The Weekend of The Underdog
The Premier League has swung firmly back into action and spread bettors up and down the country have already enjoyed some tremendously exciting games. All eyes will be on Old Trafford on Saturday evening, but having already previewed that game we'll take a look at some of the slightly less fashionable contests. Bolton have made a slow start to the season and those spread bettors getting against the Trotters have made healthy profits from the opening two games. They don't have an easy task on Saturday when Liverpool come to town and those who like to play the spreads will know that the Reds have won all of the last five meetings between these two outfits, all by at least a two-goal margin. The Trotters also lost all eight games against the Big Four last season, so spread bettors hoping to sell Liverpool's supremacy will be hoping to see a performance similar to when Big Sam was at the helm. Bolton won two and drew two of their four games at the Reebok against Liverpool between 2003/04 - 2006/07.
The total goals market will be of interest to a number of spread bettors, as Liverpool have already been involved in some high scoring games this season. In fact, if we include the last few games of the last campaign, nine of the Reds' last ten league games have produced at least three goals. Bolton, on the other hand, are a spread betting goal sellers dream, with a total of just eight goals being scored in their last eight games.
Chelsea have started life under Carlo Ancelotti very impressively and have taken maximum points from their opening three games. Spread bettors will be aware though that the Blues have started the past few seasons with a bang, but have struggled to maintain their momentum. It is also arguable that their form over the past 12 months has been better on their travels than at Stamford Bridge. They struggled to beat Hull on the opening day of the season, drew with the same side here last year and also only managed to beat Stoke thanks to two late goals in January. Burnley are in town on Saturday and they have probably been the biggest story so far this season for football fans and spread bettors alike; having beaten Man United and Everton in a week. Their form at Turf Moor will be the deciding factor in whether they stay up or not, but they will be buoyed by their fourth round Carling Cup victory on penalties here last season.
Spread betting decisions are always slightly more difficult when a Premier League side faces a newly promoted one, but although these two haven't met in the league since 1983, punters might be interested to learn that Burnley have won 36 of the 78 league meetings, with Chelsea winning just 26. The Blues have managed to find the net at least twice in all three Premier League games so far this season though, so spread buyers of total goals will be hoping the occasion becomes a bit too much for the Clarets.
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