The Title Decider?
This year's Premier League has the potential for one of the most exciting finishes ever and with a few weeks to go there's still plenty of opportunity for spread bettors. There are battles at both ends of the table, as well as for fourth place. Spread bettors that have bought any of the top-three's outright championship spread, (60pts to the winner, 40pts to runner-up, 30pts to third-place, and 20pts for fourth etc.) will have seen the spread favourite change at points throughout the season. It's currently Manchester United with a spread of 47-50.
The league leaders have a chance to open up a four point lead with victory over Chelsea on Saturday. Those spread bettors looking to buy United's win index will be delighted with the side's home form this campaign. United have lost just once all season at Old Trafford and have won 14 of their 16 league games. Anyone debating whether to sell Chelsea's win index will have noted the Blues' recent struggles on the road. Carlo Ancelotti's side have won only three of their last six away league matches - and that run includes dropped points at Hull and Blackburn.
However, sellers of United's win index and narrow supremacy will take some confidence from Chelsea's win at Stamford Bridge in the corresponding fixture last November, and of course, their seven goals at the weekend. Chelsea have failed to find the net on their previous two league visits to Old Trafford though, losing 3-0 and 2-0.
Total goal buyers will have been pleased with United's three nil victory last season, but sellers will be quick to point out that the previous three results only saw five goals. The fact that 69% of league games at Old Trafford this season have seen three or more goals will be far more comforting to buyers. With so much riding on the game, buyers of the bookings index will be wondering whether they'll be a repeat of the 2009 clash in which eight yellow cards were issued.
Sky Sports' second televised game of the weekend features struggling West Ham against an in-form Everton. The Hammers are in desperate need of a win, but buyers of Everton's supremacy spread will be confident of making it eight league wins in as many games. Spread bettors contemplating selling the Toffees supremacy should be aware that Gianfranco Zola's side have lost their last six league games and also take into account the Hammers' recent defensive frailties that have resulted in 15 goals being scored past Robert Green in six league matches.
For bookings index spread bettors, James Tomkins was given his marching orders the last time these sides met at Goodison Park and the bookings spread make-up that afternoon was 55. Punters that enjoy a spread bet on individual player markets will have seen that Mikel Arteta has scored four in his last four league games - with three coming at home. David Moyes' side have kept three clean sheets in a row which will be of interest for any spread bettor looking to sell the time of the Hammers' first goal.
Chelsea's impressive form in the FA Cup has continued under Carlo Ancelotti to the joy of spread punters who bought their outright win index (100pts to the winner, 70pts to runner-up, 50pts to losing semi-finalist) - currently at 78. Chelsea have defeated Stoke in every game since the Potters' promotion to the Premier League, whilst they also beat them 2-0 in the 2003 FA Cup. Punters looking at the total goal minute spread will be interested to know that the last three meetings have featured late goals. The total goal make-up for games between Stoke and Chelsea since 2008 has been 167, 238 and 112.
Related links:
