10-01-2008 Premiership Betting - Matchday 22 Preview

January is normally an important time of the year for Premiership managers, with the month-long transfer window offering the final opportunity to reinforce squads. That need will be greatest for those struggling clubs and those losing players to African Cup of Nations. FIFA rules dictate that nations have access to players two weeks in advance of the January 20th start. Bettors should therefore pay attention for this weekend’s Premiership action, with PinnacleSports.com offering up to 60% better Premiership betting odds.

Newcastle dropped a bomb shell this week by sacking Sam Allardyce, just days before the first of a critical run of games starting this weekend at Old Trafford. The Geordies are without a win in five games, and over the next weeks play Man Utd, Bolton (Big Sam’s previous club) and Arsenal in the Premiership, as well as a key FA Cup third round replay. To make matters worse caretaker manager, Nigel Pearson, is without captain, Geremi, Obafemi Martins, Abdoulaye Faye and Habib Beye, all playing in the African Cup of Nations.

In contrast Alex Ferguson has no exposure to that event, and though he has expressed sympathy for Allardyce, there will be no room for emotion as the Red Devils look to keep the pressure on Arsenal. United were in cruise control winning 2-0 in the FA Cup at Villa Park last weekend, and have won ten straight home league fixtures. The Magpies have just two wins in 13 games, both of which were achieved by 90th minute goals, so given the additional problems of the loss of their manager, unsurprisingly start under-dogs with PinnacleSports.com 2.210 (+1.5) with Man Utd 1.763 (-1.5).

Spurs Face Second London Derby in Four Days

If Tottenham Hotspurs go the season without winning any silverware, they could still win the unofficial award as the Premiership’s most entertaining side. Spurs’ last 6 games have yielded 28 goals which included a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium in Wednesday night’s Carling Cup first leg semi-final, where the Lilywhites really should have recorded there first win away to Arsenal since 1993. Juande Ramos must now motivate his team up for another tough trip across London, this time West to Chelsea, looking to end another long winless run - they last won at the Bridge in pre-Premiership days.

Chelsea also played midweek in the last four of the league cup, gaining an undeserved 2-1 win against Everton. That tie put further pressure on a squad now missing Andriy Shevchenko, Frank Lampard and John Terry, as well as Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and Obi Mikel, all to the African Cup of Nations (Spurs lose Zokora). Avram Grant’s side have become adept at grinding out results, without playing exceptional football, winning three of their last four Premiership games by a single goal drawing the remainder. The stats for recent meetings of these sides lend weight to a tight encounter, with no more than one goal difference in the last five meetings. PinnacleSports.com price Chelsea 2.050 (-0.5 & -1) with Spurs 1.877 (+0.5 & +1).

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