Saturday 3pm Kick-Offs Betting: 'Pool to struggle at the River

Premier League / Mike Norman / 27 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

Three of the so-called Big Four are in action in the Saturday 3pm kick-offs and though "Mystical" Mike Norman doesn't expect an easy ride for Arsenal, it's Liverpool who may struggle even more at Boro. Best bet: Lay Liverpool agianst Middlesbrough @ [1.81].

Arsenal [1.45] v Fulham [10.5]; The Draw [4.5]

Twelve months ago this would have been a banker home win for Arsenal, but they have been utterly inept in front of goal in recent weeks and confidence in backing them is not as high as it usually is. However, out of the eight Premier League games the Gunners have played this season that immediately followed a Champions League game they've won six and drawn two - stats strong enough to earn them the nod on Saturday.

Fulham will be no pushover, having secured excellent goalless draws away to Villa, Spurs and Liverpool already this season. Under 2.5 Goals ([1.88]) is the call (it's [2.1] for Over 2.5), whilst Draw/Arsenal ([4.6]) is the selection in the Half Time/Full Time market.

Many of you will be tempted by the [12.5] for another 0-0 and I wouldn't completely rule that result out, though my own preference is to split my stakes between Correct Scores of 1-0 ([7.2]) and 2-0 ([7.0]) to Arsenal. Once again Robin van Persie has to be the shout to be the First Goalscorer, and he will be available to back at around [5.5] once the market matures.

Chelsea [1.35] v Wigan [15.0]; The Draw [5.0]

I only have to think back a couple of weeks, when I thought Chelsea would steamroll an out-of-form Hull City, to remind me that there are no easy games in the Premier League these days. Yes, Chelsea should, and probably will win, but at the odds they're not for me and I'm looking to some other markets to have an investment.

A bit like in the above game both teams have been shy in front of goal recently, scoring just the one Premier League goal between them in the whole of February. Again, Under 2.5 Goals ([1.91]) is the call (it's [2.06] for Over 2.5) but what's more, nine of the twelve league games these two teams have been involved in during 2009 have been goalless at half-time. 0-0 is available to back at just [2.98] in the Half Time Score market, whilst The Draw can be backed at [2.64] in the Half Time market.

Gus Hiddink's first few line-ups as Chelsea boss have been similar to his predecessors so I'm afraid it's the usual suspects of Didier Drogba ([6.0]), Nicolas Anelka ([6.0]) and Frank Lampard ([8.0]) who are likely to be pushing to score the First Goal of the game.

Middlesbrough [5.8] v Liverpool [1.81]; The Draw [3.6]

Middlesbrough were excellent in midweek, working hard all over the pitch and giving the opposition no time on the ball whatsoever. If they can continue where they left off it's not beyond the realms of possibility that they might get something from this game, especially if Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard don't start for Liverpool. All of which means a lay of Liverpool at [1.82] is not only my best bet for this match but indeed my best bet from across all three of Saturday's 3pm kick-offs.

Boro have an excellent record against the Reds at the Riverside, though the games are usually low-scoring affairs - in fact, the goal scored by Torres last season was the first goal Liverpool had scored on Teesside in over six years. Not surprisingly then, for the third game in succession I'm putting up Under 2.5 Goals ([1.69]) as the selection, You can back Over 2.5 Goals at [2.42] - those odds being too big to ignore for some I would imagine.

For a Correct Score, 0-0 ([10.0]) and 1-0 to Liverpool ([7.0]) will be popular selections, but if there is to be a goal then I'm hoping it's Boro that come out of this as 1-0 winners - available to back at [13.5].

You won't see a better free-kick all season than the one scored by Stewart Downing in midweek. That's two in three games for Boro's prize possession and he should be available to back at around [18.0] (First Goal) and [7.5] (To Score anytime) respectively once those two markets materialise.