Football news and views

Man United didn’t turn up for their Champions League final in Rome in 2009 when Barcelona ran out comfortable 2-0 winners. You can bet that they have learnt from the experience and that this year’s Wembley’s final on Saturday night is a much more rewarding encounter. Unfortunately for the Manchester club there is little doubt that the Spanish champions have improved in the two years that have passed and that on all evidence United have at best maintained their position as the best the Premier League has to offer. With a handful of World Cup winners in the side Pep Guardiola’s team are playing some of the best football we have ever seen but it must be remembered that they are beatable and that his opposite number Alex Ferguson has crafted a tough side that are lightening quick on the counter-attack. A contrast indeed to the intricate passing that has hallmarked the Catalans and rightly made them a warm order to win the biggest prize in club football. There is of course ...

West Ham got exactly what they deserved this season with relegation confirmed by their defeat at Wigan last weekend but with the five teams above them separated by just a single point the battle to avoid the drop goes to the final weekend of the campaign. Sunday’s action revolves around the three sides on 39 points with Wigan’s trip to Stoke, Champions Man United hosting Blackpool and Birmingham’s game against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. But the place to start simply has to be the two teams on 40 points who play each other at Molineux where Wolves host Blackburn. If results elsewhere fall right a draw could suit both teams but this would be a dangerous strategy for the teams to adopt and with Mick McCarthy’s side in such excellent form in recent weeks and with home advantage they must go all out to secure their own survival. Amazingly having spent most of the season in the drop zone survival is now very much in Wolves’ own hands. Regulars know that Blackburn ...

Man United only need a point from their last two games to secure their nineteenth league title and there is little doubt they deserve their success in what has been a most competitive and from a punting perspective profitable campaign. It would however be typical of this season if United failed to secure that point when they visit Blackburn on Saturday. They go into that game on the back of the 2-1 win over Chelsea last Sunday and face what can only be described as a moderate Blackburn side. However United on the road have been anything but top draw, with a 5-9-4 record and although the visitors should get the point they need they are certainly no value to get all three. Local rivals Man City secured Champions League football next season at Eastlands with a 1-0 win over Tottenham on Tuesday night and go into Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley with Stoke in determined mood. It is over thirty five years since the Citizens won a major trophy and it’s unlikely they will get a better ...

Will history repeat itself at Old Trafford this Sunday? It was in April last year that Chelsea, through a controversial Didier Drogba goal, won 2-1 at the Theatre of Dreams to leapfrog Man United at the Premier League summit. This time round Chelsea would only take top spot on goal difference but with only two games to play after this weekend it is a position you can bet they would be unlikely to relinquish. Such an outcome was more than fanciful only a month ago but with Ancelotti’s men finding a rich vein of form and United stuttering and finally losing at the Emirates last Sunday it is now most certainly possible, albeit perhaps not probable. Unfortunately for the visitors and current Champions the home form of Ferguson’s side is outstanding 16-1-0 in the league and yet to lose a game at home in any competition this season. The Blues can take heart from their 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture in which David Luiz had such a memorable game. He was ineligible for the Champions ...

With a two goal lead and the second-leg to come at Old Trafford next Wednesday Man United look assured of a place in the Champions League Final at Wembley next month. If they get anything from Sundays feature against Arsenal at the Emirates the Premier League will also look to be in the bag. The Red Devils have won the last four meetings with the Gunners and with the home side once again squandering their chance of taking the title by regularly pressing the self- destruct button a victory here would only assist Chelsea in their quest to retain their crown. The defeat at Bolton last Sunday hammered the final nail into Wenger’s title hopes following the late goal conceded against Liverpool and failing to hold a two goal lead at White Hart Lane. We have come to rely on Arsenal to waste opportunities and once again they have not disappointed as they settle for another season without silverware. United can lose this and still take the title with nearest pursuers Chelsea due to visit Old ...

Wigan landed the money for us last weekend with their defeat of Blackpool and whilst they cannot be classed as bankers they are an excellent price to inflict further misery on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. The home side have only taken one point from their last 27 and Steve Bruce has seen his side drop perilously close to the relegation zone at a time that has seen Roberto Martinez’s side pull away from the bottom three. The Latics are most certainly the value bet to follow up their win at Blackpool. Blackpool are desperate for a win and are now in the drop zone for the first time this season with only one win from their last 13 matches. The visit of Newcastle has come at the right time with the Toon likely to be missing some key players but hot on the heels of their goalless draw with Man United in midweek they could ensure another torrid time for the Seasiders. Blackpool have the worst home record in the league and Newcastle can make it defeat number ten for the ...

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 ...

It has not been a good week for Chelsea. A draw at the Britannia Stadium against Stoke last Saturday effectively ended their hopes of retaining their Premier League title and the midweek Champions League defeat at home to Man United has left them with a mountain to climb in the second leg at Old Trafford next Tuesday. A home game against bottom club Wigan who they thrashed 8-0 at the Bridge last season maybe just what is required to take their mind off Tuesday night but no doubt Roberto Martinez will be dreading the prospect. Not only did the Wigan boss have to endure the 8-0 hammering he also saw his team humiliated 6-0 in the reverse fixture at the DW Stadium earlier this season. The Latics have never kept a clean sheet against Chelsea and you can bet that record won’t be broken this Saturday. The Blues will hope that a few goals will get them in the mood for United and that Fernando Torres can at last break his Chelsea duck. Man United have a home game themselves on Saturday when ...

With Champions Leagues ties next week for Man United, Chelsea and Tottenham they can be excused if they are less than focused on this weekend’s games and if that is the case maybe we should be with their opposition. Any slip up will certainly aid title challengers Arsenal and Man City and it is the former who play on Saturday when they entertain Blackburn at the Emirates Stadium who look the soundest bet to overcome declining opposition. The Gunners have faltered of late, exiting three competitions in a fortnight, but couldn’t have wished for better opponents in Rovers who look destined for Championship football next season unless they can stop their freefall which has seen them take just two points from the last twenty one. Arsenal have their own problems, especially in defence, but nothing other than a resounding home win is expected and for those so inclined a 3-0 correct score bet could pay dividends. Man City have to wait until Sunday to host Sunderland at Eastlands and ...

This weekend is dominated by internationals with the Euro 2012 qualifiers taking centre stage. Fortunately there are a couple of decent betting opportunities hidden away and it does gives us a chance to draw breath as the Premier League takes a break before reaching what looks sure to be an exciting climax. John Terry has been reinstated as England captain ahead of the clash with Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday and although the change has brought about much comment in the press the “Bridge affair” is a distant memory and it is unlikely to have any real effect on the game which should see a straightforward victory for England. The Welsh will have to do without the injured Gareth Bale so Craig Bellamy will be the only star name playing while the rest of the side will comprise Championship and League One players and together they have little to worry Capello’s side. The odds are cramped and don’t offer much in the way of betting value, but that ...