Betfair Official Blog

Premiership

Premiership Non-Televised Matches: Boro can make home advantage count

Click here to view market

Away from the Setanta and Sky cameras there are six good Premiership matches happening this weekend. Heres' what Robert Hughes makes of them.

Aston Villa v Sunderland

Both clubs will be keen to put their embarrassing defeats in the Carling Cup behind them. In the League, Villa have recovered well from their surprise loss at Stoke earlier in the season, and are unbeaten in their last three games, including two away victories. Sunderland finally picked up their first home win against Middlesbrough last weekend, but have been unpredictable this season - traditionally strong at home but poor away, they are actually unbeaten on their travels this term. With this in mind, the [3.85] available for the draw is worth considering, and the [6.6] for a Sunderland win seems a little high, and might be worth a look. In the Correct Score market, you can back a 1-1 draw at [8.2].

Fulham v West Ham

Fulham also lost to lower-league opposition in midweek, and suffered a late defeat at Blackburn last weekend, but have won both of their home League games so far this season. They look a completely different team to the one which lost nine matches at home last season, and only escaped relegation at the eleventh hour. West Ham's new Coach Gianfranco Zola enjoyed a dream start against Newcastle last weekend, but they too suffered a surprise defeat in the Carling Cup, and have lost both of their away League games so far. Matches involving these clubs have produced an average of 3 goals per game this season, and Over 2.5 Goals can be backed at [2.02]. The [2.4] available for a home win looks about right, so it might be worth considering the draw at [3.35].

Man Utd v Bolton

United look to have made a mediocre start, but three of their four matches have been difficult away games, and this match looks like the ideal opportunity for them to find some form and confidence, which should be helped by the return of Cristiano Ronaldo. Bolton may have acquitted themselves well against Arsenal despite their 1-3 defeat, but they still haven't won since the opening day, and have lost both their away games this season - continuing their poor away form of last season, when they lost twelve times on the road. However, there is obviously not much value in the [1.24] available for a United win, so given their stuttering form so far, you might want to consider backing the draw at [6.4]. Kevin Davies is Bolton's top scorer this season with 3 goals, and can be backed at around [6.0] to score in this one.

Middlesbrough v West Brom

Middlesbrough have had a decidedly mixed start to the season - they have won two out of two at home, but have lost their other three matches despite rarely playing badly. Albion have been difficult to predict so far this season - they have not looked out of place in the top flight, and despite losing twice at home have only conceded one goal away. Last season, however, they had a poor away record considering they were promoted as Champions, losing eight away games. Considering Middlesbrough's strong home record, the [1.84] available for a home win looks a decent option. Interestingly, four of Boro's five matches have ended in a 2-1 scoreline, and you can get [8.6] on a 2-1 win for the home team.

Newcastle v Blackburn

There is still no end in sight to the crisis at Newcastle, both on and off the field. They have lost their last three League games, including an embarrassing home defeat to Hull last week, and went out of the Carling Cup at home on Wednesday. Their form at home was also patchy last season - they scored 25 goals at St. James' Park, but conceded 26. Meanwhile, after conceding four goals in two successive games, Blackburn got their season back on track with a narrow win over Fulham last week. With both teams struggling for form, the draw looks a decent option, at [3.45]. An average of 3 goals per game have been scored in matches involving these two so far this season, so the [2.02] available for Over 2.5 Goals might also be worth a look.

Stoke v Chelsea

Stoke earned a highly creditable point at Anfield last week, and they would probably be delighted with another draw here. However, it will be difficult for them to adopt the same tactic of all-out defence at home, which may play into the hands of their visitors, who's away record this season (two wins out of two) is better than their home record. Chelsea's creativity may be lessened by the absence of the injured Deco, but it's difficult to imagine them not scoring here, and Michael Ballack can be backed at around [3.75] to find the net in this one. Even so, the [10.5] currently on offer for a home win still seems a little high, and is worth considering if you fancy a shock home victory.