Soccer betting catch up in the Premier League

Blue Saturday

The mighty Chelsea could find no way past the plucky Canaries of Norwich in Saturday's early kick-off. The game ended without a goal, but gave Norwich plenty to shout about. For Chelsea it was another example of just how “not right” this season is going, especially for Fernando Torres who has now gone 17 games for both club and country without scoring. Three points and a clean sheet were doubly sweet from Norwich as they had conceded 38 goals in their previous 21 league games. Chelsea did themselves no real favours, but credit must go to Norwich, who refused to be intimidated by the Russian billionaire’s boys club. Chelsea are now 80/1 to win the league and their manager, Andre Villas-Boas has been marked up as 8/1 to be the next Premier League manager sacked.

The team that used to be the sportsbooks pick to go down, Blackburn (and their manager Steve Kean) continue to improve and although they have yet to keep a clean sheet in the league after 22 games they recorded a very valuable 1-1 draw against Everton on Saturday. Tim Cahill opened the scoring for Everton on 24 minutes (his first goal since 20 December, 2010) after Maroune Fellaini had blatantly handballed. A sort of justice was served in the 75th minute when Blackburn scored an equaliser thanks to David Goodwillie who was in the right place at the right time as Cahill’s goal-line clearance ricocheted off him and into the back of the net. Blackburn are now 10/11 in the soccer odds to escape relegation, while Steve Keane is 2/1 to be the next manager stacked.

There was a massive win for Queens Park Rangers at home against rock bottom Wigan. It may just have been Mark Hughes’ second game in charge but it was his first home game and his first points. The win came courtesy of goals from Heidar Helguson, Akos Buzsaky and Tommy Smith. Hugo Rodallega pulled a goal back for Wigan to set the game up for a thrilling 2-1 final third before Smith sealed it with a long-range effort. Wigan are the lowest goal-scorers out of all of the 92 clubs in the Football League which would be a real worry for the club and their supporters if they weren't too busy worrying about league position and the threat of relegation. Wigan are now 6/5 to finish the season dead last.

Another new manager being rewarded by his players with wins and goals is Martin O'Neill, who presided over another victory for Sunderland as they beat Swansea 2-0 at home. Swansea were hardly Swans to the slaughter as they arrived at Sunderland riding high on a four-game unbeaten run. Despite a couple of good chances it was Sunderland who opened the scoring thanks to Stephane Sessegnon, after quarter of an hour and the game was wrapped up when Craig Gardner volleyed in from 25 yards out. The win marked Martin O'Neill's 10th point from four games but also stretched Swansea's run of not scoring away from home to 11 games.

Where’s your home form gone? 

Stoke, who always used to be so tricky to beat at home, capitulated once again, this time going down 1-2 to West Bromwich Albion. It was a huge win for the Baggies and their first in 2012. West Brom opened the scoring after 35 minutes thanks to James Morrison, however Stoke levelled five minutes from time when Cameron Jerome headed an equaliser. But in injury time a Graham Dorrans free-kick meant all three points were leaving Stoke with the bouncing Baggies fans.

There was a five goal stunner at Wolverhampton, but it was Aston Villa who took all three points thanks to two goals from Robbie Keane. Villa took the lead through a Darren Bent penalty before Michael Kightly levelled the game. It was then Wolves’ turn to go ahead thanks to David Edwards before Keane’s double sent the away fans wild. Wolves have now gone eight league games without a win and are second bottom in the table.

However the most entertaining match of the day came from very unlikely source.

Newcastle United travelled to Fulham in what was predicted to be a close game. With the Geordies taking a 1-0 lead in with them at the break, thanks to a Danny Guthrie wonder strike and Fulham looking lacklustre and second-best for the first 45 minutes, a home win looked unlikely. However the team listened to whatever manager Martin Jol shouted at them at half-time and went on the rampage in the second half. Fulham were awarded a penalty early on which was expertly converted by Danny Murphy and Fulham's enthusiasm for the game was only matched by Newcastle's capitulation. In a little over 15 minutes after Fulham's equaliser they found themselves 4-1 up thanks to a pair of goals by Clint Dempsey and a second penalty, converted by Bobby Zamora. Newcastle left their fightback late when Hatem Ben Arfa clawed a goal back on 85 minutes but Dempsey made it a perfect afternoon for the Cottagers when he fired in his third on 89 minutes (the first Premier League hatrick by an American) sealing the game 5-2 for the London side. This means that Fulham have now won four of their last five home games in the league and Newcastle's manager Alan Pardew officially has a new worst day at the office as his Newcastle had never gone down by such a score during his tenure. 

The last game on Saturday saw Liverpool travel to struggling Bolton. A Liverpool win would have put them two places higher up the table while a draw would have seen them overtake Newcastle. However Bolton did Liverpool no favours.

Mark Davies scored an early goal and Bolton were even 2-0 up within 30 minutes, with a second from Nigel Reo-Coker. Craig Bellamy got one back for Liverpool, but the Scousers couldn't build on that strike and Bolton ran them off the pitch and didn't look like a side in any danger of dropping out of the Premiership and into the Championship. Bolton's third goal from Gretar Steinsson was simply icing on the cake, secured Bolton's first victory over Liverpool since 2006 and the first time they put three passed them in a league game since 1950.

If you thought that was all the excitement for the weekend you were wrong because the two biggest games were set for Sunday.

First up Manchester City hosted Tottenham, who could have taken second spot in the league and closed the gap on the champions elect, sending a clear message to the naysayers who consider the Premier League a two horse race this year. Despite the first half ending goalless, the second half entertained from the off. City took the lead and then gave themselves a two-goal cushion, but Tottenham fought back and tied the game with goals from Jermaine Defoe and Gareth Bale. The game seemed to be destined to end 2-2 but deep into injury time Mario Balotelli's upset Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and this handicapper’s (2-2) prediction when he scored a penalty to keep all three points with City and force more daylight between themselves and Manchester United.

United’s heads may have dropped when they heard the news of Balotelli's winner but they had issues of their own to deal with as they faced Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. 

In a game that never quite lived up to the promise of the clash, United opened the scoring thanks to an Antonio Valencia header but Arsenal picked themselves up after the break and Robin van Persie added to his goal tally for the season to tie the game with 20 minutes remaining. It was time for another late winner and few were surprised when it went United’s way. Danny Welbeck lashed home a close range goal 10 minutes from the start of Fergie time, to keep it tight at the top.

Despite all the excitement there is actually no change at the top of the table.

City still sit on top with 54 points and behind them are United with 51. Tottenham's defeat sees them eight points off the top of the table and five behind United. Chelsea are now five points behind Spurs, and Arsenal really should be looking outside the Premier League for trophies as they are a massive 18 points off the top of the table in fifth place. 

Despite the huge defeat at Fulham, Newcastle are right behind Arsenal on 36 points. One point behind Newcastle sit Liverpool and Stoke are 5 points behind the Scousers. It's interesting to note that every team from fifth to eighth dropped all three points at the weekend which means that the four teams behind them, who all managed to win, close the gap on the pack just outside the European places. Further down the table West Bromwich Albion seem to represent the minimum safe distance from the drop zone and their victory puts them on 25 points, just one point behind Everton, Swansea and Fulham who are all on 26. Still in danger of being sucked down but sitting a little prettier now after wins of their own are QPR and Bolton in 16th and 17th place in the table on 20 and 19 points respectively.

Then comes the bottom three with Blackburn and Wolverhampton tied on 18 points. Wigan are four points away from safety at the foot of the table with just 15 points to their name.

There are no Premier league fixtures next weekend but there is still plenty to get excited about in the midweek games. Swansea will fancy their chances on Tuesday 31st January when they host misfiring Chelsea. Tottenham will look to make amends for their defeat against City and will likely pile more misery on Wigan when they face off on Tuesday. Wolverhampton Wanderers will hope that Liverpool's bad run continues when they face off. Everton have to try and deal with Manchester City and Manchester United will likely make things a little bit more painful for Stoke who travel to Old Trafford on Tuesday too.

Wednesday sees Aston Villa host Queens Park Rangers; and Blackburn host Newcastle in a game that should all be about Geordies bouncing back. Bolton will hope their run of good results stretches to victory over Arsenal. Fulham entertain their old manager Roy Hodgson when he brings West Bromwich Albion back to Craven Cottage and Sunderland host Norwich in a sixpointer game between the clubs in eighth and ninth.

It just keeps on getting better.