Premiership Midweek Treat
Premiership punters have a midweek treat as Manchester United and Chelsea both have crucial league ties on Wednesday night. Following the completion of the two fixtures every Premier League side will have played thirty games, with only a further eight to establish who stays up, who goes down, who makes it to Europe, and who lifts the title.
London Derby Critical to Chelsea’s Title Chances
Chelsea visit White Hart Lane on Wednesday night looking for a double impact. The Blues will be desperate to revenge their recent Carling Cup final defeat, as well as maintaining their title charge. With Arsenal continuing to drop points, Chelsea are emerging as the main challengers to Man Utd, and both the Red Devils and the Gunners have still to visit Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s key players are now all available, giving coach, Avram Grant, a selection headache, though on Saturday he reinstated Didier Drogba as first-choice striker. In contrast to Chelsea’s obvious motivations, Spurs have little to play for. They are already guaranteed European football next season having won the League Cup, and are out of the UEFA Cup. The lack of spirit is evident in three consecutive defeats, but they should be up for a game against Chelsea, aspiring to joining them in the Premiership’s elite.
PinnacleSports.com make Chelsea favourites 1.862 (0/scratch & -0.5)* with Tottenham 2.070 (0/scratch & +0.5)*.
Lancashire Derby Vital for Both United & Bolton
Manchester United made heavy weather of what was expected to be a straight forward three-pointer at Pride Park on Saturday. The Red Devils eventually overcame Derby by a single goal courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo, taking his Premiership tally for the season to 22. Alex Ferguson was philosophical after the game, happy just to get the win, at such a critical point of the season. United can consolidate their position at the top of the Premier League by winning the Lancashire Derby against Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday night.
The Trotters are struggling at the wrong end of the table, needing a victory to lift them out of the relegation zone. Gary Megson’s side have however lost four straight league games, and scored just twice in their last seven. Megson controversially fielded a weakened side in the UEFA Cup last Thursday, clearly valuing Sunday’s Premiership game against Wigan above it. Unfortunately, his tactic made no difference as his side lost both games, dropping the club into deeper trouble. Wanderers have struggled for goals since the sale of Nicolas Anelka and must now play the rest of the season without Finnish international keeper, Jussi Jaaskelainen.
PinnacleSports.com make Man Utd favourites 2.000 (-2)* with Bolton 1.926 (+2)*.
* Odds subject to change – check out the latest prices – and compare the best odds across the top sportsbooks live here at BookieLabRat.com.
Add comment March 18th, 2008