Premier League Picks

Today’s main sporting action comes from England, with there being two football matches being played that could decide who will lift the Premier League and Championship titles at the end of the season. BetRepublic.com previews the Premier League match between Chelsea and Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge and the Reading v Newcastle United game at the Madejski Stadium here.

Chelsea v Bolton Wanderers:

Despite not kicking a ball in anger on Sunday, the day was better than Chelsea could have hoped for as Manchester United failed to beat Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur were beaten by Portsmouth in the second FA Cup Semi Final. All this means that Chelsea top the Premier League by a point having played one less game that Man Utd and they must face a relegated Portsmouth in the FA Cup Final. As a result of the weekend’s action Chelsea are now 4/9 to win both the Premier League and FA Cup with Paddy Power.

That price will surely lower if Chelsea defeat Bolton this evening, and Chelsea are at 1/7 to win the match. Bolton are at 16/1 to be victorious, while the draw is 13/2. Bolton have won just one of their last thirteen away league games, drawing three and losing nine of the other twelve games. Bolton have also failed to find the net in six of their last seven away league matches, however Chelsea have only kept two clean sheets in their last seven home league games.

BetRepublic.com Recommends: As Chelsea have scored 4 goals in their last three matches v Bolton, back over 3.5 goals @ 11/10 and Chelsea to win to nil @ 8/11 with Paddy Power.

Reading v Newcastle United:

Newcastle have already been promoted back to the Premier League and should they win this game they will be nine points clear of West Bromwich Albion in second place with three games to play. They have a better goal difference and a victory here will all but guarantee them the Championship title. However, they have to get past a Reading side that is undefeated in ten home league matches, winning seven of those.

Newcastle are unbeaten in six away league games, although they have won only half of those matches and those three wins were only by a single goal. I feel that they may struggle against a Reading side that has scored in each of their thirteen games. Also, with being so many points ahead of West Brom and already been promoted I’m not sure how up for this game Newcastle will be.

BetRepublic.com Recommends: Back the draw @ 12/5 with both sides to score @ 13/20 with William Hill.

By Antony Jordan