Expert Betting - Premier League betting previews

Manchester City has big ambitions for this season, hoping for a Champions League place. However, their ambitions where shattered by Hull City in the last round. Hull won 2-1, but Man City made a good impression, having some score chances, and they should get more from that game. At home, they're having a good period, scoring a lot of goals and winning games: 2-1 with Chelsea, 4-3 with Sunderland, 2-0 against Stoke City and Portsmouth and a smashing 4-1 against Blackburn. I think they will continue scoring also in this game against Bolton, who received 21 goals in 10 away games. Man City has also a bad defense at home for a team who wants to play in Champions League, by receiving 14 goals in 11 games.

Bolton is fighting to avoid relegation this EPL season, so the motivation is consistent in every game till the end of the season. They don't play very bad, but they have very bad results in away games. However, they've managed to score 2 goals on Emirates and 1 goal on Old Trafford. Against Manchester City they could have some score chances.

Manchester City will miss Craig Bellamy, while Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards are doubtful for this game, but there are some chances for them to play. Vincent Kompany has a groin problem and won't be ready to play for Man City this round. Roque Santa Cruz is also back after a calf strain.

Bolton will miss some players, Gavin McCann, Ivan Klasnic, Gary Cahill, Valdimir Weiss, while Andy O'Brien and Fabrice Muamba are both doubtful.

Our prediction: Over 2.75, 7/10 @1.93 at Bet365

As I said above, I expect a high scoring game. In my opinion, the team which will score more is Man City, seeing at lest 2 goals from an offensive team like they are at home. If they would manage to make a very good defensive game after they score, the game can end with a 2-0 final score and the over 2.75 bet will be lost. However this bet will cover the stake we loose with that bet. If Bolton will score and Man City wins, this means a score of 2-1 or more (at least 3 goals), so we'll cover the stake we loose with this bet. But I hope for a final score of 3-1, 3-0, 3-2.

Our prediction: Man City -1.25 AH, 6/10 @2.04 at Pinnacle

What can I say about this game? Manchester United is in great form, winning on Emirates 3-1, at home against Man City also 3-1 or 4-0 against Hull. Rooney is a scoring machine, Nani is developing in a real good player, Berbatov, Carrick or Valencia are also valuable players. Man Utd has some levels above Portsmouth, a team with big troubles in the last period. Portsmouth will be most probably relegated at the end of the season, probably last placed in Premier League. They are losing a lot of games in away matches, receiving 19 goals and scoring only 5 in 12 games. But they are now playing on Old Trafford, and I see Man Utd scoring a lot today. I have no doubt that Man Utd will try to have an advance of at least 2 goals to have a restful final of the game, but they can score much more on a counter attack strategy. The odds seems very good in my opinion, I can't see this bet lost, maybe void, but not lost.

Our prediction: Man Utd -2 AH, 9/10 @1.85 at Gamebookers

Chelsea is playing against Hull today as a postponed game. Coming after a hard win on Turf Moor (Burnley's stadium), scoring the winning goal in the latest minutes, Chelsea will be more cautious today if they want to keep the 4 points advance in Premier League. With Drogba returning from Africa Cup of Nations, they will have enough power attack to score. If they will score first, I think they will close the game and waiting the final whistle. Of course, they'll play their card on a counter attack style of play, but this is not a reason to see a rain of goals.

Chelsea probable first team: Chech, Cole, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, Malouda, Lampard, Ballack, Joe Cole, Drogba, Anelka.

Hull is in a bad form in the last period, their last win is on 25 November. Also, they scored only a goal against good teams like Arsenal, Tottenham or Man Utd in this period. I see them having a lot of trouble passing through Chelsea's defense. Of couse, you can ask why I choose an under 2.75 bet instead of going on Chelsea wining with handicap. As I said above, Chelsea had a hard game against Burnley, so even if Hull won't score today, Chelsea will hardly score 2 or more goals. Chelsea wins 2-0, the under 2.75 bet is won, Chelsea won 2-1 or 3-0, we'll lost half of stake. But I really don't see a game with more than 2 goals.

Our prediction: Under 2.75, 6/10 @2.00 at Pinnacle

Liverpool made a very bad season till now as they are placed 7th in Premier League. The expectations were bigger, aiming the first place or second for this year. However the results are bad, Benitez was contested few times, they've only made 7 points in Champions League and will play in Europe League. This is a reason for the club to have also financial problems. They really need a comeback if they want to finish in the top 4 and playing in Champions League.

On the other side, Tottenham are making a good season till now. They are unbeaten in the last 5 games and received no goal. Probably the first 3 places are taken, but it will be a big fight for the 4th place in Premier League, and Tottenham must play every game as a final.

On the paper, this game is a 'no bet' one for me, but there are some big problems for Liverpool. Stevend Gerrard and Fernando Torres are missing this game. Torres is the first scorer of the team with 12 goals, while Gerrard scored 'only' 5, but we all know the role of this player in the Liverpool first team. Also, Yossi Benayoun, with 5 goals scored, is missing too, while Glen Johnson is still missing.

Tottenham also miss some player: Jonathan Woodgate, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Alan Hutton and Tom Huddlestone. However Ledley King could be back in the first team for this game.

Possible teams:

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Rodriguez, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Aquilani, Ngog.
Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Bassong, M Dawson, Bale, Jenas, Palacios, Modric, Kranjcar, Crouch, Defoe.

Tottenham has a great chance here playing against Liverpool which has big team issues. Liverpool without Torres and Gerrad can't win too many games, especially against good teams as Tottenham. A draw 0-0, 1-1 is very possible here in my opinion.

Our prediction: Tottenham +0.25 AH, 7/10 @1.81 at Pinnacle