When you're onto a good thing, why stop? That's our thinking here with Arsenal the kings of the late goal. OK, sometimes it's them conceding late on but that just adds weight to our argument about backing a late last-goal time in their games.

 

Arsenal v Fulham
When you're onto a good thing, why stop? That's our thinking here with Arsenal the kings of the late goal. OK, sometimes it's them conceding late on but that just adds weight to our argument about backing a late last-goal time in their games. Twelve of Arsenal's 15 Premier League matches this season have featured goals in the last 10 minutes - and 10 of those have been in the last five minutes. Yet Bet365 still go 1.83 about there being a goal after the 76th minute in this game. As stated in previous previews, Arsenal are a team well set out to score late on - many a time they've piled on the pressure late on when they've been struggling and got the desired result, while even if they are ahead they are capable of catching sides on the break. Let-ups, a la Jose Mourinho's Chelsea when were leading, are rare. Arsenal have lost three times at home this season - the latest coming courtesy of another late goal against Spurs a fortnight ago - but those thinking about getting with Fulham at 12.00 should probably know that the Cottagers have been visiting Arsenal for 106 years now and have yet to beat them.
Verdict: Arsenal 3 Fulham 1

 

Birmingham v Tottenham
Harry Redknapp was in bullish mood after beating Arsenal a couple of weeks ago, suggesting Spurs could win the Premier League in the next two years. While that comment raised a few eyebrows, more people saw where he was coming from when he said his side felt confident of outscoring anyone. Going forward they look full of goals, but at the back they clearly aren't the most solid - it's still just one clean sheet in the league this season, that having come on the opening day. When it comes to a side with such characteristics, the way to go is to back both sides to score and that's where we're going here. You can get 1.80 about that outcome; not bad when you consider it's happened 11 times out of 15 in Tottenham's league games this season (and six out of eight in the cups). The stats aren't so great as far as the Blues are concerned but the outcome has still happened more often than not with them. The 1.80 about both sides scoring certainly looks better value then a Spurs win (2.10) when you consider Birmingham have lost just once at home in 14 months.
Verdict: Birmingham 1 Tottenham 1

 

Blackburn v Wolves
With Wolves owners of the league's worst away record (just one point from a possible 21 so far), Blackburn will have plenty of backers this weekend. However, at a best price of 1.70 they are too short for us. We've been impressed in the past by their solid home record - they've lost just six league games in two years under Sam Allardyce - but Fulham and Sunderland have both left with points this season and with Wolves' confidence high after a much-needed win over the Black Cats last weekend, we're not tempted to get involved at odds-on prices. In the goalscorer markets, David Dunn, now fully fit again after yet another injury, is due a goal after impressing at times in front of the target last term. He can be backed in this one at 3.00, but we're going to save our readies for other games.
Verdict: Blackburn 2 Wolves 1

 

Chelsea v Everton
Which Premier League side has visited Chelsea in each of the last four seasons and on each occasion left with a point? That's right; it's Everton, this fixture having ended all square in each of the last four renewals. You can get 4.75 (Bet365) about another draw here, while you can get Everton and the draw on your side for 3.00 in the double-chance market. That may tempt some given Chelsea's stuttering form (one win in five league games) but Everton are also having a ropey time of late and also have Mikel Arteta suspended for this one. Goals have been hard to come by all season with Jermaine Beckford the latest to miss a host of chances for them in last week's embarrassing 4-1 home defeat to West Brom. David Moyes' men are in a relegation battle right now and with goals in such short supply it's hard to see anything resembling last season's 3-3 draw in this fixture. Chelsea should win and will probably give someone a real spanking soon, but with both sides out of form, this doesn't look a game to get involved in.
Verdict: Chelsea 2 Everton 0

 

Manchester City v Bolton
The last fortnight has summed up City in a nutshell. Brilliant one week (winning 4-1 at Fulham); disappointing the next (conceding a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Stoke). And this clash with in-form neighbours Bolton looks exactly the sort of contest which has proved so problematic for City since the money men from the Middle East arrived at Eastlands. Birmingham and Blackburn have already left here with a point this season (City have only won three of seven home games so far) and those results came on the back of a whole host of missed opportunities on home soil in 2009/10. With Bolton flying high and Johan Elmander in his best form since arriving in England, you have to fancy the Trotters' chances to gain something from this one; especially given City had to play on Wednesday night too. Bolton have really come along under Owen Coyle and given they've lost just once on their travels so far, we're keen to back them in the double-chance market. An away win and the draw can be on your coupon at 2.37, a price we're more than happy to take. For those wanting more, Elmander at 3.60 (Bet365) to net at any time isn't the worst bet around considering six of his eight goals have come away from home this term.
Verdict: Manchester City 1 Bolton 1

 

Wigan v Stoke
Low on goals looks the way to go in this one. Wigan have managed to find the net just six times in eight home games so far, while for Stoke it's seven goals in seven away games. Three of those came on their last road trip - at West Brom - but that's been the exception rather than the norm for the Potters away from the Britannia. Betsson offer 1.61 that there are three goals or fewer which looks fair. To add weight to the argument, of the four Premier League matches between these two, three have produced a profit on this bet. With Wigan, currently in the drop zone, badly needing points, a tight affair should be expected and we're convinced goals will be hard to come by, especially with Wigan's top scorer Hugo Rodallega being suspended following his recent red card.
Verdict: Wigan 1 Stoke 1

 

Blackpool v Manchester United- POSTPONED -
United may have grabbed the headlines in midweek when they suffered their first defeat of the season, being thrashed 4-0 at West Ham, but punters would be foolish to read too much into that. Sir Alex Ferguson made 10 changes (and will likely do so again here) and frankly little was learned from the game. We already knew squad strength at Old Trafford is not the best - just look at the number of league points to have been dropped so far - yet such is the low standard of the Premier League this season that they still go into this match as the leaders. United are awfully short to win this one and even a delve into the goal markets provides little value. Wayne Rooney is odds-on across the board to score, although Dimitar Berbatov, after five goals last weekend, is slightly better at 23/20. The hosts have exceeded expectations this season but have struggled to keep the top sides out - against the other top-four teams they've let in six against Arsenal, four against Chelsea and three against Manchester City. Following that pattern, we looked into United's odds of scoring at least three in this game. However, all you'll get is 2.10 (Bet365) which looks too skinny. We'll swerve.
Verdict: Blackpool 1 Manchester United 3

West Brom v Newcastle
The top two in the Championship last season prepare to meet on Sunday with plenty to smile about. West Brom, albeit disappointed after losing to Ipswich in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup in midweek, won 4-1 at Everton last weekend and Newcastle impressed as they draw 1-1 against champions Chelsea. The two teams look evenly matched with only goal difference separating them in the table and that should be reflected in Saturday's match. Both league games between the sides during the previous campaign finished level and a repeat looks good value with the draw on offer at 3.30 with Bet365 and Bwin. Baggies boss Roberto Di Matteo will revert to his first XI on Sunday after making nine changes for the defeat at Ipswich. Youssouf Mulumbu will miss out after he was dismissed in the win over Everton and his presence will be missed. Newcastle are tempting at 3.25 to win at The Hawthorns but the heavy defeat at Bolton on November 20 and defensive suspensions help make the draw the more likely outcome. One way to support the Magpies is by showing faith in star striker Andy Carroll. The England new boy is available at 2.40 to score anytime and his run of four goals in five games shows a player right at the top of his game.
Verdict: West Brom 2 Newcastle 2

 

Sunderland v West Ham
West Ham have enjoyed a fantastic week with the 3-2 win over Wigan last weekend sparking their Premier League survival bid back to life. They followed that up with an amazing 4-0 victory against Manchester United in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night and boss Avram Grant thinks that his side are moving in the right direction. "It's very important for us to build a winning mentality and the best way to do that is with wins like last night," he told talkSPORT after beating United. "The way that we did it was amazing." Next up is a trip to Sunderland and this is a good time to play at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats are without key defenders Michael Turner and Titus Bramble until 2011 and they were poor at the back in the 3-2 defeat at Wolves in their previous match. They still have enough quality to remain in the mid-table scramble but the sooner January comes the better for boss Steve Bruce in his quest to bring in defensive reinforcements. West Ham striker Carlton Cole is the main man for Sunderland to worry about after his double against United and is worth backing at 3.60 with Bet365 to score anytime. The Hammers are 4.60 with Betsson to pick up the three points and they have the momentum to keep moving up after easing the pressure on Grant with two wins in a row.
Verdict: Sunderland 1 West Ham 3

Liverpool v Aston Villa
A much-changed Liverpool side will welcome Aston Villa to Anfield on Monday night compared to the one that ensured progression to the knockout stages of the Europa League with a 1-1 draw at Steaua Bucharest on Thursday.

Dirk Kuyt, Raul Meireles, Fernando Torres, Paul Konchesky, Glen Johnson and Maxi Rodriguez were all rested for the trip to Romania, but will return on Monday with Joe Cole also back to fitness after a hamstring problem..

Greece international Sotirios Kyrgiakos will take Jamie Carragher's place in central defence after the Reds vice-captain underwent shoulder surgery on Friday after dislocating it during last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Spurs.

Skipper Steven Gerrard is at least a week away from returning from a hamstring injury and with his absence, and that of Carragher, many have suggested Liverpool's heartbeat is missing. But that draw in Bucharest, with a weakened side, demonstrated that the Reds do have plenty of spirit as they battled resolutely in sub-zero temperatures to the point needed to top Group K.

Now it's back to league matters and Liverpool's problems this season have been well documented with six defeats in 15 games meaning it is already an uphill task for them to finish in the top four. However, results have not always reflected performances with the loss at Spurs a prime example - Martin Skrtel putting the Reds ahead and several chances going begging before the hosts hit back to win.

Despite their struggles, Liverpool's home form is solid with four wins and two draws from seven matches and we fully expect that trend to continue.

Villa boss Gerard Houlier will be guaranteed a warm welcome after six largely successful seasons in charge at Anfield, but hospitality on the field for his side will not be as forthcoming.

They were dumped out of the Carling Cup in midweek by bitter rivals Birmingham and, with just one away win all season, Houllier needs to get points on the board quickly to ensure his side pull away from the lower reaches of the table.

The fact Liverpool are a best-priced .160 and Villa 6.50 would seem to paint a fairly realistic picture of this encounter, even though the Midlands outfit did triumph 3-1 at Anfield last season.

With the likes of Torres and Kuyt fit and filly rested we fancy the Reds can hit the goal trail. For this reason, we're going to the handicap market and Liverpool (-2) at 4.10 with Bet365 has plenty of appeal.
Verdict: Liverpool 4 Aston Villa 1

PICKS:
SATURDAY
Last goal in Arsenal v Fulham after the 76th minute at 1.83 at Bet365.   
Both teams to score in Birmingham v Spurs at 1.80 at Bet365.
Bolton and draw in double chance market v Man City at 2.37 at Bet365.
Under 2.5 goals in Wigan v Stoke at 1.61 at Betsson.
SUNDAY
Draw in West Brom v Newcastle at 3.30 at Bet365 and Bwin.
Andy Carroll to score anytime v West Brom at 2,40 at Bet365 and Bwin.
West Ham to beat Sunderland at 4.60 at Betsson.
Carlton Cole to score anytime v Sunderland at 3.60 at Bet365.
MONDAY
Liverpool (-2) to beat Aston Villa at 4.10 at Bet365.