Premier League 
/ Mike Norman / 06 May 2011 / Leave a Comment 
FWA Player of the Year Scott Parker
"How West Ham are bottom of the table with the talent in their squad is a mystery; remember, the Football Writers Association Player of the Year Scott Parker is in their ranks."
Birmingham, Blackburn, West Ham and Wigan are all playing on Saturday afternoon as they each attempt to extricate themselves from relegation trouble. Mike Norman previews the action.
Aston Villa [1.84] v Wigan [5.2]; The Draw [3.8]
Six teams, three will go, three will survive, and to the enormous relief of Villa fans their side is no longer in the relegation mix. But Wigan most certainly are. The Latics continue to pick up excellent points when you least expect them to but surely they'll come away from Villa Park empty handed.
Roberto Martinez's men haven't defeated a club outside of the bottom six away from home since August last year, and they've only managed three away victories all season. Villa have steadily improved since the start of 2011 and ought to have too much flair for hard-working Wigan. Gerard Houllier's men have scored goals in 13 of their last 14 league games and I fancy they'll get a few this afternoon. Cover the 2-1 [9.0] and 3-1 [16.0] options in the Correct Score market as well as having a wager on Over 2.5 Goals at [1.92].
Bolton [1.82] v Sunderland [5.4]; The Draw [3.7]
This game may have an end-of-season feel to it but Bolton are most definitely the likeliest winners. In fact, I rate a Trotters victory today an excellent wager against a seriously out-of-form and injury-ravaged Sunderland side. The Black Cats have lost nine of their last 11 league fixtures and don't have a fit striker at the club!
Bolton's home form has been very impressive, winning five on the bounce in the league including that excellent victory that ended Arsenal's title hopes. They've been scoring plenty of goals too - two against Arsenal and Everton, three against West Ham and Aston Villa - so with Sunderland unlikely to get on the scoresheet themselves, the best bet might be the Yes option in the Bolton win to Nil market at [2.82].
Everton [2.86] v Man City [2.8]; The Draw [3.4]
After all the ifs and buts it's looking increasingly likely that Manchester City will indeed have a successful season; a very successful one if they can add a FA Cup victory to their near certain qualification for next season's Champions League. Roberto Mancini's men might not have it all their own way at Goodison Park however, so with little confidence a draw is the outcome I'm predicting here.
Everton have a particularly good record against City in recent years but you won't be surprised to learn that from their six victories in seven meetings, not one of them was achieved by scoring more than two goals. David Moyes' men rarely put the opposition to the sword so Under 2.5 Goals - available to back at [1.83] - rates my best bet of this game. In the Correct Score market, the 0-0 [11.0] and 1-1 [7.2] options are perhaps the best angles in.
Newcastle [1.97] v Birmingham [4.6]; The Draw [3.5]
Newcastle have been very in and out since the sale of Andy Carroll but they've managed to get enough points to avoid relegation, and that was undoubtedly their primary aim at the start of the season. Birmingham are one of the six clubs I believe are still in danger of going down, and I have a hunch that Alex McLeish's men will be in even more danger after this game.
Birmingham have conceded eight goals in their last two away games, but whilst this should be easier than facing Chelsea or Liverpool, they simply aren't as battle-hardened as they are at St Andrews. Newcastle have an excellent midfield, and that gives the wide players license to attack with regularity. It's hard to predict how this game will go exactly, so I'm more than happy just to take the [1.97] about a home victory.
West Ham [2.04] v Blackburn [4.1]; The Draw [3.7]
The game of the day at the bottom of the table and one that West Ham certainly can't afford to lose. How they are bottom of the table with the talent in their squad is a mystery; remember, the Football Writers Association Player of the Year Scott Parker is in their ranks. Blackburn grabbed a priceless victory last weekend, but that was their first win in 11 and they've taken just one point from the last 18 available on the road. I fancy a home win, but it won't be without a few nervous moments.
Five of West Ham's last six victories have occurred when the Hammers have scored three goals in a game; they can't grind out low-scoring wins because they simply don't defend well enough. Avram Grant's side have conceded 14 goals in their last five games, and that's one reason why I think Blackburn will get on the score sheet today. In what I'm expecting to be a very entertaining encounter, Over 3.5 Goals at [3.2] is my best bet of the game.
Recommended Bets
Best Bet: Back Bolton win to Nil @ [2.82] v Sunderland
Back Over 2.5 Goals @ [1.92] in Aston Villa v Wigan
Back The Draw @ [3.4] in Everton v Man City
Back Newcastle @ [1.97] to beat Birmingham
Back Over 3.5 Goals @ [3.2] in West Ham v Blackburn
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