Mid-Week Magic
Whether Premier League clubs are planning for life without the FA Cup or with it - spread bettors will be gearing up for the next installment of league games. The matches are coming thick and fast as the second-half of the season kicks-on, with a number of potentially intriguing match-ups for spread punters including Aston Villa v Arsenal, Tottenham v Fulham and Everton v Sunderland.
Supporters of Aston Villa on the spreads versus Arsenal will have bad memories of the corresponding match just a few weeks ago. Arsenal comfortably beat Villa 3-0, which would have brought plenty of joy to those that had bought the Gunners' supremacy that afternoon. Those looking to buy Villa's win index will have been concerned by the manner of the defeat over the festive period - considering Villa took four points from six against the Gunners last season. Furthermore, buyers of Villa's win index will be aware of the Gunners current run of form, which has seen them remain undefeated in their last six league games - including four wins. A concern for spread buyers that enjoy a bet on the total goals market will be that Villa have scored one goal in their last three league games. However, buyers of the goal market will argue that the Gunners scored 14 goals in their previous six league matches before their home match against Bolton.
The first of Sky's two live matches will see Champions League chasing Tottenham looking for a victory against Fulham. Punters interested in buying Sporting Index's 'Match Goal Rush' won't be hoping for a repeat of the earlier league meeting, which ended 0-0. However, spread punters keen on selling Tottenham's supremacy will be pleased that the last game between these two at White Hart Lane also ended scoreless. Buyers of the total goals market can take heart from the two matches in 2007 between Tottenham and Fulham that produced twelve goals - a 5-1 Tottenham win and a 3-3 draw. The traders at Sporting Index will take into account that the last three league meetings involving these two have seen just three yellow cards issued.
The second of Sky's live matches involves Everton and Sunderland, and spread bettors that have supported Steve Bruce's sides in recent weeks will be worried about their form. The Black Cats conceded seven in their last away league trip to the delight of punters that had brought goal minutes that afternoon - they totaled 434. The last time Sunderland played Everton the game ended 1-1 - following a late Marouane Fellaini goal. Those looking at buying Everton's supremacy will be encouraged to know that the Merseysiders last lost to Sunderland in 2001, which was at the Stadium of Light. Furthermore, Everton last lost at home to Sunderland back in 1996 - over nine games ago in all competitions. A feature of Everton's last four home matches against Sunderland in all competitions are early goals for the home side, which is sure to spark interest in Sporting Index's '1st Match Goal Market'. The average time of the opening goal for the last four matches between these two sides is nine minutes.
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