Premier League Betting: This Weekend's Non-TV Games

Premier League / Mike Norman / 26 February 2010 / Leave a Comment

Liverpool have gone from a decent team to watch to an ultra-cautious, boring side in their attempt to finish fourth in this season’s Premier League

Best Bet: Lay Liverpool @ [1.39] in Liverpool v Blackburn

Also: Back Draw HT/Birmingham FT @ [5.0] in Birmingham v Wigan; Back Over 2.5 Goals @ [2.16] in Bolton v Wolves; Back Kevin Davies To Score @ [3.0] in Bolton v Wolves; Back Under 1.5 Goals @ [3.4] in Burnley v Portsmouth; Back Fulham @ [3.8] to beat Sunderland

Five out of the six highlighted selections (all odds against) were successful for "Mystical" Mike Norman last weekend, so what chance a repeat performance this week? Best Bet: Lay Liverpool @ [1.39] in Liverpool v Blackburn.

Birmingham [1.96] v Wigan [4.7]; The Draw [3.5]

It's just two wins in nine now for Birmingham, but from the highlights I saw against Fulham last week they still look to be playing ok and they should be too good for a poor Wigan side. I was bitterly disappointed with the Latics' performance against Spurs last Sunday, and that defeat now means that Roberto Martinez's outfit have won just one of their last dozen league games.

I fancy Brum to win this game to nil so don't expect an avalanche of goals here. Under 2.5 Goals is available to back at [1.72], whilst Under 1.5 Goals can be backed at [3.2]. In the Correct Score market the obvious selections are 1-0 and 2-0 to the home side, and those options can be backed at [7.2] and [9.6] respectively.

Birmingham have won 10 league games so far this season but they've only led at half time in four of those victories. Draw/Birmingham at [5.0] in the Half Time/Full Time market is therefore my best bet of this game.

Bolton [2.12] v Wolves [4.2]; The Draw [3.4]

One win in 10 - and no goals scored in five - is Bolton's sorry record going into this encounter, though if the Trotters are ever going to get back to winning ways then today has to be the day. Owen Coyle's men played some fantastic football at home to Spurs recently (admittedly in the cup) and a repeat performance of that will be too good for Mick McCarthy's Wolves - who have won just two of their last 10 league games incidentally.

I have a hunch that this game will surprise and provide a few goals at least. Over 2.5 Goals can be backed at [2.16] and is my selection, but if I'm right then the chances of Kevin Davies getting on the scoresheet are rapidly increased. Back him at around [3.0] in the To Score market with a smaller wager on him at [8.0] in the First Goalscorer market.

Burnley [2.12] v Portsmouth [4.0]; The Draw [3.5]

The situation at Portsmouth - who have just become the first club in Premier League history to go into administration - goes from bad to worse, but you can't say you weren't warned. Before a ball had even been kicked this season I was extremely bullish about Pompey being relegated - so much so that I made them 'outstanding candidates' at [7.2] in the Relegation market. Having said that, I think the players deserve massive credit for the way they've conducted themselves on and off the pitch during a long period of turmoil at the club.

Unfortunately I think Portsmouth will lose again. Burnley's home form is the only thing that has kept them in with a chance of survival this season and boy do they need that home form now. This will be an incredibly tight game, one that I think will be decided by a single goal so I'm making Under 1.5 Goals - available to back at [3.4] - my only selection in this uninspiring encounter.

Liverpool [1.38] v Blackburn [12.0]; The Draw [5.0] (playing Sunday)

If I'm being honest with myself I'd much rather see Villa, Spurs or Man City claim the fourth Champions League spot this season as Liverpool's style of play has become tedious at best. True, they are getting results at an important stage of the season, but the fact that the Reds have been involved in 10 consecutive league games now where two or less goals have been scored indicates how dull they've become. Rovers on the other hand have hit a bit of form (four wins in six) and I suggest a lay at [1.39] on the home side on Sunday.

You can get matched at [2.16] if you think it will be 11 consecutive Liverpool games where Under 2.5 Goals is the outcome, though my own preference is to cover both the 0-0 ([15.0]) and 1-1 ([11.0]) scorelines in the Correct Score market.

You don't score for years, and then two come in quick succession; if I had a pound for every time this happened I'd be a rich man. However, backing Javier Mascherano ([35.0] First Goalscorer, [14.0] To Score) this week could also make us rich.

Sunderland [2.28] v Fulham [3.8]; The Draw [3.3] (playing Sunday)

When the Black Cats were beating the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal earlier in the season I never imagined they'd be in the situation they are in now - no wins in 13 and just three points above the drop zone. Confidence can play a big part in football - Sunderland have none whilst Fulham are full of it right now, and it's for this reason I'm backing the Cottagers to heap more misery on Steve Bruce and his staff on Sunday.

Sunderland's problem has been scoring goals recently (just two scored in five league games) so I believe the [3.8] about Fulham recording a Clean Sheet might appeal to some of you. If you disagree then perhaps scorelines of 1-1 ([7.2]), 1-2 ([14.0]) or even 2-1 ([11.0]) are how you'll play here, but for me backing an away victory is the only bet I'm having.