records relating to wins, draws and losses, as well as goals scored and conceded. Even the

Fascinating battle in prospect here with Blackburn Rovers now safe & a very solid home record to defend taking on a bang in form Everton side looking for three points so should be a good, competitive contest.
Blackburn Rovers have based their season entirely on their home form with 33 of their 43 points coming at home & only 2 defeats in 17 home matches clearly indicates Blackburn’s strength at home.

In recent weeks Blackburn Rovers have held Chelsea & Manchester United to draws here & they will certainly believe they can do at least the same here although obviously this will be a tough challenge given the confident form that Everton are in right now.

Blackburn Rovers are not the most fluent attacking side but they are dangerous & we expect them to be more positive in this game than they were against Manchester United last weekend with set-pieces likely to be their biggest threat again.

Despite failing to convert three 2-1 leads into victories recently against Birmingham City, West Ham & Aston Villa, Everton have been playing very well & certainly arrive at Ewood Park in confident & determined mood with David Moyes wanting as many wins as possible before the end of the season.

Everton are chasing a potential european place & they need to win every remaining game to achieve that so we really do expect them to be very positive in this match.

This is a tough game to call with the local rivalry, both teams confident, Blackburn very strong at home & Everton strong anywhere at the moment & admittedly a scoring draw is a very tempting option but we feel Everton are a value punt to get another massive away win here with Cahill again likely to be the inspiration.

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/Saha/Yakubu

Scorecast options: Cahill/Saha/Yakubu Everton to win 2-0/2-1

Double Result: Everton H/T & F/T

NARRATIVE:

The most surprising stats are in the double result sector where we learn that United have led at the interval on just three occasions down the years, albeit the champions have a good record from drawing scenarios at Blackburn. United have

Without being disrespectful to Blackburn Rovers, the focus of this match will be totally on Manchester United as this is their opportunity to go back to the top of the Premier League but obviously Blackburn will want to have their say about that.
Blackburn Rovers are now totally safe from relegation & have a chance to finish as high as 9th so Sam Allardyce will want to finish the season strong & their impressive home for gives them a good chance of doing that.

Blackburn Rovers have won 9 & drawn 5 of their 16 home league games this season & have certainly been incredibly tough to beat at home so will be confident they can do damage to Manchester United’s title bid & get another great home result here.

Blackburn will look to be physical & competitive knowing that the physical & psychological effets of being knocked out of europe will have had a big impact on Manchester United and this is an excellent opportunity for Blackburn to go at Manchester United but it clearly won’t be easy.

Manchester United now have to turn their entire focus onto their push for the Premier League title following their painful exit from europe & how they respond to that will be the key to this match.

Wayne Rooney must be a massive doubt again because of his ankle injury so that obviously presents huge problems to Manchester United & they will look to Dimitar Berbatov to lead the attack & produce the good form he has shown in league games.

Without the distraction of europe, Manchester United must now field the strongest possible team they can & team selection for this match will be fascinating & clearly Alex Ferguson has a few options to think about.

Darron Gibson was very impressive with his energy & drive in midfield on wednesday & he looks a likely contender to carry on alongside Darren Fletcher and those two will be very important in central midfield while it will be interesting to see whether Alex Ferguson goes with Carrick, Giggs or Scholes in alongside them.

Manchester United always try to win every match they go into & that is now what they must do so they will be positive but it will be a tough test to break Blackburn Rovers down & a win is far from guaranteed here.

Blackburn Rovers showed by drawing 1-1 with Chelsea here that they are a match for anybody at home & we expect them to put up another strong home performance but Manchester United’s need for the points is greater & we believe they are worth a bet to show their character & gain three more vital points here.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Betting Results: Manchester United to win

Correct Score options: Manchester United to win 2-0/2-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Berbatov/Valencia/Vidic

Scorecast options: Berbatov/Valencia/Vidic score 1st & Man United win 2-0/2-1

Double Result: Man United H/T & F/T