Premiership Predictions - Week 19

As promised, we're back tonight with all the predictions ahead of the New Year fixtures in the Barclays Premier League. This weekend's featured game is the Friday night clash between 6th and 7th, Liverpool hosting Newcastle.

Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle @ 1.54

Despite Newcastle's impressive form this campaign, with Demba Ba's 14 goals far usurping Andy Carroll's efforts for The Reds, this fixture has never been kind to Newcastle. The last 5 games between the two at Anfield have all ended either 2 or 3 goals to nil in favour of the hosts. However, it's not all doom and gloom for the away side, seeing as Luis Suarez's ban means he's unavailable. Their best hopes lie in trying to contain Liverpool's front four containing Downing, Bellamy and potentially returning captain Gerrard. Liverpool should be winning this type of game, and we're backing them.

Arsenal 3-1 QPR @ 1.29

Bolton 1-2 Wolves @ 3.5

Chelsea 3-1 Aston Villa @ 1.3

Man Utd 4-0 Blackburn @ 1.14

Norwich 1-1 Fulham @ 3.45

Stoke 2-0 Wigan @ 1.75

Swansea 1-2 Tottenham @ 1.74

Sunderland 0-1 Man City @ 1.59

West Brom 1-1 Everton @ 3.4

Thats all the fixtures this weekend, and there are sure to be some good games as we head into 2012. What will the New Year bring in terms of football? Will City be the 5th name on the title come May, or can one of the chasing pack secure it ahead of them?

HA

Christmas Update

With so much football action around over so many days, it's hard to keep up a prediction service, so we won't be back in that respect until Friday 30th of December, where Liverpool and Newcastle kick off the weekend's action. So, for now, we're run a brief update on what football we have seen of late, and the games coming up soon.

The Premiership

Man City have regained their cool after suffering their first defeat, with two wins since that. City are now red hot favourites to win the title, as low as 1.67. Man United are only two points back, and they are at 3.15. As far as the betting is concerned, Chelsea (29) and Spurs (32) have no hopes. In terms of relegation, Blackburn's crushing defeat to Bolton means they go into Christmas both bottom, and favourites for the drop at 1.45. Wigan and Bolton are the next two, but don't rule out anybody up to QPR at 4.4.

The Championship

Southampton might lead West Ham by a point, but they are only second favourites to clinch the title, with the Hammers at 2.74. Southampton aren't far behind, but the outsiders are Cardiff at 15, and Middlesbrough who are at 10.5. Coventry look certainties for the drop to League One, at 1.27, but perhaps teams who aren't safe would be Watford at just over 5's, and Forest at 4.4.

There is a lot of action on Boxing Day and the 27th, so be sure to follow that! See you all on the 30th for a return to normality!

HA

Premiership Predictions - Week 16

So, Manchester City's 15 game unbeaten streak is finally over. The accolade goes to Chelsea, who defeated them 2-1 on Monday night. Can City keep their lead in-tact? These are the sorts of questions we'll attempt to answer in this weekend's predictions, the 16th installment of them.

Blackburn 1-1 West Brom @ 3.5

Everton 2-1 Norwich @ 1.61

Fulham 1-0 Bolton @ 1.66

Newcastle 1-1 Swansea @ 1.83

Wolves 2-1 Stoke @ 2.66

Wigan 1-3 Chelsea @ 1.42

QPR 0-1 Man United @ 1.52

Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool @ 0.22

Tottenham 2-1 Sunderland 1.41

Man City 2-0 Arsenal @ 1.73

This weekend's feature game again involves the current league leaders, as they face up to in-form Arsenal at home. 5 to 6 weeks ago, this would've been a nailed on win for the hosts, but the gap in terms of position, points and form has narrowed recently. That said, Ageuro and Balotelli look menacing, and may well have too much for Arsenal's weakened back-line. Much will depend on how much joy Van Persie can get out of Kompany and co, but we feel it's City's tie to lose.

HA

TB's Sporting Update

Just to keep you up to date, we've got a brief overview of what's going on in the world of sport within the three main categories. Coming soon, is the next lot of predictions for week 16 of the Barclays's Premier League. Enjoy!

Football

Manchester City have seen their lead cut to just two points at the top of the table, after a first defeat to Chelsea on Monday night. United are hot on their tails. At the bottom, Wigan have improved of late so it's Blackburn and Bolton who prop up the table.

Cricket

England recently named their squads for the upcoming games against Pakistan, with Morgan and Panesar the main changes, coming in along with Ravi Bopara. Australia have drawn their test series with New Zealand 1-1, and India thrashed the West Indies 4-1 in an ODI series.

Rugby

Jonny Wilkinson has announced his international retirement, the England legend bowing out after playing in 4 World Cups and being the highest points scorer we've ever had. Meanwhile the current England side have named Stuart Lancaster as their interim coach, which will take them past the next Six Nations tournament.

Premiership Predictions - Week 15

After the hectic schedule of the Champions League in mid-week, here's a look at the Barclays Premiership fixtures of week 15, with our usual predictions. The feature game is Chelsea vs Man City, on Monday night at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal 2-0 Everton @ 1.58

Bolton 1-1 Aston Villa @ 3.45

Liverpool 2-0 QPR @ 1.36

Man United 4-1 Wolves @ 1.25

Norwich 1-2 Newcastle @ 3.05

Swansea 1-0 Fulham @ 2.72

West Brom 2-1 Wigan @ 1.72

Sunderland 2-1 Blackburn @ 1.91

Stoke 1-1 Tottenham @ 3.6

Chelsea 1-2 Man City @ 3.05

The big game this weekend comes on Monday night, and it's a huge one. City will be attempting to extend their lead at the summit of the table, whereas for Chelsea it's a case of hanging onto their tails. It should be a closely fought contest, but for us, City just about edge it. They've been in better domestic form, and are crucially most definitely more solid at the back. This could hold the key, with Chelsea ropey back four shipping 10 goals in the meetings against Liverpool, United and Arsenal this season. Where's your money? Watch out for Balotelli, he loves this occasions.

The Champions League - Road to Munich

United might be celebrating here, but they won't be in Munich come the summer of 2012. They were beaten 2-1 in Basel, meaning they slip into the Europa league for the first time. The last time they didn't qualify was 2005-06 season.

We now know who's still dreaming of Champions League glory, or who is now either not playing in Europe at all, or consigned to the ignominy of being shown on Channel 5 in the Europa League. Here, we'll sum up who's the favourites to go all the way, and which sides have had to pack their bags early.

GONE

United and City both crashed out early, both counting the costs of a lack of goals and occasionally defensive lapses. Both will play in Europe's second string, and you can bet your mortgage they're not looking forward to it. Other significant sides missing out on the top two slots in each groups are Ajax, Joe Cole's Lille, and current Europa League holders Porto.

THROUGH

Chelsea and Arsenal went through top, Chelsea after securing a fine 3-0 win over Valencia, who themselves will play on Thursdays from now on. Real Madrid and Barcelona join them, and other notable names to give notice to in the draw would be AC Milan, Lyon, Bayern Munich themselves, and Napoli.

TIPS

It's hard to look past the Spanish sides, and they are the two favourites. Real priced at 5/2 with their rivals at 6/2 keep the English clubs in the shade, with the blue side of London at 10/1, but the reds a larger 16/1. We'd suggest Real Madrid as the team to tip. Other, more right wing suggestions include Lyon at 125/1, a huge price, they've made the semi's before and must not be underestimated. AC Milan at 25/1 again another possible one, although they're set for a hard draw considering they qualified in 2nd place.

Premiership Predictions - Week 14

We're back after missing last week, and here to hopefully win you some money! With around a 70% success rate in the last three predictions week, you can rely on us to provide you with the hot tips and score-lines to go with this weekend. Our feature game this weekend is at Newcastle, as the side sitting 4th entertain Chelsea, just below them. It's a massive game for both teams, could this be the end for AVB?

Newcastle 2-1 Chelsea @ 3.8

An exceptionally hard one to call, but on recent form and performances the Geordies just about edge it. Chelsea are short of just about everything - quality, confidence, goals, and a functioning offside trap. Newcastle drew at Old Trafford last weekend, and will go for the kill here. Demba Ba is a threat, with the most headed goals in the division this season so far, and given the ease with which Liverpool took apart Chelsea at set-pieces, he'll be in amongst the action. For Chelsea, they need a result. The only crumb on comfort will be Terry back from a ban, they will need him at his best if they're to get anything here.

Blackburn 1-1 Swansea @ 3.5

Man City 3-1 Norwich @ 1.2

QPR 2-1 West Brom @ 2.32

Tottenham 3-1 Bolton @ 1.32

Wigan 0-2 Arsenal @ 1.59

Aston Villa 1-2 Man United @ 1.77

Everton 1-1 Stoke @ 3.7

Wolves 2-2 Sunderland @ 3.45

Fulham 0-1 Liverpool @ 3.45

As usual, the odds are for the result - not the correct score. Let's hope for yet another great weekend of Premiership football!

League Cup Round-Up

Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool

Cardiff 2-0 Blackburn

Arsenal 0-1 Man City

Man United 1-2 Crystal Palace (AET)

It was a week of un-expected results as Liverpool booked their semi-final spot against the odds first, and were promptly followed by Cardiff and Palace, two Championship clubs who defeated teams from the elite. With a trio of away wins, it is sure to make punters think twice before betting on the next round. Man United were the biggest casualty, Sir Alex's men humbled by a side around 30 places below them in the ladder of English football. Former Barrow and Carlisle Northerner Glen Murray headed the winner, not before Darren Ambrose had scored one of the best goals ever seen at Old Trafford.

Onto the semi-finals, and the draw is as follows :

Man City vs Liverpool

Crystal Palace vs Cardiff

City are favourites for the cup at 1.98, with Liverpool the obvious second best in at just under 3's. The two Championship sides are naturally the underdogs, Palace out at 14 with Cardiff just below at 11. Who's your money on?