Premier League / Robert Hughes / 05 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Rob Hughes takes a look at those games not on TV this weekend with Liverpool and Chelsea looking to get back to winning ways in Lancashire.

Arsenal v Wigan

Arsenal continue to be highly unpredictable - their victory at Chelsea last weekend followed two successive defeats, prior to that they had beaten
Man Utd. Having recovered from an earlier run of four successive defeats, Wigan are now unbeaten in five matches. Their away record is average, with two wins and three defeats. The home side will obviously take a lot of confidence from their victory at Chelsea and are understandably only [1.36] to win this one, with a 2-0 home win available at [7.2]. However, if you fancy Wigan to extend their unbeaten run, the draw can be backed at [5.1]. These teams' matches have produced a total of 83 goals so far, an average of 2.77 per game, so a high-scoring game looks a strong possibility - with this in mind, Over 2.5 Goals is available at [1.75].

Blackburn v Liverpool

Blackburn's season is going from bad to worse - their defeat at Portsmouth was their fourth in a row, they have not won in their last nine matches. Liverpool may sit top of the table, but their confidence will have been dented by their two successive goalless draws, and the continued absence of Fernando Torres. However, their away record is second only to Chelsea's this season, with five wins and only one defeat. All the signs point to a low-scoring affair, particularly with Liverpool's strong defensive record and Blackburn's lack of confidence, and you can get [1.79] for Under 2.5 Goals. Liverpool's excellent away record means they are only [1.75] to win here, while a 1-0 away victory is available at [7.4]. However, given both teams' lack of form I wouldn't be surprised if this ended in stalemate, and the draw can be backed at [3.65].

Bolton v Chelsea

Bolton's last two results have been impressive away wins (at Middlesbrough and Sunderland), but they have been less convincing at home, with just two wins so far. Chelsea have picked up only one point from their last two matches (both at home), but they have an extraordinary away record, having won every one of their seven matches. This record is of course hugely impressive, and is the reason they are only [1.58] to win here - but with Bolton gaining in confidence all the time and Chelsea less than convincing of late, I wouldn't rule out a draw, which can be backed at [4.1]. Bolton's Swedish striker Johan Elmander seems to have finally settled down after his summer transfer, and has scored three goals in his last two games - he is available at around [4] to score here.

Hull v Middlesbrough

Hull have drawn their last three games, two of which were away from home. They have generally been more impressive away than at the KC Stadium, where they have picked up only two victories so far. Middlesbrough may have been disappointed with their 0-0 home draw against Newcastle last weekend, but they have lost only once in seven games. Again the lack of recent victories by either side would suggest that a draw is a likely outcome, and this result can be backed at [3.4]. Hull's matches usually produce a few goals (an average of 3.07 per game so far this season), and with Boro having conceded 22 goals already, I would consider backing Over 2.5 Goals at [2.1]. Hull forward Daniel Cousin has scored three goals so far this season, and is currently around [3.3] to score in this one.

Newcastle v Stoke

Newcastle have drawn their last three games, the last two both ending scoreless. Their home record has certainly improved of late, and they now have three wins and two draws out of seven at St James' Park. Stoke have had two successive home games and picked up four points, but now go back on the road, where they have still failed to manage a win this season, with five defeats out of seven. Newcastle will be keen to avoid another stalemate, and given Stoke's poor away record, I'd be considering a home win, at [1.81]. These two have let in 47 goals between them this season, so Over 2.5 Goals is also worth a look, at [1.96]. Stoke's Malian Striker Mamady Sidibe, scorer of three goals this season, can be backed at around [4.5] to score here.

West Brom v Portsmouth

West Brom were unlucky to lose at Wigan last weekend, but it was still their fourth successive defeat, a sequence of results which has seen them score just one goal. Portsmouth's victory over Blackburn means that they are now unbeaten in four games. They have lost three out of seven matches away so far, with only two victories on the road. Recent form clearly suggests an away win here, an outcome which can be backed at [2.82]. On the other hand, Albion's disastrous run of results must end at some point, so if you think they can get a point out of this one, the draw is available at [3.4]. Matches involving these two teams have produced a total of 78 goals this season, an average of 2.65 per game, so Over 2.5 Goals is also an option, at [2.1].