The Prem's Last Stand
The Premier League title has gone right down to the wire and spread bettors will be wondering if they'll be yet another twist in the tale. Spread buyers of Chelsea's outright championship index (60pts to the winner, 40pts to runner-up, 30pts to third-place, 20pts for fourth etc.) will have been very grateful for Steven Gerrard's intervention in the title race last weekend. The Blues went on to win 2-0 at Anfield to the delight of any spread punter that had brought their win index. On Wearside, Man United did all they could and beat Sunderland to at least extend the title race to the last day. The relegation spreads have already been closed and spread bettors that predicted Portsmouth, Burnley and Hull to occupy the last three places can be very happy with their predictions.
This weekend the majority of spread betting eyes will be on the events at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford, as the two top sides face Wigan and Stoke respectively. Chelsea are the clear spread favourites on the championship index, at 57-58, while United are available at 42-43. Carlo Ancelotti knows that if they match Man United's efforts on Sunday they will be crowned champions. On Sunday the Italian's team face Wigan and spread bettors buying the Blues' win index will be pleased to know that the side have only been defeated by Wigan once in their nine Premier League games. Chelsea supremacy spread buyers will also be confident in the knowledge that Ancelotti's side have only lost once at Stamford Bridge since August. Spread buyers of Wigan's win index and sellers of the supremacy spread will be quick to point out that Chelsea were beaten 3-1 at the JJB Stadium in September, however, and that Latics also held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in the 2007/08 season.
The total goals and goal minutes spreads should be intriguing to buyers considering Chelsea have managed 28 goals in their previous eight league matches. Spread buyers will be hoping for a repeat of the 7-0 triumph over Stoke a couple of weeks ago.
If buyers of Manchester United's championship index spread are to have any hope on Sunday, the side must beat Stoke. Buyers will be confident of such a result seeing as United have beaten the Potters in all three of their three previous Premier League contests. Those looking to buy United's supremacy will also note the club's contrasting home and away records this season. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have only lost two home league matches, while Stoke have only won three on the road. Sellers of total goals should know that Stoke have scored nine away goals this campaign, the fewest in the league, and in addition the Potters have never scored against United in the Premier League.
Bookings index spread bettors will be interested to know that Andy Wilkinson was given his marching orders in a feisty game at the Britannia during the 2009/10 season. Buyers of the bookings spread that afternoon will have been pleased to see a total of 85 points amassed but sellers will argue that the two other Premier League meetings have only produced spread make-ups of 50 between them.
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