domenica 26 dicembre 2004
Premier League, Inghilterra
13.30 Southampton 2.25
X 3.10
Charlton 3.00
+11
14.00 Arsenal 1.30
X 4.50
Fulham 9.00
+11
14.00 Crystal Palace 2.35
X 3.15
Portsmouth 2.80
+11
14.00 Chelsea 1.30
X 4.50
Aston Villa 9.00
+11
16.00 Blackburn 2.40
X 3.10
Newcastle United 2.75
+11
16.00 Everton 1.85
X 3.20
Manchester City 4.00
+11
16.00 Manchester United 1.35
X 4.20
Bolton 8.25
+11
16.00 Norwich City 2.75
X 3.10
Tottenham 2.40
+11
16.30 Birmingham City 2.40
X 3.10
Middlesbrough 2.75
+11
19.00 West Bromwich 5.15
X 3.30
Liverpool 1.65
+11
Probabilmente trattasi di budinata pesante, ma non ho potuto resistere dal giocare il triplo Arsenal/Chelsea/Man Utd @ 2.281 Baw (di cui quote sopra)
Arsenal v Fulham
Fulham have given Arsenal some awkward moments at Highbury in the last couple of years. The Gunners needed a last-minute strike from Robert Pires to secure a 2-1 victory two seasons ago and last year Arsene Wenger's men were held to a 0-0 stalemate. A couple of weeks ago, Fulham might have fancied themselves to cause more problems but Arsenal have banged in 10 goals in their last three home Premiership games and that sort of firepower should prove too much for the Cottagers. Fulham offered little when losing 2-1 to Charlton last time and Chris Coleman has a job on his hands to stop his team getting sucked into a relegation battle. The Gunners are obviously heavily odds-on but should prove safe enough for accumulators. The best way to punt solely on this one is to back Pires to score anytime at 7/4. The Frenchman has netted seven times at Highbury this season and scored two goals in this fixture two seasons ago.
Verdict: Arsenal 3 Fulham
Chelsea v Aston Villa
There's a theory that Chelsea may not be at their best over the Christmas period as most of their foreign stars are used to putting their feet up at this time of year. Last year's 4-2 Boxing Day defeat at Charlton could be used as evidence but I don't really buy into it to be honest. However, whether it's because he's used to the flurry of fixtures or not, it is worth pointing out that Frank Lampard scored in two of Chelsea's three Festive period games last season. The England midfielder also scored in this fixture two seasons ago and has netted three times in his last five games, including in the last two home games against Newcastle and Norwich. Lampard is a standout 12/5 with Blue Square to find the net again and that's the best bet here. Chelsea should make light work of a Villa side who have hit a rough patch but the 1/3 is obviously only for the big hitters.
Verdict: Chelsea 3 Aston Villa 0
Man Utd v Bolton
Bolton have pulled off two famous victories at Old Trafford in recent times with Kevin Nolan on target in both games. But the men from the Reebok were put in their place last season when United ran out comfortable 4-0 winners. With Bolton struggling badly for form there's some double figure prices about an away win flying about on the exchanges and if Old Trafford brings out the best in them again, layers of that price could look extremely foolish. They shouldn't have too much to worry about though as United's home form has been excellent for some time now and they just had too much firepower when beating Crystal Palace 5-2 last time. United are a best 4/11 to get the job done but the majority of backers are likely to include them in a home win treble with Arsenal and Chelsea. That pays just over 5/4.
Verdict: Man Utd 2 Bolton 0
Saluti...
