Sunderland vs Bolton

Although I think Bolton are a really nice price at 3.9 coming off the back of terrific away win to West Ham at the weekend, I can’t really see this being much else other than a draw. After a good first half of the season Sunderland have been struggling, even at home, and have drawn 4 of their last at the Stadium of Light. Bolton’s away record hasn’t been that great, but have drawn two and won two of their last 6. Sunderland also have some injury problems and will be without a few first choice midfielders, so I can see this being a low-scoring scrappy game, most likely 0-0 or 1-1.

Draw @ 3.40 with Betfair – 4 points (Returned 0)

Portsmouth vs Birmingham

Portsmouth are a weakened side tonight as they are without Yebda, Boateng and Utaka. Birmingham are now safe in the knowledge that they’ve hit their 40 point survival target and can play the rest of the season without the added pressure of being threatened with relegation. I think Birmingham will come out strongly this evening and will be looking for revenge for their FA Cup defeat at the weekend, and they’ll also want to keep pushing hard for the outside chance of winning a European place, as they now have nothing to lose. I think 3.4 is terrific value for a top 10 side against rock-bottom who are all but guaranteed to be relegated.

Birmingham @ 3.40 with Betfair – 7 points (Returned 23.8)

Total stake: 11 points

Total Return: 23.8 points

Total Profit: +12.8 points

Three bets to speak of this weekend:

Burnley vs Portsmouth – When something major is happening off the pitch, such as a new manager coming in, or a big takeover, I usually try to stay away from any betting involving that team. With Portsmouth entering administration today and being almost certainly doomed to life in the Championship next season – how will they respond? Now that the pressure is essentially off, will they come out with a nothing to lose attitude, or will the last bit of fight they had in them have seeped away along with the 9 points? I certainly don’t think evens is a bad price on a Burnley side who are still very much in the fight for survival, and are relying on their home form to keep them from joining Pompey next season.

Burnley win @ 2.00 with Bet365 – 4 points (Returned 0)

Liverpool vs Blackburn Rovers – Speaking of unpredictable, who knows which Liverpool team will show up this weekend? They only have a 3 day break since playing in Romania on Thursday night, although they had a decent game out there. Blackburn come off the back of a solid 3-0 home win and have had a week to recover, although they will be without captain Nelsen who is out with a knee injury. There’s every chance Liverpool will take this one down 1-0 or 2-0, but I think 1.36 is a horribly short price to be backing them to do so. Liverpool’s talents for drawing 0-0 in games they should be winning tempts me into backing the draw at a very reasonable price.

Draw @ 4.75 with Bet365 – 3 points (Returned 0)

Birmingham City vs Wigan Athletic – Wigan have been in extremely poor form recently – 4 draws and 4 losses in their last 8 games, which includes a couple of home fixtures you’d really expect them to win. Birmingham haven’t been quite as strong recently, although have been playing much better football than Wigan, and are a tough side to beat at home. I think come next weekend, Wigan will still be looking for their first win in 10 games, and the 1.90 available on Birmingham is good value.

Birmingham win @ 1.90 with Bet365 – 9 points (Returned 17.1)

Total Stake: 16 points

Total Return: 17.1 points

Total Profit: +1.1 points