Posted on 15 Apr 2011 at 10:53 AM by
Formex
The FA Cup semi-finals
maybe this weekend's highlight for many but the Premier League relegation
battle is far more interesting and offers some genuine betting opportunities.
The game that really
catches the eye is Wigan's trip to the seaside on Saturday to face a Blackpool
side in freefall. With only one win in the last couple of months and heavy
defeats at Fulham and Wolves in recent games Ian Holloway's side don't lack
application but they aren't picking up points and defeat here could plunge them
to the foot of the table.
Wigan are hardly
setting the world alight but they have shown more resilience of late and only
succumbed 1-0 at Chelsea last week following a draw with Tottenham and victory
over Birmingham. Victory would lift the Latics off the bottom and although they
were beaten 4-0 at home by Blackpool on the opening day of the season this is
their chance to avenge that and they look an outstanding bet with Blackpool the
layers favourites.
Blackburn have another
tough ask when they play Everton at Goodison and with David Moyes side notching
17 points from the last eight games they start a warm order to continue their
climb up the table. This is music to my ears with some tasty prices secured on
Blackburn to be playing in the Championship next term and it is hard to see
Steve Kean's team getting anything from this encounter. The Toffees were
marvellous in landing a comfortable 3-0 win for us at Wolves last Saturday and
although they still have some key players out with injury should take all three
points again and look a sound bet.
Wolves don't play this
weekend so are sure to stay in the drop zone but West Ham can do themselves a
huge favour by beating Aston Villa at Upton Park. They led Man United 2-0 in
their last home game before eventually losing 4-2 but won their two previous
home matches against Stoke and Liverpool. The Hammers haven't got the best of
records against Villa but Houllier's side looked very edgy themselves in a 1-0
victory over Newcastle last Sunday and if the home side can take the game to
Villa they could crumble. This looks a must win for West Ham and that is the
call in what is sure to be a tense affair.
Sunderland are another
team who seem determined to enter the relegation battle with only one point from
their last eight games and their opponents on Saturday are Birmingham who will
be equally keen to get a result as they are only two points above the bottom
three. Another tense afternoon is assured for Alex McLeish and Steve Bruce and
on this occasion both teams can score and take a point a piece and that is
where the betting value can be found.
Returning to the FA
Cup and Saturday's Wembley clash which should see Man United victorious over
local rivals City and Sunday's tie between Bolton and Stoke could go to
extra-time with Bolton selected to return for the final.