The Premiership 28th December

[kompressaur]

Barclays Premiership
28 Dec-19:45 Arsenal v Portsmouth 2/7 4/1 15/2
28 Dec-19:45 Birmingham v Man Utd 5/1 11/4 1/2
28 Dec-19:45 Fulham v Aston Villa 11/10 9/4 11/5
28 Dec-19:45 Man City v Chelsea 9/2 13/5 4/7
28 Dec-19:45 Newcastle v Charlton 4/6 5/2 7/2
28 Dec-19:45 West Brom v Tottenham 15/8 12/5 6/5
28 Dec-19:45 West Ham v Wigan 11/10 9/4 11/5
28 Dec-20:00 Blackburn v Sunderland 1/2 5/2 6/1
28 Dec-20:00 Bolton v Middlesbrough 5/6 9/4 3/1
28 Dec-20:00 Everton v Liverpool 11/4 9/4 10/11
odds from bet365

[kompressaur]

Havent Man City gave Chelsea their hardest games over the past couple of seasons? Man City to bounce back? I reckon they could grind out a 0-0 draw poss. I dunno though.

Bah i liked spurs till i saw the odds. A bit stingy aint they? give me 5/4 and i'd have thought about it. Looks a toughie to me. Bolton have had a few probs v Middlesborough last few seasons so it makes the even money at Paddy Power on them less appealing. Anyone think they'll bounce back from the dissappointment oif not beating Sunderland like everyone else does? Middlesborough had a bad result at home to Blackburn yesterday.

I was hoping to get evens at least on Liverpool. Dont think i'll bother

[fasteddy]

28 Dec-19:45 Arsenal v Portsmouth
Pompey on the AH +1.75 @ 1.98 bet365...Arse still appear to be limping thru games...opps for "Arry

28 Dec-19:45 Birmingham v Man Utd 5/1 11/4 1/2
Manyoo should brush past Bruce's bores

28 Dec-19:45 Fulham v Aston Villa 11/10 9/4 11/5
Cottagers to bugger Villans.

28 Dec-19:45 Man City v Chelsea 9/2 13/5 4/7
Citeh defence bit shaky at the mo...wrong side to face in that condition

28 Dec-19:45 Newcastle v Charlton 4/6 5/2 7/2
Owen won't have as little service in this one, but Charlton can keep it all square

28 Dec-19:45 West Brom v Tottenham 15/8 12/5 6/5
Spurs in form: Baggies aren't

28 Dec-19:45 West Ham v Wigan 11/10 9/4 11/5
Wigan banging them in..never given up on self belief..credit to Jewell.

28 Dec-20:00 Blackburn v Sunderland 1/2 5/2 6/1
Hughes has them back on track...Sunderland next victims

28 Dec-20:00 Bolton v Middlesbrough 5/6 9/4 3/1
Bolton bastards failed to beat the Cats, no doubt do the same here

28 Dec-20:00 Everton v Liverpool 11/4 9/4 10/11
Toatl class very total ass..nuff said

[Swooperman]

Fulham v Villa

Team news from the BBC:
Fulham midfielder Papa Bouba Diop's continuing ankle injury again rules him out of action.

Claus Jensen, Moritz Volz and Steed Malbranque all remain in the treatment room, while goalkeeper Mark Crossley is a doubt with his hamstring injury.

A hamstring complaint may also force out Aston Villa striker James Milner.

Fellow fron man Luke Moore picked up a knock to his leg on Boxing Day, while Olof Melberg (hamstring) and Kevin Phillips (ankle) remain unavailable.



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Fulham (from): Warner, Crossley, Rosenior, Bocanegra, Christanval, Knight, Goma, Pearce, Leacock, Elrich, Legwinski, Boa Morte, Radzinski, McBride, John, Helguson.

Aston Villa (from): Sorensen, Hughes, Delaney, Ridgewell, Bouma, Milner, Bakke, Davis, McCann, Barry, Angel, Moore, Baros, Taylor, De la Cruz, Gardner, Samuel.

This is Footymads Preview:
Aston Villa face a trip to Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday evening, hoping to improve upon an average previous return from this fixture. Of the 22 games played, Villans have recorded 3 wins, and Fulham have come away with 11 victories.

The most recent encounter between these two sides was less than a year ago, in February 2005, where the two sides shared the spoils courtesy of a 1 - 1 final scoreline in a Premiership match.

For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here

Recent encounters between the teams:
2004/2005 Wed 02 Feb Fulham 1 - 1 Aston Villa PREM
2004/2005 Sat 23 Oct Aston Villa 2 - 0 Fulham PREM
2003/2004 Wed 11 Feb Fulham 1 - 2 Aston Villa PREM
2003/2004 Sun 28 Dec Aston Villa 3 - 0 Fulham PREM
2002/2003 Sat 08 Feb Fulham 2 - 1 Aston Villa PREM
2002/2003 Sat 09 Nov Aston Villa 3 - 1 Fulham PREM
2001/2002 Sat 02 Feb Fulham 0 - 0 Aston Villa PREM

Recent respective form guides

Fulham are showing reasonable home form, having won four and lost two from the last six played. A total of 12 goals have been scored by the Cottagers in those games, with 9 conceded.

Aston Villa have an average recent record on the road, with two wins, two draws, and two defeats. The Villans's have scored 7 goals in these games, but conceded an alarming 9.

Fulham find themselves struggling down in 15th position in the league having picked up 19 points from their 18 matches. Aston Villa find themselves struggling down in 14th position in the league having picked up 20 points from their 18 matches.

Current form guides: P W D L F A P
Fulham 6 2 1 3 8 9 7
Aston Villa 6 2 2 2 7 7 8

.....so Villa have only lost 1 in the last 7 v Fulham, & only 1 in the last 4 away at Fulhams various homes. Villa should have won this fixture last year with Angel missing either 2 pens or a twice taken one I cant quite remember.

As usual I fully expect people to tip Villa to lose here, & Fulhams recent home form is decent at 4-0-1-10-6 & their overall home form is 5-1-2-12-8.
Villa away are 2-3-4-9-14 with only wins at Sunderland & Birmingham to show for their efforts, but they've only lost 1 of the last 5 away games & indeed 1 in the last 6 overall. Winning at Sunderland was expected I guess but theyve frightened a couple of supposed 'better teams' since. Charlton were in their poor run when losing at Villa but we should have won at Newcastle with missing a late penalty & got a decent draw at Bolton. Villa were desperate against Man Utd but I dont believe the belief was there to do well against them.
Villa arent a great side at all I wont bullshit anybody, & we made nearly as many unforced errors as Everton on boxing day tbh. Whilst I felt we did enough to win as we looked sharper I would have said 2 goals probably flattered us & 4 was a joke, but thats the type of run Everton are in...lets not forget they conceded 4 at Albion & also Bolton at home. The first goal was a disgrace that it was allowed but weve had similar shite decisions go against us but the difference is that up till now (Fulham tomorrow & Albion monday ) we havent rolled over in any 6 pointers & are undefeated against any side in the bottom 11 in the table except Boro, & if we keep that up we wont get dragged in to the real relegation battle.
This isnt high & mighty or believing Villa are something theyre not, as it could all change....but I dont think we're the soft touches everybody thinks we are against similar teams. Mellberg has been a big player for us in recent years & hes missing again but I thought Delaney impressed yesterday & as long as we can keep it away from Ridgewell on the deck then we'll be ok....as he surely is a special kind of shit on the ground Whilst McCann is supplying bite in the midfield I dont see us getting outfought by similar teams around us.
I thought Fulham would be shorter in the bookies eyes tbh which confuses matters but I cant see them beating us tomorrow night as Villa have done well in this type of fixture.
Before you all laugh there was a lot of you on Newcastle & Bolton to beat Villa in the last 2 away games & I advised against it, 2 draws was the result.

Lay Fulham

[Swooperman]

Team news from the RP

Arsenal (7) v Portsmouth (18)

Arsenal will bring Dennis Bergkamp back into the squad after he was rested for the 1-0 win at Charlton and, with Robin van Persie (knee) still unavailable, he returns to contention. Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy (foot) remain sidelined as they recover match fitness, while young striker Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (knee) will be out for up to a month.

Portsmouth defender Linvoy Primus is out with a groin injury while winger Laurent Robert is suspended following his sending-off in the 1-1 draw with West Ham. Skipper Dejan Stefanovic is also struggling after taking a knock to a knee. Vincent Pericard (thigh) and Salif Diao (hamstring) are likely to remain unavailable.

Birmingham (19) v Man Utd (2)

Muzzy Izzet is suspended after he was sent off on Boxing Day at Tottenham. Blues boss Steve Bruce made five changes for the defeat at White Hart Lane and the loss of Izzett, who had only just returnedfrom a hamstring injury, will force him to reshuffle with Nicky Butt, Stephen Clemence and David Dunn all pushing for a recall. Mikael Forssell and full-back Mario Melchiot could be available after thigh injuries.

Cristiano Ronaldo could return aftersuspension as Sir Alex Ferguson attempts to freshen up his Manchester United squad. The Portuguese winger may replace Ryan Giggs as Ferguson spreads the workload. Mikael Silvestre (thigh) is again unlikely to be involved but the United boss is confident Wes Brown (groin) and Paul Scholes (virus) will shrug off their minor problems.

Blackburn (11) v Sunderland (20)

Andy Todd is expected to miss the match after he picked up a knee injury. Mark Hughes is able to welcome Lucas Neill and Paul Dickov back from injury, as well as Morten Gamst Pedersen, who sat out the Middlesbrough trip, but Tugay is banned.

Sunderland full-back Nyron Nosworthy returns to the squad after serving a one-match ban. Right-back Stephen Wright's calf problem is likely to sideline him once again, while Stephen Elliott is still recovering from his back injury.

Bolton (5) v Middlesbrough (13)

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is likely to turn to Kevin Nolan, Kevin Davies, Abdoulaye Faye and Joey O'Brien who wererested for the 0-0 draw at Sunderland. Martin Djetou, Khalilou Fadiga, Ricardo Vaz Te and Nicky Hunt could make way. Striker Henrik Pedersen is not expected to play again until the new year because of an Achilles problem.

Boro boss Steve McClaren is hopeful of welcoming back emerging youngster James Morrison who has not featured since suffering concussion following an accidental collision with Robbie Keane against Tottenham on December 18. George Boateng (ankle), Stewart Downing and Ray Parlour (knee), Tony McMahon (shoulder) and Malcolm Christie (leg) are out but Szilard Nemeth could return from a hamstring injury.

Everton (16) v Liverpool (3)

Midfielder Mohamed Sissoko returns to the Liverpool squad after completing a one-match suspension. The Anfield club also expect to have Dietmar Hamann back after his struggle to overcome the knee problems caused by Michael Essien's tackle in the Champions League game at Chelsea on December 7. The German star has not played since.

Fulham (15) v Aston Villa (14)

Fulham midfielder Papa Bouba Diop remains unavailable after failing to recover from his ankle injury. Goalkeeper Mark Crossley suffered a recurrence of his hamstring problem in the 3-2 defeat by Chelsea so may be replaced in the starting line-up by Tony Warner. Claus Jensen, Moritz Volz and Steed Malbranque remain in the treatment room but Collins John could start.

James Milner is Aston Villa's most significant new fitness doubt after he limped out of the emphatic 4-0 victory over Everton with a hamstring injury. Eirik Bakke could come in as Lee Hendrie (Achilles) is out. Luke Moore (leg) could miss out as manager David O'Leary could pair Milan Baros and Juan Pablo Angel.

Man City (8) vChelsea (1)

Richard Dunne could return to the Manchester City line-up after being named on the bench for the defeat at Wigan. The same could also go for striker Andy Cole who scored a late goal after coming on as a substitute.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien will miss out because of a heel injury. Defender Ricardo Carvalho (Achilles) has also been ruled out of the match but Damien Duff (Achilles) could be back after sitting out the 3-2 victory over Fulham while Asier del Horno (leg) may alsofigure.

Newcastle (10) v Charlton (12)

Newcastle will be without defender Steven Taylor and suspended midfielder Lee Bowyer. But they will have Scott Parker back from his ban to face the club he started his career with. Taylor will have a shoulder operation after a recurrence an injury in the Boxing Day defeat at Liverpool, while Bowyer will start a three-match ban for his red card in the same match.

Charlton must do without suspended midfielder Danny Murphy after his sending-off in the1-0 defeat to Arsenal at The Valley on Boxing Day. Defender Gonzalo Sorondo is a major doubt after badly bruising his foot against the Gunners, while Alexei Smertin (knee) and Jerome Thomas (virus) will also face fitness tests. Goalkeeper Thomas Myhre, striker Kevin Lisbie and winger Darren Ambrose could start.

West Brom (17) v Tottenham (4)

Paul Robinson is a major doubt for West Brom after he was stretchered off with concussion against Manchester United. Neil Clement (ankle) and Junichi Inamoto (thigh) are both rated 50-50 after missing the Old Trafford defeat. Zoltan Gera could be available following his hernia operation.

Tottenham boss Martin Jol hopes the groin injury Ledley King sustained on Boxing Day is not serious enough to keep him out. Jol must also decide whether to reinstate Jermain Defoe to the starting XI after the England striker made another forceful case with a goal-scoring appearance off the bench.

West Ham (9) v Wigan (6)

West Ham manager Alan Pardew has Hayden Mullins, Tomas Repka and Danny Gabbidon all injured following the 1-1 draw at Portsmouth. Matthew Etherington and Paul Konchesky are expected to be available despite taking knocks at Fratton Park but Yossi Benayoun (groin) and Teddy Sheringham (calf) are still out.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell has no fresh injury worries. Jewell conceded to 'one or two knocks, but nothing major' following the 4-3 victory over Manchester City. That just leaves defender Emerson Thome on the sidelines, the Brazilian recovering from a fractured cheekbone.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Birmingham v Man Utd

Not got much to say on this game as the odds say it all really imo.

Man Utd have performed far better away in the EPL this season than at home and you'd have to be a brave man to see this change.

Birmingham are absolutely woeful at the minute. Their strongest side played a second string United side only last week and were humbled and went down to a very bad defeat on their half so you have to wonder the trouble this full strength United side will cause.

United to win @ 1/2


Man City v Chelsea

Yeah your right Komp. They give Chelsea some real tough games. The cnuts ruined my £800 accy payout last season when they beat Chelsea 1-0 at home

Team news is vital for me. Is Distin and Dunne still injured for Man City? Chris, Keem?

If they are then you have to fancy Chelsea don't you. They aren't looking as solid as they have been recently but they are certainly grinding out results where need be and with Man U and Liverpool waiting in the wings you'd have to think the 1.61 price available for them is a good bet.

Chelsea to win @ 1.61

Everton v Liverpool

Massive game this derby is now, especially for Everton who have suffered 4-0 defeats in sucession now.

Watched them against Villa and i have to say they are playing far better than their results suggest and they aren't getting the breaks. What better way than to put things right by getting the derby match next on their hands.

My only worry would be Everton scoring. They look a bit weak up front and i don't like the McFadden/Beattie combination i have to say. Bent back in the line up with his pace is the sort of attacking options they require at the minute.

Liverpool are flying at the minute holding clean sheet after clean sheet. They have also won 4 of their last 5 visits to Goodison Park this season.

A game i think i will be watching and best left alone imo. Probably the unders would be a good shout i reckon but i won't be getting involved.

As for the rest, nothing really stands out to be honest. Blackburn i wouldn't chance at 1/2 against a poor Sunderland side. Like backing them as underdogs.

Bellamy is back now mind so i'd fancy his injection on pace and quality in the side to help but too short for me.

Agree with Swoops lay of Fulham. Fulham are more suited to away games imo with their counter attacking options and they always make hard work for themselves.

Villa have a win to build on from Everton game and their strikers scoring goals only ever helps a side so i would go with the lay of Fulham for all the reasons Swoops stated.

Every other game i can see being a draw to be honest

[keemanan]

kiko , I think Distin and Dunne will be reunited again for this one , I expect Cole to start too and maybe even Stephen Ireland to replace the ageing and slow Reyna . City have a shout if Essien is out as we can do things in midfield . I also think distin will prefer to face Crespo or Drogba than Roberts who made him look stupid on sunday.

we have a chance as I said if we start quickly which we always do at home. It depends if we give them too much respect which we shouldn't as they aint unbeatable.

[keemanan]

I'll be taking the 10/11 on Liverpool if I can find it , everton are a shambles at the back and toothless up front. How McFadden gets a game I do not know as he is biz.
Quite simply Liverpool will win this by at least 2 IMO

[Keith]

Bolton v Middlesboro

Bolton employed squad rotation which in part explains their surprise goaless draw at Sunderland on Boxing Day.

The players who were rested are set to return which includes Davies and Nolan. Sams policy could pay dividends as tiredness will inevitably play a part when teams have to play twice within 48 hours.

Boro are struggling with injuries especially in midfield. Boateng is missing again and his loss should not be underestimated. Mendiata has been rushed back from injury and reading between the lines it seems that he was not ready even though he played against Blackburn. They finished the game with two inexperienced teenagers in midfield

Bolton have a great home record and Boro once again are over estimated by Paddy Power. (they had Blackburn on offer @ 4.00 against them yesterday ).

Bolton @ 2.00 is too good to refuse.

[farnerud]

I think Fulham as my best bet for tomorrow. They played surprisingly with a great confident. Yes their goals are very luckily but I think it's a big achievement to comeback at Stamford Bridge. And the best moment of the match for me that Fulham conceded 3rd goal from a counter-attack. Because they were looking for third goal. This team spirit will be their biggest advantage.

I never liked Aston Villa this season. Also last 4-0 win against Everton didn't impress me. Villa was sharper side of course but Everton was awful. But Villa strrugled to create many goal scoring opportunites against a poor team. I remember only 1-2 positions until 80th minute.

Malbranque and Diop are important absentees but I trust McBride who was fantastic against Chelsea.

[mrmuzeman]

Well blimey the Merseyside derby eh? And on TV, please not another humiliation.

Im struggling to come up with any real concrete thoughts on the game tbh. Im still dubious about Liverpool on their travels but it has to be said they have been great lately. Whereas we are getting tonked lately. Yet I know were capable of putting in winning performances and before the last 3 games wed picked up 14pts from 7 games including draws against Chelsea and Man U - dont forget that.

It all hinges on whether Liverpool take the lead. If they do were almost certainly stuffed cos we are incapable of coming back from going behind as heads instantly drop. As its a different type of game being a derby perhaps these rules dont apply so well. If we get the bit of luck we deserve and go ahead I think well do very well however.

At odds against I couldnt put anyone off backing Liverpool here but theyre not and I cant help but think odds on for them is a bit cheeky. I might try a small lay of Liverpool if they drop to the 5/6 mark.

Bent back in the line up with his pace is the sort of attacking options they require at the minute.

Kiko - I really dont want Bent in the team hes fcukin useless, hes mine and my Bros most disliked player this season. Hes scored 2 times in 2005.

[Keith]

The key Mr M is 4-5-1.

The defence have had no proper cover. Cahill and Davies were by passed by Villa.

Just because Wenger slags teams off for playing what he considers is a negative system doesn't mean that we should react.

Also Arteta is wasted on the wing. Just because he puts in a couple of good crosses now and again shouldn't mean that you isolate your best player out wide.

[mrmuzeman]

What dyou reckon to Cahill by the way? When he was scoring goals last season I thought he was wicked but this season he isnt even getting his chance a game like he used to and I struggle to see what he actually does that much tbh

The thing with the formation is what to do with Beattie? He is shite as the lone front man.

[crowie]

Originally Posted by keemanan

I'll be taking the 10/11 on Liverpool if I can find it , everton are a shambles at the back and toothless up front. How McFadden gets a game I do not know as he is biz.
Quite simply Liverpool will win this by at least 2 IMO

Gamebookers are going probably going to be 11/10 Liverpool from tomorrow morning Keema. See Beanies thread.

Gamebookers 100% Book

[all_funkt_up]

Am steering well clear of the Derby tomorrow. Everton cant play/wont play. It will be a typical 'lets kick em off the park' sort of Derby I reckon. Everton have no other option really other than to kick, foul and niggle. Hamann and Sissoko are fit tomorrow.

I would be very happy to see Garcia dropped and Gerrard move out to the right. Playing one up front with Gerrard and Kewell given freedom to roam should be too good for Everton. Alonso/Hamann and Sissoko to control the game and give the other 2 carte blanche. Kewell looked very good yesterday and was taken off early with one eye on this match

I dont give a stuff what they do or who they play. They wont win. Whether its Bent/Beattie or that lump of sh1t Ferguson - they are gonna lose.