Geordie Racer?
The game of the weekend that will get spread bettors frothing at the mouth is undoubtedly the return of the Geordie saviour, Alan Shearer, to his beloved Newcastle. He couldn't have much of a hotter baptism of fire than against Guus Hiddink's Chelsea and there will be plenty of spread followers of the Magpies pinning their hopes on the infamous new manager syndrome. The Blues are the 1-1.2 spread supremacy favourites with Sporting Index and buyers will be massively encouraged that Chelsea have won all of their last 17 trips to the bottom six. They were imperious on their travels at the start of the season, as those going against them on the spreads found out to their cost, but supremacy sellers will be pleased that their recent results have been nowhere near as good.
Those looking to side with the Magpies on the spreads will be seriously concerned that they have lost all of their last five against the Big Four at St James' Park, while they have only won one of their last 10 home league games (W1-D5-L4). There are some other stats though which could give them a reason to smile. Since the Premier League began there have been 37 times when a manager has been appointed in the second half of the campaign, with the manager's record W15-D8-L14 in their opening game. That isn't going to automatically make the spread bettors hit the supremacy sell button, but it is interesting that when that first game has been at home they have gone W13-D4-L4. Those who like a spread bet will be even more interested when they hear that only seven of those 37 managers tasted defeat in their first game at home, with 21 winning.
Arsenal have turned a corner recently and although those who had bought their season points at the start of the season wouldn't be happy now, they look destined to claim the all important fourth spot. They are 1.1-1.3 spread favourites against Man City on Saturday and buyers will be praying they avoid another 3-0 mauling that was handed out to them at the City of Manchester Stadium earlier in the season. Spread bettors are well aware though that City are a completely different kettle of fish on their travels and they have only managed one paltry away win this season. They have also lost 11 of their last 14 at the Big Four since 2005/06 and have managed to find the net just once in their past five away games.
Man United have lost two back-to-back and the Champions are showing their first signs of a wobble. Fortunately for those spread punters who have backed United's season points tally, they face an even more out of form side in Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa. United are the 1.3-1.5 spread favourites and buyers will be happy that they haven't suffered three back-to-back league defeats since December 2001. They have a very strong record at home against non-Big Four sides, winning 19 of the past 20 since 2006. Sellers of United on the spreads will point to Villa's excellent away record this season (10/15), but they've only managed one win under O'Neill at any member of the Big Four.
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