The Sports Bookie Blog

Boxing Day Premiership Betting Previews

December 25th, 2007

Here’s the latest English Premier League football betting analysis from Simon at PinnacleSports.com. 

With so many games over such a short period of time, the Christmas period is a crucial time for Premiership sides. Some managers go as far as to say that it can make or break a season. All the top four sides won on Saturday, so nothing has changed, but as Premiership punters are now treated to three games in seven days, the festive excitement has only just begun. Make sure you treat yourself to up to 60% better Premiership betting odds at PinnacleSports.

Chelsea Dealt Goalkeeper Injury Blow

Though all the top four sides won on Saturday, there was some interesting points to be noted which will prove crucial over the action packed coming week. Chelsea looked to have been dealt another crucial injury blow, with Petr Cech’s hip problem, picked up in the 1-0 win at Blackburn. Given that his direct understudy, Carlo Cudicini, is also sidelined, third-choice goalkeeper, Hilario, could get his first Premiership start of the season on Boxing at home to Aston Villa. Chelsea are already without John Terry, Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda.

The only good news for manager, Avram Grant, is that Michael Ballack should play some part in the Christmas period, having played as substitute in the Blue’s Carling Cup win over Liverpool.

PinnacleSports make Chelsea 2.04 (-1 & -1.5) for the visit of Aston Villa 1.893 (+1 & +1.5). However, Premiership punters should note that the Villans haven’t lost in the last four Premiership meetings, and in the last ten encounters Chelsea haven’t won by more than a single goal.

Arsenal Riding Their Luck as they Maintain Top Spot

In comparison to Chelsea, the Gunners have no injury concerns, leaving Arsene Wenger a fully fit squad to choose from. The gods are certainly smiling on Arsenal, they maintained an unbeaten record at the Emirates Stadium after beating their North London rivals, Spurs 2-1 on Saturday. However, they were fortunate to do so. They squandered a 1-0 lead, before conceding a late penalty that should have given Tottenham a rare away victory against their bitter enemies. Instead, Robbie Keane blasted his spot kick at Manuel Almunia, then barely a few minutes later Arsenal went up the other end and scored.

Arsene Wenger was open about his assessment of the performance. “We weren’t at our best” the Frenchman commented. His side will need to up their game playing a difficult away game at Fratton Park on Boxing Day. Portsmouth have lost just once at home this season, but ended a good run of form with back-to-back defeats. Coach, Harry Redknapp, will be desperate to make the most of the Christmas period, knowing that he will be losing five key players to the African Cup of Nations that begins in January.

Three of Gunner’s four Premiership visits to the South Coast venue have ended in draws, but PinnacleSports make Arsenal 1.862 (-0.5) with Portsmouth 2.07 (+0.5).

Entry Filed under: English Football,Sports Betting