Walker's Word - Premier League Betting Preview 22/23 April 2006

An excess of wins at home dominates the weather this weekend and Sunderland could add another touch of the relegation battle with large portions. Love them or hate them, Chelsea will be in the final of the FA Cup with Middlesbrough, writes David Walker. Hots race Saturday, April 22nd Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal for fourth place at this lunch offer as Arsenal try to regain the four point gap separating them from their London rivals. The statistics point to a victory at home. The Gunners have won their last six league matches at home against the Spurs and seven of 13 overall. Tottenham Hotspur have not had the joy at Highbury since the Premiership began in 1992/93 when they won 3-1. Forgotten striker John Hendry scored twice in one of his few appearances for the Spurs shirt after moving a 5000 Dundee ฃ Word. Walker: closing the gap with Arsenal @ 4 / 5. Bolton Wanderers Charlton Athletic vs Bolton ended a run of five consecutive league defeats with a goalless draw against West Brom on Monday and this game could be a similar yawnfest. Two of the last four meetings between the two sides have produced a goalless draw, while Charlton seem love a 0-0 result, characterized in five of the last 10 league games of Word. Walker: Another bore draw 23/10 @ ee 0-0 @ 17 / 2. Everton vs Birmingham City Birmingham City are running out of games if they want to survive in the Premier League and is unlikely to obtain favors on Saturday. Steve Bruce side have never won against Everton since winning promotion to the top flight, but were held 1-1 times in the last three meetings. His chances of victory are slim and did not win at Goodison Park since 1957 and have lost 11 times on the road this season. Word Walker: Home win @ 11/10. Newcastle United vs West Bromwich Albion According to Glenn Roeder, Newcastle, one of the two teams are in the Premiership. They won their last four games in a row and this is a great opportunity for the fifth. The Magpies have won both meetings in the Premiership at St James Park, while the Baggies have not won there since 1977. Bryan Robson side have won once away from home all season and is unlikely to improve that record this weekend Word. Walker: Five laps to Newcastle @ 4 / 5. Sunderland vs Portsmouth At first sight, this seems a guaranteed home win. Portsmouth have won six on the bounce, until it fell 2-1 at Charlton on Bank Holiday Monday, Sunderland, and have nothing to play after being relegated. Right? Wrong. Sunderland may have hammer Portsmouth 4-1 at the Stadium of Light in October, but they were not beaten at Fratton Park in the league since 1992. Since then, Sunderland have won three of the five hits, including two victories, 4-1. Add the fact that Sunderland have nothing to lose, while Portsmouth could be transferred to the nerves and has a very tasty proposition against and win big to boot. There may be another turning point for the battle of decline yet. Word Walker: Sunderland to cause a shock @ 8 / 1. FA Cup Chelsea vs Liverpool Chelsea have a perfect home record against Liverpool, which puts them in pole position to a place in the FA Cup final. The Blues have won 10 of the 14 Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge, losing only once, 1-0, in 2004. Chelsea have been beaten only once in 90 minutes this season, against Barcelona in the Champions League and won 17 of the 18 league games in front of their fans. This is the first time the pair met in the FA Cup since 1997, when Chelsea fought 2-0 to win 4-2. Word Walker Chelsea in March @ 6 / 5. Sunday, April 23rd Middlesbrough vs West Ham United The bookmakers have the money for West Ham as favorites for its superior position in the Premiership, but they seem to have ignored the fact that the Hammers have not won at home by Middlesbrough in the Premier League . Steve McClaren side have won seven of eight meetings with West Ham last victory came at Middlesbrough in 1990, when both parties were in the second age Division. Word Walker: Record of Boro at home to prevail @ 6 / 4.